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Spring Game 14: Astros at Reds

MLB Florida and Arizona Spring Training - SB Nation

The Reds face off against the Astros for the first time this spring.  The Astros aren't exactly having the success that one would hope for in the Grapefruit League as they are just 1-10 so far.  None of that means much today though or during the regular season.

Aaron Harang will be the starter for the Reds.  He's obviously still trying to find his rhythm this Spring, but it sure would be nice if that started happening sooner rather than later.  Like, say, today would be good.

Homer Bailey will be following Harang today since tomorrow is Bailey's normal day to pitch and the Reds have the day off.  Also available are Francisco Cordero, Jared Burton, and Arthur Rhodes.  It'd be nice to see Harang and Bailey pitch 7 innings between them.

On the mound for the Astros is 29-year old right-hander Jeff Fulchino.  Fulchino spent most of the last 8 years in the minors, without a lot of success.  He's pitched a full 14.1 innings in the majors, without a lot of success (career 8.79 ERA).  I wouldn't guess that he's a big threat to make the Astros' rotation, but stranger things have happened.

See the lineups after the jump.

Star-divide

Lineup

Houston Astros @ Cincinnati Reds

03/11/09 1:05 PM EDT

Houston Astros
CINcinnati reds
Kazuo Matsui - DH
Darnell McDonald - CF
Michael Bourn - CF
Chris Dickerson - LF
Lance Berkman - 1B
Jay Bruce - RF
Hunter Pence - RF
Brandon Phillips - 2B
Geoff Blum - 3B
Daryle Ward - 1B
David Newhan - 2B
Juan Francisco - 3B
Lou Palmisano - C
Danny Richar - SS
Brian Bogusevic - LF
Ryan Hanigan - C
Tommy Manzella - SS
Jeff Keppinger - DH

Game time is 1:0pm.  No home audio, but there is Gameday or you can follow along with BK on the Red Reporter Twitter feed.

Comment 156 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Bailey predictions?

3 IP 4H 1R 2K

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 12:45 PM EDT reply actions  

You guys seem a little down on Bailey today

Unless Berkman hits a homer (which seems really likely), I don’t think he gives up a run and strikes out at least 3.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 11, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm not down on him

I just expect that given that it’s not his normal work day, he’s going to hit a bump in the road.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'll say four.

There are a lot of junior astronaut space campers in Hoston’s lineup today.

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Who have lost ten spring training games in a row, by the by

Personally, as excited as I am to see Homer drop the hammer, I’m looking for a big game from Harang today. I’d love to see him strike out Berkman.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Max and Jinx... Friends... For-e-ver.

is it possible that Joaquin Phoenix (then as Leaf Phoenix) was adversely affected by his time in space while they filmed that movie?

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Except

His friend is Casey Affleck. So this is probably part of Ocean’s 14.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 11, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

2 IP 3 H 0 R 1 K

close

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

That means he likes you.

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

i don't really see what you did there at all

(i don’t own a television or live in North America)

Tanzen!

by Verka Serduchka on Mar 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Citation needed.

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Got it now.

I did live in North America and own a television when while I was in elementary school.

Tanzen!

by Verka Serduchka on Mar 11, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

you can't recall why you keep thinking of Total Recall

Ironic or just lame on my part?

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

Don't touch that! Get away, get back!

What are you afraid of? Turn it on.

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 11, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

See you at the party, Richar!

Or:

Consider that a divorce.

Phone's ringing, Dude.

by rjdio on Mar 11, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

the astros announcer just said he suspects chris dickerson is probably on BA's top 100 list

i guess we’ll take it

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions  

top 100 prospects

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

I heard that

I don’t think he looked up Dickerson’s age

by ken on Mar 11, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

and tell the color man to sit closer to the mic

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

That's racist!

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 11, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

He also just said...

“that there are a lot of Reds playing today that we’ll see during the regular season.” I dunno— 4.5 of the batting lineup? Dickerson (platoon), Philips, Bruce, Hanigan (platoon at best), Keppinger (platoon at best). Maybe he’s thinking of the pitchers. He’s definitedly not impressing me, regardless.

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

or anything besides his 100 AB sample size

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Tweet from BK

So far so good, Bruce sac fly in a run, Dickerson creating some HAVOC, and BP doubles him in! 2-0 Reds with 1 out in the 1st.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions  

2-0 BP moved to third on the shallow fly out by ward

HAVOC-esque?

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

My bad--

“Havoc by any other name will stil get you a base.”

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

BP stole 3rd

Apparently the ‘stros haven’t been reading Dusty’s quotes. The PBP guy is surprised how “aggressive” the Reds are on the bases.

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

aggressive...aggrevating

they kinda sound the same, I guess

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

When referring to mosquitos.

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

C'mon BK!

Twit or get off the pot!

by Brendanukkah on Mar 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions   2 recs

TWEET

EL NINO DESTRUCTOR singles in BP, it’s 3-0 Reds.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Will BK be twittering the SEC tournament?

it’s in Tampa

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 11, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

I doubt it

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

me too :-(

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 11, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

nah...

i depend on red reporter for my college basketball news

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

I really like that he's not one of the guys who was "sent where they needed to be going."

Faaaaint hope that he’ll make the squad?

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

he shouldn't make the squad

dude need to learn to take some pitches

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

You need to learn to love aggressive HAVOC!

"I accidently put the night light in the washing machine."

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 11, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

RBI single

and another Houston child goes missing! ROAR!

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions  

1-2-3 inning for harangatang

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions  

hanigan single, somebody lined out, ward singles hanigan to third

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Um...

There’s five batters between Hanigan and Ward. Just sayin’…

by Brendanukkah on Mar 11, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

haha mcdonald singled

not good at this working and listening thing

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

From the Houston PBP

“Apparently everyone here in attendance has personally witnessed all 85 years of Sarasota’s Spring Training history! I hope they all have sunscreen.”
“This is my least favorite spring training stadium. Where’s the bullpen? I guess you have to go back between the buses to warm up?!” (Does go on to say that Sarasota is a great town for Spring Training)

From the color guy: “Ryan Hanigan is channeling some Ernie Lombardi— he’s 9 for 17 on the spring!”

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions  

I definitely can't argue with both of those quotations

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

hunter pence robs dickerson of a opening day start, hanigan home on the sac fly

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions  

HAVOC

mcdonald to 2nd

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions  

this is great

Dusty Baker Used Toothpicks

www.wrigleyexpansion.com

by drodd on Mar 11, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions  

are they tea trea toothpicks?

if they aren’t then they ain’t dusty’s

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Mar 11, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why "Dr. Odd?" Maybe it's "D-Rodd"!?!

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

TWEET

More HAVOC by McDonald, after Dickerson sac flies in a run. 4-0 Reds now after 2.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions  

So much HAVOC today, I couldn't keep up

And we weren’t killed on the basepaths, either.

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

TWEETS

Skinny Harang looks absolutely filthy on the mound today.

Gomes, Jones, and Tatum in for Bruce, Ward, and Hanigan, respectively. Dusty auditioning all of his OFers to back up 1B too?

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions  

hes using the old gray mattress

getting creative to find a way to start JJ four times a week

by saboscork on Mar 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

How many pitches in is Harang?

Will Homer be coming in for the next 3/4 innings?

by Clove on Mar 11, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions  

it's hard to say

they don’t openly track that stuff for the spring games.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

looks like around 55

if you believe Gameday’s pitch-by-pitch. Generally we don’t for ST games, but it appears to be working today.

by bengalred on Mar 11, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is it me,

or did the color guy just say “Dennis” instead of “Norris”

by ken on Mar 11, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions  

It's his job

He’s out pitching 401(k)s

by ken on Mar 11, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Fay Tweet

Reds 4, Astros 0 after 4. Harang: 4 IP, 3 hits, 0 BB, 4 Ks. By far his best outing of the spring.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Now that's some good news

If we get strong pitching fom 1-4 (or even 1-5), then anything can happen this year.

The season doesn't start until the Cincinnati Reds take the field! Reclaim The Opener!!

by TheC on Mar 11, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tweets from BK

Bailey in to pitch, throwing hard so far.

Homer gives up a hit, but gets a K and groundout to get out of the inning.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions  

bullocks

“throwing hard so far” is not measurable, therefore it must be considered invalid data.

SABR’d

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

um, throwing hard is too measurable

remember, we went to the Reds HOF and were measured to find that we did not throw that hard?

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

true dat

but i can elaborate.

One nameless RR’er hit the top of the batting cages netting causing the ball to fail to make it to the plate. (verdict: not hard thrower)

Another nameless RR’er bounced a ball about 15 feet in front of the mound causing the ball to fail to make it to the plate. (verdict: not hard thrower)

A third nameless RR’er had his pitch make it all the way to the plate where the speed was recorded by the radar gun. (verdict: hard throwing mothereffer)

As jch will vouch….hard measurement is all relative to the competition

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

"As jch will vouch….hard measurement is all relative to the competition"

Too easy, pass.

I miss the old days of the internet when men were men, hot girls were middle aged men, and hot underage girls were FBI agents.....

by jch24 on Mar 12, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

Tell Ed Smith Stadium to get a radar gun to validate my data

Otherwise, suck it.

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tweet

Creating more HAVOC on the basepaths leads to a Rosales double for 2 runs, Reds now lead 6-0!

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions  

Tweets

Homer’s in a bit of a jam, let’s see how he responds…

Diving catch by Gomes in RF saves 2 runs! Homer’s out of trouble this time!

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions  

I don't see how he doesn't make it now.

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

tweet

Rhodes in to pitch, defense is Nix, Hopper, Bankston in the OF, Janish, Bolivar, Rosales, Barker in the IF and Kroski catching.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Say it aint so...

from my count on the boxscore…do we really have 5 stolen bases so far today, with no CS? HAVOC!!!!!

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why this spring has been amazing so far

Homer Bailey’s spring ERA right now, including today: 0.90
He’s not the front-runner for the last rotation spot.

Dickerson’s AVG: .350
Gomes’ AVG: .316
Hanigan’s AVG: .529
These are backups/platooners.

by ThePensive on Mar 11, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions  

its definately exciting stuff

I would love to see Gomes win the LF position outright…I think he could have 25 + HR if he played consistently

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

easily

Gomes doesnt hit righties particularly well, and Dickerson crushes them.

My millions are unconventional!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 11, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh

and Dickerson is 10 times the glove that Gomes is.

My millions are unconventional!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 11, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Understandable

I just am curious as to what each could do with 500+ ab’s what kinda numbers do you think we are looking at combined from each if they do in fact platoon?

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

it'd be interesting to see

Gomes career against LHP: .266/.369/.510
CDick career (minors) against RHP: .272/.364/.464

So, if they were both to reach those numbers in a platoon (big IF, especially for CDick), that’s probably something like .270/.365/.480 I would guess. Definitely not Dunn-like production, but I think it would be better than what either would put up as a starter on their own.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

That would come out to an 845 OPS

versus a MLB average for starting corner OF’ers of 826 (measured since start of 2001 thru mid-2008 among batting qualifiers).

Even if C-Dick comes in below his minor league averages by 20 OPS pts, we’d still have an above-average offensive LF starter…and perhaps C-Dick’s good speed and defense might supersede the defensive limitations of Gomes, leaving us with + defense at the position, as well.

That’d be as tasty as an original chicken sandwich from Burger King, and cost only a little more.

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 11, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

No twits

from BK or Fay for a while. any updates?

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions  

tweet

2Ks and a groundout, Rhodes has a 1-2-3 inning. He looks pretty good to me.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dear Micah

Take that, bitches!

Sincerely,

Homer

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions  

A six man

rotation would mess things up pretty bad, no?

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

w/ Homer and Owings

so does Masset go to the bullpen for long relief? I feel like he is fading fast from the 5th starter convo……and how long till this happens?

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

tomorrow?

i think it would be great to begin the season with a six man rotation until somebody falls off the wagon

by saboscork on Mar 11, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Volqes?

Reds fan for 40 years!

by gejoe on Mar 11, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think a 6-man rotation would be hard on guys like Harang and Arroyo

and probably not worth it to have two lesser pitchers (Homer, Owings) pitch more frequently

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

If we had a 6-man rotation

Dusty would have 2 – 3 starters available every day for those extra inning games in San Diego! How awesome would THAT be??

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think

we should start DH’ing Owings. In case Homer wins the 5th spot, it’d be nice to see what Micah could do with the bat if we had him in the pen

by ThePensive on Mar 11, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

If we went to a 6-man rotation,

that would be even more AB’s from Owings as a PH. Yummy.

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 11, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

tweet

Ramirez takes Burton deep for a 2-R shot, it’s 6-2 now.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

or was it Smith with the HR

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

If someone

uses twitter, does that make them a twit?

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

It originally said that Smith hit it

but right after the box score page reloaded it said Sutton…so all is right with the world now

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

The scoreboard operators must have been taking a nap when that happened.

"Sometimes I listen for Griffey’s infectious laugh or Dunn’s humor and wit. But they’re gone." - Dusty

by BK on Mar 11, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

nix 2-run jack

we will have the best AAA team in history

"Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player Of Steroid Era"
-The Onion 2/13/09

by RedinWrigleyville on Mar 11, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions  

No, that distinction goes to

The AAA team that’ll be playing in Minute Maid Park. They can’t even pray for rain after Oswalt thanks to the dome.

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

nix

is pushing to make the team as well. BIG HAVOC per Fay

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions  

Offense...lack of?

I remember seeing so much stuff before ST began saying that we would be run starved this year, and would have a hard time getting guys across the plate….now granted, we have had a couple games with anemic run support (last night against the Yanks), but other than that it has seemed that we have not had too much trouble in that department…..any thoughts?

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

I've been of the opinion

that we will not have much of a power drop off. Everybody just assumed that since we did not sign the big RH LF bat that we would not have any power. i think there is going to be a lot of HR from this team. Maybe more than last year.

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

It's still early in spring

and the majority of the game is still being pitched by guys that aren’t likely to make the other team. I wouldn’t put too much weight on what has been done offensively just yet.

I think they’ll score as much as last season, but I don’t think they’ll have a huge boost, maybe just 20 or 30 runs over last year, unless Bruce and EdE bust out and they get solid production from LF and SS.

"How big IS your magic wand?"

by Slyde on Mar 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

good point

I think IF Dickerson and AGon have productive seasons this is a decent lineup. Votto seems primed to take a step up that ladder and Bruce should improve upon last year’s numbers and Hernandez has a better bat that last year’s catching slop. EE and BP are what we thought they were.

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Lot of AA/AAA pitchers

There are some weak pitching prospects and guys taking time to get back to form (like Cordero for us). I think our good offense is a sign of decent depth and good invites. I would probably side with the experts though when it comes to the regular season. I’m really pulling for Hanigan as a starter. He’s producing.

by Matt McWax on Mar 11, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Understandable

but at least we are not producing against AA and AAA hurlers

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is there really a case for Nix to take a bench spot?

I guess he could supplant Hopper in the pecking order. Bruce and Taveras are entrenched. Cherry is OF capable and is definitely sticking as an IF alternative. Maybe if C-Dick doesn’t make nice with Dusty’s daughter? Maybe Gomes doesn’t have enough of that “young energy?”

"Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!"

by "Red" Moskau on Mar 11, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions  

Happy Meal

McDonald’s making a case too. At least they are on minor league contracts and can be tucked away for injury callups. I just hope they don’t take away AAA starts from Dorn and company.

by Matt McWax on Mar 11, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

This makes me sad...

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

It is good

to have to ponder these things in spring training.

by fourrunhomer on Mar 11, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Brian Buchanan/Andy Green/Rob Stratton

Those are some of those spring wonders that disappeared if my memory serves. I like the athleticism of Nix and McDonald and Gomes has a high ceiling. It’s just tough to say how they will hit against the Zambrano’s of the world.

by Matt McWax on Mar 11, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe if

we treat Cherry as primarily an infield option? Then we have our 5 OF’s (Bruce, T-Virus, C-Dick, Gomes, Nix), 6 IF’s (EdE, Gonzo, BP, Votto, Cherry, Kepp) and 2 C’s? Then 12 pitchers?

Or am I missing someone?

by ThePensive on Mar 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Reds Win

even though it was over the shitty Astros…..i always hated them when they were good….but its becoming increasingly hard to….just like the Pirates…they are like the little LD kid down the street that you feel sorry for

HAVOC...your everyday solution to clogged bases

by Teewrecks44 on Mar 11, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Dueling Couches article is a worthless fart.
The Reds are trying to make the transition from being a power hitting ball club, to one that empathizes speed and defense.

We empathize with speed and defense. /justin’ed

Brandon Phillips is coming off his a down year.

 /justin’ed

The Reds are really asking way too much from rookie Joey Votto

Not a rookie.

Christopher Valaika – Power hitting SS that will compete with our next minor

/justin’ed

It's all fun and games until someone gets herpes. - Fox 4 News

by PeteyHendrix on Mar 11, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

lay off the Couch

There's action across the street. It's Snowman! Take him!

by Man Mountain on Mar 11, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Plus

Not a single word about Jay Hova.

Often wrong, never uncertain.

by sidnancy on Mar 11, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

officially.....

is it justin’d or justin’ed : )

"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"

by obc2 on Mar 11, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

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