Game 1: Reds vs. Angels (4:10 PM EDT) Cueto vs. Weaver

Welcome to baseball season. It's been a longer spring than usual, but it makes this day that much sweeter. Today'll be the first time that the home crowd gets to see the current iteration of the team, and while most will be guys we're welcoming back from last year, I'm sure guys like Shin-Soo Choo and Jack Hannahan will get warm receptions as well.

The Reds start their season today against the Los Angeles Angels, a team regarded as one of the best in the American League. The Angels bring ace Jered Weaver to the stage, along with a formidable lineup that boasts former MVPs Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, as well as the guy who could have won it last year in ROY Mike Trout. The road gets easier after these three games, but this'll be a dogfight of a series and winning 2 of 3 could really set the tone about the Reds' intentions for 2013.

If you're going, enjoy yourself. There's nothing like Opening Day in Cincinnati. For the rest of us, the GameThread will be rockin'.

Go Reds! They're my favorite team!

LINEUPS

Reds

Shin-Soo Choo (L) CF
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Todd Frazier (R) 3B
Zack Cozart (R) SS
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Johnny Cueto (R) P

Visitor

Mike Trout (R) CF
Erick Aybar (S) SS
Albert Pujols (R) 1B
Josh Hamilton (L) RF
Mark Trumbo (R) LF
Howard Kendrick (R) 2B
Alberto Callaspo (S) 3B
Chris Iannetta (R) C
Jered Weaver (R) P

Bullpen notes:

• Choosing to sign Manny Parra and boot Jose Arredondo is sort of a weird move, but I guess not really?