Rockies Lineup – May 25, 2012: Cincinnati is Hot

My sources tell me that things are especially steamy in Ohio this afternoon, with the distinct possibility that the heat index will exceed 100 degrees. Also heating up: the Reds, who are on a 6-game winning streak and have won 7 of their last 10. Which of these enemies will be more challenging for the Rockies to conquer? All I know is, either one would probably be enough to undo them.

Tonight’s lineup for Colorado is pretty standard, with the absence of Dexter Fowler yet again. Yet again, not complaining. Wil Nieves has joined the team and Ramon Hernandez, battling tendinitis, will hit the disabled list. Wilin Rosario gets the start behind the dish but look for Nieves to come in off the bench at some point in this series.

Despite the Reds’ winning streak, nobody on their team is hitting especially well; Joey Votto leads qualifying players with a .295 average. He’s always dangerous at the plate, though, and should be handled with care. Ryan Hanigan is starting at catcher tonight, and he’s hitting at a .322 clip in 27 games. The Rockies dodge a bullet by not having to face the power-hitting Jay Bruce, but they will have to contend with Drew Stubbs‘ speed on the basepaths.

Perhaps the most interesting part of these lineups is the pitching match-up. Johnny Cueto is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball right now, with a 5-1 record and a sub-2.00 ERA. Christian Friedrich has started three games for the Rockies since his call-up: two brilliant ones in California, and a decidedly unbrilliant one in Denver. So how will he do in Cincy? He’ll have to be beyond brilliant to keep up with Cueto.

Marco Scutaro 2B
Tyler Colvin CF
Carlos Gonzalez LF
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Todd Helton 1B
Michael Cuddyer RF
Jordan Pacheco 3B
Wilin Rosario C
Christian Friedrich P

Zack Cozart SS
Drew Stubbs CF
Joey Votto 1B
Brandon Phillips 2B
Chris Heisey RF
Ryan Ludwick LF
Todd Frazier 3B
Ryan Hanigan C
Johnny Cueto P

First pitch is 5:10 MDT from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.