Today's line up May 19, 2009

[robmadden1]

Reds

Reds lineup 5-19 Taveras CF Hairston 3B Phillips 2B Bruce RF Hernandez C Rosales 1B McDonald LF Gonzalez SS Cueto P

Phillies

Phillies lineup 5-19 Rollins SS Utley 2B Ibanez LF Howard 1B Werth RF Victorino CF Feliz 3B Ruiz C Hamels P

From the Reds Twitter page.

[Brutus]

Reds

Reds lineup 5-19 Taveras CF Hairston 3B Phillips 2B Bruce RF Hernandez C Rosales 1B McDonald LF Gonzalez SS Cueto P

Phillies

Phillies lineup 5-19 Rollins SS Utley 2B Ibanez LF Howard 1B Werth RF Victorino CF Feliz 3B Ruiz C Hamels P

From the Reds Twitter page.

I can't help but think, even against a tough left-hander like Hamels, the Reds would be so much better with Dickerson or Nix in the lineup than McDonald.

I respect all players that make it to the big leagues. I think Darnell seems like a great guy - one that works hard and is a good clubhouse personality. However, he simply seems overmatched against Major League pitching.

I hope this 'experiment' comes to an abrupt end very soon for the Reds.

[Dude Rock]

Reds

Reds lineup 5-19 Taveras CF Hairston 3B Phillips 2B Bruce RF Hernandez C Rosales 1B McDonald LF Gonzalez SS Cueto P

Phillies

Phillies lineup 5-19 Rollins SS Utley 2B Ibanez LF Howard 1B Werth RF Victorino CF Feliz 3B Ruiz C Hamels P

From the Reds Twitter page.

Shoulda been:

CF Tavares
LF Hairston
2B Phillips
1B Hernandez
RF Bruce
3B Rosales
SS Gonzalez (has actually hit Hamels)
C Hanigan

Problem is.......Dusty wants Hernandez catching Cueto. Therefore, we play Darnell. Darnell is 6-17 against lefties this year (.353).

[davereds24]

hmm, not good when you have 3 pitchers batting one after the other.

[mroby85]

They need to replace McDonald with a decent right hand bat, I understand needing to bench Nix and Dickers, but you've got to get someone better than McDonald to play imo.

[texasdave]

The Reds could have put Hairston in LF, Rosales at 1B and then had Keppinger at 3B (career numbers in 329 PA against left-handed pitching .355/.410/.526/.936). But they felt better served going into the season with Darnell McDonald who brings just about nothing to the table. One would think anyone that could mash lefties like that would be a valuable asset. Is Country Kepp an all-star? No. Is he a regular? Probably not. Does he value? Yes. Certainly more than Darnell McDonald does.

[Oxblood]

That is not a major league lineup.

[GOYA]

Other than simply not liking McDonald, how does anyone have a problem with inserting a guy into this lineup that's hitting lefties at .353?

[corwinator3407]

Other than simply not liking McDonald, how does anyone have a problem with inserting a guy into this lineup that's hitting lefties at .353?

8 games and 17 ABs vs LHP is hardly a sample for a reason to play a guy

[bgwilly31]

The Reds could have put Hairston in LF, Rosales at 1B and then had Keppinger at 3B (career numbers in 329 PA against left-handed pitching .355/.410/.526/.936). But they felt better served going into the season with Darnell McDonald who brings just about nothing to the table. One would think anyone that could mash lefties like that would be a valuable asset. Is Country Kepp an all-star? No. Is he a regular? Probably not. Does he value? Yes. Certainly more than Darnell McDonald does.


Yeah good point. Keppinger > Mickey Ds

[Brutus]

Other than simply not liking McDonald, how does anyone have a problem with inserting a guy into this lineup that's hitting lefties at .353?

Perhaps I'm just jaded by his .725 career minor league OPS to let myself be persuaded by 17 at-bats against lefties.

Maybe it's just me.

[GIDP]

I wonder what will happen if Votto is pretty bad off.

[Ghosts of 1990]

I wonder what will happen if Votto is pretty bad off.

Season then truly just becomes a building season and with this lineup we probably win about 70-77 games. Scoring will be non-existent.

[corwinator3407]

Other than simply not liking McDonald, how does anyone have a problem with inserting a guy into this lineup that's hitting lefties at .353?

Already quoted it once, but I'm so fired up about this game I'm quoting it once more: THAT right there is why I have a problem with it. Nice 0/4 night. I'm not even in the "bring up Gomes" camp really, but if you're telling me that there is no one better for this teams 25th spot then this guy, we're in bigger trouble than I thought.

[Dude Rock]

McDonald hit one hard to the warning track that was barely caught in the 9th. Not saying he's Mickey Mantle, but he did hit it hard.

[cbowen2112]

if anyone in the reds FO would call up and ask how Gomes has been playing we might see him sooner than later. BA could be higher, but look at his numbers with runners on and RISP. Pretty clutch!!! Bring Gomes up yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!