Quick Hits/Series Preview for the Redlegs

True to the nature of baseball, I went into this afternoon with the chance of picking all three games incorrectly from the series against Milwaukee, but Bud went out there and proved me right by throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings against a tough lineup. Only the second series win for the season, but the boys had a lot of good things to be talked about today.

1. Bud Norris= Wandy Rodriguez

He's a younger version of W-Rod, with the potential to be one of the nastiest pitchers in the NL. He finally looks as if he's thinking situationally in his head, as opposed to going out there against each batter and looking to strike him out. He only gave up three hits (two bloopers and an infield single) and K'ed 11. Norris could be the mainstay of this rotation for seasons to come, so let's hope this isn't just a blip of success on the radar.

2. This injury might be good for Carlos Lee.

For those who didn't see, Carlos Lee and Angel Sanchez (sorta) collided when trying to chase a bloop single in the seventh inning. Both ended up doing ugly slides for the ball, and in the process, Sanchez spiked Lee in the chest. As much as I don't like Carlos, it's painful to see anyone injured, especially to the extent of having to be carted off the field. However, he finally seemed to come around in this game, going 2 for 3 and hitting a monster 3-run homer off of Narveson. Hopefully with a one-night stint in the hospital, a CT scan, and a couple days out (let's hope this doesn't turn into a DL situation), I think Lee could stew a bit about his good performance and come back ready to turn a new leaf over. Players (notably, Mark Teixeira) often attest to the month-to-month nature of the game, and if Carlos is able to put behind the atrocious April and mash in May, the whole of Houston can be happy again.

3. Subbing is a good thing.

I like the fact that Mills sat Michael Bourn and Chris Johnson for Jason Bourgeois and Matt Downs, respectively. CJ has been lining into a bunch of outs lately, and looks real angry whenever the camera pans on him. Maybe he just needed a day to calm down and get his head adjusted. Downs hadn't played in awhile, so it was good to see him get some work in, even if he did go 0 for 3. Bourgeois was the hero of the game last night, and deserved another start as a reward. Bourn is hands-down my favorite player to watch, but getting his legs a rest is not necessarily a bad decision either.

SERIES PREVIEW: Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds- May 2-4, Great American Ballpark

Game 1:

6:10 pm- J.A. Happ (1-4, 6.35 ERA) vs. Mike Leake (3-0, 4.40 ERA)

Game 2:

6:10 pm- Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Sam LeCure (0-1, 4.57 ERA)

Game 3:

11:35 am- Brett Myers (1-1, 3.72 ERA) vs. Travis Wood (1-3, 6.82 ERA)

I'm rather scared of getting swept in this one, but the Reds have been playing .500 ball (literally) for the last 10 games, alternating wins and losses against the D-Backs, Cardinals, Brewers, and Marlins. Still, the daunting lineup that Cincy throws out each night must give nightmares to the likes of Houston pitchers, the last two starts aside. The boys shouldn't have too much trouble hitting the ball, and luck comes into play as they get to miss Bronson Arroyo and Edinson Volquez this time around.

Prediction: The Astros take one out of three. I'm still not convinced that Happ has it all figured out, and Mike Leake pitched well against Houston last time out. Rodriguez will probably suffer from first-time jitters, as it's his major league starter's debut on Tuesday. The 'Stros should be able to string some hits against former-Longhorn LeCure, but it probably won't be enough for the win. We should get the "W" against Wood, as I anticipate Myers breaking out of the slump he's been in the last few starts.