Now that Opening Day and multi-million dollar contract extensions are over with, it's time to play some ball. The Reds were fortunate to begin the season 3-3 in their 6-game home stand to start the year. It took a couple of last at-bat heroics and some outstanding pitching from Aroldis Chapman in order to head out on a 10-game road trip even on the year.
Positives-- Nice to see the Reds offense break out for 14 hits Wednesday after struggling to hit (and hit in the clutch) for much of the home stand. Especially good to see Joey Votto come up with a 4-hit day to raise his batting average from .188 to .333. I'm sure Dusty and the crew hope it's a sign of things to come on the road. Can't say enough about the job Chapman is doing out of the bullpen. In three appearances, he's 2-0 allowing only 2 hits in 5 innings and hasn't walked a batter while striking out 10. Now if only the Reds could clone him so they'd have one in the starting rotation as well as the bullpen. Lastly a tip of the cap to Dusty Baker and Walt Jocketty. Everyone wants to see Chris Heisey play (including yours truly) but Dusty made the right call on Opening Day starting Ryan Ludwick. It was his double in the 6th that pushed across Scott Rolen and increased the Reds lead to 2-0. And of all the shrewd offseason moves Jocketty made, trading for Wilson Valdez has already paid off. With apologies to Paul Janish, he couldn't have brought in the tying run Wednesday with a push bunt with 2 out. Credit Walt for trading for him and Dusty for taking advantage of the guy's talents.
Negatives-- Starting rotation. While it hasn't been horrid (except for Homer Bailey), the starters continue to put the team in an early hole. Granted the lack of offense hasn't helped, but they need to be more consistent--even in a hitter's paradise like Great American Ball Park. Very curious to see how Mat Latos fares after an underwhelming debut in a Reds uniform. And I'll probably hold my breath watching Bronson Arroyo and the aforementioned Bailey take the hill Friday and Saturday. Bronson looked good for 6 innings before derailing in the 7th on Sunday, and Homer lived up to his nickname versus the Cardinals allowing 4 runs on 3 HRs in the first inning... all after two were out. You hate to put so much emphasis on just his second start of the year, but it's been 4 years and this kid needs to figure it out or get left behind. You know fans are clamoring for Chapman to be in the rotation already and Bailey's struggles and inconsistency will only turn up the volume on the Chapman chatter.
It will be interesting to see the type of start this team gets off to on the road. Washington is no pushover anymore, but the Reds do get to miss phenom pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Then it's off for three with the rival Cardinals before closing out the trip with the rebuilding Cubs. Let's see if any fears are alleviated by the time this team returns home to take on the pitching-rich Giants come April 24th.
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