Express Pregame 7/1/12

Express Starters

P Chad Bell (1-0, 1.59 ERA)

1. CF Julio Borbon (.296, 7 HR, 32 RBI)
2. SS Luis Hernandez (.243, 4 HR, 32 RBI)
3. LF Ryan Spilborghs (.309, 4 HR, 24 RBI)
4. 1B Mike Bianucci (.280, 14 HR, 48 RBI)
5. DH Brad Nelson (.279, 11 HR, 47 RBI)
6. RF Joey Butler (.282, 11 HR, 41 RBI)
7. 3B Matt Kata (.290, 6 HR, 38 RBI)
8. 2B Yangervis Solarte (.285, 6 HR, 36 RBI)
9. C Dusty Brown (.246, 4 HR, 16 RBI)

Express Players-to-Watch

Andrew Brown: 

My pick for today’s Express Player-to-Watch is DH Brad Nelson. Nelson, who has made a name for himself as a road warrior this season, has been relatively quiet at home this year. In particular, this recent home stretch Nelson has had trouble finding the power he is most well known for (a huge part of that coming against his former team who knew exactly how to pitch to him and how to shift their infield). Despite all that, Nelson has been swinging the bat well, and even hitting more balls hard than his numbers give him credit for but he just hasn’t been seeing the ball drop. That’s just baseball.

My prediction: Nelson sees those good swings pay off today. I think you can only keep a slugger quiet for so long, especially one who appears to be misfortunate rather than struggling. I am not going to predict a homerun for Nelson, because that has not worked out too well for me so far when I’ve tried it for Bianucci. I do however think that Nelson will be spending some quality time on the bases tonight. New Orleans is putting a right-hander on the mound, so Nelson, the bruising lefty, should feel right at home.

Wade Hilligoss:

INF Mike Bianucci had a hit and an RBI last night in his first home game back in the cleanup spot since April. I like him to keep producing in the new middle of the order.

Will Weinstock:

I am taking LHP Chad Bell tonight. Bell has made a long journey this season. He began his season starting out as a reliever in Class-A Myrtle Beach. Bell then moved up to Double-A Frisco where he made six appearances as a reliever before being moved to the starting rotation. Finally, he came to Round Rock to take RHP Neil Ramirez’s place in the rotation. He made his Triple-A debut on June 26 at Iowa, and was impressive in his lone start going 5.2 innings and only giving up one earned run while striking out seven. Since being moved into the rotation Bell is 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA at both Frisco and Round Rock. Look for the dominance to continue at The Dell Diamond tonight against the Zephyrs.

New Orleans Starters

P Omar Poveda (0-0, 0.00 ERA, first triple A start)

1. CF Kevin Mattison (.257, 6 HR, 22 RBI)
2. 2B Gil Velazquez (.288, 2 HR, 24 RBI)
3. LF Chris Coghlan (.294, 0 HR, 11 RBI)
4. 1B Mike Cervenak (.371, 4 HR, 32 RBI)
5. RF Bryan Petersen (.304, 1 HR, 20 RBI)
6. SS Donnie Murphy (.261, 6 HR, 9 RBI)
7. 3B Nick Green (.342, 5 HR, 26 RBI)
8. DH Luke Montz (.245, 13 HR, 35 RBI)
9. C Clint Sammons (.200, 6 HR, 14 RBI)