Bats to host Reds in final exhibition game
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Cincinnati Reds will travel to Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday to play the Louisville Bats in what will be both teams' final tune up prior to the start of the 2014 regular season.
The game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. with the gates opening at 2:30 p.m., and a standing room only crowd is expected, weather permitting. Homer Bailey, who has recently been bothered by a groin strain, will take the mound for the Reds and face a Bats pitcher to be determined.
"We're excited to be able to finish off our 2014 Spring Training schedule with an exhibition in Louisville," said Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty. "The Bats have one of the strongest fan bases in the minor leagues, and we're happy they'll be able to watch in person some of the Major League players who recently came through there. Gary Ulmer and his staff do a tremendous job and play an important role in the development of our players."
Having spent nearly the last month and a half at Spring Training in Goodyear, Ariz., both teams are inevitably ready to return home and start the season.
However, before they do so, some final roster decisions will have to be made for both the Major League and Triple-A clubs. Although there is a good idea of who will ultimately make each team's 25-man roster, a couple of uncertainties remain due to offseason and Spring Training injuries.
Bats players Kristopher Negron and Neftali Soto and offseason acquisition Chris Nelson continue to fight for what appears to be a final infield roster spot made available by Jack Hannahan's shoulder injury. Additionally, the pitching staff will likely see a number of changes to start the season due to injuries to the likes of Mat Latos, Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall. Bats pitcher Nick Christiani and offseason acquisitions Pedro Beato and Brett Marshall appear to be the big league club's first options, and Saturday will be each player's last opportunity to show the Reds coaching staff and front office they belong.
The exhibition will not only give fans a glimpse into the 2014 season as well as the opportunity to see a player potentially win a roster spot, but it will also allow them to see some of their favorite Reds players who came through the minor league system in the past -- most notably Bailey, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Billy Hamilton among others.
Through 29 Spring Training games, Cincinnati currently ranks ninth among National League teams with a .260 batting average. On the other hand, the pitching staff ranks 12th with a 12-17 record and 5.06 ERA. The club got off to a slow start with a 4-12 record including two separate five-game losing streaks, but has turned it around to win eight of its last 12 games despite a current three game losing streak.
The Reds will conclude their Spring Training with a couple of split-squad games on Thursday afternoon. One team will play host to the Arizona Diamondbacks while the other travels to Phoenix to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
Following Thursday's games, players will travel to Pensacola, Fla., for an exhibition game against the Double-A Blue Wahoos scheduled for Friday.
Then, it's off to Louisville for one last preseason stop.
"The entire Bats organization is excited to have the Reds here for the final exhibition," said Bats Senior Vice President of Marketing Greg Galiette. "The level of anticipation is obviously very high judging by the number of tickets sold. Not only will fans get to see past players who are now stars on the Reds, but they will also get a sneak preview of their 2014 Louisville Bats."
Saturday will mark the first time the Reds have come to Louisville Slugger Field since a 2005 exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The big league club will return to Cincinnati following the game and get ready for its Opening Day match up against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals on March 31 at 4:10 p.m.
Those players slated to start the season with the Bats will remain in Louisville and get ready to travel to Toledo, Ohio, for their Opening Day game against the Mud Hens on Friday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m.