Hopefully, Junior isn't going to be out long with his...whatever it is. But, if he is, then what? With Freel out and nobody wanting to see Patterson starting again anytime soon, what will our lineup look like tomorrow and for the immediate future?
I'm thinking Paul Janish gets a LOT of playing time. That will allow Jerry Hairston Jr. to move into the starting CF slot and Jay Bruce into the RF slot.
CF: Hairston Jr. (RH)
RF: Bruce (LH)
2B: Phillips (RH)
LF: Dunn (LH)
3B: Encarnacion (RH)
1B: Votto (LH)
SS: Janish (RH)
C: Ross/Bako/Valentine ... pick your poison
Pitchers spot
Umm...is it just me, or is that a great lineup? Solid offense throughout, the lefty/righty alternation Dusty adores, much better defensively. The problem that I see though is substitution later in the game. Who comes in? Heck, who's left? Andy Phillips, the catchers not playing. That's it. As much as I dread it, I'd say it's a certainty that Patterson is coming up. Hopefully he'll just be an emergency starter, pinch runner, pinch hitter (bunter), or defensive sub for Dunner. He's hitting now for the Bats, but does ANYBODY think that'll continue with the Reds? Not me.