Reds vs. Cardinals Monday 4/9

[Who Dey Time]

I do not like the Cardinals....at all


Phillips 2B
Cozart SS
Votto 1B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Heisey LF
Stubbs CF
Hanigan C
Bailey P

[texasdave]

It would be nice to see Mr. Peripherals have a strong outing tonight. The bullpen is probably short for this game.
Chapman - Two innings on Sunday. Definitely out.
Ondrusek - Pitched two games in a row. Probably out.
Lecure - Shaky spring and first regular season appearance. 2011 Lecure come out, come out wherever you are.
Simon - Shaky first outing. Still a big question mark IMO.
Bray - For reasons known only to Dusty cannot pitch past the 6th inning.

So after the 7th inning it looks like Arredondo and Marshall.

Here is hoping Homer can give 7 strong innings. Arredondo works the 8th and Marshall closes things out. Sounds good to me.

[LeDoux]

So, does this pen have a longman?

[texasdave]

Originally Posted by LeDoux

So, does this pen have a longman?

My best guess would be Simon or Lecure. Let's hope the starters pitch well enough that we never find out.

[texasdave]

Also Lance Berkman is NOT in the lineup tonight Matt Carpenter is for the Cards.

I would love to see Berkman's reaction when he looks at the lineup card and sees his name is not on it. This is Cincinnati and I'm not playing!!?!@!?? LOL.

We now know Matheny is not a number's guy. One of the premier Reds' killers of the past decade and he is sitting on the bench. Right where Reds' fans want him.

[LeDoux]

Originally Posted by texasdave

My best guess would be Simon or Lecure. Let's hope the starters pitch well enough that we never find out.

With the offday, if things get crazy you can always pitch Leake, and move up Cueto.

[Magdal]

Originally Posted by texasdave

I would love to see Berkman's reaction when he looks at the lineup card and sees his name is not on it. This is Cincinnati and I'm not playing!!?!@!?? LOL.

We now know Matheny is not a number's guy. One of the premier Reds' killers of the past decade and he is sitting on the bench. Right where Reds' fans want him.

He's not a numbers guy? He benched Berkman yesterday because he had a bad record vs. the Brews' starter, and presumably to get rookie Matt Carpenter some playing time. Carpenter wore the collar. He was the only Card w/o a hit in the blowout.

I don't know what Matheney is thinking today.

[The Rage]

This bullpen is a mess right now. Generally starters don't go as long in the first 4-6 weeks as they will be June/July. Really could get exposed as being a paper tiger outside Marshall/Chapman.

[texasdave]

Originally Posted by LeDoux

With the offday, if things get crazy you can always pitch Leake, and move up Cueto.

Wilson Valdez can give you an inning or two.

[redhat]

Cardinals Lineup:

Rafael Furcal, SS
Carlos Beltran, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Lance Berkman, 1B
David Freese, 3B
Yadier Molina, C
Jon Jay, CF
Daniel Descalso, 2B
Jake Westbrook, P


As you can see, Berkman is playing.

[wvreds]

Well now Jim Day says Berkman IS NOW playing and batting 4th .....Let the Cardinal Conspiracy theories of 2012 begin

[redhat]

Berkman was being treated for a sore hand. Someone heard about that and made an unwarranted assumption.

[LeDoux]

Originally Posted by texasdave

Wilson Valdez can give you an inning or two.

I wonder why Francis hasn't been added to the roster and Bray placed on the DL retroactive to ST. I would think he would be of much more value.

[Magdal]

Originally Posted by redhat

Berkman was being treated for a sore hand. Someone heard about that and made an unwarranted assumption.

That's what my research revealed...but they may still scratch him if the hand feels wrong @ gametime.

Yesterday MM put in 5 rookies for the getaway game vs. the Brews...but today he has his opening day lineup going. Draw your own conclusions!

[redhat]

Originally Posted by texasdave

Here is hoping Homer can give 7 strong innings...

Historically speaking, Bailey is feast or famine against the Cards. He either pitches into the seventh or exits very early. So you have about a 50-50 shot at your innings goal.

Winning the game is a different story. Homer has only beaten the Cards twice in the past three years.

Westbrook lost 20 pounds in the offseason, came into camp in great shape and allowed only 12 hits in 24 preseason innings.

Should be a good matchup.