Holy crap. How awesome was that? You kind of saw it coming at the end there. Axford was only throwing fastballs on the outside corner. Ya he dropped a curve on Bruce, but other than that he was only throwing outside heaters. Oh wait, Hernandez ONLY swings at outside heaters. He was probably licking his chops on that one. He is super clutch.
But in true Curt Goodwin form I have to stay on par. One game is only one game. Nice to be 1-0 but its a long haul. Lots of players had good games today. Bullpen did a very good job and kept the Reds in it, and their best bullpeners didn't even pitch. Pretty much every hitter looked good except Gomes and Janish. And their problems were obvious, pulling their shoulders and heads like crazy. That'll be fixed by Saturday.
Volquez gets off the hook. Like I said, it wasn't a good game by him by any means but it wasn't so bad that I have bad vibes about him or anything.
Next game is Saturday. Wood on the hill. Lets hope for a first inning homer since we'll be at the cocktail hour and I want to see some fireworks on the river.
And of yeah, I'd like to officially welcome back the 75,000 bandwagon jumpers that left after the first few innings. Welcome back, losers, ha. Til next time....
Curt
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Opening Day 4...
Not sure who called that pitch, Hernandez or Smith. Someone looks stupid. McGehee has looked stupid on curveballs outside. So throwing a 2-2 pitch as a fastball inside? Not too bright.
Opening Day 3....
Volquez done after six. Could have been worse. Ya, he got hit, but I think I would rather see him give up some hits then go out there and walk people around the bases.
Opening Day 2
Ok all you 75000 fans that jumped off the bandwagon already. I'll allow you to come back twice this year, thats it. After that, you're off and not allowed back. 1457 innings left in the season. Lets all calm down.
Good call by Dusty with the bunt there. You have to get one run back to calm the nerves. Hopefully it works.
Mabye Volquez will get the ball down here and pitch a good game. Not holding my breath though.
Bonus thought, I think Stubbs could outrun anyone in the whole major leagues.
Good call by Dusty with the bunt there. You have to get one run back to calm the nerves. Hopefully it works.
Mabye Volquez will get the ball down here and pitch a good game. Not holding my breath though.
Bonus thought, I think Stubbs could outrun anyone in the whole major leagues.
Opening Day 1
Brian McKnight and his two sons huh? I always said if Brian McKnight sings the National Anthem on your Opening Day, you are destined to win it all.
Brewers have a very very good lineup. If their pitching can hang this year, they might be in the running.
Five minutes until first pitch. Here we go.......
Curt
Brewers have a very very good lineup. If their pitching can hang this year, they might be in the running.
Five minutes until first pitch. Here we go.......
Curt
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Reds 3/30...
Landed in Columbus earlier this afternoon. Ha, snow and sleet? Give me a break. Looks like the high for Opening Day is suppose to be 48. That's cold, but I think it has been colder recently on a couple of Opening Days.
Munch, thanks for the wedding advice. Don't be an idiot is the best advice I've gotten so far. I'll let Schellhause break that rule.
Burton to the DL. He becomes the fifth guy on the DL currently. Jordan Smith was brought up in his place. Smith had a good year last year and has a ton of confidence so I feel good about him on the team.
Bailey and Cueto are both due to come off the DL by Friday of next week. Hopefully they will only miss the two starts that they were originally scheduled to miss.
Opening Day lineup will be exactly as it should be....
Stubbs
Phillips
Votto
Rolen
Bruce
Gomes
Hernandez
Janish
Volquez
Look for the Reds to finally get an Opening Day win. Gallardo is good, but he isn't dominant like the starters the Reds have faced in the last few years. Hopefully they can get some runs right out of the gate and hang on for the victory. Yes, this is only the first game, but all 162 games count equally, so this is a big game just like all the rest.
Who is going to the game? We'll be at the game Sunday afternoon. Hopefully it's near 60 degrees so I don't freeze to death. Enjoy one of the top five sports days of the year. Til next time...
Curt
Munch, thanks for the wedding advice. Don't be an idiot is the best advice I've gotten so far. I'll let Schellhause break that rule.
Burton to the DL. He becomes the fifth guy on the DL currently. Jordan Smith was brought up in his place. Smith had a good year last year and has a ton of confidence so I feel good about him on the team.
Bailey and Cueto are both due to come off the DL by Friday of next week. Hopefully they will only miss the two starts that they were originally scheduled to miss.
Opening Day lineup will be exactly as it should be....
Stubbs
Phillips
Votto
Rolen
Bruce
Gomes
Hernandez
Janish
Volquez
Look for the Reds to finally get an Opening Day win. Gallardo is good, but he isn't dominant like the starters the Reds have faced in the last few years. Hopefully they can get some runs right out of the gate and hang on for the victory. Yes, this is only the first game, but all 162 games count equally, so this is a big game just like all the rest.
Who is going to the game? We'll be at the game Sunday afternoon. Hopefully it's near 60 degrees so I don't freeze to death. Enjoy one of the top five sports days of the year. Til next time...
Curt
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Reds 3/29....
Two more nights before the season starts. I don't know when this went down, but Opening Day got changed to 2PM, I like it.
My official prediction for the season will be for the Reds to finish first in the Central with a 88-74 record. Second place and hot on the Reds heels will be the Brewers. I think the Cubs will hang in until the final month and finish over .500. I kind of see a very down year for the Cardinals. Yes I hate them and am kind of biased, but I just don't think they can hang with their pitching and depth. After that I see the Reds winning a game or two in the playoffs but ultimately bowing out without a series win. Of course I hope I'm wrong, just wanted to get a prediction out there.
Other predictions....
Team MVP
Joey Votto. I think he has nearly the same numbers as last year. Yes his numbers were great last year, but they could have been better. I see him having another dominant year but not exactly getting better and having a memorable year. But of course if he puts up the same numbers, he will be in the MVP race again.
Team Cy Young
I'm going to go with Volquez. Easy prediction I know, but I think he comes out and dominates. He said he wants a big contract but wants to earn it. What is a better motivator then money? He'll be in the National League Cy Young race and finish with 18 wins.
Most Improved (Offense)
Most improved from the year before will be Hernandez. He's got a good stroke and had more lineouts then anyone last year. I see him putting up a lot more RBI's.
Most Improved (Pitching)
Cordero. He'll be a top notch closer again this year.
Breakout Season (Offense)
Stubbs. I'm seeing .275, 30 jacks and 30 stolen bases. We all can dream right?
Breakout Season (Pitching)
Homer on the starting side. It's time dude. Put a whole season together. Make us loyal followers proud. On the relief side, I see Ondrusek just being that dominant guy that most teams have for the seventh inning. With his tall frame, he is pitching down to hitters and with his slider it'll just drop right down from the sky on them.
Weak Year (Hitting)
I see Rolen really falling off and maybe eventually getting replaced by Francisco. I like Rolen and when he is hot, he can really rake. He just seems like he is on his last leg and the second half of last year left a lot to be desired.
Weak Year (Pitching)
I think the dropoff starter will be Leake. I like the guy and hope I am wrong again, but he has to hit his spots and once teams start to figure out his pattern they'll start tattooing him. As far as the bullpen, look for Bray to finally get exposed. When he does, hopefully Willis will be ready to step in as the early inning lefty. Chapman will dominate the eighth so if Bray falters, it won't hurt us too bad.
Stat Predictions...
Homers Votto
RBI's Votto
Avg. Bruce
SB Stubbs
K's Gomes
BB's Votto
Wins Volquez
ERA Arroyo
K's Volquez
GS Arroyo
Saves Cordero
Send in your predictions. Put yours in writing so we can compare later. Til next time...
Curt
My official prediction for the season will be for the Reds to finish first in the Central with a 88-74 record. Second place and hot on the Reds heels will be the Brewers. I think the Cubs will hang in until the final month and finish over .500. I kind of see a very down year for the Cardinals. Yes I hate them and am kind of biased, but I just don't think they can hang with their pitching and depth. After that I see the Reds winning a game or two in the playoffs but ultimately bowing out without a series win. Of course I hope I'm wrong, just wanted to get a prediction out there.
Other predictions....
Team MVP
Joey Votto. I think he has nearly the same numbers as last year. Yes his numbers were great last year, but they could have been better. I see him having another dominant year but not exactly getting better and having a memorable year. But of course if he puts up the same numbers, he will be in the MVP race again.
Team Cy Young
I'm going to go with Volquez. Easy prediction I know, but I think he comes out and dominates. He said he wants a big contract but wants to earn it. What is a better motivator then money? He'll be in the National League Cy Young race and finish with 18 wins.
Most Improved (Offense)
Most improved from the year before will be Hernandez. He's got a good stroke and had more lineouts then anyone last year. I see him putting up a lot more RBI's.
Most Improved (Pitching)
Cordero. He'll be a top notch closer again this year.
Breakout Season (Offense)
Stubbs. I'm seeing .275, 30 jacks and 30 stolen bases. We all can dream right?
Breakout Season (Pitching)
Homer on the starting side. It's time dude. Put a whole season together. Make us loyal followers proud. On the relief side, I see Ondrusek just being that dominant guy that most teams have for the seventh inning. With his tall frame, he is pitching down to hitters and with his slider it'll just drop right down from the sky on them.
Weak Year (Hitting)
I see Rolen really falling off and maybe eventually getting replaced by Francisco. I like Rolen and when he is hot, he can really rake. He just seems like he is on his last leg and the second half of last year left a lot to be desired.
Weak Year (Pitching)
I think the dropoff starter will be Leake. I like the guy and hope I am wrong again, but he has to hit his spots and once teams start to figure out his pattern they'll start tattooing him. As far as the bullpen, look for Bray to finally get exposed. When he does, hopefully Willis will be ready to step in as the early inning lefty. Chapman will dominate the eighth so if Bray falters, it won't hurt us too bad.
Stat Predictions...
Homers Votto
RBI's Votto
Avg. Bruce
SB Stubbs
K's Gomes
BB's Votto
Wins Volquez
ERA Arroyo
K's Volquez
GS Arroyo
Saves Cordero
Send in your predictions. Put yours in writing so we can compare later. Til next time...
Curt
Monday, March 28, 2011
Reds 3/28....
Roster set. It's a good thing, but it was so easy because so many guys were put on the DL. Currently Bailey, Cueto, Arredondo, and Lewis are all on the DL. All are minor injuries and shouldn't keep them out too long, but it's worse then them not being on the team. Official 25 man roster starting on Thursday...
Ryan Hanigan
Ramon Hernandez
Joey Votto
Brandon Phillips
Paul Janish
Scott Rolen
Edgar Renteria
Miguel Cairo
Juan Francisco
Jay Bruce
Drew Stubbs
Johnny Gomes
Chris Heisey
Edinson Volquez
Bronson Arroyo
Travis Wood
Mike Leake
Sam LeCure
Francisco Cordero
Nick Masset
Aroldis Chapman
Jared Burton
Bill Bray
Matt Maloney
Logan Ondrusek
Volky will start the first game, Wood the second, and Arroyo has the Sunday game.
Finally got to watch a game today on the MLB Network. Stubbs hit a freaking shot to right field for a three run dinger. Gomes also hit a scorcher to left center. Leake looked very good and threw 5.2 innings. Good sign, I wasn't feeling too good about him. Obviously it's only one game but it's his last spring start so hopefully he'll have some confidence going into the season. Burton had a nice inning again, but the trainer came out and he left the game, hopefully there is nothing wrong there. The best part about him is that he has longer hair growing out of the back of his cap then Leake did last year, ha. Another nice surprise was Francisco making a few pretty good plays in left field. Right now he would be the fifth outfielder if one was ever needed. I like that, he can pinch hit and play infield or outfield, much better utility guy with Cairo, as far as upside goes.
Only one more spring game left then the real thing starts on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see Dusty's lineup since he always tries to overthink things. If I had to guess, with Gallardo on the hill, Dusty will go with....
Stubbs LF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Gomes LF
Hernandez C
Janish SS
Volquez P
The record stands at 16-14, through the spring. Obviously it doesn't matter, but it's better than a bad record.
Curt
Ryan Hanigan
Ramon Hernandez
Joey Votto
Brandon Phillips
Paul Janish
Scott Rolen
Edgar Renteria
Miguel Cairo
Juan Francisco
Jay Bruce
Drew Stubbs
Johnny Gomes
Chris Heisey
Edinson Volquez
Bronson Arroyo
Travis Wood
Mike Leake
Sam LeCure
Francisco Cordero
Nick Masset
Aroldis Chapman
Jared Burton
Bill Bray
Matt Maloney
Logan Ondrusek
Volky will start the first game, Wood the second, and Arroyo has the Sunday game.
Finally got to watch a game today on the MLB Network. Stubbs hit a freaking shot to right field for a three run dinger. Gomes also hit a scorcher to left center. Leake looked very good and threw 5.2 innings. Good sign, I wasn't feeling too good about him. Obviously it's only one game but it's his last spring start so hopefully he'll have some confidence going into the season. Burton had a nice inning again, but the trainer came out and he left the game, hopefully there is nothing wrong there. The best part about him is that he has longer hair growing out of the back of his cap then Leake did last year, ha. Another nice surprise was Francisco making a few pretty good plays in left field. Right now he would be the fifth outfielder if one was ever needed. I like that, he can pinch hit and play infield or outfield, much better utility guy with Cairo, as far as upside goes.
Only one more spring game left then the real thing starts on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see Dusty's lineup since he always tries to overthink things. If I had to guess, with Gallardo on the hill, Dusty will go with....
Stubbs LF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Gomes LF
Hernandez C
Janish SS
Volquez P
The record stands at 16-14, through the spring. Obviously it doesn't matter, but it's better than a bad record.
Curt
Sunday, March 27, 2011
NCAA Wrap
Sorry, haven't really posted anything on my feelings on the tourney. Once again, great tourney. Lots of close games, lots of bad calls, lots of buzzer beaters, same old show. I personally don't like the lower seeds making the finals, just doesn't seem right. But of course they earned so good for them. Some highlights on the tourney....
Temple buzzer beater, awesome. Juan Fernandez is a stud and will only get better next year along with the rest of the Temple team.
Butler has to have a sore ass, I don't think they can pull any more games out their ass in one year, not possible.
Notre Dame and Texas suck and blew up every one of my brackets.
Buckeyers falter again along with Duke. Both of those teams are better than everyone else, along with Kansas, but if you have an off game, you need someone to step up, and neither of them did.
UCONN is on freaking fire, when will they slow down? They might win the whole freaking thing.
Out of all the upsets, the two brackets on the left with Duke and Ohio State had ONE, count it, ONE, total upset in the first round. Marquette over Xavier. Crazy right?
My predictions for the remainder are Kentucky over UCONN and Butler over VCU. Kentucky to win it all. Calipari's first title and in one of the seasons that no one would have thought it would happen.
Prediction for next year. UCLA to be number one. Lots of talent coming back along with the Wear twin transfers from UNC.
Curt
Temple buzzer beater, awesome. Juan Fernandez is a stud and will only get better next year along with the rest of the Temple team.
Butler has to have a sore ass, I don't think they can pull any more games out their ass in one year, not possible.
Notre Dame and Texas suck and blew up every one of my brackets.
Buckeyers falter again along with Duke. Both of those teams are better than everyone else, along with Kansas, but if you have an off game, you need someone to step up, and neither of them did.
UCONN is on freaking fire, when will they slow down? They might win the whole freaking thing.
Out of all the upsets, the two brackets on the left with Duke and Ohio State had ONE, count it, ONE, total upset in the first round. Marquette over Xavier. Crazy right?
My predictions for the remainder are Kentucky over UCONN and Butler over VCU. Kentucky to win it all. Calipari's first title and in one of the seasons that no one would have thought it would happen.
Prediction for next year. UCLA to be number one. Lots of talent coming back along with the Wear twin transfers from UNC.
Curt
And On Cue...
Reds just informed Hermida and Willis that they will be residing in Louisville for awhile, until further notice. So that puts us to 28. Those cuts were expected. More later....
Curt
Curt
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