Reds - Buccos July 1 (with my lineup and why)

I know its early, but I am awake and not working today. Thought I would start the thread early today and see if Dusty Baker could possible read Sportsline before he makes the lineup card! Or should I say, before he let's Darren fill out the lineup card.

The Reds are facing Zach Duke. Another lefty. He is not a strikeout pitcher, but will look like one against the Reds. Adam Dunn has actually hit him well, going 5 for 9 against him. Oddly Brandon Phillips, who kills lefties, doesn't have a hit against him at 0 for 9. 

I would vote for the righty dink and dunk lineup today.

1. Norris Hopper - RF
2. Jerry Hairston - CF
3. Jeff Keppinger - SS
4. Brandon Phillips- 2B
5. Edwin Encarnacion - 3B
6. Adam Dunn - LF
7. David Ross - C
8. Joey Votto - 1B (Votto has looked ugly vs lefties lately)

Lets hope that Edison Volquez has shaken off that last bad outing, and shuts down the Pirates with ease. Were looking for four in a row here. A win streak of biblical proportion for this team! Go Reds

MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOO!!! We need all the MOOOOOjo we can get.

And yes, there is no Griffey or Bruce in the lineup tonight. Again, we could use these guys late should we get to Duke and a righty is brought in. Bruce Almighty has really come back down to earth lately, and I hate to see that. I say get him back in the lineup tomorrow against Van Benschoten.

The Reds are now 27-24 against teams above .500.  While they are 12-21 against teams that are sub .500.

Volquez on the mound at home.  This is another must win tonight.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

First off, my record of the earliest game thread has been broken!  And second, love that lineup, just I gotta think Griffey is in there, or at the very least Bruce.  And we all know Dusty refuses to hit the catcher anywhere but 8th. 

If anybody can go back, check how many times the catcher has hit 8th or 9th this season.  Gotta be 95% at least.

I love the lineup, but there is no way Busty will hit Jeff Keppinger 3rd. I don't know why, he's our best clutch hitter. I'd rather have his singles and doubles over Ken Griffey Jr's strikeouts and balls hit right into the shift.