The Cincinatti Reds are no joke. This young team is packed with offensive fire power that has feasted on National League pitching all season long.
The Reds have hit a ton of homers (144) have a really high team average (.272) and score a ton of runs (790). Their 1st baseman Joey Votto is very likely to be the National League MVP. He hits for power (third in the NL in homers) and is an on-base machine (leads the NL in on-base percentage). Besides Votto, Jay Bruce, Jonny Gomes, Scott Rolen, and Brandon Phillips can all really hit. It’s always been said that good pitching wins games so it’s going to be up to the Big Three to neutralize this powerful tandem.
Wednesday’s game will feature 21 game winner Roy Halladay who will be opposed by Edinson Volquez (4-3, 4.31 ERA). Volquez made just 12 starts this season and served a 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He’s pitched pretty well against the Phillies in the past, making 2 winning starts against the Phils.
You have to like the Phillies chances in game 1 as one has to think that Roy Halladay is going to be pretty pumped up for his first ever start in the Postseason. Halladay has not pitched since last weeks clincher in D.C. so he should be pretty rested. The Phillies went who went 5-2 against the Reds this season and will start the first two games of the series at home in Citizens Bank Park.
The weather may be a factor in Wednesday’s game as there is a 30-40% chance of rain at game time and it is supposed to rain pretty much every hour from now until then.
I gotta voice my disgust of the crappy start times that the Phillies have drawn again. 6:07 PM and 5:07 PM? What the hell? Why doesn’t a team who has been in the World Series get their props and get the nod for a prime time game. If you’re like me you’re going to be driving like a maniac to get home in time for these two games.
Side Notes –
Chooch – Carlos left Sundays game after being hit in the arm by pitcher Tim Hudson. Ruben Amaro Jr. has said that he thinks that Carlos is “All good” and a go for Wednesday.
J.C. – Romero is feeling better after abruptly leaving the game mid-batter on Sunday. It’s possible that J.C. might be left off the NLDS roster in favor of another situational lefty Antonio Bastardo who has been pitching very well.
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Red have that kind of them that will stand up to anyone, anytime,anywhere, and that could be the key to their own survival.
They know that the Phillies have a tough pitching match-up and a solid line-up, but if they come into the NLDS to make a point, it could be a 5 game series.
Best thing about Phillie is their experience at this level with a 5-game series. That could play well into their hands as the Reds have limited post season experience sprinkled on their roster.
Rays Renegade
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Good post! You’re absolutely right about the Reds. I had plenty of opportunities to watch them this year and I promise you that they will be the only team capable of beating the Phillies. They have an offensive machine and the bullpen has been outstanding. Alroldis Chapman is the real deal. Most of the time, he has a 1-2-3 inning. So if the Reds can establish a lead or keep the game tied until Philadelphia’s Big 3 exit the game, the Reds have a pretty good chance. They also have had a lot of late inning heroics. Of course, beating the Phillies requires getting to the Big 3 and not allowing them to go deep into the game. No easy task! The Reds will have their work cut out for them. The Phillies are surely the favorite to win it all.