I really like the way the team is winning games. I like the execution from the pitching at critical moments. I like the way the offense is producing enough to win games. I like the fundamental play. I have to say, this team is much improved. When I'm home this ummer, I'll pay money just to see the pitching. When was the last time we'd say that about the Reds?

...wreaked havoc on the Phillies today. That it was the wife-beater on the mound just makes it sweeter.

And the much-maligned Bako was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/batting?team=cin

some fun with small sample sizes:

patterson had a good game at the plate yesterday and today, but his line after 15 ABs is still .200/.235/.667. So corey patterson has basically been corey patterson, plus some slugging.

Kepp is OPSing 1.117: spicy!

Dunn's is slugging .143: scrappy!

The much-maligned Paul Bako has a much-malignable .606 OPS.

The slumping EdE and his .154/.450/.385 in 20 or so PAs is a textbook example of how a slumping hitter can still be valuable to his team offensively.

Our 1b platoon is a combined 3 for 20 with 0 BBs, 3 Ks and 4 total bases.

..."There are 26,566 fans in attendance - including 7,125 walk-ups."

Maybe the two young guns will fix Arroyo's main complaint: the lack of butts in the seats.

And Trent says, "I may have underestimated this team." He notes that the kid who threw out the first pitch today was wearing a Cueto jersey. Already.

He also says:

The lesson: In today's game, arms are the key. If you have a superstar-in-the-making outfielder and you can trade him for a superstar-in-the-making starter (who is younger), you gotta make the deal. That's why Reds GM Wayne Krivsky pulled the deal to send Josh Hamilton to Texas for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera this winter. It certainly wasn't a move made with thoughts toward the fans, but they could benefit. Volquez looked sharp in his debut, striking out 8 Phillies. Volquez struck out former MVP Ryan Howard and center fielder Shane Victorino twice. If it weren't for the performance of Johnny Cueto earlier this week, there would be Edinson Volquez jerseys for sale right now. There will be soon enough.

after an afternoon of work out in "la loma." I am an a member of an organizing school with that works in rural communities outside of Santo Domingo. Today we had a pleasant workshop making a medicinal plant concoction that can be rubbed on the body as a decongestant and a pain reliever. The idea, more than just to solve health problems, is to teach and practice working together to solve collective problems.

I start this post with that description because I was unable to listen to the wagon's first start this afternoon because of this. I did, however, have a nice conversation with a fellow organizer who is a native Dominican about all of the exciting young (and not so young) players we have from this island on the team this year. I am looking forward to seeing what the press has to say about EdV tomorrow here and anticipate a story about the collective impact of Cueto and Volquez on the Reds and las grandes ligas en general.

Another interesting tidbit from my conversation with the my co-organizer: She dated Odalis Perez for a few years when they were teenagers, but it didn't really work out cause he was always in the States working some job where he had to throw a ball around or something.

Although I missed the boat for the death pool this year, I thought I'd pass this along.

Congratulations to all who had Charlton Heston.

once again, WOW! cable and FSN conspired to screw me, successfully, showing the bluejackets (hockey on such a nice day?) today instead of the Reds. best thing that ever happened to me. i took my transistor radio out to the little patch of cement outside my apartment to sit in the glorious sunlight all afternoon. it was 70 degrees and only a few puffy white clouds roamed the sky. marty went on at length about all the "new" basketball lingo that bothers him so, but with a glass of cool iced tea in hand he doesnt sound as contrary. today was the best day of the year so far, and not just because Volquez and the 'pen pitched very well, or the offense was bangin'. baseball is back, finally, and with it the refreshing breezes of spring. this is my favorite time of year, and even if the Reds lose every game this month it wouldnt matter.

anyone else watching the Tigers and White Sox? It's now 9-1 - the Tigers are serious about not winning any games this season, apparently!

I saw that Belisle had a fine rehab start in Sarasota: 8 2/3 IP, 3 Ks, 2 H, 0 BB. Wonder why they brought someone else in the get the last out?

I also wonder what the Reds' plan is for him. I can't imagine Fogg is going anywhere unless he is just awful in his next few starts. So that puts Belisle in the bullpen until someone gets hurt. But is there even room there? Who gets sent down? Can they option Belisle to Louisville so he can start? Will they trade him?