Series Preview: Reds

Reds (10-9) vs Cardinals (10-9)

Busch Stadium : 3 Game Series

We all know what happened last year in Cincinnati, and Im sure that we will still be looking for revenge, but it will be just as much about what happened in the standings as about what happened behind home plate. There is now actual distain between many on both sides of this once non-rivalry, but what will keep it a strong rivalry is the battle in the standings. The Reds are the new kids on the block trying to come in to knock the Cards off their pedestal, and last season they were able to, mostly because no one thought they really could. They also took home a bunch of Hardware (3 Gold Gloves & an MVP for Votto) so its about more than a brawl, its about the division, and the rest of the league is taking notice. In this 3 game series we are getting 2 showcase games (FOX Saturday Baseball & ESPN Sunday Night Baseball) where we could come out on the other end with the division leader. But lets not forget about The Brawl, especially the one who started the whole thing - Brandon Phillips. I like that Phillips "hate(s) the Cardinals" and that he isnt afraid to say it, it means we are good and that teams wish they could be us. But he went too far saying "All they do is [complain] and moan about everything, all of them" and called them "whiney bitches". You would think he would have learned his lesson, but no he is still running his mouth this time via Twitter; "Just landed in St. Louis! :( ... But these wins will make me happy! On our way 2 the hotel & I hope its not Hilton at the BallPark! Lol" and "My teammates ask me if I knew where some good places 2 eat at in St. Louis! I said, Yea, come with me 2 the store 2 get some Lunchables!". Phillips can keep running his mouth, but lets not forget who went 4-27 (.148 avg) with 2 RBI, 2 Runs, 3 Ks, and 2 game ending outs against the Cardinals since he ran his mouth the first time. The Birds were also 12-6 last season against the Reds, with those Reds getting embarrassingly swept in the NLDS including a No-Hitter. And lets never forget that Bad Blood that has always existed between TLR and Dusty Baker.

Guys to Watch

Chris Carpenter P

We all know the competitor that Carp is, and how fired up he can get for big games. Also remember that it was just a shouting match and flexing muscles before Carp stuck his nose into the mix to start The Brawl. Well Carpenter gets to take the bump against the Reds on Saturday, and you know he will be ready to go, bringing some nasty stuff, hopefully including alittle bit of Chin Music. Carp was not good in Arizona, giving up 8 runs in 4 innings on only 83 pitches. But other than that disaster, he has been the Ace of old, stepping up in the absence of Waino. In those other 3 starts he went 7-6-7 innings never giving up more than 2 Runs, and only 3 earned runs total and all that got him was 2 No Decisions and a Loss. An 0-2 record is nothing short of an injustice for Carpenter, and you know he will be looking to make sure that he gets that first W saturday. He will do everything he can, not leaving it up to anyone else, to get it.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1 - 7:15 pm on FSN

Edinson Volquez (2-0 : 6.75) vs Kyle McClellan (2-0 : 1.89)

A pair of 2-0 starters, one looks to deserve it, the other has had it handed to him. Who would have thought that Kyle McClellan would look like the better Starting pitcher a month into the season? Volquez has yet to throw more than 6 innings in a start, and has only had one good outing in those starts (6 innings, 2 earned runs vs Padres). He has given up 17 runs in 4 starts with 16 Walks and 6 HRs. K-Mac on the other hand has made it though 6 innings in all 3 starts (7 innings last start) and only given up 4 runs, 5 Walks, and 1 HR in those games all from a guy who has spent his career in the Bullpen.

Game 2 - 3:10 pm on FOX

Travis Wood (1-2 : 5.73) vs Chris Carpenter (0-2 : 4.13)

Ive already shown how unfortunate Carp has been this year, and you can expect him to come out with a dominant performance on Saturday. Carpenter has gone 9-0 against the Reds in the past 3 seasons, with a 1.58 ERA and only a .186 average against, dont expect anything different. Wood was one of those pesky first time pitchers that baffeled the Cards lineup last season, going 7 and only giving up 1 unearned run. But in his last start he barely made it into the 4th inning against the Pirates giving up 6 runs, now that the Cards have their tape on him, I would expect them to keep up the hot offense.

Game 3 - 7:00 pm on ESPN

Sam LeCure (0-1 : 4.15) vs Jake Westbrook (1-2 9.82)

Wait a second, a first time pitcher that we actually hit last season? Yep, we actually got to LeCure last year, if you call 3 Runs in 5.2 innings getting to a pitcher. But he didnt baffle us, and that more than we can say compared to most of these first time guys. The Jeff City product will be sporting the best ERA of the series for the Reds along with a nice Sub 1.00 WHIP. I would say we have the advantage against a young kid we already hit, but he will be facing Jacke Westbrook. So how early is too early to be worried about him? Ive kept on the "Dont worry, he'll figure it out" path since his first start, well if he doesnt do it this time, Im officially going to worry. It would be one thing if he was pitching just like last year when he came over, and just didnt have the ability to be more than a #3, to step up into the #2 spot. But he is pitching like a #5. Time to step up Westbrook.