I have seen something recently.

Votto’s got it going on!

His effortless swing his back. I saw a little of it last year but nothing like now. I remember a couple of years ago I saw him hit a towering Home Run to Center field and it didn’t look like he swung at all.

He just has that great timing that you rarely see. He can hit the ball a long way and never break a sweat doing it.

He has it back!

 

http://m.mlb.com/cin/video/?content_id=32121303&topic_id=8877984&c_id=cin

 

Of course, batting behind Hamilton isn’t hurting and we didn’t think it would. Now pitchers have to come into him and … they’re worried!

Votto said earlier in the day that Hamilton protects him. Well, I think he does more than protect him. Hamilton give him the gift of a good chance of a fast ball coming Joey’s way!

Obviously, they’re making mistakes. The homer on Wednesday’s day game was a big mistake. Pittsburgh’s catcher had to move his glove too far toward the middle of the plate to think it was anything but a mistake. I think we’ll see a lot of mistakes this year get hit hard and Votto, at least, looks primed for a good year.

But this also could have an effervescent affect on the rest of the team as well. Pitchers can’t cheat anymore on Votto (who walked a lot last year and the other teams were fine with that) — as much anyway. They may have to try it and if Hamilton steals early in the count they may adjust and not pitch to Votto again but then there might be two on and no one out.

Nobody likes that.

They will have to pitch to BP then and if Brandon makes them pitch to him, then things can get really shaky with Bruce up next.

But these are things that haven’t been part of the opposition’s brain waves in the recent years. Their pulse is quickening a little. The heart pounds deeply.

Thinking ahead ruins the present sometimes and that’s what this lineup encourages.

Redsageddon Everyone!