April 28, 2008

The happiest series of all: Reds versus Cardinals

Is there a better day in the season than the first game between the Reds and the Cardinals.

Well, yeah, maybe. But I’m just feeling very enthusiastic today. 😀

Here’s the line-ups:

Da Reds
Corey Patterson, CF
Jeff Keppinger, SS
Ken Griffey Jr, RF
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Adam Dunn, LF
Edwin Encarnaci&oactue;n, 3B
Joey Votto, 1B
Paul Bako, C
Bronson Arroyo, RHP

Da Cards
Ryan Ludwick, RF
Rick Ankiel, CF
Alber Pujols, 1B
Chris Duncan, LF
Troy Glaus, 3B
Yadi Molina, C
Adam Kennedy, 2B
Todd Wellemeyer, P
Cesar Izturis, SS

It does my heart good to see that someone continues trying to hit the pitcher in the 8 hole. Of course, since they’re going up against Arroyo, it’ll probably work.

33 comments to “The happiest series of all: Reds versus Cardinals”

  1. Red Hot Mama says:

    The Reds pregame had Bronson Arroyo giving pitching advice. I know that they record a lot of these during spring training, before they knew he’d be winless in his first five starts. If only they’d known: they could have gotten tips from Cueto.

  2. Red Hot Mama says:

    It occurs to me that I might be talking to myself tonight. The Scratchers may well be at the game. Hopefully it’s not as cold there as it is here.

  3. Red Hot Mama says:

    Well, there’s a shock: Corey Patterson is out!

  4. Zeldink says:

    So cold we had to bring the plants in. At the end of April.

    I heard it was 3 degrees today in Minnesota, so it could always be worse.

    Hey, Arroyo got a strikeout on his first batter! Maybe he won’t suck.

  5. Red Hot Mama says:

    Ooh, Brandon Phillips is aboard. And he scored!

  6. Red Hot Mama says:

    And now Dunn is in. Go Edwin!

  7. Red Hot Mama says:

    2 outs in the top of the second and Arroyo coming to the plate. Do they pinch hit??

  8. Red Hot Mama says:

    Bronson looks like he’s about to cry when he goes up to the plate. Or when he’s on the mound, for that matter. I wonder if he’s always sad.

  9. Zeldink says:

    It’s a tough call, isn’t it?

  10. I just got back into town this afternoon and had to catch up on stuff – but now I’m ready for some baseball!

  11. You may be a gen-u-ine Kentucky colonel, Wellemeyer, but you suck tonight.

  12. Zeldink says:

    Welcome to the game. RHM stepped out to put the kid to bed, but will be back shortly.

  13. Red Hot Mama says:

    Oh! The Reds scored again. Who *is* this team?

  14. Red Hot Mama says:

    Bellyscratcher! I’m so glad you’re here.

  15. Red Hot Mama says:

    Should we talk Chicago trip, since we’re here? Or would you prefer to keep our visit a surprise to Cubs fans?

    Jonny and I are working on a new t-shirt for the trip. Hopefully now that I’ve said it here we’ll actually get it done before we go.

  16. Red Hot Mama says:

    See, I think Arroyo walking Pujols there is smart. Far smarter than I would have expected of him.

    George Grande can’t stop talking about Edmonds. I think he’ll be mentioned on Grande’s tombstone.

  17. Zeldink says:

    Remember last year when Phillips and Pujols had their little tiff? I wonder if all’s been forgiven or if we’ll get to see some shenanigans.

  18. Red Hot Mama says:

    I totally forgot about that. I haven’t haven’t heard anything about it in a long time.

    Good as “Prince Albert” is, I’d take Phillips in a fight. I think he could turn Pujols’ size against him, Imperial-Walker-style.

  19. Red Hot Mama says:

    20 minutes later and the Reds still lead this one 4-1. Could the bats really be alive again? This has to be a freak occurrence, right?

  20. Red Hot Mama says:

    Not if Ankiel has anything to do with it, I reckon.

  21. Zeldink says:

    Yeesh. Please don’t remind me of George Grande referring to Pujols as Prince Albert. That brought unnecessary mental pictures.

  22. Red Hot Mama says:

    They sent down Coffey? Dude! Where have I been??

  23. Red Hot Mama says:

    Uh-oh. Bronson’s pulling an Arroyo.

  24. Red Hot Mama says:

    OK, Reds have the bases loaded with Dunn at the plate. Dunn hasn’t exactly been stellar in this spot this season, and I give Dusty’s “be aggressive to the point of swinging at crap” approach to be at least part of the reason.

    Well, that isn’t one of the true outcomes: Dunn was about to get a hit through until the ball found its way right into Phillip’s leg. Bases still loaded.

  25. Red Hot Mama says:

    Alas, no insurance runs this time around.

  26. Red Hot Mama says:

    Wow. Edwin can be good sometimes!

  27. Zeldink says:

    Yup. Coffey was sent down before today’s game and Bill Bray-ski was called up.

    Sorry I didn’t post anything today. A crazy-busy day at work lead to a migraine, which, surprisingly enough, wasn’t conducive to thinking about baseball.

  28. Red Hot Mama says:

    Usually the Wendy’s wrap commercial doesn’t make me hungry, but I’m in the last week of the Slim Down Challenge at work, where we’re vying to lose the most weight for the lofty prize of a $30 gift card.

    It’s been a 6-week process, but my freaking vacation was in the middle of it, so there’s been some up-and-down. Still, it’ll be nice to get it over with with a sense of accomplishment, even though I probably won’t win.

  29. Zeldink says:

    Maybe you’ll get a much-sought-after participant ribbon.

  30. Red Hot Mama says:

    I think they only give those to Eckstein.

    Actually, I’m not sure I should be advertising my participation in the slim-down challenge. If I keep it quiet, maybe no one will notice I need to lose 10 pounds.

  31. Red Hot Mama says:

    The Reds won! Did they just say it was the first time all season that they won the first game of the series. Yipes.

    Arroyo got the win and Edwin looked like a decent defending 3B. Will wonders never cease?

  32. Zeldink says:

    No. They will not. 🙂

    Hope the rest of the series is fun, too.