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The Cardinals have apparently been worried about over-working Lance Lynn,
Lynn is a first-year starter for the Cardinals. Between the majors, postseason and some time in the minors, he pitched just 120 2/3 innings in 2011. He is 17 2/3 innings shy of that total already this season. Lynn was on the All-Star Team, but didn't appear in the game. Switching around the Cardinals rotation gave Lynn an extra two-days' rest and also meant that Kyle Lohse would not pitch at MIller Park, where he has a 6.95 ERA in nine starts.
The change in the rotation order was made after Lynn did not make an appearance in Tuesday's All-StarGame (he was voted in by the players). The club also saw this as an opportunity to give Lynn, who has already thrown 103 innings, extended time off.
He pitched six shut-out innings to beat Colorado just before the All-Star break, but that was his first win since June 13. He struggled in his three previous starts, going 0-2 with a 9.98 ERA and giving up 17 earned runs over 15 1/3 innings. However, he's 11-4 with a 3.41 ERA over 17 starts this season.
The Cardinals won four of five heading into the break, but were just swept in three by the Reds.
He'll face Michael Fiers (2.31 ERA, 2.05 FIP), making his first start of the second half in his rookie season. Fiers hasn't pitched since being a tough luck loser on July 5, allowing two runs on seven hits over 7.1 innings against the Marlins.
Hopefully the long layoff hasn't disrupted Fiers' recent hot streak. He's allowed just three runs in his last 28.2 innings (a 0.94 ERA), and struck out seven or more in each of his last three appearances. If he strikes out seven or more again today it'd only be the 15th time in franchise history a pitcher has done it four straight times.
Fiers is facing the Cardinals for the first time in his career tonight.
Tonight's lineup:
Norichika Aoki RF
Carlos Gomez CF
Ryan Braun LF
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Corey Hart RF
Rickie Weeks 2B
Martin Maldonado C
Cody Ransom SS
Michael Fiers P
And in the bullpen:
Francisco Rodriguez pitched one inning (12 pitches) yesterday.
John Axford pitched one inning (12 pitches) yesterday.
Manny Parra pitched 0.2 innings (2 pitches) Saturday.
Kameron Loe pitched 0.2 innings (19 pitches) Saturday.
Tyler Thornburg pitched 2 innings (39 pitches) Saturday and is expected to pitch on Wednesday.
Jose Veras last pitched on Friday.
Livan Hernandez has not pitched since the All-Star break.
It's very hot in Milwaukee again tonight, with the game time temperature projected to be around 93 and no chance of precipitation. If you're going to the game, drink lots of water and stay in the shade when possible. Otherwise you'll end up complaining about your sunburns like Kyle and I.