Series Preview: Epic Early Season Matchup With The Reds - I'll Be Dat

Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds

Major League baseball scheduling has set us up with a great National League matchup here during opening week.  The Nats, 3-0 and only undefeated team in baseball, will travel to Cinci to take on the 2-1 Reds.

At the end of the 2012 regular season the two teams with the best records in baseball were the Washington Nationals #1 (.605) and the Cincinnati Reds #2 (.599).  However, both teams underachieved when it came to the playoffs each losing in 5 game series against the Cardinals and World Series Champs the Giants respectively.

The Reds opened up the season at home with a loss to the Angels but picked up the next 2 games.  

They were considering using their top reliever, flamethrower Aroldis Chapman as a starter but he is going to be throwing heat from the pen.  If the Nationals get behind, he could be in to shut them down.  But Chapman has pitched in all 3 games so far, and the past 2 days, so he will probably not be available for all 3 games.

Possible NL MVP candidate Joey Votto hasn't homered yet.  He is going to be licking his lips seeing the duo of Haren & Detwiler the next two days.

Your pitching matchups:

• Dan Haren vs Homer Bailey - 7:10pm
• Ross Detwiler vs Mike Leake - 1:10pm
• Stephen Strasburg vs Johnny Cueto - 1:10pm

Notice any awesome pitching matchups there?  How about Strasburg vs Cueto, 2 possible Cy Young candidates.

Going with Redman for the song of the series:  Mostly for the first 2 words of the song...

We think the Reds are going to challenge the Nats for the best record in the NL.  The teams have several parallels.  It will be a good early challenge for the Natty's but nothing to get too worked up over no matter the results.

Prediction:  Reds take 2 of 3

Stay tuned to the Nexus for coverage of the series and follow @DCSportsNexus for live tweeting

Charlie Sheen Puts Joey Votto of the Reds On Acid

Yeah, this is a Nats blog, but we also enjoy baseball and maniacs.  That is why we are bringing you some of the latest Charlie Sheen photos that he posted on Twitpic.

He describes the theme as "Joey Votto on Acid" although it could probably be better described as "Charlie Sheen on Acid".  Take a look:

To be read with the images, from right to left...

The adventures of 
Cincinnati Reds MVP 
1st Baseman
Joey Votto!!

By Charlie Sheen

Part I: Joey Votto On Acid

"(1) Doooooood"

Part II: Joey Votto Still Trippin'

"(2) At a clinic because he can't remember the team doctor's name...(3) and then...panic sets in...(4) 'Nam flashbacks...all of it...Platoon 2"

"(5) Votto steadies himself...effects of the acid still intact...we see him plotting his next move.....Heat 3"

WHAT THE HELL!!!

Nationals Lose to Joey Votto

Nationals Lose: 6-9 (Happy Mothers Day!)

Well the Nationals lost today.  Despite what the schedule may tell you, it wasn't to the Reds.  No, no, it was to Joey Votto.  Read on for some of my thoughts on tonight's loss:

• First off, MAJOR respect for the few (like 10) Reds fans who stuck out the rain delay and watched the whole game.  You deserved to watch your team win I guess.

• Jackson was decent against guys without the last name Votto.  He also out pitched Arroyo through 5 innings before they both got the hook, giving the team a chance to win.
• It was great to see Harper and Espinosa break out some offense tonight.  LaRoche also continued to be solid at the plate.
• Jesus Flores did great tonight at the plate and behind it.  He made a remarkable save on a wild pitch to save the game while H-rod was on the mound.  Keep this up Jesus cause Ramos is out for the year.
• Watching Bryce Harper lose track of that high fly ball in the outfield was painful.  At least it didn't hit him in his head.  You know, in the stitches area.
• H-rod blew another save.  The broadcasters tried to make say that the mound conditions were messing him up.  That might of been the case, but if you want to be a major league closer you got to get the job done.  He didn't tonight and gave up a grandslam walkoff homer to...
• JOEY VOTTO.  I mean, there was nothing we could do to stop him.  He went 4-5 with 3 homeruns, the last of which was a walkoff grandslam.  When I saw him step to the plate in the 9th, I turned to my roommate and said: "have you ever seen a walkoff grandslam?"  He has now, but I wish he hadn't.

This loss stings.  It always will when you lose a game in the 9th that way.  The team comes home tomorrow to start a long home stand and hopefully the guys can build on the offense produced tonight.

A couple questions for you all, feel free to answer in the comments or via twitter (@dru90):

1. Do you send H-rod out there the next time a save opportunity comes up?  If not then who?
2. Was this your first time seeing a walk off grandslam?
3. Were you digging the pink gloves, bats, shoes, sleeves from today?
4. Would you have stayed at the ballpark through a 3h 36m rain delay?