Thursday travel days are the pits. MLB lacks a full slate of games tonight and our team happens to be off till tomorrow night, so we go a near 48 hours without meaningful baseball. So that means we log into our Bodog account, throw down a couple bets, and make some games meaningful. Pete Rose style. Here's some links for y'all:
-Alex Rodriguez has a nasty poker habit, and was he on steroids since high school? The new Selena Roberts book about to come out should be a good read. [Deadspin] -Talk is starting up about Chone Figgins getting a raise. [ESPN Sweetspot] -More on Volquez's shining performance last night. [Mark my Words] -Tim Lincecum is heating up. [Mccovey Chronicles] -The 10 best active hitting pitchers in baseball. [Bugs & Cranks] -Emilio Bonificacio might have a future at second base. [Sun Sentinel] -The newest SI cover features Zach Greinke, and a story by Joe Posnanski on the young righthander. [Joe Posnanski]
You knew the Brewers were counting on Yovani Gallardo to emerge as the ace of the staff after losing Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia in the offseason. He was in a sense, their only hope. The Brewers got more then an ace performance from Gallardo on wednesday, as he achieved Major League history. Gallardo became only the 3rd player in Major League history to homer while pitching a shutout and striking out 10 or more.
The win gave the Brewers a sweep (much needed) at home over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Other then what Gallardo went out and did at the plate and on the mound, there just isn't much to speak of. Obviously the guy is capable of being a legitimate stud in this league. His home run was his second of the season. Gallardo has the look of a guy who could eventually win 20 games some season at the level, even if it is not this year as he returns from injury. Look for him to really heat up down the stretch and emerge as one of baseball's finest pitchers.
Edison Volquez was dominant last night, holding the Astros to 1 hit in 8 innings, allowing only 1 walk and striking out 6 in a 3-0 Cincinnati win. Francisco Cordero threw a scoreless 9th inning to preserve the shutout and earn his 7th save in as many chances. The win was Volquez's 3rd of the season. The Reds finished April with an 11-10 record, something that Dusty Baker pointed out was a goal for this team. It was a big win due to the fact that the Astros had won 11 ballgames in a row on the Reds home turf.
The Reds got a pick me up from some unsung heroes. Laynce Nix and Adam Rosales each had good, contributable performances. Rosales made his first start of the season since being called up from AAA Louisville, and he went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI and a walk. Nix had a couple of knocks including a triple. Rosales strikes us as a guy who could be a real good story this season. He could come out of nowhere to hit around .300 in 400 at bats with some pop. We'll see.
Our boy Jay Bruce singled and stole his first run of the season and scored a run on a Rosales sacrifice fly to give the Reds their final insurance run. The Reds enter an off day today and then head to Pittsburgh to begin a road trip in a place that has been a house of horrors for them.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
It was a good first month for Don Wakamatsu. The Mariners are in first place, and they've got a realistic shot at taking this thing down to the wire now that they've settled in as the early team to beat in the AL West. They are ranked 12th in scoring thus far, a testament to the fact that they're getting exceptional pitching and if they can begin to hit, there may be no looking back. [ESPN's Sweetspot]
Did you hear that Paw? 15 fuckin' K's in 6 and 1/3? And they still got me down here in Louisville rotting away. I told ya I was gonna fuck a town full of daughters. And I went ahead and fucked me an entire team of Toledo-ans along the way. After that game I went out and skinned be an elk's nuts off with my trapper knife just for good measure. I got them hanging on my wall. I'm counting coup on them sunmabitches this season. Every time I strike out ten or more, I'ma go find me a mammal of some sort to cut the balls off of.
What more does that shiny headed bag of dicks Jocketty need to see? 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA and 18 Ks in two starts last week? And I'm still watching Owings and Arroyo throw those there curly balls that land on fuckin' Plymouth Rock? Life ain't fair, Paw.
I got me something really big planned for my next outing. It was sposed' to be a surprise but hell with it. I ain't for keepin' secrets. I'm gonna wear a pair of six shooters in that dugout in between my innings on the mound. I'm going to strike out all 27 hitters. You heard me; 27 up and 27 down, one for every little seniorita I'm gonna attempt to impregnate that night. The secret to my success other then a blazing fastball? Well you just take your trigger finger there and rub it in a little bit'a fox piss in between innings on the laces like, and those AAA faggots won't even see your ball!
There ain't a man alive who can hit the Homer Bailey Express. And there ain't a woman alive who can handle the pecker in my trousers. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna step out back here in my yard and shoot clay pigeons all afternoon with nothin' on but a pair of snakeskin boots. If Dusty Baker don't get me up to the big leagues soon I'm gonna shove one of Dick Pole's clydesdale style road apples down his stupid throat.
Are you worried about the Swine Flu? We are a bit. I mean after all, if we get it who is going to run Diamond Hoggers? The article even mentions empty ballparks. A world without baseball? Then we'll know its Hell on earth for sure. Here's some baseball stuff to keep your mind off the real problems of the world:
-Mythbusters: can you knock the hide off a baseball? [More Hardball] -Chris Dickerson, weird metro sexual scarves and all, is a good guy. [Blue Collar Baseball] -Citi Field will not tolerate negativity from the fans that inhabit it. [Deadspin] -Phillies won on the strength of a couple of Grand Slams last night. [Phillies Nation] -Our newest fantasy team member Dexter Fowler tied an MLB record last night with 5 stolen bases..... by the 4th inning. [Inside the Rockies] -Justin Verlander out-duels CC Sabathia. [LoHud Yankees Blog] -Barry Bonds speaks out and lets us know he isn't retired. [Extra Baggs]
Even though the Reds didn't get beat by Roy Oswalt by definition, the fact that he held them to one run in his outing monday night meant another loss for the Reds. You just knew that this game was a dead game for the Reds and with a Lance Berkman homer added to the all-time ass kicking, the Reds have dropped 15 out of the last 16 against the 'Stros at GABP and 10 in a row.
It's absolutely mind wracking how this could happen. Edwin Encarnacion continues to not hit. Brandon Phillips continues to be a nightly 0'fer at the plate. Joey Votto of course provided Cincinnati with their only offensive output of the night, a 2-out RBI single that tied the game at 1 until the 9th inning.
Johnny Cueto was nothing short of magnificent for the second straight outing, going 7 innings and striking out 5, only allowing one walk and one earned run. Closer Coco Cordero, brought into the ninth inning of a tie game, gave up three straight hits and three runs and the Reds lost the game by a final of 4-1.
Things don't figure to get any easier tonight and tomorrow's season chronicle post probably will be in the same kind of mood. Wandy Rodriguez will be on the mound for the Astros, and being a decent lefty with some velocity he should have success against the Reds tonight. The last time he pitched against the Reds he struck out 10 for only the second time in his career.
They're the Astros and they dominate us. It's just part of life. Which is why we'll always hate the Astros above every other team in the league.
The Reds did not play well, so we had to try and see what we could see to make it an enjoyable trip.
Got to the ballpark early and took in a little batting practice for the first time this season. This is a pretty relaxing experience. It goes way too fast. Nothing more beautiful then watching a few pearls be sunk in some red seats and in areas that they should be hit. We also figured that we should get a shot of Chipper Jones on the site since he's a future Hall of Famer. Definitely the kind of player you'll want to be able to prove to your grandkids you saw him play, right? Well, there's proof.
Here's scouts alley. Remember that old San Francisco Giants scout that was in the scout seats during our last visit there? He was there again in the exact same seat. The four men in view in this picture are also scouts. There was six total. Nothing better then picking the brain of a scout.
A montage of Jay Bruce appeared on the big screen. The old Giants scout was watching it and we said in between innings as he focused:
Do you think he (Bruce) is going to be a pretty good ballplayer?
Scout: "Uh, yeah. I think he already is. He's definitely going places in this game."
After that we left the scouts alone and just listened to them talk about how Javier Vasquez has dirty breaking stuff (slider) and how he should be much tougher to hit then he is.
Another first on the list crossed off. First time we've ever been at a ballgame and the benches have cleared. Reds and Braves benches cleared after Yunel Escobar got a doink job from Edison Volquez on friday night. It was definitely intentional. While it was not a "brawl" by definition, it was a moment of excitement.
Here's Edison Volquez warming up before the game. Guy is fun to watch throw but after a great start in which he allowed no hits through 3 2/3 innings and struck out a hand full of Braves hitters, he walked guys until the point we wanted to choke him.
Here's a shot of the bar in Club 4192 from saturday. Decorated with Jack Daniels bottles. If you've never been to the club, it's really a lot of fun on a sun-intense hot day. You can stay in the shade if you need to. You can go inside. But the food in the club? They're taking the easy way out and trying to make a buck. For $85 you are getting a choice of jumbalaya, nachos, burgers, LaRosa's Pizza, or some subpar ice cream and fountain drinks. It's went downhill since we sat there a few years ago. It's definitely not equal to the experience at Jacob's Progressive Field.
The view from the club seats in Cincinnati is actually pretty sweet. You can see the whole field with ease and the trajectory of home run balls are a lot more fun from a view like this. Or if you're a Reds fan on a day like saturday when the Braves hit the ball all over the yard it's less fun because you can really tell when something is leaving the park.
Here's a view of Jay Bruce at the plate against Derek Lowe. We predicted that he'd homer for the first time ever while we were present at the park on saturday and we were almost right. He went 1 for 3 with a double off the wall. Missed it by a few feet.
And Dusty Baker and Jerry Hairston Jr. got tossed. Gotta say, I like that Dusty Baker doesn't mind getting tossed when he doesn't agree with something. There are managers that will never get tossed, and Dusty got his money's worth on this day. He continued his tantrum in the dugout even afterwards.
We had a feeling that the Reds would go out and win on this particular sunday, in which they did by an 8-2 score. After laying a proverbial egg in a big home series all weekend while we were present, of course they go out and get off the schneid with a nice victory.
It was the guys who will be the faces of the Reds franchise for a long time who got it done on sunday. In front of 29,327 fans at Great American Ballpark, the Reds got two big innings to propel them to victory.
Jay Bruce went 3 for 3 in one of the finest games of his career. Bruce homered down the left field line (power to all fields is a great thing) in the 4th inning with Joey Votto on base to put the Reds up 2-0. After Votto and Brandon Phillips each doubled to deep right field in the 5th inning, Bruce homered to right center for his second multi-homer game of his career. Oh and by the way, he added another outfield assist, throwing out Yunel Escobar at 2nd base.
The Reds coasted the rest of the game after building an 8-0 lead. Micah Owings picks up his first win as a Red and first win in nearly a year. Reds salvage a little bit against a weak hitting Atlanta team and now sit at 10-8 on the season, 2.5 games behind the first place Cardinals.
This was slated to be the best weather weekend we've had thus far in the midwest, and sun screen will be in the air at ballparks all across America. With the sun burn we've earned the past two days at the Great American Ball Park, we are reminded that we're about to hit the best part of the season.
We've had a few weeks to get adjusted to regular season life. Memorial Day is just around the corner. It won't be long until your neighborhood barbecues take place every weekend with a ballgame possibly on in the background. As fans we've waited a long time to get to this point and it won't be here for long. Let this post be a reminder to take a moment and soak it all in. Life is good.
it can be done, skip something you had to do on a saturday that can wait and take your kid to a ballgame. It's important that we get youth interested in the sport. if you're going to a Major League game, get there early and watch batting practice. Especially if you have nice weather. Take advantage that this sport allows you to get closer with its superstars than any other.
If you live near a park, take a walk some night and see if there is any Little League games going on in the ball diamond that inhabit that park. If there is, sit down for a few innings in the bleachers and let your mind rest. We promise that after you will feel just a little bit easier about whatever worries you might have. It's inevitable. Possibly even if you don't like baseball.
The bottom line is that bright sun that is back after a long winter reminds us that we're approaching the pinnacle of the baseball season, and within the blink of an eye it will be here and gone. So do like us and grab yourself some SPF 50 like our mom made us as kids and head down to the ballpark.
Fantasy Player about to boom: Ricky Romero, Toronto. Paul Maholm has that All-Star look to him in Pittsburgh. (Honorable Mention: Prince Fielder and/or Ryan Braun)
Fantasy Player about to bust: Anyone in the Toronto Blue Jays lineup.
Song that needs played over your stadium loud speakers:
Life's Been Good to me So Far by Joe Walsh (Alright you don't have to play the whole song between innings, just the guitar solo)
Gameday snack of the week:
California Rolls, preferably from Benihana. That place should be known for it's sushi and not the Hibachi. We're telling ya, don't sleep on Benihana sushi. They've also got this deal where it's like $26.95 for unlimited sushi. Or you can get a shitload for like $15. If you don't have one near your place of residence we're sorry, you're missing out.
Gameday Dipper's Choice of the Week:
Give Skoal Edge a start in your starting lineup of dips. It is the distant cousin of Skoal Mint and Skoal Spearmint and the half brother of Skoal Wintergreen. You should be able to grab this shiny tin at a discount price in most areas. You will be impressed with the overflow of flavor you receive with just one pinch of Skoal Edge. In fact, one decent grab may just last you a whole 9 innings. This is an excellent hog for the casual dipper who is sneaking and buying a tin behind his girlfriend's back while going to the ballgame with his buddies. It is also reccomended in all seasons, as opposed to Skoal Cherry, which tastes like rat shit in the summertime.
Lost in the Shuffle: Remember when you drafted Joe Mauer high again in your fantasy baseball draft because you thought there's no way he'd fuck you for another season in some way again this year? Well he did by being frail. Mauer is going to be back soon though. Mauer will play in extended spring training games the next three days, then join Low-A Fort Myers on Friday for a six-game rehab stint. If all goes well, he'll be activated from the DL and join Minnesota on May 1.
Games of note of the upcoming week: Sunday, April 26th: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox. Justin Masterson re-enters the Boston rotation and faces Andy Pettite at Fenway Park. First tilt of these two teams that have been extremely ordinary to start the year. ESPN, of course has the coverage on Sunday Night Baseball.
Monday, April 27th: Florida Marlins at New York Mets. Anibal Sanchez takes on Jeff Maine at Citi Field. This opens a pretty big series for two teams that figure to do battle all year long for that NL East crown. The Mets had a chance to get healthy against the Nats.
Thursday, April 30th: Arizona DiamondBacks at Milwaukee Brewers. Which one of these underachievers will hit rock bottom first? The loser of this 4-game series in Winsconsin, that's who. Ryan Braun has shown some signs of life, but Prince Fielder and Justin Upton look like they've forgotten how to play the game (at the plate anyways).
We'll be taking friday afternoon and evening off. As well as saturday morning and afternoon. We're sure the NFL Draft can keep you busy along with all the wonderful baseball. It might even be a great time to clean the garage.
We're headed out on the open road to see two ballgames; as the Reds welcome the Atlanta Braves into town fresh off of a couple of big victories. We'll see what's interesting about those games and we'll be sure to have some interesting posts for you when we return.
You know, something to note: we've still never seen Jay Bruce hit a home run while in attendance live at the park. But, we have this suspicion that this is going to be the weekend. Almost seven years to the date on a saturday afternoon game in Cincinnati we saw Adam Dunn play for the first time live and homer. We're also attending the game with our buddy George who happened to make the trip with us that fateful day. Since Bruce is the heir aparent to Dunner, we figure that these parallels mean something.
So excuse us. We're geared up for a big weekend at the ballpark. And it's also the final saturday afternoon game all season at Great American (we wish there were more saturday afternoon games at home and less sunday afternoon with more sunday evening games).
Thank you for your continued support of Diamond Hoggers.
Believeland's hero has the last word. Grady Sizemore ripped a three run home run as part of a four run 8th inning in this afternoon's contest at Progressive Field in Cleveland against the Kansas City Royals. The Indians rally and 5-2 win comes amidst trade rumors that Cliff Lee could be made available if the Indians continue to be subpar. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
We've reached this moment again. The Yankees and Red Sox continue the most storied rivalry in baseball history this weekend at Fenway park. These two teams are each playing good baseball, which makes this series even more appealing even if it is only April.
The Red Sox are coming off of a sweep of the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees had a big 14 inning win yesterday with a walk-off home run at their new park by Melky Cabrera; the first of that variety in their new home.
Joba Chamberlain and Jon Lester open up the series tomorrow evening. Saturday's 4:10 PM tilt features Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett, in a game that could easily see these two starting pitchers amass 20 strikeouts. Andy Pettite and Justin Masterson wrap up the series on sunday night baseball.
This is an important series in that if one team sweeps the other, then you obviously will see some continued momentum from one side that would have one thinking that team has the upper hand in the division. No, we aren't taking the Blue Jays good open season run seriously just yet. We still feel that one of these two teams will end up taking the division and this series will provide us with an excellent idea of who has the edge early on.
We don't have to work too hard at coverage for this series, ESPN will do that for us. But keep an eye on it as it could provide us as baseball fans with some great early season drama.
You know this was as beautiful and satisfying of a win as we could remember in a long time. We wish we were able to say it more eloquently; but quite frankly the Reds showed a little bit of everything in this game that will hopefully make them formidable all season long.
Johnny Cueto was lights out. Only striking out three hitters, but no walks. He only allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings. His fastball had movement on it all night.
Jay Bruce had two knocks, including a late beautiful home run off Kevin Gregg to provide an important insurance run to left center field. Bruce seems to like hitting at Wrigley Field. He also hustled out another infield hit--which is something as a baseball fan you love to see.
The win gave the Reds a 6-3 record on their current road trip and guarunteed it to be a winning trip. The Reds are doing the little things that you must do to smoke and mirror other teams to death. Playing defense (Edwin Encarnacion made some nice plays in this game as did Brandon Phillips) and playing small ball, the Reds used the bunt several times effectively in this game.
They're winning on the road, which requires takes a disciplined team. That's something we're not sure they've had since about 1999 or 2000 at the very latest.
Come on boys. You can do it tonight. This is a big, big game. And Heavens knows I'm a watchin' each and every one of you. You know Ol' Marge loves ya, don'tcha Honeys?
Now could ya get me another Vodka on the rocks? No lime, no lemon. Just give it ta me would ya sweetheart? You know ol' Marge gets awful thursty when she watches her Redlegs play those fucking murderers and rapists from the south side of Chicago. Oh Heavens am I thirsty, honey. Better make that vodka a double.
Phillips, you're in a hell of a slump ya little obnoxious son of a bitch. Now, tell Schottzie you're going to win for her tonight. Do it, go ahead. Be a good black, sweetie.
Don't screw it up tonight boys. If you're the winning team I'll show you a good look at this nasty old growler I keep between my legs!
Curtis Granderson is blogging about a 10-day west coast road trip: Long road trips are cool for me, because I think it is actually less tiring than a short road trip. I can sleep on any plane. I have fallen asleep on a flight from Detroit to Cleveland which is a 30 minute flight. As long as I have a window seat, I am good to go. Most hotel beds I have no problem sleeping in as long as I have an AC control. I like to keep the room cold, and the noise helps to sleep. We also get to arrive at the ballpark an hour or so later than we would normally in Detroit. [Y! Sports Big League Stew]
Last night's game in Chicago was kind of wacky in that it had a few weird incidents. The first is sure to end up on a blooper video (do they still even make those?) 15 years from now. It was one of those classic scenes where a stray cat breaks into a mad dash onto the field and the grounds crew guy chases him away. We just want to know how a cat gets onto the field. Or to the field and into the stadium and down the aisleway. Please explain.
The second was dealing with the infamous Steve Bartman seat, and the Chicago Cubbie fans showing their true colors. A guy kind of took a foul ball away from Alfonso Soriano in left field and happened to be sitting in the same vicinty as the famed Bartman seat. The crowd erupted into a chorus of boos and irony would have it, the camera crew then panned Dusty Baker and the '2003' flag banner hanging.
Clearly signs exist that the event still burns in Wrigleyville as it did the day of it all going down. Even though Moises Alou says he wouldn't have caught the ball anyways.
(If you have a photo(s) that you'd like to see on Diamond Hoggers, please email them to us at DiamondHoggers_at_gmail_dot_com).
They're calling for 80 degrees this weekend all around the country, so break out your sunscreen and get tickets to a ballgame. Here's some links while baseball is played at all hours today. Keep your eyes on the scoreboard.
-The M's are proving that small ball is played in the AL. We like it. [ESPN Sweetspot] -More on "Coors Field East" New Yankee Stadium. [Deadspin] -Every team seems to want a young star to be their face of the franchise. [USA Today] -Time to get Brandon Wood's feet wet in Anaheim. [Angels Unplugged] -Does Torii Hunter want to go back to Minnesota? [MLB Trade Rumors] -Tigers GM Dombrowski says 'absurd' is the idea of trading Miggy Cabrera, thank goodness. [Rounding the Bases] -An interview with former Astro J.R. Richard. [Bugs & Cranks] -Tough blow to the upstart Pirates, Ryan Doumit is out 8-10 weeks with a wrist injury. [Pittsburgh Lumber Co]
Nick Markakis could have been the whole damn show, but he also got help. He collected 4 hits and a walk. He's hitting .389 now. Aubrey Huff homered twice and drove in four while Luke Scott had 3 hits. Brad Bergesen won his first big league ballgame. One has to wonder how much Jose Contreras has left.
Uh, we really didn't see this one coming. We figured the Marlins would take aim at Jeff Karstens and not stop until he was in pieces all over the field. Instead, he held the Marlins to one run over six innings and allowed only three hits. Freddy Sanchez collected three hits and homered. The Pirates are going for the sweep as we speak type.
The Mariners beat a quality team at home and they're now 9-5 on the season. Jarrod Washburn is 3-0 and Brandon Morrow picked up his 4th save. He's flat nasty. Mike Sweeney had three hits and an RBI. It may be time to move Ken Griffey Jr. (.184) out of the 3-hole though. What are they thinking with that?
The Indians built a big lead with a Grady Sizemore 3-run bomb and held on for the win at an empty Progressive Field. Victor Martinez is officially back. He went 4 for 5 and homered with 2 runs batted in. Victor is hitting .397 in the middle of that lineup. Give the win to Aaron Laffey and tally Kerry Wood for the save.
You try not to make too much of early season ballgames in April. But for a young team, some could make the case that this game at Wrigley Field (the first night game of the year in Wrigleyville) with a chance to call first place theirs for a day was a nice test. The Reds did not pass that test.
Jay Bruce made his return on this cold night, homering off a Rich Harden changeup to spot the Reds a 1-0 lead. Micah Owings throws like a 5th starter on a 5th place team throws. When your gets a run, don't walk anybody and hang a zero. That's what we were always told. Win the inning. Micah Owings didn't do any of those things. He quickly gave up a home run to Micah Hoffpauir to tie the game at 1.
After the Cubs took the lead, Bruce tied the game at 2-2 with a single to right field. From there, all hell broke loose. The wind was not blowing out, but playing tricks with the Cincinnati outfielders. Chris Dickerson error really allowed the game to get away. Aramis Ramirez did was Aramis Ramirez always does. He had 3 hits and 3 RBI and the biggest hit of the game, a bases loaded double that basically ended the game.
The Reds are up against it tonight and have that dreaded + attached to a high number at all the sports books in Vegas because they're facing Ted Lilly. But that dirtball is due to get kicked in the nuts unexpectedly. Tonight could be that night.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Bruce is back. Lineup for tonight's game in Chicago: Lineup: Taveras 8, Dickerson 7, Votto 3, Phillips 4, BRUCE 9, Encarnacion 5, Hernandez 2, Gonzalez 6, Owings 1. [Twitter]
A big series starts tonight in Chicago. It's been a while since we've been this excited about a regular season series in April. We'll look back on this post someday and most likely laugh at the fact that it meant anything at all to us. The thing is, for Reds fans; this is the playoffs. This is our shot at relevance in the league. A 3-game sweep here by the grace of God would allow us to lead off Baseball Tonight for once in the decade.
Here's how we honestly see the series breaking down.
Tonight: Micah Owings (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Rich Harden (0-1, 5.00 ERA, 9 IP, 18 K) It could get ugly. After a couple of big late/close wins in Houston, we would not be surprised for the Reds to come out completely flat as they sometimes do. It could be a night in which they get four hits and one run and that is all. They get Jay Bruce back most likely, but what a rough way to return against Harden who has as good of stuff as there is in the big leagues when he is healthy.
Tomorrow: Johnny Cueto (0-1, 4.22 ERA) vs. Ted Lilly (2-0, 3.86 ERA) You know what? This is a game that also looks like a loss. Which is why everyone in the world will lay their money down on the Cubbies and the Reds will win. Sure, Cubs are at home and throwing a lefty who has been solid (and everyone should take note that the Reds just don't beat lefties). But the law of averages will be in the Reds favor on this night. Lilly will be off and the Reds will pull away with a couple junk runs late. They'll even the series at 1-1 in this ballgame.
Thursday afternoon: Aaron Harang (1-2, 2.70 ERA) vs. Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 5.21 ERA) The Reds should feel best about this matchup in these three games. Big Z has been the best against the Reds in his career in throwing 181.1 big league innings against them compiling a 3.03 ERA and a 14-9 record. But familiarity breeds content. We feel that Dusty Baker knows enough about Zambrano's tendencies to help give his young team an idea of what they'll see in this game. Aaron Harang looks like the Aaron Harang of 2006 and 2007 again. This is a statement game and is likely to be a series deciding game before the Reds return home to Great American Ballpark. It will be an afternoon game in Chicago. The atmosphere will be electric as it is in those afternoons on the south side. What more could a young team ask for? Don't underestimate the value of this experience on these young guys. They'll come out hungry and get after Zambrano more then someone would expect. Coco Cordero is due to blow a game sometime soon though isn't he?
In the end, we see the Reds somehow losing 2 of 3. But you never know; that is why they play the games.
Another huge sports night both nationwide and for Ohioans. The Reds start a huge three game series in Chicago. The Cavs play game two of their first round playoff matchup. It's a must win for the Columbus Blue Jackets in their first ever postseason game in Columbus. Good weather is on the way. Stick around and read some of these links, would ya?
-The Yankee's greed is coming back to bite them in the ass. [It is about the Money Stupid] -Mascot Kombat. Hahaha. [More Hardball] -Wily Mo Pena has signed a minor league deal with the Mets. [MLB Fanhouse] -Octavio Dotel got a hug from President Obama recently. [Y! Sports Big League Stew] -A New York Post column causes the Mets to re-think the erasing of a Doc Gooden signature at their new stadium. [New York Post] -Four high school no hitters in a row? Who is the opponent? The deaf and blind? [Deadspin] -Andre Ethier was named NL Player of the week. [Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness] -Breaking down Zach Greinke's scoreless streak. [ESPN Sweetspot]
For those of you who aren't in Ohio, this is the guy who does the Reds television broadcasts about 75% of the time. We are certain that his on-air persona is exactly like he is in real life. George can make chicken soup out of chicken shit. He is the type of gentleman who smiles and finds the silver lining when he has a urinary tract infection. When someone rear ends his car, he gets out and offers to buy them lunch. When his daughter got her first yeast infection, he told her that it was a sign of her becoming an adult. When his lawn mower spits out a rock at high speed that lodges in his leg, he simply moves to the front yard with a band-aid on. George is full of zest and always loves life.
He is an honest man, he loves his wife. He goes home every night and kisses her. Just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary to the only woman he's ever kissed. George is only 54 years old. You figure it out.
This is also the reason that we wanna wrap our hands around George's neck on some nights. When it is 11-2 and Albert Pujols steps to the plate with 4 hits and 3 home runs already counting on his stat sheet, George still has that zest. When Jim Edmonds robs one of our Reds of a home run that costs us a win, he exclaims "HE GOT IT! HE GOT IT! HE GOT IT!"
We've grown to love you, George. Your greatest strength is also your weakness. Shine on you crazy diamond.
Our Cincinnati Redlegs really excercised some demons in what has been a house of horrors our whole life--playing ball in Houston. Maybe its just that the Astros are going to be that bad this season. Or maybe the Reds; who scored just 10 runs all series long while missing Jay Bruce for the final 3 games are built the right way.
Bronson Arroyo improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season. Not bad for a guy who was set to start the season on the DL with carpal tunnel. Edwin Encarnacion got not one but two 2-out RBI hits. The Reds did not commit an error. Joey Votto doubled with the bases loaded off the left center field wall to put the Reds ahead to stay. Francisco Cordero came in to save his 5th game in 5 chances.
Right now, it's just about stockpiling wins. Sure, they don't have enough offense. Yes, they win games ugly. But there is a glimmer of hope. If they can continue to overachieve--and if you watch this team that is what you'll see they are clearly doing--then possibly the owner Bob Castellini will go out and get us a big bat or two. That might be all that keeps this team from being very good. They lack the firepower offensively to score in bunches. But the piery n is there and it is keeping them in games every night right now.
The next 5 games are going to be a true test, and more glaring; the next three in Chicago. The Reds are a half game out of first place but they're about to find out if they can hang with the big boys. They face Rich Harden, Ted Lilly, and Carlos Zambrano. It could be another low scoring couple of days for the Reds offense unless something strange happens, which seems to happen somewhere in this game every day.
You've probably seen this commercial on ESPN the last few days of Albert "Gigantosaur" Pujols at the copy machine. We like Pujols. We like the commercial. That is all.
MLB baseball betting odds. If you bet online you should give Bodog a shot. Honestly, we used our baseball betting bankroll all up at bad luck sites like Linesmaker and Bet on Sports. No one ever wins there. On Bodog only the winners play, you see. Now if only we could handicap who is going to win the series and place a well times futures bet. [MLB betting odds-Bodog]
Jay Bruce is still out of the lineup. He hopes to play tomorrow in Chicago. This season is already spiraling out of control. Make no mistake about it, when we really get behind a player he absolutely crumbles. We're sorry, Jay. It's all our fault.
So the flag will remain at half mass until Jay returns heroically to the lineup. But somehow, we just know in our hearts that this injury will continue to drag on and on and on all season long and just be another thing that derails our boy from being a fucking star.
Wonder why we're so upset? Well look at that collective bunch of scrubs the Reds send out there tonight and then you'll know why. Get well soon Jay. Please.
Update per John Fay Twitter: Bruce took about 40 BP swings and looked pretty good. He even hit a couple out. Likely to play tomorrow in Chicago. Best news we've had in a while.
So you probably know that today is the National Pot Smoking Holiday here in the US. If you didn't know it, pat yourself on the back. We've got mixed feelings on the drug. Sure you can operate a car when you are high and you aren't going to go and shoot someone with a handgun or anything; but at the same time it's pot. You don't wanna be a pothead, do you?
We remember back in our high school days our classmates would make sure to notify someone every period of the day that it was indeed, 4/20. They wanted everyone to know that it was time to "blow some trees" shortly after the final school bell rang that day. They'd write it on blackboards. They'd draw pictures of their new one hitter bong. They'd skateboard.
Look, we're not going to lie to you and tell you we've never tried it. But unless you're a sophomore in college who thinks you're better at Tiger Woods Golf on Playstation 2 when you're extremely ripped, you probably shouldn't be smoking that dope. It's an education, a learning experience that everyone must in life. Why do you like to smoke pot and what would make you not need to smoke it anymore. Some people would read this and say they are going to smoke it forever. Sooner or later, it might catch up to you ya little hemp-haired hippie you.
It all ties in. We owe it to the sport of baseball for why we didn't smoke more joints in life. Another reason why baseball is the greatest sport on earth. Although it didn't work for Jeff Weaver.
Jason Giambi on Roger Clemens' rare habits of putting hot sauce on his nut sack and everywhere else before his starts. He responds with a 'hell no' he wouldn't subscribe to that. HHR with a good bit here. [Hugging Harold Reynolds]
If you watched this game for the first 6 innings as a Reds fan you were just shaking your head and saying cuss words under your breath. You had to be. The Reds were getting shut down by a AAA pitcher and wasting a great effort by starting pitcher Edison Volquez.
Then Micah Owings pinch hit and opened this one up, giving the Reds a 2 run lead with a double off the left center field wall that made it a 3-1 game in favor of the Reds. Owings is so impressive with the lumber that many have said he should start shagging balls in the outfield in preperation to be a full time player when he's not pitching. While we aren't in favor of that, he is hitting over .330 in his career in 120+ big league at bats. The guy is a force at the dish and you can't get him out by throwing straight fastballs to him like other Major League teams continually do.
Yesterday, this cost the Astros. Geoff Geary learned the hard way. Edison Volquez looked as good as he has so far this season, striking out 7.
The Reds still have some serious problems. Jay Bruce missed his 2nd game in a row and is expected to be out of the lineup tonight with that hand problem (thanks Yovani Gallardo, you fucker). Cincinnati has not collected more then 7 hits in a ballgame yet this season. That's horrible.
Still, as bad as they've been they're 6-5. We'll take it. If, and that is a serious if; they ever really do hit they're going to be a pretty decent squad. Not a playoff team by any means but they're going to be able to do some things and finishing above .500 will be achievable. But they honestly will probably be plagued with a lack of offense all season. This is going to linger as a problem.
Action is already underway in Boston in the name of Paul Rivere and his midnight ride. The Sox hold an early 3-0 lead over the Orioles in this early morning tilt.
On this day, 342 years ago, a group of bloodthirsty Welsh mercenaries attacked defenseless Pilgrims with boiling tea kettles, winning the War of 1812 so that Boston could have day baseball on a Monday.
It's a neat thing tradition that the Sox play this afternoon game on the day the Boston Marathon is ran by it's patrons. And if you need to follow the marathon you can do so here, stride by stride. This is a baseball blog, but we'll make the exception to give you the whole picture and be better Americans.
We'll get this out of the way early today. The good weather is gone for now and we have only about a half slate of games on tap for today/tonight. Keep tuning in as we'll be attending ballgames on friday night and saturday night so we should have some good stuff from those outings; and we may mix in a liveblog between now and then as well. Here is what we found on this monday:
-Dodgers fans are feeling like their team will never lose again. [True Blue LA] -How a Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle autographed baseball was ruined. EEK! [Baseball Analysts] -The Nationals invent a new way to lose every night. [Nationals Journal] -Raul Ibanez is off to a big start in Philly. [Crashburn Alley] -Trey Hillman has some odd percentages working in his favor in Kansas City. [ESPN's Sweetspot] -Ozzie Guillen had words for Nick Swisher; of course he did. [Chicago Sun Times] -A guy who doesn't surprise us as a wacko lefty, slams Republicans and the New Yankee ballpark. [Walkoff Walk] -Micah Owings continues to be able to hit like no other pitcher in the bigs. [The Real Mccoy]
Giants 2, DiamondBacks 0 Randy Johnson looked like the Big Unit of old, carrying a no-hitter into the 7th inning. Augie Ojeda broke up the no-hit bid with a double down the left field line to begin the 7th inning. Johnson struck out seven while walking two. The DiamondBacks could muster only one hit all game. Pablo Sandoval had 3 hits. The win was Johnson's first of the season and first as a Giant. Brian Wilson picked up save #2.
Blue Jays 1, A's 0 Ricky Romero continued his hot start at the Major League level. He struck out 6 and walked only two while allowing 4 hits in seven innings to earn his second victory without a loss. The only run of the game was an RBI single by Lyle Overbay. The Blue Jays are now 10-4 and looking like the darkhorse team in all of the AL.
Dodgers 14, Rockies 2 Matt Kemp doubled and homered twice. His numbers to start the young season are as fine as anyone's in the land. Kemp has began the season by hitting in the first 13 games and now has 14 RBI. There was a Matt Belisle sighting in the game, but if you blinked you missed it (sort of). Belisle got one out and allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits. We sure do miss him in Cincinnati. Dodgers are rolling at 10-3, they've won 8 in a row.
Yankees 7, Indians 3 You knew the Indians couldn't win this series in the Bronx and hang a loss on A.J. Burnett, didn't you? Carl Pavano was actually pretty good, but the Indians bullpen was the downfall. Jorge Posada homered and Cody Ransom drove in three runs. The Tribe was held to 4 hits on the day, two of which were homers (Choo, Garko).
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Is the New Yankee Stadium a homer haven? Talks all around the league are heating up suggesting that the new Yankee home is a launching pad, but how different are the dimensions from the old park? What is it about the new park that are making balls fly out like crazy? Some in depth analysis. [Was Watching]
People can say what they want about loving a good old fashioned pitchers duel, but the truth of the matter is what puts people in the seats and creates casual fan as opposed to the traditionalist is the greatest hitters in the game hitting nintendo style home runs and doing it again, and again, and again. It was the home run that possibly saved the sport in 1998, not the masterful precision of Greg Maddux. High scoring games are what keeps people who normally wouldn't leave the game on the television waiting in anticipation to see how many guys can cross the plate before the final out is recorded. With fantasy leagues being at an all-time high, we have an awful lot of people looking at their fantasy teams right now thinking they drafted the ultimate power hitting team. Most likely your team's ERA looks a bit bloated even if your pitching staff isn't performing up to expectation. There's an eminating sound in the air if you listen closely enough.
That sound you hear is the ball leaving the yard at your nearest ballpark. If offense seems to be up, that's because it is. Teams are hitting like crazy at a rate not seen since the steroid era late 90's. Guys like Nelson Cruz, Carlos Quentin, Carlos Pena, Alfonso Soriano, and Ryan Ludwick are atop the home run leaderboard with 5 and 6 already. All of them are on pace for 50+.
The league has seen three men hit for the cycle in the first two weeks of the young season. Jason Kubel, Ian Kinsler, and Orlando Hudson are hardly offensive superstars, but all have accomplished the historic feat already. If the feat is accomplshed at half that rate the rest of the way the 2009 season will be forever remembered for that alone.
The Texas Rangers opened up scoring at a record pace, and they're on pace to break the all-time record for runs scored. The Cleveland Indians scored 22 runs yesterday afternoon in the Bronx, and the early word eminating out of that park is that the ball hasn't even begun to fly out like it is going to in the summer. Yankees baseball may be forever changed. Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner are on pace to triple their home run totals from last season.
What is scary is guys like Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Manny Ramirez and Chase Utley haven't even began to hit yet. Once these guys get rolling, these roaring home run totals and power numbers will assuredly rise. In these first three weeks we as fans were not blessed with great weather conditions. When the weather warms up a bit in may, we're going to be in for what is the most hallmark power season ever seen in this game. It's something to keep an eye on, and we love every minute of it.
Fantasy player about to boom: Armando Galaragga (honorable mention: Paul Maholm, Wandy Rodriguez)
Fantasy player about to bust: Huston Street
Song that needs played over the loud speakers at your nearest stadium:
Your Love is Driving Me Crazy -- Sammy Hagar
Gameday snack of the week:
Lettuce cups. They are soothing. They are healthy. You must eat more of them. Preferably from PF Changs if you have one nearby.
Other options for television if you're sick of watching baseball NBA Playoffs NFL Draft Saturday April 25th, 4 PM NHL Playoffs
Team who will most assuredly suck that looks like they do not Kansas City Royals/San Diego Padres; take your pick.
Gameday dippers choice of the week:
Skoal Apple. This dip will provide a nice fresh flavoring in the spring; and is a great change-up from the traditional Straight or Mint for those of you who hate change. Give it a try.
Lost in the shuffle: I once owned a poster with Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns in their Cincinnati Reds uniforms crossing home plate that said "Dunn & Kearns: Greatest Hits". Although Washington is absolutely awful, these two have quietly combined for 5 home runs and 19 RBI thus far. Dunn looks like a more complete player who is in the best shape of his career. Austin Kearns is hitting around .200 but with some pop in the middle of the washington lineup and with the demotion of Lastings Milledge he may hold off a charge of Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and everyone else trying to take his job this season.
Games of the upcoming week of note:
Monday: Cleveland at New York 1:05 PM. Pavano might get booed out of the stadium and AJ Burnett continues his magical ride.
Tuesday: Florida at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM. Florida is off to an unreal start, and don't think they aren't looking to continue building on it with a mid-week series in the Steel city.
Wednesday: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs 8:05 PM. The Reds face Rich Harden in a a series opener that will tell us a lot about both teams.
Jay Bruce was scratched two hours before game time because of a sore right hand. He was hit on the hand by Yovani Gallardo on Monday at Milwaukee and it's still swollen. Bruce went for X-rays and we're awaiting word. Apparently he might have tweaked the hand on a check swing last night. He told the Reds he had been pain free the prior three days.
The curse never fails. Never ever ever fails. We suck. Fuck. This will end in a DL stint that lingers all fucking season.
Update (cue angels singing): Bruce is ok. X-rays negative. Feel like our team dodged a bullet.
Joey Votto, some piece of man candy. We sure hope it's a joke...otherwise the Cowboy might be headed for Brokeback Mountain! Guy could at least spell Marty's name correctly. Still an entertaining read on our metro sexual slugging first baseman.[National Sports Review]
In case you missed it while out and about on your saturday afternoon, the Cleveland Indians scored 14 runs in the 2nd inning of today's ballgame at New Yankee Stadium. Grady Sizemore, Shin-soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera all homered. It's currently 14-2 Indians in the top of the 3rd. Now the Indians weren't supposed to have that great of an offense this year, but they got some stuff done today if they don't get another hit.
And one must begin to wonder: is that new Yankee palace a homer dome that will curse the home team for years ala Great American Ball Park?
Beautiful saturday for baseball. Maybe the most beautiful saturday we've had in 2009. If you're not taking in a baseball game today wherever you are, you're missing out. Great day for sports all around with the Indians and Reds in action and the Cavs and Blue Jackets in the playoffs. Go Ohio. Here's the linkage:
-Happy belated birthday to Charlie Hustle. [Blue Collar Baseball] -Nice wrap of the Reds win last night in Houston. [Red Reporter] -Milton Bradley has been suspended for 2 games. [Bleed Cubbie Blue] -The Baltimore Orioles let one slip away last night in Boston. [Camden Chat] -Those Dodgers are growing up right in front of our eyes. [Sons of Steve Garvey] -The Nationals are thinking of locking up Ryan Zimmerman long term. [ESPN's Sweetspot]
The Washington Nationals' uniforms are all fugged up. Check out this screen shot of the Nationals home whites. Easily seen is that the team name is cut off and looks mis-spelled. Which totally cancels the chance of having a great uniform in the first place. Go figure it happens to a team like Washington. [DC Sports Blog]
This was one of those games that you saw coming down the pipeline as a loss. You could almost taste Roy Oswalt going to 24-1 against the Reds to further his dominance against them. And he did escape without losing. He didn't even allow a run.
In the top of the 9th inning Jose Valverde disposed of Jay Bruce with a quick strikeout and then walked Edwin Encarnacion. With Ramon Hernandez up and Alex Gonzalez on deck, you figure it's game over. Those two guys have been swinging toothpicks all season so far. And then Ramon Hernandez lined a fastball just over the wall in right field to give the Reds what was their biggest victory of the season thus far, and a win that could really spring them into some kind of groove.
It was just a well played ballgame. Both sides pitched well, and until Francisco Cordero entered the game in the 9th inning, the Reds had only allowed two hits all ballgame on this friday night. The only run of the game up until the Hernandez homer was a bases loaded walk from Johnny Cueto to Lance Berkman. Nick Masset has been incredibly solid for the Reds in relief all season thus far and he picked up the win. Mike Lincoln got over an inning of solid work.
The Reds exercised a real demon last night. This is just not a place they play well. Again and again they saw themselves get close (loading the bases with less than 2 outs against Oswalt early) and saw themselves shoot their own foot. Then you look up and Willy Tavares runs down two deep fly balls nearly at the slope in center. There is a lot to like about this team. They're too foolish to ever really give up even if their ability runs short on some nights or their inexperience shows. The other thing is that they're simply pitching pretty well most of the time. Evidenced inside this win is exactly how you wanna build a team--build a pitching staff that shuts down the opposition and get the big crucial hit to win it late. Satisfying win, Reds.
They're going to need to 'steal' a few like they did last night if they're going to surprise people.
It won't be long before the leaves are falling
and that means one thing...the World Series
and online betting.
Best of all, there's football, basketball and virtually any
other sport you can imagine. Check the odds on any game
from your computer and...bet with your head.
California Rolls, preferably from Benihana. That place should be known for it's sushi and not the Hibachi. We're telling ya, don't sleep on Benihana sushi. They've also got this deal where it's like $26.95 for unlimited sushi. Or you can get a shitload for like $15. If you don't have one near your place of residence we're sorry, you're missing out.
