SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds manager Jack McKeon is undaunted by the lineup of pitchers facing his team in the season's opening week.
''It's the story of my life,'' said McKeon. Last year, when he took over as Reds' manager in July, they faced Atlanta and Florida right out of the gate, two of the best pitching staffs in the league. This year the Reds begin the season with San Diego and Los Angeles, both expected to have solid pitching this year.
Tuesday's Opening Day in Cincinnati should be particularly tough as Dave Burba opposes the Padres' Kevin Brown, who was 16-8 with a 2.69 ERA last year for the Florida Marlins. Brown led National League pitchers with an 0.75 ERA this spring.
On Wednesday Mike Remlinger faces Joey Hamilton (12-7, 4.25 last year) and Thursday Pete Harnisch opposes Andy Ashby (9-11, 4.13). Then Steve Cooke, Brett Tomko and Burba go up against Dodgers stalwarts Hideo Nomo (14-12, 4.25), Ismael Valdes (10-11, 2.65) and Ramon Martinez (10-5, 3.64) in a weekend series at home.
''I'd rather face them early, because come August, they'll be really on top of their games,'' McKeon said. ''You don't know what's going to happen. They might not pitch well.''
Reversal of fortune
When the Reds came to spring training, their pitching was thought to be the weak spot. But it has been a strength so far, with Cincinnati third in spring training ERA (4.01) among National League teams.
Dave Burba (38 innings), Pete Harnisch and Mike Remlinger (33 each) were tops in the league in innings pitched, and Burba tied Colorado's Pedro Astacio for most strikeouts with 30. He also was sixth with a 2.13 ERA.
''All our pitchers have done well,'' McKeon said. ''They threw a lot in the winter and came in ready. We came in with 21 or 22 pitchers, but we could have gotten by with 18.''
McKeon is pleased with the way the starting rotation has worked out, with Cooke and Harnisch earning spots with Burba, Remlinger and Tomko. But McKeon said there was a time this winter, before General Manager Jim Bowden picked up Cooke, Harnisch, Mark Hutton and David Weathers, when he saw a considerably less experienced rotation. Those final two spots could have been filled by the likes of youngsters Jim Crowell or Scott Winchester, whom the Reds believe need another year of seasoning in the minors.
''We're much stronger now,'' McKeon said. ''Bowden did a good job picking up Cooke, Harnisch, Weathers and Hutton. They've given us some depth.''
McKeon also had praise for Ricardo Jordan (no runs in six innings), even though the left-handed reliever will begin the season in Triple-A. ''He definitely opened our eyes to the possibility that he has a spot with us in the future,'' McKeon said.
Quitting time
This was the first offseason that closer Jeff Shaw didn't work construction in his hometown of Washington Court House, Ohio. Normally, he works for a friend's company, mainly to keep in shape and pay the bills.
''I built a deck on the back of my house, so I did a little bit,'' Shaw said. ''There's a lot on the line this year, and I made some money so I didn't have to work. In the past I had to make ends meet.''
Shaw doesn't believe it's unusual for a major-league player to work in the offseason.
''I think it goes back to where you come from and how you feel about yourself,'' he said. ''I felt I wasn't doing anything in the winter if I didn't work 40 hours a week and then go to the weight room and work out.''
Last word
Reflections from Jon Nunnally on the end of spring training:
''Everybody got themselves together, and now I'm sure everybody's happy to get out,'' he said.
''Now we're playing for keeps, when you turn it up a notch. It's going to be a good sight to see.''
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