Opening Day 2011: Reds start season against Brewers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds are set to defend their 2011 NL Central Division championship this season, as the 135th Opening Day has arrived. The Reds step right into division play with a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers, with a first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m.
The Reds enter Opening Day with high expectations after finishing last season with 91 wins, winning the division by five games.
This season, the Reds have higher expectations.
"We talked about (higher expectations) all spring. An advantage is the guys have been through a pennant race, and all we have to do is worry about our own job," Cincinnati Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty said. "We have to go out and play as if we were picked to win or if we weren't."
Reds manager Dusty Baker also spoke on the higher expectations this season.
"Some of us here have grown accustomed to being in this position," Baker said. "I didn't like it when we weren't in this position."
This spring, the Reds were 17-14, but they enter their first game with five players on the DL, including starting pitchers Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto. Also on the DL are relief pitchers Jared Burton, Jose Arredondo and outfielder Fred Lewis.
"Both (Bailey and Cueto) are progressing well. Homer will throw today, and he said he has no pain," Baker said. "Both are in outstanding shape."
With today being Opening Day, the players agreed the overall feel of the first game of the regular season is different than the others.
"There is a buzz on Opening Day in Cincinnati," Reds outfielder Jay Bruce said. "Everyone is a little more excited this year."
Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto agreed the feeling of entering this season is different.
"Last year there was a lot of unknown on Opening Day," Votto said. "Our goal isn't to break a sub .500 streak or just to make the playoffs … our goal is to win the World Series."
The Brewers, who were 77-85 in '10, were the top team this spring in the NL Central, wrapping up the spring with a record of 19-11.
Last season, the Reds went 11-3 against the Brewers and are 36-29 all-time vs. Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park.
This Sunday, in the finale of the three-game set, Bronson Arroyo will make his first start of the year, but he talked about the differences headed into the season.
"I think more so than before we have a target on our back," Arroyo said. "We are all excited this year and know what it takes to get to the top of the division."
Today's game will feature Edinson Volquez making his first Opening Day start of his career. The right-hander was 4-3 last season with a 4.31 ERA.
Volquez will be facing Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo is taking the place of ace Zack Greinke, who enters the season on the DL after injuring himself during a basketball game this offseason.
Gallardo was 14-7 last season with a 3.84 ERA.
NOTES: The Reds are 109-98-1 all-time against the Brewers … This will be the 54th sellout for a regular-season game at GABP. The Reds are 24-29 in front of a sellout crowd at GABP … The only other time the Reds have faced the Brewers on Opening Day was in 2000, they played to a 3-3 tie in 5 innings.[[In-content Ad]]
The Reds enter Opening Day with high expectations after finishing last season with 91 wins, winning the division by five games.
This season, the Reds have higher expectations.
"We talked about (higher expectations) all spring. An advantage is the guys have been through a pennant race, and all we have to do is worry about our own job," Cincinnati Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty said. "We have to go out and play as if we were picked to win or if we weren't."
Reds manager Dusty Baker also spoke on the higher expectations this season.
"Some of us here have grown accustomed to being in this position," Baker said. "I didn't like it when we weren't in this position."
This spring, the Reds were 17-14, but they enter their first game with five players on the DL, including starting pitchers Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto. Also on the DL are relief pitchers Jared Burton, Jose Arredondo and outfielder Fred Lewis.
"Both (Bailey and Cueto) are progressing well. Homer will throw today, and he said he has no pain," Baker said. "Both are in outstanding shape."
With today being Opening Day, the players agreed the overall feel of the first game of the regular season is different than the others.
"There is a buzz on Opening Day in Cincinnati," Reds outfielder Jay Bruce said. "Everyone is a little more excited this year."
Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto agreed the feeling of entering this season is different.
"Last year there was a lot of unknown on Opening Day," Votto said. "Our goal isn't to break a sub .500 streak or just to make the playoffs … our goal is to win the World Series."
The Brewers, who were 77-85 in '10, were the top team this spring in the NL Central, wrapping up the spring with a record of 19-11.
Last season, the Reds went 11-3 against the Brewers and are 36-29 all-time vs. Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park.
This Sunday, in the finale of the three-game set, Bronson Arroyo will make his first start of the year, but he talked about the differences headed into the season.
"I think more so than before we have a target on our back," Arroyo said. "We are all excited this year and know what it takes to get to the top of the division."
Today's game will feature Edinson Volquez making his first Opening Day start of his career. The right-hander was 4-3 last season with a 4.31 ERA.
Volquez will be facing Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo is taking the place of ace Zack Greinke, who enters the season on the DL after injuring himself during a basketball game this offseason.
Gallardo was 14-7 last season with a 3.84 ERA.
NOTES: The Reds are 109-98-1 all-time against the Brewers … This will be the 54th sellout for a regular-season game at GABP. The Reds are 24-29 in front of a sellout crowd at GABP … The only other time the Reds have faced the Brewers on Opening Day was in 2000, they played to a 3-3 tie in 5 innings.[[In-content Ad]]