| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates (61-68) | 5 | 11 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Reds (55-74) | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| W: Stephenson (2-4) L: Nova (11-11) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Box Score | |||
The Good
–Strong start for Robert Stephenson, who seems to be showing some signs of progress finally. Bob Steve went 5.2 innings and struck out 11 hitters, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits. He did walk four — and that has been his problem — but if we’re being honest, one of the runs he allowed probably shouldn’t have scored (see below). I’m encouraged.
And when I say “strong start,” that’s just what I mean. Stephenson struck out the first six batters of the game, setting a team record. Good stuff.
–Scott Schebler had a great night, displaying everything that he is capable of. He went 3-3 with a single, a triple, a home run, and a hit by pitch. He scored three runs and drove in three more. The home run was his 25th of the season. Great night.
–Hey, is that Eugenio Suarez hot? (Or not?) He reached three times again tonight, going 2-4 with a double and a walk, scoring three runs.
–Wandy Peralta, Eugenio Suarez, and Raisel Iglesias finished out the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
–Adam Duvall hit his 30th home run of the season. A second consecutive excellent season for Duvall. Outstanding.
–Tucker Barnhart reached base three times and had two RBI. Pinch hitter Patrick Kivlehan collected a two-run double in the ninth.
The Bad
–Tim Adleman gave up 3 runs in one inning of work. I’ve been hopeful — he’s an easy guy to root for, after all — that Adleman could find a home as the long man in the bullpen.
Not-So-Random Thoughts
–Your Cincinnati Reds have won two Major League Baseball games IN A ROW.
–With the Reds leading 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Stephenson sandwiched an infield single between two strikeouts. With a 1-1 count, Stephenson induced a John Jaso fly ball to left-center. Billy Hamilton stumbled a bit and was unable to reign it in for the third out of the inning; it was an RBI double that tied the game.
The worst part of this turn of events was that Stephenson had to throw 12 additional pitches to get out of the inning.
–Schebler, when healthy, has really done nothing more than mash the ball all season long. Other than July, when he had an injured shoulder (and he was awful in July), Schebler has had a great season. The Reds really have a logjam in the outfield, and I don’t know how it’s going to be resolved.
–Boy, I’m constantly impressed by Stephenson’s stuff. So much talent. I hope he’s taking some baby steps toward being in the mix next year and beyond.
–I like Eugenio Suarez.
No one will ever accuse Eugenio Suarez of not having enough fun pic.twitter.com/mofX8tln55
— Zach Buchanan (@ZachENQ) August 25, 2017
–We learned tonight that Tyler Mahle will make his major league debut on Sunday. I can’t wait for that.
Today’s Tweets
#Reds' Scheb enjoys a double high five after his 25th home run of the year puts Cincinnati up 7-2 pic.twitter.com/4FZ7ZE1Fp8
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) August 26, 2017
Feldman to the 60-day DL perhaps?
“The Reds really have a logjam in the outfield, and I don’t know how it’s going to be resolved.”
Here is a novel idea…replace BH with SS at center field and insert JW in right. If our starting pitching was 50% better then the BH’s “defensive runs saved” skill at his position would not be that valuable. SS’s power and JW’s OBP (or Suarez’s OBP) at the top of the lineup more than makes up for the loss BH’s speed and defense. BH would be far more valuable as a bench player as defensive replacement and pinch runner.
Offensively, the team is in pretty good shape (averaging nearly 5 runs a game/top half of the NL). Only 10 total runs scored separate the Good Guys from the 1st place Cubs. That offensive output can actually improve I believe with some more tweaking.
You are exactly right Davy.It always is a great discussion as to what to do with Billy.Lots of us think he should be replaced while others believe we will miss his defense.I am in both camps on this one but I will take the offense all day long.Never did understand why they never platooned the 4 guy as Cossack suggested months ago.It made too much sense I guess.
Would like to see some playing time for Ervin in CF, so hard to deal with Hamilton’s 250/300/320 batting line every day.
You are right about Irvin.In fact we know about Billy,Duval and Schebler how about we make sure we find out about Irvin.Most agree Winker’s minor league stats along with what he has done in the big leagues are going to play well so go with Irvin for awhile and let him show off some.
Saw some fire with BobSteve that wasn’t evident in past starts, you could see he was mad at himself for not getting out of the sixth. For a Cali chill dude this was a welcomed change in demeanor and imo bodes well for his future.
Did it make sense to anyone bringing in Iglesias in the 9th? This was his third consecutive appearance and they had a 4 run lead. Why not let Storen go 2 innings, he has been so terrible of late, had a decent inning and few pitches- or went with one of the other arms
Amen. Out of the three appearances, one was when the reds were blown out, only one in a high leverage situation, and this game a low leverage, four run lead. Stupid Price move. Not having Storen finish might have saved the Reds $100K (dumb contract provision), it would have been nice to finish with someone else, give them the finishing experience with a four run cushion.
All indicators are that Schebler is a thumper and the Reds need his offense in center field. This along with Winker in right field and leading off, and Duvall in left field give the Reds the making of a first class outfield backed up by Hamilton and Ervin.
No doubt I would go this way if for nothing else to see how Scott does in center field.I know it make us better on offense.
Hamilton would be making too much for a backup plus he might be unhappy. They could prob do it next year and move him at some point. They would def have more offense, and if you’re playing more games where its tied or a 1 run game late, then Billy becomes a weapon as a pinch-runner!
You could have a bench of a backup catcher, Billy, Ervin, Kivlehan, and Peraza. Thats a pretty decent bench plus Blandino might break thru? They might be wise to give Senzel the Kris Bryant treatment and leave him in the minors for the first 2 weeks, but he’ll be ready to be an everyday starter by mid-April.
Reds are paying close attention to the Kris Bryant case, Bryant and his people are fighting to get the full year of service time.
Finnegan figured things out last year. Reed wasn’t given a chance to figure things out, wasted this year. Garrett looked good, then the rug was yanked out from under him. Maybe he’s still injured and trying to work thru it. Cingrani was mismanaged, poorly coached since he showed great promise four or five years ago.
I would say the Dodgers have a log jam in the outfield, not the Reds. We have the number of MLB ready and fringe ready outfielders a good MLB is supposed to have.
It just appears to be a log jam relative to the surrounding paucity.
of course schebler might be worth something on the open market come december.
really glad for the stephenson kid. process is working even if not to the speed we wanted
I hear you. But good corner outfielders are supposed to provide what he’s providing, maybe a bit more actually.
It’s one thing to outperform your assigned trade value (he clearly has). It’s quite another to outperform your peers enough to generate a return. I think he’s worth more to us than those not us. Anyone have an idea what other teams would think of him? Maybe I’m wrong!!