Last Game
Despite a contingent of bloggers, the Reds still lost Opening Night to the Cardinals. Daniel Herrera took the loss, although Johnny Cueto started and pitched well.

Next Game
The Reds hope to not get swept today when Bronson Arroyo takes on Brad Penny at 12:35pm EDT. You say that’s almost 2 hours ago? Well, it was a late night yesterday.

Cardinals May Be the Worst Sports in Baseball
Remember the good times everybody had when the Cardinals complained about the Reds balls toward the end of 2009? Well, apparently, they had so much fun with it that they’re bringing it back. Yes, the team blasted the Reds for their slippery balls in the media. The Reds were nonchalant and dismissive.

Dude, you guys won. Get over yourselves, and learn to play with the Reds’ slippery balls.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The record for the most losses to start a baseball season is held by the 1988 Baltimore Orioles who lost 21 before winning their first. Would it take the Reds that long to fire Dusty Baker?

Last Game
The Reds lost to the Cardinals to start the season, but that was 2 days ago, and it’s time to breathe in deep, hold it, and let go. The past is past. Focus on the future.

Next Game
The Reds try to even the series with the Cardinals tonight when Johnny Cueto faces off against Adam Wainwright at 7:10pm EDT.

Opening Night Festivities
The Reds seem to be working hard to make the first night game of the year almost as much of a party as Opening Day. There’s the free Reds snuggie fleecie for the first 20,000 fans, plus player meet and greets, live music, F-16 flyovers, and fireworks. Check out the full itinerary.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Joey Votto and Scott Rolen are both on pace for 162 home runs this year. That wouldn’t make you sound smart as much as a smart-ass.

Last Game
Well, they won’t go wire-to-wire this year. The Reds dropped the season opener to the Cardinals yesterday, 11-6. You can relive the magic with the RHM game thread. The Reds pitching collapsed, but the offense was solid, although not solid enough to keep Aaron Harang from taking the loss. I recommend you take out any frustration by beaning some redbirds.

Next Game
As always, the Reds have an off-day the day after Opening Day. Their next game will be Wednesday night at 7:10pm EDT. Adam Wainwright will start against Johnny Cueto. Plus, it’s Reds fleecie/snuggie and fireworks night.

Ritual Mop Burning
After the game yesterday, a fire alarm rang through Great American Ball Park. Apparently, some mops had caught fire. Hal McCoy, of course, had the best jokes.

Were those the instruments the St. Louis Cardinals used to mop up the Cincinnati Reds, 11-6, using them so adeptly they were smoking?
Did the Reds actually call the fire department to douse Albert Pujols?

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The rotation for the Louisville Bats includes Sam LeCure, Travis Wood, Matt Maloney, Aroldis Chapman, and Justin Lehr. That right there is a better rotation than the Reds ran out for most of the last decade.

Last Game
The Reds shutout the lowly Pirates, 6-0 to end the 2009 season. But nobody cares about last year. That’s the past.

Next Game
The first game of the season. Aaron Harang starts the first game of the season for the Cincinnati Reds, battling familiar foe Chris Carpenter for the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. Game-time is 1:10pm EDT, and the game will be broadcast on the Reds Radio network, as well as Fox Sports Ohio. It’s a good afternoon to skip work.

Weekend Cuts
Over the weekend, the Reds finally made the cuts to the roster they’d been promising for weeks. Jaden Burton, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Lehr, Matt Maloney, Travis Wood, Wilkin Castillo, Chris Burke, and Drew Sutton were all sent to Triple A Louisville. Surprisingly, Kip Wells was released. He had youngster-blocker written all over him. Aaron Miles and Wladimir Balentien also did not make the team.

This means Logan Ondrusek, Juan Francisco, Layce Nix, Miguel Cairo, and Mike Leake made the team. Leake beat out Wood for the 5th starter spot, but will not be placed on the Major League roster until it’s time for his start against the Chicago Cubs on April 11.

You can read quotes from Walt Jocketty and Dusty Baker explaining their moves here.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Harang is starting his 5th consecutive Opening Day for the Reds. That is tied for the most in a row with Pete Donohue and Mario Soto. Soto holds the total record number of starts at 6.

Last Game
Johnny Cueto fought through a tight back against the Rangers and thanks to the offense, managed to not get the loss. The Reds won in walk-off fashion 7-6.

Next Game
There are only 2 Spring Training games left for Cincinnati. The penultimate one is in Goodyear against Cleveland at 10:05pm EDT. Bronson Arroyo starts, followed by Jared Burton, Mike Lincoln, and Arthur Rhodes.

It’s Just a Flesh Wound
John Fay said it best, “So much for serious cuts.” For the last week, Baker and the Reds had been pointing to after the Vegas game as the time they would make a substantial move to get the roster from 40 to the Opening Day 25. Yesterday, they didn’t come close to that. The cuts were Carlos Fisher, Corky Miller, and nobody else.

The roster now stands at 38, which is 13 more than MLB allows. Lots of players will continue to stew with worry. Hopefully, no one gets any ulcers from this.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Of the 38 players left, Wladimir Balentien, Mike Lincoln, and Nick Masset are the ones without options.