The Cincinnati Reds and new skipper Dusty Baker make their first visit to Miller Park on Tuesday for the first three of 18 meetings in 2008. Baker and the Reds will be looking to hand the Brewers a loss or two early on in the season, as these two teams meet only three more times before July–for three more in Cincinnati later in April. Brewers’ manager Ned Yost knows he’ll have a slight advantage with a well rested bullpen that had both Sunday and Monday off.
Pitching Probables:
Tuesday, 4/08: 7:05 p.m. CT: RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 1.29) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (1-0, 2.84)
Wednesday, 4/09: 7:05 p.m. CT: RHP Josh Fogg (0-1, 13.50) vs. RHP Dave Bush (0-1, 10.13)
Thursday, 4/10: 12:05 p.m. CT: RHP Aaron Harang (0-1, 2.77) vs. RHP Carlos Villanueva (1-0, 3.38)
Things to look for:
1. With the Reds’ sending all right-handed starters, Ned Yost will look to start left-handed hitters Gabe Gross, Craig Counsell, and Tony Gwynn, Jr. (if healthy) at least once during the homestand, while the right-handed hitting Joe Dillon, Gabe Kapler, and Mike Rivera will be available mostly as pinch hitters.
2. On Tuesday, can rookie Johnny Cueto come close to his 10 strike out performance against the NL West champion Dbacks last Thursday?
3. Can Carlos Villanueva keep up with Reds’ ace Aaron Harang on Thursday?
4. All 7 Reds’ relievers have ERA’s below 4.00 over the first six games of the season…will they be able to keep that going against the Brewers as they head out of the Great American Ballpark for the first time this season?
Look for three very close games this week at Miller Park.
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