Sunday, April 8, 2012

A Memorable Start to the Season

It certainly has been an historic and exciting start to the season.  First there was the Joey Votto franchise record $225 million contract extension, followed by a blue print of an Opening Day win and then back-to-back sellout crowds for the first time since 1969.  All leading to a thrilling 6-5 comeback victory in Sunday's finale against one of the best closers in the game in the Marlins Heath Bell.  Highlighted by Jay Bruce's 2-homer day.

While it's still way too soon to draw any conclusions with 159 games left, Sunday's rally was big.  It gave the Reds a series victory over Miami with NL Central rivals and reigning World Series Champion St. Louis coming to town.  Despite losing Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa, the Cardinals are off to a 3-1 start and boast a potent lineup.  In fact this first month of the season provides several tests for this Reds club with six games (three home, three road) with the Cards, four at upstart Washington and three versus the Giants.

No one in the Reds clubhouse will classify these three games with the Cardinals as big, it's too early.  After all Cincinnati looked like division champions after sweeping St. Louis last May in the Queen City.  But the Redlegs did pass the first hurdle in this challenging month by taking two of three from an improved Marlins squad.

Some things to keep an eye on, Bronson Arroyo looked fantastic through the first six innings Sunday against Miami (two runs allowed) before things blew up in the seventh (three runs on three hits).  It might bear watching if you're Dusty Baker and pitching coach Bryan Price as the game quickly got away from Arroyo in the seventh despite being very pitch efficient (82 pitches, 64 for strikes).  My fear is father time may be making Arroyo nothing more than a five or six inning pitcher.

Also of note is the bullpen.  Aroldis Chapman and Sean Marshall have been superb (four innings, no runs, seven Ks combined), Sam LeCure and Alfredo Simon (three innings, four runs, two HRs allowed and three strikeouts) have left something to be desired.  Granted it's only three games.  Stay tuned True Believers.

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