2021 Spring Training Game 2: Reds at A’s

Another game already. How about that.

Jesse Winker was scheduled to start in LF today, but was scratched with a sore right hip. Mark Payton takes his place.

Imagine seeing a lineup with Dee Strange-Gordon, Alex Blandino, and Cheslor Cuthbert in it and none of them are playing shortstop. That honor goes to Jose Garcia today. We’re also getting to see Nick Senzel in CF with Shogo Akiyama still out of camp dealing with a family issue. We should see Jonathan India again, which will be wonderful.

On the pitching side, that is not a misprint. Brandon Finnegan starts for the Reds today, something that hasn’t happened since 2018. A lot of bullpen battlers are taking the hill today too, with the out-of-options Sal Romano being the most interesting to me. On the prospect side, we’ll see India, T. J. Friedl, and Lyon Richardson. Not a whole lot else sticks out, but that’s why we’re here.

First pitch is at 3:05 on the Big One.