3/20/08 at Twins

[MississippiRed]

Today's lineup (7:05 EDT start):

Ryan Freel RF
Corey Patterson CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn DH
Edwin Encaracion 3B
Scott Hatteberg 1B
Jeff Keppinger SS
Norris Hopper LF
Paul Bako C
Homer Bailey P

[Joseph]

Baileys last chance, or has he already played his hand?

[OnBaseMachine]

Homer probably has to throw four or five shutout innings tonight to get back into the #5 spot competition.

[Spring~Fields]

I hope that Bailey pitches very well to make it interesting.

[Tom Servo]

I pray Dusty is batting Patterson second and not Keppinger just to get Patterson some extra at-bats...

[gm]

3 rooks in the starting rotation? 2 is the limit at Dusty's fishin' hole

Anyone still remember the "gold dust twins" of '76 (Zachry/Alcala)

[flyer85]

don't think there is any doubt Patterson will bat near the top of the order

[VR]

Two get on against Homer in the 1st?(not sure how) But he got out of it unscathed.

[dougdirt]

two walks.

[Coffeybro]

He walked the two left handers he faced. He can't seem to locate anything but his fastball according the Brantley.

[OnBaseMachine]

He walked Mauer and Morneau.

[dougdirt]

Bailey gets 3 fly ball outs and out of the 2nd inning.

[OnBaseMachine]

Homer threw a 1-2-3 2nd inning.

2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K

[OnBaseMachine]

Homer gives up leadoff singles in the 3rd to Adam Everett and Carlos Gomez. That's never a good thing.

3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K

Homer needed a dominant outing to keep his name in the fold. He has failed to do so and has most likely punched his ticket to Louisville after this game. That's good though, he clearly needs a few months in AAA.

[Aronchis]

Bailey should be about 75% in 2 weeks and hopefully 100% in 4.

EE is hitting 175. If he starts, so should Votto.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bailey should be about 75% in 2 weeks and hopefully 100% in 4.

So do you have some sort of device, like a thermometer, that you stick in his mouth and pops up what percentage he is currently at?:confused:;)

[Screwball]

How are the Reds' hitters doin?

[RedsManRick]

How are the Reds' hitters doin?

Singles for CPat, BP,and Hat. Slowey throwing a gem.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2008_03_20_cinmlb_minmlb_1

[Screwball]

I'd like to see Votto at 1B as much as the next guy, but Hatt's really making a solid case for himself this spring (not to mention his production last season). The Reds could do worse than having Hatteberg getting regular ABs.

[OnBaseMachine]

Homer: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K

[VR]

Volquez w/ a 1 hit/ 1k inning

[Spring~Fields]

I guess I missed something, was Volquez due to pitch tonight? I guess I am wondering because I assumed he would be starting the rest of the way?? :confused:

[*BaseClogger*]

I'm gonna stop complaining about the lineup with one reservation...

When Kepp plays, he hits #1 or #2...

[OnBaseMachine]

I had no idea Volquez was pitching tonight.

[mth123]

How are the Reds' hitters doin?

I think we're going through a dead bat period.

[reds44]

That's a bit odd. Is it his day to pitch? Maybe they just want to get him used to pitching every 5th day.

[OnBaseMachine]

I don't like that bouncing Volquez from starting one day and then five days later bringing him out of the pen. He needs to be starting every fifth day.

1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

[pedro]

I don't like that bouncing Volquez from starting one day and then five days later bringing him out of the pen. He needs to be starting every fifth day.

1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

he pitched 5 days ago.

this is his scheduled day.

he came in to start an inning, it's spring training.

what's the problem?

[OnBaseMachine]

he pitched 5 days ago.

this is his scheduled day.

he came in to start an inning, it's spring training.

what's the problem?

He's a starting pitcher. I'd like to see the Reds let him get in a routine of starting every 5th day.

[pedro]

He's a starting pitcher. I'd like to see the Reds let him get in a routine of starting every 5th day.

Did he not pitch 5 days ago?

Don't you think he's just getting his work in? What difference does it make if he starts pitching in the 1st or the 5th? He's not throwing 9 anyway. They've been doing this all spring training. It's normal.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez: 2 IP, 2 singles, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

[pedro]

Volquez: 2 IP, 2 singles, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

You were right that he wasn't getting a full work load.

Interesting.

[Spring~Fields]

Volquez: 2 IP, 2 singles, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Wonder if the old fox is planning on using him in the bullpen due to his or Krivs theories.

[reds44]

Boy the Reds can't get out of their own way with the roster.

[reds44]

Brantley speculating Volquez pitching in relief because he will be the 5th starter which woun't be needed the first couple weeks.

Not sure I buy that. Fogg or Belisle should be the 5th starter.

[OnBaseMachine]

If Edinson Volquez isn't in the starting rotation then I fully convinced this is the dumbest organization in baseball.

[OnBaseMachine]

Brantley speculating Volquez pitching in relief because he will be the 5th starter which woun't be needed the first couple weeks.

Not sure I buy that. Fogg or Belisle should be the 5th starter.

If that's true, then Belisle or Fogg should be the ones being skipped.

[reds44]

If that's true, then Belisle or Fogg should be the ones being skipped.
Agreed.

Unless they want to keep his innings down.

[mth123]

They need to get the rotation in the order they want to pitch them. That probably involves a short outing and coming back on short rest to get them all pitching on the right day.

[reds44]

They need to get the rotation in the order they want to pitch them. That probably involves a short outing and coming back in short rest to get them all pitching on the right day.
I hope that's the case.

[reds44]

Burton's awful spring continues.

1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 k

[membengal]

mth, I really hope you are right.

Because as sanguine as I have been about dealing Hamilton for Volquez, that will melt away if they drop Volquez into long relief.

[mth123]

I hope that's the case.

Think about it. They had Arroyo and Harang pitching in AAA games on the same day as Volquez and Cueto on the big league team. They can't all stay on a 5 day pattern unless they plan on playing a couple DH each week followed by a couple off days. They have to do something to get them lined up.

[M2]

I wonder if Volquez will be slated for long relief to start the season with Cueto, Belisle and Fogg in the rotation?

Meanwhile Jared Burton gives up for hits and three runs (two earned) in an inning of work (3Ks on the bright side). Why again is he considered a sure thing for the pen?

[oneupper]

Burton has options now, doesn't he?

[Spring~Fields]

They need to get the rotation in the order they want to pitch them. That probably involves a short outing and coming back on short rest to get them all pitching on the right day.

Hope you're right and that my thoughts are wrong. With the Reds it won't surprise me one bit if we fans are screaming for Volquez to be starting after we get a good dose of losing with the more vet types, Belisle and Fogg

[pedro]

I wonder if Volquez will be slated for long relief to start the season with Cueto, Belisle and Fogg in the rotation?

Meanwhile Jared Burton gives up for hits and three runs (two earned) in an inning of work (3Ks on the bright side). Why again is he considered a sure thing for the pen?

From what Jeff has been saying on the radio tonight it sounds like the rotation is slotted Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Fogg, Volquez.

Trying to put the best spin on that I think they feel that Volquez has more value out of the bullpen than Fogg. As for Belisle, I wonder whether they're looking at him in the pen or whether they're going to send him to AAA to start every 5 days and act as trade bait or a contingency plan.

[OnBaseMachine]

Josh Fogg starting over Volquez? Awesome.

I don't care if its just one game, it's crazy.

[pedro]

Josh Fogg starting over Volquez? Awesome.

I don't care if its just one game, it's crazy.

If Fogg's going to be in the rotation it's not the worst idea. Volquez is a high leverage arm out of the bullpen, Josh Fogg, well......

[Spring~Fields]

Josh Fogg starting over Volquez? Awesome.

I don't care if its just one game, it's crazy.

Seems like a no vote of confidence in the young players to me.

[reds44]

If Fogg's going to be in the rotation it's not the worst idea. Volquez is a high leverage arm out of the bullpen, Josh Fogg, well......
So Fogg gets slotted 4th because he is worse then Edinson?

That doesn't make any sense.

[pedro]

So Fogg gets slotted 4th because he is worse then Edinson?

That doesn't make any sense.

It does if you're going with 11 pitchers, which it sounds like they might.

[edabbs44]

So Fogg gets slotted 4th because he is worse then Edinson?

That doesn't make any sense.

Have to agree. If they want to win this year, Fogg should be taking a backseat.

[Chip R]

Burton has options now, doesn't he?


Yes he does.

[edabbs44]

Burton's awful spring continues.

1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 k

It was only a short while ago that he was heralded as the savior of the bullpen and the next best thing, the steal of the Rule V draft, another Wayne special.

Things change very quickly with youngsters.

[Spring~Fields]

Have to agree. If they want to win this year, Fogg should be taking a backseat.

Even if they don't think that they can win this year they should be letting the young players such as Volquez and Cueto or others get good experience this year to be better prepared for next year.

[lollipopcurve]

Makes sense to split up Cueto and Volquez, both hard throwers with good changeups. Fogg in between mixes things up.

[mth123]

So Fogg gets slot 4th because he is worse then Edinson?

That doesn't make any sense.

I'm guessing the team doesn't want Volquez and Cueto pitching back to back. I'd personally put Cueto at 2 and Volquez at 5 so that they are before and after Harang, but if Volquez is the 4th or 5th what does it matter? The Reds are off April 1 and April 14th and that is it until May 1. They are going to use them all.

There is plenty to be concerned about on this team, but IMO the rotation is down the list. The Bullpen story is playing out as expected. Burton looks to have been a mirage. Bray can't stay in there. Some crummy guys like Stanton and maybe Maj look like they are firmly in the mix with Roenicke and McBeth sent out and Salmon dealt (The 3 best relievers coming into camp not named Cordero and maybe Weathers IMO). If Weathers 2nd half swoon continues into 2008, we may wish we had Volquez and Cueto down there.

[edabbs44]

Even if they don't think that they can win this year they should be letting the young players such as Volquez and Cueto or others get good experience this year to be better prepared for next year.

Agree. And people wonder why I "overreact" when they make these types of signings in the offseason.

[reds44]

Makes sense to split up Cueto and Volquez, both hard throwers with good changeups. Fogg in between mixes things up.
Then put Cueto 2nd, Arroyo 3rd, and Volquez 4th.

Splitting Cueto and Volquez up with Josh Fogg is like splitting Junior and Dunn up with Jeff Conine.

[Screwball]

Splitting Cueto and Volquez up with Josh Fogg is like splitting Junior and Dunn up with Jeff Conine.

What's the problem with that?

[/Jerry Narron]

[Spring~Fields]

Agree. And people wonder why I "overreact" when they make these types of signings in the offseason.

Well maybe they are thinking of going with Fogg, Belisle and Bailey, they certainly would need a lot more bullpen depth with those three in the starting rotation. ;)

[M2]

I look at the rotation as a binary proposition. Either you're in it or you're not. It doesn't really matter if you're the #3 starter or the #5 starter. The team's going to put the ball in your hand on a regular basis and you'll make your own case.

[reds44]

It would be nice if the Reds beat writer asks Dusty a question about this.

John Fay

[TRF]

Wasn't Fogg one of the worst pitchers in baseball in 2006? Did he somehow learn how to pitch? to strike out batters? to not suck?

Fogg in the rotation hurts my head.

[MikeS21]

After the first week or two, the order of rotation won't matter much anyway. Between off days, rain-outs, skipping a start here and there, it really doesn't matter. You may have your #1 guy matched up with someone else's #2 guy. And their #1 guy may be matched up with your #5 guy. Rotations get all messed within a few weeks anyway.

[mth123]

After the first week or two, the order of rotation won't matter much anyway. Between off days, rain-outs, skipping a start here and there, it really doesn't matter. You may have your #1 guy matched up with someone else's #2 guy. And their #1 guy may be matched up with your #5 guy. Rotations get all messed within a few weeks anyway.

Agree that slot match-ups are only the 1st time through. I think the slotting matters when describing caliber of pitcher but not the actual order they pitch. I think the order should be more focused on changing looks and the effect on the bullpen. In this Rotation, there will be a 22 year old who is squarely inside the injury nexus and is making the jump from AA basically. I think the most important thing in this rotaion should be insulating him from being pushed too far. That suggests slotting him between Harang and Arroyo IMO. The order of the rest probably doesn't matter much.

[OnBaseMachine]

from rotoworld:

Edinson Volquez - S Mar. 20 - 10:49 pm et

Edinson Volquez, who pitched five innings on Sunday, threw two scoreless innings of relief versus the Twins on Thursday.
It's likely that the Reds were just adjusting his schedule so that he'd be ready to go where they slot him into the regular-season rotation. Volquez has a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings.

[reds44]

*Exhales*

[TeamBoone]

Ummmm, anyone know the final score? And who on the Reds might have had a hit or two?

[Screwball]

Ummmm, anyone know the final score? And who on the Reds might have had a hit or two?

Twins won 4-0.

Reds players with a hit:

Jolbert Cabrera: 1-1
Corey Patterson: 1-3
Jerry Gil: 1-1
Brandon Phillips: 1-3
Scott Hatteberg:1-2

All hits were singles. Everyone else put up goose eggs.

[Ron Madden]

At the risk of sounding old and cranky.....

When I turn on the radio to listen to the ballgame, I'd really appreciate a little play by play.

When I click on a game thread, I'd really appreciate a little play by play.


Ahh.... maybe I'm just old and cranky.

;)

[redsmetz]

At the risk of sounding old and cranky.....

When I turn on the radio to listen to the ballgame, I'd really appreciate a little play by play.

When I click on a game thread, I'd really appreciate a little play by play.


Ahh.... maybe I'm just old and cranky.

;)

I agree with you about the radio; Marty just seems to be gassing on these days. As for PBP here, I know the couple of times I've been out of town and wanted to follow the game, there were times where I had no idea what had happened.

[Matt700wlw]

Did Votto play?

[Screwball]

Did Votto play?

Yep. He went 0-2 with a K and 2 LOB. His avg is down to .150.

[Matt700wlw]

ouch