Gametime: 7:10 p.m. ET
Location: Great American Ball Park
TV/Radio: FS-Ohio, 700WLW-AM
Lineups:
Cincinnati (7-9 and Hoping This Is the Series They Top .500)
Cozart 6
Stubbs 8
Votto 3
Phillips 4
Bruce 9
Rolen 5
Ludwick 7
Hanigan 2
Mat Latos (0-2, 8.22 ERA)
San Francisco (9-7 and Uh-Oh, Their Starter Has Two Ts)
Tba
Matt Cain (1-0, 1.88 ERA)
Batter Up: I’m pretty excited to see the Giants in town. I may make a trip over to GABP for one of the games this series. As much as I hate the Cubs, I love the Giants. The first Reds’ game I ever attended was in April of 1986. I remember a few things very well. There was a strange UFO I later came to know as the Goodyear Blimp. Fireworks, though loud (I had to cover my ears) were awesome, and I was on cloud 9 going to a baseball game with my dad. I also remember some of the fans around us were impressed that at 4 years old I could tell you who all the players and what position they played. Did I ever mention that I’ve been obsessed with the game of baseball since I came out of the womb? Anyway, that first game, the one I still look back at and smile. The one that made baseball real, and not just a game on TV. That first game was against the San Francisco Giants. My dad always took me to games against the Giants as a kid because they were a rival and they were often pretty good. If it wasn’t a Giants game, we went to see the Dodgers when they were in town.
I’ve always just admired that team because of it. If the Reds don’t do well, I’m happy to see the Giants win. I was happy to see the Giants win a World Series game live and in person back in 2010. I liked Barry Bonds, yeah I was that one guy. I feel he was a HOF before the roids and even after it was awfully impressive to see what he was accomplishing. At any rate, I really like the Giants, and hope to catch a game this week.
Leading Off: I think we are witnessing a new Drew Stubbs. It’s a very small sample size I know, but what I’ve seen out of him in the lineup recently, I really like. He’s displaying better pitch selection, he’s making contact, and his outs are productive. He’s putting the ball in play to the right side with runners on, so they can advance or score too. I really like what I’m seeing. Again, I know it’s a small sample size, but if he keeps it up, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stubbs back at the top of the lineup. I’m not suggesting we do this tomorrow, but if he goes 2 weeks hitting like this, it’s an option that should be explored.
Rounding Third and Heading for Home: A list of some neat roadside baseball sites. Then there are sites that should be remembered but aren't. Who doesn’t love a great burger? Or a dog?