Cincinnati Reds (MLB 11: The Show)

[Legend.]

Cincinnati Reds (MLB 11: The Show)

System: PS3
Rosters: Knight's Opening Day
Sliders: Custom
Game: MLB 11: The Show

Author's Note:

As I watched the end of the Reds-Phillies Game 3 last year in the playoffs, I told myself that that team... the Reds... their going to be good. It took a while, but they have finally found the right pieces to succeed and compete for the playoffs every single season.

Aside from the Dodgers, who are my favorite team, the Reds were a favorite of mine last season and going into the playoffs as well. They have a young core to go along with some veterans and their also a fun team to play with in The Show .

My goal is pretty simple... win the World Series. It's a very tough task not just in real life, but also in this game as well. Ever since buying MLB 07: The Show and up until MLB 10: The Show, I've only won the World Series ONCE and that was with my beloved Dodgers.

I also plan to play every game, which is also difficult. After playing every game on the schedule with the Dodgers... I was beat. I didn't feel like playing anymore, but I took about a two week break from the game and when I popped it in again to play the playoffs... I was re-energized.

Okay, enough talking from me... I hope I get some followers, and also my game recaps should be pretty simple, I might add a written report to go along with it, but we'll see.

[Legend.]

Cincinnati Reds Roster

Cincinnati Reds Roster
#	PITCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
48	Francisco Cordero	CP	R/R	35	6' 3"	238	7,610,000
61	Bronson Arroyo	SP	R/R	34	6' 4"	194	6,718,000
54	Aroldis Chapman	RP	L/L	23	6' 4"	185	376,000
40	Nick Masset	RP	R/R	28	6' 4"	235	1,280,000
36	Edinson Volquez	SP	R/R	27	6' 0"	210	2,880,000
47	Johnny Cueto	SP	R/R	25	5' 10"	210	1,750,000
45	Bill Bray	RP	L/L	27	6' 3"	220	500,000
51	Jared Burton	RP	R/R	29	6' 5"	228	520,000
44	Mike Leake	SP	R/R	23	6' 1"	190	440,000
34	Homer Bailey	SP	R/R	24	6' 3"	210	580,000
46	Carlos Fisher	RP	R/R	28	6' 4"	225	420,000
30	Travis Wood	SP	R/L	24	5' 11"	165	420,000
#	CATCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
55	Ramon Hernandez	C	R/R	34	6' 0"	225	1,130,000
29	Ryan Hanigan	C	R/R	30	6' 0"	201	430,000
#	INFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
19	Joey Votto	1B	L/R	27	6' 3"	233	4,860,000
4	Brandon Phillips	2B	R/R	29	6' 0"	195	9,580,000
27	Scott Rolen	3B	R/R	35	6' 4"	250	5,490,000
16	Edgar Renteria	SS	R/R	35	6' 1"	200	2,200,000
7	Paul Janish	SS	R/R	28	6' 2"	193	430,000
43	Miguel Cairo	2B	R/R	36	6' 1"	225	468,000
11	Chris Valaika	SS	R/R	25	6' 0"	215	360,000
#	OUTFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
32	Jay Bruce	RF	L/L	23	6' 3"	225	2,450,000
31	Johnny Gomes	LF	R/R	30	6' 1"	225	1,340,000
6	Drew Stubbs	CF	R/R	26	6' 4"	205	450,000
15	Fred Lewis	LF	L/R	30	6' 2"	198	200,000

Lineup
1. CF Drew Stubbs
2. 2B Brandon Phillips
3. 1B Joey Votto
4. 3B Scott Rolen
5. RF Jay Bruce
6. LF Johnny Gomes
7. C Ramon Hernandez
8. SS Paul Janish

Rotation/Bullpen
1. RHP Edinson Volquez
2. RHP Bronson Arroyo
3. RHP Johnny Cueto
4. RHP Homer Bailey
5. RHP Mike Leake

LRP - LHP Travis Wood
MRP - RHP Nick Masset
MRP - RHP Jared Burton
MRP - RHP Carlos Fisher
SU - LHP Aroldis Chapman
SU - LHP Bill Bray
CP - RHP Francisco Cordero

***

I mentioned in my opening post that this team was fun to play with and this was once again confirmed by myself by playing a few Spring Training games. With the exception of Rolen and Hernandez, this whole Reds lineup is under 30 and their all very good hitters.

Votto, Bruce, Gomes and even Rolen supply me with some good power hitters, while Brandon Phillips will consistently get on base and use his speed as well. It should also be fun to see if Stubbs and Janish have big years as if they do, they make this lineup even better. Hernandez also is a very good catcher to have as he can hit in the .280-.300 range as well.

As for the pitching, I have confidence in all five starters that they can all produce 10+ wins and have an ERA under 4.50. That's pretty high expectations, yes, but it's very possible. The bullpen is solid as well as Travis Wood can even be an extra starter if needed to be, and of course you can't forget about Chapman and his 100+ fastball.

My plan for Chapman is to keep him in the bullpen and build him up to be the future closer. Cordero is 35 and is nearing the end of his career, and by the time he does retire, Chapman should be ready.

[Legend.]

vs.
Location: Great American Ball Park
Opening Weekend!
Three Game Series

***

Thursday, March 31, 2:10 CT; Great American Ball Park

0-0, 0.00 ----0-0, 0.00

Saturday, April 2, 7:10 CT; Great American Ball Park

0-0, 0.00----0-0, 0.00

Sunday, April 3, 1:00 CT; Great American Ball park

0-0, 0.00 ----0-0, 0.00

***

Milwaukee Brewers Lineup

1. CF Njyer Morgan
2. 3B Casey McGehee
3. 1B Prince Fielder
4. LF Ryan Braun
5. RF Corey Hart
6. C Jonathan Lucroy
7. 2B Rickie Weeks
8. SS Yunesky Betancourt