Opening Day 2014 Reds VS Cardinals

[mutigers1fan]

Game #2 tonight, first night contest of the year. I'd expect to see more offense tonight. Wacha and Cingrani aren't Waino and Cueto.

 

[JohnU]

Wouldn't take much to get any offense at all.
I like a pitchers duel, part of the time.
Except when my heroes lose.

 

[Redsfan1507]

I hoped for a pitchers duel because I figured if it wasn't, it would be Cueto getting hit...andI'm glad he wasn't. In fact, given his recent uncertain health, I would have rather it was the way it was, than him getting pounded, or leaving injured, and the Reds winning.

If Cueto is healthy, and anything like he has been for his prior career, same with Latos, figure in Bailey's still trending up, and there aren't many better 1-3 SP in MLB... There is lots of reason to be positive about upside for Cingrani and Leake too, but I'm a little more reserved on them due to their (so far) limitations- specifically their fastball...Cingrani, because it's his only pitch, and relies on hitters chasing it out of the zone high, and Leake's because it's the same speed as all his other offspeed pitches, and he's in a little park.

You have to score to win, but the Reds have to pitch first. Their offense is going to be far less a concern when Reds pitchers consistently deal pills, and if they become a regular 4.00 ERA staff, they simply can't hit enough to compete with current lineup, IMO.

I believe Hamilton can and will hit at least .240...THIS year...and if he bunts once a game, he'll do better than that. Hitting the breaking ball isn't his problem- it's swinging at them in the dirt...like Todd Frazier, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce at times. He's 4-5 years from his best hitting though...and if he's Vince Coleman until he becomes Jose Reyes, it's all good. If hes Coleman for his career. I'll take that too. You can't let him become crushed under the pressure psychologically overwhelmed though. I'd give him plenty of AB's but monitor his days off, especially against top pitchers, especially top pitchers that go counter to his newbie switch hit situation, until he had his head on straight.

The kid has WAY too much pressure on him than a powerless rookie should be on a team that has been in postseason 3 of the last 4 years. That's a front office and roster failing, not Hamilton's.

 

[redsfan03]

I am pleased to announce that the Reds will not go 0-162 this season. Whew.

 

[JohnU]

I was figuring we'd at least win one game against the Cubs.

 

[Redsfan1507]

First run, first win. Wonder which team will score next game ?

 

[JohnU]

Reds after 2 games, hitting .145.
Birds after 2 games, hitting .129.

Odds that won't last?

 

[Redsfan1507]

Law of averages say the Cardinals won't hit .375 ( or whatever they hit last year)with RISP again... but if they hit .290 RISP, it might still be the best in the biz.

One if the most overlooked points of offense is not cashing in on mistakes- the fat pitch you take or foul off, or the RISP baserunning gaffe you make. In a 1 run game, it's often THE difference.

 

[mutigers1fan]

I believe I read last night that the Cards are now 0-for-10 RISP.

 

[bengaldoug]

Homer Bailey vs Lance Lynn in the rubber game. Weather permitting I like our chances.

 

[mutigers1fan]

How does the weather look today? It's raint in Central MO but that's rather irrelevant.

Also, in a points league I have Peralta, Holliday, and Craig. They've combined for -2 points so far. Thought you guys would get a kick out of that.

 

[Ryanballa]

Definitely gonna have a Rain Delay to start. Reds are suppose to give update at 12:30.

 

[bengaldoug]

Cold and rainy.....I used Holiday and Molina in a one night league on FantasyFeud.com----I think their combined net was 0 last night. Cingrani exceeded my expectations last night.

 

[mutigers1fan]

Here's the offense we'd been waiting for. Your guys up 3-2 after 2.