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For the first time since being traded by the Reds to Arizona almost exactly one year ago, Adam Dunn returns to the field where he hit 124 home runs during his career. Fittingly, he will be facing Bronson Arroyo, who was perhaps Dunn's biggest critic after the Big Donkey parted ways with the Reds last summer. As you'll recall, Arroyo mocked Dunn for wanting big money on the free agent market, essentially taking unprovoked shots at the big guy. Dunn tried his best to play it off as nothing, but you gotta think it'll be in his mind when he steps up to the plate during that first plate appearance tonight. Arroyo might be wise to pitch around him, particularly because one of Dunn's selfish solo shots could be enough to put the game out of reach for the Reds.
Twenty-three year old Colin Balester was recently recalled to the Majors after a fairly pedestrian year in AAA. He's made 4 starts in the bigs this year, only lasting 6 innings once. Balester is exactly the type of pitcher that the Reds seem to struggle against for no reason (well, we know the reason, but yeah). A bad night from Arroyo could make this a long night for Reds fans.
The Nats have a little different look than when the season started. Currently there are only 2 former Reds on the active roster - Dunn and reliever Ron Villone. Hopefully we'll be lucky enough to see several future former Reds on the home team's roster tonight.