Last Game
The Reds went to town on Team Canada last night, walloping them 2-12.

Mat Latos started for the Reds and gave Team Canada its two runs. After his 3 innings, though, the bullpen was in the groove. The Reds struck out 14.

Ryan Ludwick hit a 3-run home run in the second inning, and Miguel Olivo did the same in the third, but even those only accounted for half of the Reds’ runs.

There were plenty of RBI to go around. None for Jay Bruce, though. Surely, that’s a fluke.

So, not looking so good for Team Canada, if they can’t even beat the spring training Reds. I bet it was a nice feeling for the Reds to put the hurt on someone in Goodyear for a change.

Next Game
The Reds have today off. Finally! A chance for the team to properly take in all the wonders that the greater Phoenix metropolitan area has to offer!

A “New” Face on the Beat
C. Trent Rosecrans, whose name you probably recognize from his time writing about the Reds for the now-defunct Cincinnati Post or for the other places he’s contributed since then, has joined the Reds beat for the Enquirer.

Good for you, C. Trent! I hope it goes really well.

Now, I know what you’re wondering: “How can I give credit to the Red Hot Household for this most excellent reduction in underemployment?” Well, it just so happens that our own Zeldink is on the Gannet Digital team that finally pushed the Enquirer’s parent company into the online world in a meaningful way. That allowed them to start making money, stop laying people off, and even expand the beats they cover. New beats meant that John Fay’s second-in-command could move on to greener pastures and before you knew it, poof! A door is opened for C. Trent.

You’re welcome.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Emmanuel Burriss is currently leaning the spring training Reds in at-bats. His average is pretty sweet: .304. Unfortunately, his OBP is less so: .304.

Last Game
Despite leading early, the Reds kept their losing streak alive yesterday when they lost to the Angels 4-6. The starting pitching was pretty good, the youngster they gave the ball to in the seventh wasn’t, and Jay Bruce hit 2 solo shots.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds play an exhibition game (as if they aren’t all exhibition games) against the World Baseball Classic team from Canada. Both teams number Joey Votto on their rosters, so of course, he won’t be playing at all tonight.

Bruce is apparently hot, though, and Mat Latos is starting, so it still ought to be a game. First pitch at 9:05 p.m.

Every game is equally important; some are just more important than others
There is no mention of tonight’s game on the home page of Reds.com except for the fifth story in the carousel. That puts it behind a story about the battle for the fifth rotation spot, an ad for MLBtv premium, a story that calls Todd Frazier a “new face,” and an ad for single-game tickets. Sort of gives you an idea of how this game ranks, priority wise.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Pittsburgh’s Russell Martin was supposed to be the starting catcher for Team Canada, but he backed out to keep from using up all his catching ability before the season even starts. He still wanted to play, though, and his idea was to play shortstop instead. It sounds like a ridiculous idea, but he does have 15 whole games at 3B in his career, which is almost the same thing.

Last Game
The Reds’ spring training record dropped to 2-10 yesterday with the 2-7 loss to the Diamondbacks. Johnny Cueto was solid in his start, but the offense is busy at the World Baseball Classic. 24 Reds took the field yesterday, and I could only match 9 of those names to faces.

Next Game
Today the Reds head to Tempe Diablo Stadium to take on the Angels at 3:05 p.m. It ought to be quite a show, what with Aroldis Chapman planned to appear and all those sluggers on the Angels’ roster.

Votto to play in WBC, eh
Joey Votto has announced that he will play for the Canadian team in the World Baseball Classic this year. He waited until the very last minute to make the call to test out that surgically repaired knee, but apparently it’s back to Votto-matic-ness because he’s in.

Quote of Reds.com quoting Votto:

“I look forward to playing for the team,” Votto said. “I look forward to being a part of the tournament. I had a great time the last time. I’m very grateful I’m on the team. It’s not very often you get to represent your country in a big tournament like this. I never got to play in the Olympics, this is the next best thing.”

Sounds like the team brass was supportive of this decision, and they couldn’t have done anything about it if they weren’t, but if Votto gets injured, we may have no choice but to declare war on Canada.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto is the only player on the Reds’ 40-man roster who was born in the year 1983.