Tonight's Lineup

[Benihana]

per Fay...

Ryan Freel CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Ken Griffey Jr. RF
Adam Dunn LF
Jeff Keppinger SS
Joey Votto 1B
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Paul Bako C
Matt Belisle P

vs. Dodgers RHP Brad Penny

Freel playing vs. a righty? Hopefully he's being showcased.

[Caveat Emperor]

They're getting closer and closer to a working lineup. In fact, two flips:

Freel
Keppinger
Dunn
Griffey
Phillips
Votto
Encarnacion
Bako
P

And they're there.

[Joseph]

I'd say C Pat is being benched cause he's not hitting more than anything.

[oneupper]

Freel was awful against lefties last year, but decent against righties.

He's 6 for 14 (.429) lifetime vs, Penny.

[WVRedsFan]

CF batting leadoff. How novel.

Trading one OBP for another won't help much as Freel's is .281 and Patterson's was .258.

[redsfan4445]

i like Dustys lineup.. i even suggested batting Phillips 2nd on here

[REDREAD]

I like having Phillips bat 2nd and a relatively high batting average guy like Votto or Keppinger hitting behind Dunn.

[Caveat Emperor]

CF batting leadoff. How novel.

Trading one OBP for another won't help much as Freel's is .281 and Patterson's was .258.

Freel's bat has been in freefall for a while now, but he's a better-bet if you look at the career numbers for OBP.

[TOBTTReds]

Freel playing vs. a righty? Hopefully he's being showcased.

Hope he isn't playing against Penny to be showcased...that is like the anti-showcase opponent isn't it?

[dabvu2498]

I like having Phillips bat 2nd and a relatively high batting average guy like Votto or Keppinger hitting behind Dunn.

Agreed. If BPhil is going to remain a free swinger, more likely he'll get some decent piutches to hit in front of Griffey and Dunn.

[Benihana]

Agreed. If BPhil is going to remain a free swinger, more likely he'll get some decent piutches to hit in front of Griffey and Dunn.

Yep, I too like BP hitting 2nd. Also, I would like to see Freel and CPatt platoon in CF, but hit out of the #9 spot. If Freel can't hit lefties or gets traded, than platoon Hairston and CPatt instead.

Keppinger
Phillips
Dunn
Griffey
Encarnacion
Votto
Bako
Pitcher
Freel (or Hairston)/Patterson

That's what I'd like to see.

[TRF]

EE is the Red's hottest hitter right now.

So naturally, bat him 7th.

ugh.

[CaiGuy]

Remember, once upon a time Freel put ups OBP's of .370+ and stole bases in bunches.

[Matt700wlw]

Interesting that Patterson is sitting. Maybe Dusty is starting to realize what we all knew when he was brought in.

[flyer85]

I'd say C Pat is being benched cause he's not hitting more than anything.

he is not hitting it hard. Lots of pop-ups and weak grounders.

Then again I never had any other expectations for Cory. At this point in his career he is what he is. middling average, low OBP with a little pop. His bat sure plays better hitting 7th than leadoff. All the leadoff spot does is highlight his offensive shortcomings.