2016 Gameday

Gameday: Opening Day – Phillies at Cincinnati

opening dayStarting pitchers:

RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Raisel Iglesias

Time: 4:10 PM Eastern
Broadcast:  TV- CSN, Radio- 94.1 FM WIP
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 53 degrees forecast at game time for Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Lineup: 2B Cesar Hernandez, CF Odubel Herrera, 3B Maikel Franco, 1B Ryan Howard, C Carlos Ruiz, LF Cedric Hunter, RF Peter Bourjos, SS Freddy Galvis, P Jeremy Hellickson.

Notes for today:

  • Phils starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has made one career start against Cincinnati, a loss back in 2011 when he allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out nine and walking one in six innings of work.
  • Reds starter Raisel Iglesias made 18 appearances as a rookie last season.  In 10 home outings, the Cuba native was 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA.
  • In 147 career regular season games against the Phillies, Reds first baseman Joey Votto sports a .327/.412/.592 slash line.
  • In 36 career regular season games at Great American Ballpark, first baseman Ryan Howard has posted a .231 average with 11 HR and 21 RBI.

Quotes for today:

Speaking to a group of media members that included PN’s Jay Floyd this past week, veteran backstop Carlos Ruiz and team skipper Pete Mackanin spoke about the brand new season.  Read ahead for their quotes, including Mackanin’s plans for the closer role, the lead-off spot and more.

Carlos Ruiz:

Yeah, you know, I’m very excited, I’m ready for the season. We’re going to do our best in 2016 and we’re waiting for the first game.

I’m real happy with our group. They’ve done some great things in Spring Training and we hope they continue to do that during the year, but we’re real happy now.

Pete Mackanin:

I think it’s good for the fans to get back in the swing of things, to have something to look for.

Looks like we may have to start off [with a closer by committee]. But I think at some point we will have a guy that we can turn to. Nobody has risen above anybody else, but I think we have a couple guys that are capable of it.

Tyler Goedell probably won’t be an everyday player, but he has a high upside, he’ll stay in the big leagues and hopefully he’ll get enough at bats and improves.

We’ve gone over the lineup scenarios. Cesar Hernandez is swinging the bat great, he might be our leadoff guy. Herrera and Franco will be at the top as well.

In the process of building, we need to put together a starting rotation that we think can be competitive. Last year it seemed like we were digging ourselves out of a hole in the 3rd inning on most nights. This year I think we have guys that will be better.

Hellickson is a good pitcher, he knows how to mix it up. He’s got a good repertoire. One of the things he does well is he can soften up when the games on the line. What pitchers have to understand is when things get hairy, you don’t want to be the guy that throws harder, makes the best slider you can make. Sometimes you just have to pitch to contact and get that ground ball to get out of the inning.

Your Gameday Beer:

Read Timothy Malcolm’s piece reintroducing our Gameday Beer feature. Today’s beer: War Elephant from Rushing Duck Brewery in Chester, NY.

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