Cincinnati Reds decide to come up with roster of experienced players – NLDS Update
Cincinnati Reds have decided to slate experienced players for the National League Division Series roster. Facing the San Francisco Giants, the 2010 World Series Champion, the Reds will have 13 of 25 players from the 2010 team, the year they were swept out of the NLDS.
In the manager Dusty Baker’s eyes, this is a mature team now.
"I think we have more experience," Baker said. "It's a different team. It's a more mature team."
Back in 2010 when the Reds qualified for the postseason games, they were seemingly bracing themselves for the bigger titles. However, it was the Philadelphia Phillies who routed them quite effortlessly, frustrating every plan of the Reds.
This year, however, the club comes with different mindset. Strong and assertive, the club has a pool of young talent along with the veterans who have served the team over the years.
Among them are the likes of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and Ryan Hanigan, not to mention Wilson Valdez, Jonathan Broxton, Dioner Navarro, Ryan Ludwick and others.
The aforementioned players come up with experiences of playing in the postseason games, an advantage that the Reds will make most of.
Sean Marshall was one of the players who had also played in the playoffs games back in 2007 and 2008.
"I think that experience, pitching in an atmosphere like this and playing in an atmosphere like this, is big," said Marshall. "I remember being very nervous before the games were starting. This time around, I don't feel the nerves I felt the first two times. I'm sure I'm in the same boat as the other players, where you kind of know what to expect."
Among other things, what goes to the benefit of the Reds is the fact that its coaching staff has had an experience of coaching, managing and playing in 207 games.
All that experience needs to translate into success here. That is what the team aspires as they brace for the NLDS games, which will obviously be quite challenging and competitive for the rivals in anticipation of making it to the National League Championship Series.
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