To paraphrase the late football coach Dennis Green, the Reds are who we thought they were.
We’ve been hoping for a second-half resurgence powered by hitters who have broken out of their collective first-half slump, along with the acquisition of a top-line starting pitcher. But through this critical 11-game streak against the Cubs, Nationals and Cardinals, the Reds are only 2-5. It doesn’t matter what the teams you are trying to catch in the standings do when you don’t win yourself.
The first of a weekend four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals starts tonight at 7:10 p.m. Eastern time at Great American Ball Park. The starting pitching matchups for the weekend seem to favor Cincinnati on paper, but we’ve learned to never rely on what “should” happen.
Starting Pitchers
| Name | IP | ERA | xFIP | K% | BB% |
| Michael Wacha | 89.1 | 5.54 | 5.00 | 17.9% | 10.5% |
| Sonny Gray | 127.2 | 3.10 | 3.63 | 27.9% | 9.1% |
Right-hander Wacha is having his worst major league season. Opposing batters are hitting .301 against him. He’s allowed 21 homers and 42 walks in 89.1 innings. Looks like an opportunity for Reds hitters to do some damage. On the other hand, Gray is having one of his best major league seasons, firmly entrenching himself as a building block for the coming years with as many as four more years with the Reds under his current contract. Acquiring him from the Yankees for Shed Long and a draft pick was certainly one of the best trades by any team during this past offseason.
Bullpen
What can you say after what happened yesterday? You can rent a large neon arrow and point it at the bullpen as the culprit in what is now holding this team back.
The team took some action today. They lost Jared Hughes on waivers, while shuffling around several pieces – including calling up their top relief prospect Joel Kuhnel from Triple-A. You can read more about that series of moves right here.
The Cincinnati #Reds lost Jared Hughes on waivers, and called up top relief prospect Joel Kuhnel among several moves today. https://t.co/30pQdFPdKs pic.twitter.com/L6vN5neT2y
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) August 15, 2019
The club is still without a left-handed reliever while Amir Garrett is on suspension.
Starting Lineups
| Cardinals | Reds |
| RF Dexter Fowler | CF Nick Senzel |
| 3B Matt Carpenter | 1B Josh VanMeter |
| 1B Paul Goldschmidt | 3B Eugenio Suarez |
| LF Marcell Ozuna | RF Aristides Aquino |
| SS Paul DeJong | LF Phillip Ervin |
| C Yadier Molina | 2B Freddy Galvis |
| 2B Kolten Wong | SS Jose Iglesias |
| CF Randy Arozarena | C Tucket Barnhart |
| P Michael Wacha | P Sonny Gray |
UPDATE: 5:49pm
Josh VanMeter has replaced Joey Votto at first base and hitting second in the lineup. No news why, yet, but it’s coming according to the Reds.
UPDATE: 6:26pm
Joey Votto was scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness.
The Reds lineup looks like it is intended for facing a left-handed pitcher. But Wacha has had serious problems against right-handed batters this season. They are hitting .330 against him.
Additional insights into the statistical history of the players in today’s game is available all season long at BaseballSavant.com.
News and Notes
The Yankees have signed David Hernandez to a minor league contract …
Yankees Sign David Hernandez https://t.co/LbywrK3ZhZ
— Tim Dierkes (@mlbtryankees) August 15, 2019
Regardless of any issues vs righties, the fact that both Galvis and Iglesias are playing and Vanmeter and Winker aren’t, is short-sighted, long-sighted, and just dumb. No logic. No sense in any of this…..makes it hard for me to even follow when our manager is so inane and obtuse.
Amen and Amen
+100
getting hard to watch
I like the line-up. We’re due to rake.
That’s just Wong
My ice cream was melting …
Wonder how much the back has bothered Votto this whole year and if it’ll be an issue moving forward.
TY
I’m gonna use the low attendance to ask a question I’ve wanted to ask for years. What does TOOTBLAN stand for? I assume it’s an acronym (pho).
Great, all of a sudden it’s bases loaded for Goldy Locks
Thrown
Out
On
The
Base paths
Like
A
Nincompoop
Niiiiiice
Thnx
Senzel looks like he’s hit the wall, season wise. Give him some rest.
Wacha is just awfa yet he makes us look like young guys at the plate.Hey we are for the most part so go Reds.
He finally had a quicker inning. 10 ks already.
A lot of Sonny Gray’s pitches on the edge of the zone not getting the strike. SMH
Shame we can’t get a run or two for Gray.He just gives all he has got every time he goes out there.
Dude is a flat out competitor
Agreed. Great pickup/extension.
that’ll work
Way to be Eugene.
Glad to see Bob Steve in the 6th.Time to see if he and others can handle more high leverage innings,Two strike outs and a grounder against 3, 4 and 5 works.
DB cannot even use a pinch hitter without interjecting himself into the game…..not sure what that was
Was he trying to reneg in using Peraza there? I think Thom said he may have been looking to put Stephenson back in to bat
During the mauling last night, Winker left suddenly, and Lorenzen had to run out to center field. Did something happen? Where is he today I wonder?
Two innings covered by the pen.Lets get a few more runs and put this one away.Cards look as bad as we have over the last few days so lets take advantage.
Thom made it sound like Iglesias won that battle. In reality, Goldschmidt was all over that pitch and barely missed hitting that thing 440 ft.
It worked out, but I agree Lorenzens number are slightly better and his stuff was looking pretty good.
The Reds made it interesting in the end, but it’s always good to get a win vs Satan’s team.
Let’s put a dent in their playoff hopes.