We've finally reached the point of the last exhibition game of what has seemed like an excessively long Spring Training this year. Just two more days until Opening Day!
Johnny Cueto hopes to redeem the big league squad after being embarrassed by the minor leaguers yesterdy by a score of 12-4. As you know, Cueto has been outstanding so far this Spring, only allowing 7 runs in the 30.2 innings he's pitched for the entire Spring. He did walk 4 batters in his last outing, including 3 in one inning, but he had walked only 3 batters in the previous 25 innings to that point. Hopefully he can maintain a little more focus this start. Unlike Arroyo last night, Cueto knows many of these hitters as he was teammates with some of them in the minors and has faced others in Winter League. I expect him to be a little more on his game today than Arroyo was last night.
Pitching for the futures is Jordan Smith, a 23-year old right-hander who finished the year in Chattanooga in 2008 after pitching very well in High-A Sarasota. He pitched a couple of times in Spring camp with the big league squad, giving up 4 runs in 3.2 innings pitched while striking out 2 and walking 2. He's not a major prospect, but if he can manage to maintain his precise control, he could have some success in the future.
The game is being broadcast on 700WLW and possibly other Reds affiliates. If you can't get the audio, this should be the Gameday link.