NLDS: Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies

[Warner2BruceTD]

Dusty is carrying four left handed RP's into the series:

- Rhodes, the all star (.214 LH batting avg against)
- Bray, former 1st round pick, future closer (.106)
- Chapman, 105 mph fastball (.154)
- Wood, another 1st rounder (.136)

Getting those tough Phillies LH hitters out late in the game shouldn't be much of an issue.

I'm not worried about the bats, and this idea of playoff experience is overated, because the roster is littered with guys like Rolen, Arroyo, Cabrera, Rhodes, Cairo, Gomes, etc who have played in and won the World Series.

The entire key to the series is the Reds starters. More specifically, Volquez & Cueto, because Arroyo gives you the same 7 inning, 3 run start every time. Volquez & Cueto can dominate and match anybody when they are on. BUT, they can also implode and pitch you right out of a game. Dusty could have went with the much more consistant Travis Wood, who took a perfect game into the 9th vs. Philly this year, but I think he wanted the extra LHP in the bullpen, and the upside to a great Volquez/Cueto start is higher.

If the Reds can get these games decided by the bullpens, HUGE advantage Reds.

[Warner2BruceTD]

As a Reds fan, I was hoping to play SD, but I'd much rather face Philly than SF. The Reds do not match up well at all with SF.

[Blade]

I am glad the Reds fans are touting kicking our ass at their ballpark. It was nice to see you guys beat up on Kendrick, arguable one of the worst SP in NL. It was also great to see you guys barely beat Doc. Oh and you put runs on Joe Blanton, wow thats a feat, like no other team had done that to him in the first half of this season or the entire season actually.

Also it was nice to see your SP do great in that series vs a lineup that featured Dane Sardinha, Brian Schneider, Greg Dobbs and Wilson Valdez. While we were missing Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz.

A month later at the Bank, the Reds are swept by the Phils featuring the same guys in the lineup excepth Chooch was back and they had to use Juan Castro for chrissakes. Yea Kendrick had a rare 6 inning gem, game 2 was a shootout with Blanton, but the last 2 games was Doc and Cole, and you guys got nothing from them.

We are home, its tough to play in Philly and we have Doc and Little Roy coming at you, don't get too confident. Oh and we have our lineup back, thank you very much.

Also this is Cole's line in his career at Great American...

GS W L CG IP H R ER K ERA
4 3 0 1 27.0 16 6 5 33 1.67

[Warner2BruceTD]

Are you talking trash with youself? Who instigated you? Jeez.

I'll remind you that the sweep before the break featured 4 games decided in the final AB, and Travis Wood, who wasn't good enough to make our rotation, took a perfect game into the 9th.

Your the heavy favorite. Careful with the smack talk, ask the Cardinals fans.

[Blade]

Are you talking trash with youself? Who instigated you? Jeez.

I'll remind you that the sweep before the break featured 4 games decided in the final AB, and Travis Wood, who wasn't good enough to make our rotation, took a perfect game into the 9th.

Your the heavy favorite. Careful with the smack talk, ask the Cardinals fans.

Last I checked this was the Reds vs Phillies thread, so smack talkin is part of it.....get used to it.

Mobb and SethMode haven't even started yet.

[mobbdeep1122]

Tonight's game is big. I don't want the Phils to fall behind 1-0 in the series and give the Reds any additional confidence.

It's funny to me that all the talk is about Halladay is pitching for the first time in the postseason and how he will do. Did it ever occur to anyone that this is Edinson Volquez's first postseason start as well? And he has to do it on the road in a hostile environment? I'll take my chances with Doc all day, every day. If the Phils play their game, they'll win.

I know the regular season matchups were close, but both teams are completely different since they last met in July. Especially the Phillies. I don't want to say this series is an automatic win, because you never know what will happen (especially in a short series), but if the Phils lose, it will be a big surprise.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Last I checked this was the Reds vs Phillies thread, so smack talkin is part of it.....get used to it.

Mobb and SethMode haven't even started yet.

But you're the only one doing it.

I know you're excited, but you look like a geek. Relax.

[Blade]

But you're the only one doing it.

I know you're excited, but you look like a geek. Relax.

I mentioned stats, same as you.......what are you talking about?

Then you are the one who brought up playing the Phils is better than facing the Giants, in my opinion that is smack talk.

There's 3 posters in here including you who have said something that is same as smack talk.

So GTFOH.........either deal with the heat and fire back or stay of the fucking kitchen.

[Warner2BruceTD]

You'll find that the Reds fans around here won't engage in that stuff. But have fun.

[NAHSTE]

LOL, I see the Reds fans of VSN have met the Phillies fans of VSN. Enjoy.

[mobbdeep1122]

No Polanco today. Valdez will be playing at 3B. Apparently he has a back injury. WTF.

[wingsfan77]

that's not good....I'm curious to see what the line-up looks like now, I still want Vic to hit lead-off and not Jimmy.

[mobbdeep1122]

Phils lineup:

Rollins
Vic
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Ruiz
Valdez
Halladay

[mobbdeep1122]

Some tweets regarding Polanco:

Polanco told Manuel he couldn't bend over this morning. Very stiff. Manuel said the team needs to wait and see. 3 minutes ago via ÜberTwitter

Charlie: Polly said back hurt when he bends over, turns to left or right. Not certain about status for Game 2. #Phillies 2 minutes ago via TwitBird

[BroncoBlue]

Can't wait for this game.

I don't think the Reds have a chance vs. Halladay. And the Phillies are just going to crush Volquez.

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