Reds vs. Mets, Game 3: Preview/Prediction Thread

First, there was the positive overreaction. Then, there was negative overreaction. Then, there were hyperbolic arguments between these two factions, with each side claiming the right to be "correct." When it comes to battles between people who simply want to be positive and those who simply want to be negative, the only real losers are those who approach the situation with a bit of nuance. Oh, and people who really don't care what other people's opinions are about their favorite baseball team.

The Reds are 1-4 to begin the season, and that isn't exactly a great start. We can all understand losing two out of three games against a solid Cardinals club, but dropping two games against the Mets, albeit shorthanded, is an unexpected bummer. To break this three game skid, the Reds turn their lonely eyes to Alfredo Simon. Simon will try to prove to everyone that he can start much in the same way he's performed as a reliever over the past two years. While this is only considered a spot start until the Reds' rotation is at full strength, Fredo will try to prove that he's better than what the rest of his family team gives him credit for.

Simon will square off against Jonathon Niese, who not only spells his first name incorrectly, but phonetically spells his last name to resemble Nice, France. Niese, a native non-prize winner of Defiance, Ohio will be making his third career start against the Reds. Niese is 1-1 lifetime with an ERA of 1.38 and thirteen strikeouts over thirteen innings against Cincinnati's team. As Niese is a left-hander, Price may be inclined to go with a vintage #DustyLineup of batting Ryan Ludwick between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce.

So, while you're watching the game today, be sure to tell everyone that thinks we're either going to rival the Astros or the Dodgers for their respective end-of-season records that they probably don't know what they're talking about. Also, if you see any of the Reds, be sure to tell them that we here at Red Reporter have absolutely no qualms about putting a baby under the basket less than seven games into the season. Just don't tell 241-KIDS that.

Go Reds, they're my favorite team!