I did this for last year's draft, so I'll try to do it again this year, as well.

What players will Kriv-dawg pick this year? Will he grab a college reliever at the expense of offense? Or will he pick up a highly prized gloveman at the expense of the offense?

Today's the day when we get to see the Reds GM take a break from screwing up the team's present by screwing up the team's future.

I was so proud of the Reds for walking Pujols when it counted yesterday. I thought that--as an organization--they'd finally learned something.

But then tonight. Even after Arroyo gives up a homer to who-the-hell-is Ryan Ludwick, even after he surrenders a single to Eckstein, even though it's clear that he's absolutely at the end of his effectiveness, they give Pujols the opportunity to hit a homer.

Walk the man, I say. I don't care that you just did it last night. Hell, it worked last night. I don't care that the crowd will boo. All the better to irritate Cards fans, I say.

On second though, don't walk him. Hit the guy. Let's see what LaRussa would have to say to that.

Bellyscratcher and her proxy will both be at the games, live and in person, tonight and tomorrow, but I bet I can still come up with a few smart alecky things to say about the Cardinals. Let's see who's going to be playing for our boys:

Scott Hatteberg 1B
Brandon Phillips 2B
Ken Griffey, Jr. RF
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnación 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
David Ross C
Juan Castro SS
Bronson Arroyo P

I'm pleased to see Castro batting eighth (though I do wonder whether ninth might not be more appropriate). I'm also interested to see how young Brad Thompson does starting a game. If Arroyo's pattern the last three games holds, and the rest of the team's pattern the last two months holds, Thompson is going to look like a stud.

At first blush, I think it's hard to look at this Cardinals team and think that a bigger disappointment could exist. I mean, they're coming off the World Series championship, after all. But then again, you saw their off-season moves and you sorta knew this was coming. The Reds have talent coming out of their asses. Also, these Cards are somehow in second place while the Reds reside in the cellar.

Nevertheless, the FSNO pregame guys are acting like things are on the rebound. I believe Jeff Piecoro just used the phrase “things looked bleak.” Looked. As in, past tense. Implying that they no longer look bleak.

Better, though, was what Chris Welsh just said: the bullpen is like castor oil. He continued the metaphor to say that it was OK a little at a time, but failed to say that too much gives you runs. The Crafty Lefty failed to bring it home.

So, Homer Bailey's coming up and will be starting on Friday. Ought to make for some nice Simpsons references in the Smack Talk that day.

Jon, aka my beloved Crack Technical Staff, and I are finally in da house after over a week of being out of touch. Between moving and an extended week at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, we’re a little behind on the Reds news, but we recorded 20-or-so minutes of stuff for you anyway.Here’s what we talk about:

• Majewski’s back so the bullpen’s finally fixed!
• Livingston pitches great, so he’s sent down.
• Hamilton’s back.
• Bailey Saturday. Maybe? Why?
• Here we go ’round the Central.

Episode 59: What Did We Miss? (14.6MB, 21:17)

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