Opening Day Preview/Game thread

Ninersrule · 03-27-2007, 11:11 PM

Opening Day is finally almost here-just a little over 5 days and the real official start of the season- the first pitch of the Reds game will be here.

The first game of the season will feature the new look Cincinnati Reds
against the free agent laden Chicago Cubs.

Starters will Aaron Harang(16-11 3.76 ERA) vs. Carlos Zambrano(16-7 3.41 ERA). Both of whom have struggled at times this spring, but due to their
terriffic seasons last year have been the nod to be the opening day starters.

The Reds lineup will see some changes from last year. At the moment,
Ryan Freel is slated to start in CF, and lead off, with Ken Griffey Jr. moving
to RF. Adam Dunn who has done some major adjusting to his approach
at the plate, and has seen a drastic improvement in his spring BA
will be the LF.

In the infield, David Ross now takes over as the everyday catcher from
Jason LaRue. Ross brings more power to the position, than LaRue, and
is capable of 20-25 HR's. His arm too is superior, to LaRue's although he is
still improving his pitch calling and handling of pitchers.

Scott Hatteberg remains the 1B, who has shown decent power, and will be
spelled by Jeff Conine at times. Brandon Phillips is back at 2B, who has
shown suprising power this spring, leading the Reds in slugging percentage.
At 3B, is Edwin Encarnacion, who too has shown improved patience and
power at the plate. It has never been doubted, that he could hit, only his
fielding has lacked at times, but he lost 12-15 lbs. over the winter and has
shown improved flexibiltiy and range at 3B. The new SS is Alex Gonzalez,
who is top defensive SS, who has some pop in his bat.

The 2007 version of the Reds are a vastly improved team, esp. defensively,
who have a lot of interchangable parts, with Jeff Conine, and Ryan Freel,
and Javier Valentin able to play 3 positions or more. The addition of Josh
Hamilton too will probably come in to the mix, as he has more than earned
his way onto the Reds roster. He is the second leading hitter on the team
for the Spring, and is already the Reds best defensive OF. His ability along
with moving Freel to CF, has been the reason the Reds have moved Griffey Jr. RF.

The bullpen to is vastly improved, as Dustin Hermanson has come in and not
shown any ill effects of his lay off. Hermanson has four pitches that he can
throw consistenly for strikes, and along with Todd Coffey, and David Weathers, the Reds have the makings of a great bullpen.

The Reds have the potential of putting it all together this season- plus a few spare pitching parts, because decisions have not been made yet on the
end of the rotation, but they should score runs, both running the bases,
and with power.

The Cubs have made several additions as well- FA's- Alfonso Soriano, Jason
Marquis and Ted Lilly- starters. The Cubs are a team that is having to rely
soley on power- except for Soriano- there is no speed on the team- at it
looks like once again at the start of the season- they will be without pitchers
Kerry Wood and Mark Prior both once thought to be mainstays of their staff,
who now spend more time on the DL, than on the field.

The Reds appear to be much improved through shrewd trades by GM Krivsky, and the Cubs appears different, but not much improved. It is possible even
probable that the Reds will contend for the division, but as for the Cubs,
it all depends on Soriano, Aramis Ramierez and the health of Derek Lee, as to
how far they will go, they might contend for the division, but will probably
be in a fight to finish third or fourth.

ctjayfan · 03-28-2007, 11:44 AM

The REDS in a SWEEP?

JoseA · 03-28-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctjayfan

The REDS in a SWEEP?

Ain't gonna happen! How abouth the other way around?

Be prepared to be astonished by Zambrano Opening Day!

Ninersrule · 03-28-2007, 11:08 PM

JoseA,

How has Zambrano been throwing the ball this spring? He is a real workhorse,
and should be the ace of the Cubs, but I still don't think that there is enough
pitching for the Cubs to contend.

And the offense I think will have to generate runs by playing little ball, and
not relying on the long ball so much, as sthee are only three regulars on the team-Ramirez, Soriano and D. Lee who have power. Time will tell and Lou P.
has a magical touch, but I wonder how much does he have left?

JoseA · 03-30-2007, 05:28 PM

The Cubs spent a lot of money this offseason and I think their batting is set, hopefully no one gets injured!

As for our starting pitching staff, I think it looks decent. We don't really have many big name stars, but it is still a soild staff. I thinK Zambrano will be great this season if he could control his temper! That has been one of the biggest things holding him back in my opinion.

Hopefully Lou makes some magic because I think this team has talent, but not set on the pitching 100%.

ctjayfan · 04-02-2007, 03:58 PM

WE WIN!! 5 -1

ctjayfan · 04-05-2007, 04:45 PM

Well 2 out of 3 ain't a bad start to the Season!!

03-27-2007, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ninersrule Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: C-Bus/Buckeye Country Posts: 120	Opening Day Preview/Game thread Opening Day is finally almost here-just a little over 5 days and the real official start of the season- the first pitch of the Reds game will be here. The first game of the season will feature the new look Cincinnati Reds against the free agent laden Chicago Cubs. Starters will Aaron Harang(16-11 3.76 ERA) vs. Carlos Zambrano(16-7 3.41 ERA). Both of whom have struggled at times this spring, but due to their terriffic seasons last year have been the nod to be the opening day starters. The Reds lineup will see some changes from last year. At the moment, Ryan Freel is slated to start in CF, and lead off, with Ken Griffey Jr. moving to RF. Adam Dunn who has done some major adjusting to his approach at the plate, and has seen a drastic improvement in his spring BA will be the LF. In the infield, David Ross now takes over as the everyday catcher from Jason LaRue. Ross brings more power to the position, than LaRue, and is capable of 20-25 HR's. His arm too is superior, to LaRue's although he is still improving his pitch calling and handling of pitchers. Scott Hatteberg remains the 1B, who has shown decent power, and will be spelled by Jeff Conine at times. Brandon Phillips is back at 2B, who has shown suprising power this spring, leading the Reds in slugging percentage. At 3B, is Edwin Encarnacion, who too has shown improved patience and power at the plate. It has never been doubted, that he could hit, only his fielding has lacked at times, but he lost 12-15 lbs. over the winter and has shown improved flexibiltiy and range at 3B. The new SS is Alex Gonzalez, who is top defensive SS, who has some pop in his bat. The 2007 version of the Reds are a vastly improved team, esp. defensively, who have a lot of interchangable parts, with Jeff Conine, and Ryan Freel, and Javier Valentin able to play 3 positions or more. The addition of Josh Hamilton too will probably come in to the mix, as he has more than earned his way onto the Reds roster. He is the second leading hitter on the team for the Spring, and is already the Reds best defensive OF. His ability along with moving Freel to CF, has been the reason the Reds have moved Griffey Jr. RF. The bullpen to is vastly improved, as Dustin Hermanson has come in and not shown any ill effects of his lay off. Hermanson has four pitches that he can throw consistenly for strikes, and along with Todd Coffey, and David Weathers, the Reds have the makings of a great bullpen. The Reds have the potential of putting it all together this season- plus a few spare pitching parts, because decisions have not been made yet on the end of the rotation, but they should score runs, both running the bases, and with power. The Cubs have made several additions as well- FA's- Alfonso Soriano, Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly- starters. The Cubs are a team that is having to rely soley on power- except for Soriano- there is no speed on the team- at it looks like once again at the start of the season- they will be without pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior both once thought to be mainstays of their staff, who now spend more time on the DL, than on the field. The Reds appear to be much improved through shrewd trades by GM Krivsky, and the Cubs appears different, but not much improved. It is possible even probable that the Reds will contend for the division, but as for the Cubs, it all depends on Soriano, Aramis Ramierez and the health of Derek Lee, as to how far they will go, they might contend for the division, but will probably be in a fight to finish third or fourth. __________________ "You may find that having, is not so pleasing a thing as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." -Spock from "Amok Time"

03-28-2007, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ninersrule Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: C-Bus/Buckeye Country Posts: 120	JoseA, How has Zambrano been throwing the ball this spring? He is a real workhorse, and should be the ace of the Cubs, but I still don't think that there is enough pitching for the Cubs to contend. And the offense I think will have to generate runs by playing little ball, and not relying on the long ball so much, as sthee are only three regulars on the team-Ramirez, Soriano and D. Lee who have power. Time will tell and Lou P. has a magical touch, but I wonder how much does he have left? __________________ "You may find that having, is not so pleasing a thing as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." -Spock from "Amok Time"

03-30-2007, 05:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
JoseA Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,097	The Cubs spent a lot of money this offseason and I think their batting is set, hopefully no one gets injured! As for our starting pitching staff, I think it looks decent. We don't really have many big name stars, but it is still a soild staff. I thinK Zambrano will be great this season if he could control his temper! That has been one of the biggest things holding him back in my opinion. Hopefully Lou makes some magic because I think this team has talent, but not set on the pitching 100%. __________________ Register here and join the discussion

03-28-2007, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
ctjayfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CT Posts: 4,194	The REDS in a SWEEP?

04-02-2007, 03:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
ctjayfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CT Posts: 4,194	WE WIN!! 5 -1

04-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
ctjayfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CT Posts: 4,194	Well 2 out of 3 ain't a bad start to the Season!!