No show this week. Just a reminder. We'll be back on the 21st with 2 more Whose Line DVD giveaways in the Spring Sprang Extravaganza. Plus, MLB, NBA Playoffs, and more.
I stayed up and watched the first of 3 the in Reds V. D-Backs series at Chase Field. Disappointing.
Balls: Solid start from Arroyo. Not much more you could ask him to do. On the other side, when the opposing pitcher walks 3 in 6 IP, you've got to cash in. None of the walked batters scored. Kirk Saarloos said of the Orlando Hudson HR in the 8th that he was just trying not to walk him. Can't fault him for that, he'll just have to make a better pitch next time.
Strikes: Phillips and Conine both walked twice. Nice to see that patience, especially from Phillips in the 2 hole. I like that a lot. Dunn had an 0-4 but did not whiff once. That's also encouraging. Don't look now but Alex Gonzalez is hitting .391. Actually, do look now because it probably won't last.
Out (of the ordinary): The Reds team BB/K ratio at the plate is 0.72--I can live with that definitely. Some timely hitting and this team could really start to score a little bit.
Looking forward to watching Game 2 tonight. Kyle Lohse will go again and Edgar Gonzalez will face the Reds lineup. Gonzalez could probably throw a ball through a needlehead. It will be interesting to see how they handle his precise control.
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Is Scott Hatteberg a "Wimp"?
All-around coverage on Scott Hatteberg telling Jerry Narron he can't hit a guy when he doesn't have the confidence. Is this an athlete is who, to use a basketball metaphor, "doesn't want the ball at the end of the game" or is this a guy who wants to win even he doesn't get the credit for coming through to do it? I vote the latter. He's a vet and he knows his game.
It's interesting though--if a child were to say something along these lines to a parent, no doubt the parent would say, "Yes, you can do it, Scotty. Now you get right back in there and strikeout." Food for thought.
Homer Bailey Is NOT Ready
Fans and the media are whizzing all over themselves after Homer Bailey's first AAA start--1 hit in 5.2 IP. Oooooooooh. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh.
Yes, that's great. You're right. But that's not the whole story. Here's the whole story.
4.8 vs. Toledo: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
also
83 Pitches: 42 Strikes, 41 Balls
This does not show a mastery of AAA. I realize he's on a pitch count, as Bats pitching coach Ted Power (yes, that Ted Power) has said he doesn't like his guys to throw more than 90 pitches a start. So, I suppose the lack of pitching deep into the game could be blamed on that. But notice 3 walks in only 5.2 IP. If you're walking that many (and you shouldn't be), you should be fanning at least 7 in the same amount of time. Also, 42 strikes against 41 balls? Not mastery. And 83 pitches in 5.2 IP could also be improved upon as well. Power also mentioned that Bailey has some delivery flaws that need to be corrected. He's great, he's gonna be even better, but he's not ready for Cincinnati.
Uniform Approval
Got our first looks at both the Reds road and D-Back home unis. Both outstanding and prove that these uni sets are the ones both franchises have been waiting for--for a long time. Very nice--classic, clean, and quality.
Only 1 set of batting helmets for the Reds this season, it appears--the all-red helmet both and home and on the road despite the different on-field hats. I like that. Solid. Makes me wonder if eventually the black-billed hat becomes phased out. We'll see. I'm a huge fan of the all red, but I think the black-billed hat on the road is probably a good idea.
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