I haven’t been this excited for a game since 1999.
Okay, that was completely untrue, but the Reds will open their 2010 Cactus League season with today’s game against fellow Goodyear tenants, the Cleveland Indians. It’s the first Cactus League game ever for the Reds, and it will actually be televised on FSN. Catch all the action at 2:30, unless you have to work (like me), in which case you need to set the DVR (as I did last night).
Yes, the game is meaningless and, yes, I’m going to watch every pitch. That’s how I roll.
The lineup for today’s game is below. I know this is going to come as a shock to you, and I’m sorry you have to find out this way, but it turns out that Dusty Baker is going to bat his centerfielder and shortstop in the top two spots in the order. Has he ever done that before? I’m not sure….
Drew Stubbs CF
Orlando Cabrera SS
Joey Votto 1B
Brandon Phillips 2B
Scott Rolen 3B
Jay Bruce RF
Jonny Gomes LF
Ramon Hernandez C
Laynce Nix DH
Mike Lincoln P
Someone needs to print up some lineup cards, with CF and SS pre-printed in the 1-2 spots. We really need to get those to Dusty; it’ll save him some time when making out the lineup every day.
Anyway, I’ll be watching (eventually). If you are going to watch, feel free to use this as a game thread to discuss what you see.