3/17/08---Reds vs. Tigers

[membengal]

Per Fay:

Corey Patterson CF
Juan Castro SS
Ken Griffey Jr. RF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Scott Hatteberg 1B
Paul Bako C
Johnny Cueto P

Tigers:

Renteria, SS
Polanco, P, 2B
Guillen, 1B
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, 3B
Jones, J, LF
Raburn, CF
Sardinha, C
Rogers, P

I am working hard not to over-react, but that looks like a potential opening day line-up, and it has Castro in it. And batting second.

I surely hope we don't see Castro batting second for this team during the regular season at any point. I know batting orders are not supposed to matter and all, but, still.

Happy Cueto day, everyone.

[OnBaseMachine]

I was hoping to see Bruce today too. Maybe he'll come in later.

[Raisor]

I've said it for every other manger that has done it. The second Castro is hitting 2nd in the lineup in a regular game, Dusty should be fired.

There, I said it. I don't really mean it, but there you go.

[M2]

I've said it for every other manger that has done it. The second Castro is hitting 2nd in the lineup in a regular game, Dusty should be fired.

There, I said it. I don't really mean it, but there you go.

I hear you. It's painful enough that the guy even plays, but to put him #2 in the lineup is just cruel.

[OldXOhio]

I hear you. It's painful enough that the guy even plays, but to put him #2 in the lineup is just cruel.

Is there something written into every Reds' manager's contract that mandates this take place? I'm at a complete loss as to why this keeps happening.

[redsfan30]

I'd really like to see Detroit bring thier big boys to Sarasota this afternoon to see how Cueto can react to them.

[Sea Ray]

I don't know why Bako would be the Opening Day starter. If he makes the team in Ross' absence then he makes it as a backup, that's all.

I also don't see that Keppinger has done anything to hand the opening day start to Castro.

[flyer85]

I don't know why Bako would be the Opening Day starter.

a Bako/Javy combo makes no sense anyway as they are basically both LH hitters and below average defenders. I'd take Hanigan.

[M2]

a Bako/Javy combo makes no sense anyway as they are basically both LH hitters and below average defenders. I'd take Hanigan.

I'm for whoever the new catcher will be. There's got to be a new catcher who gets acquired in the next two weeks.

[flyer85]

I'm for whoever the new catcher will be. There's got to be a new catcher who gets acquired in the next two weeks.

PECOTA thinks as least Hanigan is passable(a 5.8 VORP), which is great compared to Bako(-3.8).

[Chip R]

I'm for whoever the new catcher will be. There's got to be a new catcher who gets acquired in the next two weeks.

Doubtful. What do you do when Ross comes back?

[M2]

Doubtful. What do you do when Ross comes back?

Give him a watch.

[pedro]

I'm for whoever the new catcher will be. There's got to be a new catcher who gets acquired in the next two weeks.

I think so too.

[lollipopcurve]

I also don't see that Keppinger has done anything to hand the opening day start to Castro.

Let's hope not. Keppinger in 2 hole -- hit and runorama.

[flyer85]

Keppinger in 2 hole -- hit and runorama.

not with Patterson leading off.