bigtenboy07

Although he is probably gone in most leagues it would be a good idea for you to pick up Rafael Betancourt if he is still available. This is the guy who has the nasty stuff in the Cleveland bullpen. Many experts thought he was the better option to close than Joe Borowski just because of stuff. His mid 90's fastball and breaking pitches with movement are stellar.

The rest of the Indians bullpen is pretty good with Rafael Perez and Jorge Julio (I know...but he isn't a bad 7th inning or 6th inning guy) so the Indians should still have leads for Betancourt to hold.

Another interesting aspect of this is now he will get his chance with Joe Bo blowing saves...then going on the DL. Betancourt will get the save opportunities and could be a serious sleeper...and keep the job when Joe Bo comes off the DL.

The Indians will contend in the AL Central and Rafael Betancourt will be a factor.

What is going on with the Reds? After taking 2 of 3 from one of the best teams in baseball (Diamondbacks), 2 out of 4 from the Phillies, and 2 out of 3 from the Brewers the Reds have lost two in a row to the Pirates?

The Pirates?

It took the Reds 14 innings to score on the Pirates after losing hte first game of the series 1-0. The Reds lost the second game of the series 4-3. The pitchers for the Reds were Edinson Volquez who pitched well but was taken out after a lengthy rain delay, and Bronson Arroyo threw today. Johnny Cueto will pitch the finale on Sunday.

If the Reds want to seriously compete for the NL Central they are going to have win the games they are supposed to win. They are supposed to beat the Pirates. Winning close games is also important if the team wants to compete for a division.

The offense for the Reds which was thought to be a strength has struggled thus far, but should improve as the season goes on. Scoring three runs against the Pirates in 18 innings is unacceptable. Luckily the Reds are getting pretty good pitching which is keeping them in a lot of games.

Johnny Cueto one of the Reds prized pitching prospects made his major league debut today, and said Hello world. Cueto has outstanding stuff and all the makings of a great pitcher at the major league level.

He showed his stuff today going 7 innings and giving up just one hit (a leadoff homer to Justin Upton in the 6th inning) and not walking a batter while he struck out 10! What a great performance for this young man.

Johnny Cueto has some fantasy value. He is the third starter in a rotation with a pretty good offense and he has shown that he has the talent to take care of a major league lineup. He is a very good pickup in NL only leagues (if he is available) and in mixed leagues as a sort of risk/reward pick if you have a bench spot available.

Cueto left with a 3-1 lead and the Reds bullpen came in to finish up the rest...but they called on David Weathers who recorded an out and then walked the bases full....before getting taken out.

What an outstanding debut for Cueto...the kid could be really good.

The offseason seemed to take forever....but now the baseball season is offically here. The day baseball is something that doesn't happen as much as it should anymore in my opinion. One game in particular had my interest...

The Reds home opener today was the beginning of their 132nd season, and it was the first opening day in a long while when Joe Nuxhall was not inolved with the Reds for a good longwhile. Joe had been in the booth for like 40 years and has been the voice of the Reds. Many tributes were given to Joe while he was still alive including the microphone with his name under it in Great American Ballpark and his famous phrase "Rounding third and heading for home" is on the side of the stadium. The Reds fans will never forget the old lefty. Today the Reds unveiled a number 41 jersey over the bullpen in memory of Joe Nuxhall.

Perhaps the most touching tribute to a great guy on/off the field and in the community for the Reds were the jerseys the players came onto the field with. Each player had number 41 and Nuxhall on their backs. After they came out for introductions they changed their jerseys and they will be auctioned with the money going to Joe's program to help children in the city of Cincinnati. These moments make baseball truly great and show what a great impact Joe has had on the community and the Reds.

The Reds lost the game to a very good Diamondbacks team where Brandon Webb looked very good. Aaron Harang who wore the number 41 Nuxhall jersey throughout the game appeared to be a little off and a couple of his mistake pitches were taken out of the yard. Behind the power of 3 homeruns the Diamondbacks won...but that was hardly the story.

Baseball is back....and we are all emotionally involved for at least 6 more months...until we can hope for something in the next offseason...

Yes believe it or not they still have a team in Pittsburgh...and they are still in the MLB. They haven't had a winning season in about 15 years, but they still need to be previewed.

The Pirates have begun building up a decent pitching staff. Ian Snell, Tom Gorzolanny, Zach Duke, and Paul Maholm give them a couple of young starters who could impove on their seasons last year. Of course they also acquired Matt Morris who is much older but it was thought he could come over and help the young pitchers grow up. The success of the Pirates would lean heavily on the young starters and shaky bullpen.

Demaso Marte will be one of their lefty specialists and will probably be traded to another club before the trade deadline. Matt Capps will be the closer for this club, and appears to have some potential. The entire pitching staff is a question mark at this point, and will be a major impact on the Pirates and the NL Central.

The lineup is shaky as well. The CF spot is not settled with Nate McLouth and Chris Duffy still battling for the spot.

Projected lineup:

1. Chris Duffy CF
2. Jose Batista 3B
3. Freddy Sanchez 2B
4. Jason Bay LF