The biggest problem as I see it is that Kang is getting benched too often, and seems to be slightly less effective when he isn't playing every day. It's hard to make absolute statements like that about him given that he's a rookie without a track record, and I fully believe that there are resting algorithmic reasons for the decision that go well-beyond Hurdle favoritism, but I still don't think it's the best decision.
Beyond that, I don't have much to say. Starting Florimon and Rodriguez is inexcusable, but Harrison isn't exactly a good defensive SS, and Lester would have owned Pedro. I think some of the problem is compounded by the fact that Marte is still somewhat hurt- otherwise in game 2, he could have started, with J Hay replacing Polanco, Ramirez at 1st, Kang at 3rd, and Mercer still at SS.
One thing that I think is a bit too much of a short circuit in terms of the Hurdle bashing is a simple preference for Mercer over Kang. The problem is also that Ramirez is getting an extra start or two per week. He's been a solid pickup but isn't as important to the lineup as Kang. Kang should maybe get a day off once a week, and more if they feel like they can squeeze another in, but I don't see any problem with preferring the best defensive SS on the team and having Ramirez on the bench one or two more games per week.
In any case, it's not really a disaster to split. Even splitting the next two is a fine result for us, while it's a bad one for the Cubs. Maybe Arrieta presses too much tonight and we take the third game, really putting pressure on them in tomorrow's game? I do think we probably need to win 3/4 to keep pace with the Cardinals, and was frustrated to see the lineup/result, but so far the results this week are fine.
