The Reds will once again rely on a patchwork lineup, as Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are still out due to sickness. They will play their third straight game, without the benefit, I think he’s a benefit, right,of starting short stop Alex Gonzalez.
What doesn’t make sense to me is why they haven’t made the decision to place Gonzalez on the DL or not. Last night, they were playing with a hodgepodge lineup due to necessity. While tonight’s makeshift lineup is also out of necessity, they could utilize their ability to place Gonzo on the DL and make a call to AAA Louisville for some help off the bench.
The Reds do have infielder Danny Richar in AAA, as well as Wilkin Castillo. Both are versatile in the infield, while Castillo owns several different types of gloves.
Unfortunately, neither Richar or Castillo are hitting the ball very well. Richar is batting .235, while Castillo is faltering below the Mendoza Line at .196. Those numbers might have a little bit to do with the decision making right now. Also, Richar is not on the 40-man roster. I did not know that.
One guy who is hitting, or at least he was until he went on the DL, is second baseman Drew Sutton. Sutton recently came off the DL and has hit .417 in his last three starts, including a home run just last night.
They’re going to need all the help they can get this weekend. Thankfully, Laynce Nix has been given the start tonight and for the foreseeable future. That has to help.
Last night the scrappin’ Cincinnati Reds pulled out the win.
There’s no reason they can’t do it again tonight with Johnny Cueto. But it will be a little tougher. The Cardinals have never been considered a slouch in the division and certainly not this year.
You may have heard of the Cards’ first baseman. He’s currently leading the National League in homers (11) and RBI (32).
I just hope and pray that Votto’s back in the lineup tomorrow, since I plan on going to that game and getting a bobblehead of his likeness.
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