With the Cincinnati Reds having a chance, Tuesday evening, to sweep the San Francisco Giants in their National League Division Series, Dusty Baker has posted his lineup against Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong:
NLDS Game 3: Dusty Baker’s Game 3 lineup
1. Brandon Phillips - 2B
2. Zack Cozart - SS
3. Joey Votto* - 1B
4. Ryan Ludwick - LF
5. Jay Bruce* - RF
6. Scott Rolen - 3B
7. Ryan Hanigan - C
8. Drew Stubbs - CF
9. Homer Bailey - P
Brandon Phillips spent most of the regular season hitting fourth and then third in the Reds’ lineup, but finally settled into the leadoff slot in September. Cozart, the Reds’ rookie shortstop, batted first for most of the season, but slid to the No. 2 slot after returning in late September from an injury.
Batting orders aside, though, these are exactly the players the Reds wanted in their lineup when the season began. The one wrinkle is that Todd Frazier, probably the Reds' third- or fourth-best hitter, isn't in the lineup. He does give Dusty Baker an attractive option when he needs a pinch-hitter, but since Frazier won't be asked to replace Joey Votto or Jay Bruce, Baker probably won't be able to create a particular advantageous match-up in the late innings.
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