The Reds have found out what most in the American League have: Shane Bieber and Mike Clevinger are really good pitchers. The Reds could only muster 3 hits on the night and were shutout for the first time this season.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians (7-6) | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Reds (5-7) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| W: Clevinger (1-1) L: Antone (0-1) S: Hand (4) | |||
| FanGraphs Win Probability | Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Biggest Play of the Game
According to Fangraphs WPA statistic (winning percentage added), the most important play of the game was Cesar Hernandez’ RBI single with 1 out in the 5th inning, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead (runners on 1st & 2nd). That play decreased the Reds probability of winning by 11.6% (from 38.4% to 26.8%).
Positives
Tejay Antone was really good again: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K. The only run that he allowed came in after he left. Sure, you would like to see him walk less, but he certainly has big league stuff. I am not sure what the Reds plan to do with him after tonight, but he definitely needs a shot at an important role with this team.
Nick Castellanos now has a hit in all 12 of his games with the Reds.
Jesse Winker got a hit for a second straight night. That is a good development for a guy that has been struggling.
Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims and Brooks Raley all pitched scoreless innings in relief. Any scoreless innings from Reds relievers, regardless the situation is obviously good right now.
Negatives
Michael Lorenzen had a tough luck night. He came out of the bullpen unable to throw strikes (7 straight balls), but then allowed weak exit velocity contact of 82.9, 57.7 and 83.6. His defense really let him down after that.
Shogo Akiyama had a throw way off on a potential chance to throw out the first run. Later in the inning, Josh VanMeter made a smart play to fake a throw to first base after a force out at second base. That fake made Oscar Mercado try to score from second base, but VanMeter had a terrible throw home. That was a pretty tough way to give up two runs. It should be pointed out that both runs got on base via walks.
Not so random thoughts………
0.5 games out of a playoff spot. 48 games to play. Luis Castillo tomorrow.
Up Next:
Reds at Indians
Thursday, 6:10 PM
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
Luis Castillo (4.50 ERA/0.66 FIP) vs Carlos Carrasco (3.75 ERA/4.50 FIP)
Cleveland may have the best starting pitching. Cincy has to be a close 2nd. They now have 6-yes 6 starters that I would pitch any night—-Gray/Bauer/Castillo/DeSclafani/Mahle/Antone. Does not even include Miley or Sims. And the BULLPEN???? Why not move some of these guys to short stents?? Makes no sense. Aquino where is he? Where is Stephenson? They bring up another catcher.
The handling of this team is just rough to watch. If you want to win “every night”. Play your best players every night.
The Reds have been losers for most of the past 30 years. That is a touch pill to swallow. Their minor league system is deplete of good bats. Even with supposed upgrades this offseason they still can barely get the ball in play. A great pitching staff and little else.
Don’t worry guys. Yelich is going to hit .070 all summer and sooner or later the Cards will have to play 8 doubleheaders in 5 days. We got a shot at 2nd!!
Have to fire David Bell by end of the week end
If the Reds do not make the playoffs, it should happen in the offseason. David Bell does not seem comfortable in the dugout with responsibility centered on him. Probably better suited as a front office person.
What would you have done differently than Bell?
What would I have done differently than Bell?
Let a pitcher with a 0 ERA pitch over one with a 10+ ERA. But hey, I’m no baseball analytics genius. I’m just someone who cares.
Tom Reeves: Have a manager whose game focus is not on analytics where a pitcher whose getting it done has to be removed after 5 or 6 innings because of the pitch count.
Got to watch the game from the 5th inning on…..here are some insights I have. Yes, the Cleveland Indians have a great starting pitcher in Clevinger, but watching the Reds hitters vs the relievers, here are the insights.
1. I have no idea why the Reds are taking the first pitch, which is usually a fast ball strike down the middle or close to it. Then, the next pitch I see is a breaking ball or off speed stuff that the Reds are either fouling off or swinging and missing. Then the next pitch I see is a ball. Reds hitters behind the count 1-2, then they either foul off the next pitch, swing and miss for strike 3, or take strike 3. When you get behind on the count, then you are in protective mode, and I am seeing the Reds swinging at bad pitches or just simply striking out on off speed pitches that are around the strike zone. If you remember Drew Stubbs. That was his problem with the Reds, took the first pitch, usually a fast ball down the middle for strike 1, then fouled off the next pitch, and then after ball 1, he would swing and miss at the next pitch.
2. Not for sure what the Reds thinking is…but this why they always seem to be behind in the count, and end up striking out alot, or more times than they should.
3. Finally, I just don’t think Jesse Winker, Josh Van Meter, and Freddy Galvis are going to work out or pan out as hitters for the Reds. Winker especially has had his chances. Have my doubts about Van Meter. Galvis, okay…but Reds need to upgrade. Why didn’t they keep Jose Iglesias? He had a great glove, and was a great hitter with 2 strikes on him. Also, not sure Casali nor Barnhardt will hit well either. Though I love Barnhardt’s defense. Reds have to remember that gave ample time to Drew Stubbs, Billy Hamilton, Scott Schebler, and others, and they did not work out either, so if you want to really compete, have to upgrade at most positions, or it will just be same old same old, with the Reds.
Jose Iglesias was a free agent. They couldn’t just keep him. They could have tried to re-sign him, but chose to go with Galvis as a stop-gap to Jose Garcia instead (though the rumors were hot all winter that they were trying to acquire Francisco Lindor).
That said, giving up on Winker because he’s had 12 days of not hitting is a bit much, no? The guy’s posted a 132, 125 and 113 OPS+ in his parts of three seasons with the Reds over the last three years. He’s hit everywhere he’s ever been.
Galvis is fine as a 7 , 8, or 9 hitter, and good not great defender. As advertised. The issue was (and may again be) Is whether when and how to upgrade.
Go look at Winker’s career numbers. If that can can’t hit, idk what your standards are.
Totally agree with taking that 1st pitch fastball for a strike.
Instant hole
Garcia, Aquino and T Stephenson need to be on this team right now.
I love JVM as much as this blog does, but that guy just does not look like a big league player. His defense is subpar and he just can’t hit big league pitching.
Maybe someone should remind Bell this is a 60 game season and trotting out Lorenzen and Colon at every opportunity is not working. Lorenzen was steady last year but has clearly lost something this year. Maybe don’t put him out there in high leverage situations until he figures it out but Bell won’t do anything different. Constantly pulling starters who are dealing for a bullpen who is struggling mightily. No feel for the flow of a game. Wasting a year of absolute great starting pitching that who knows if the Reds will ever have again. Hopefully Moose will inject some life into this offense when he returns. Reds have the players to turn it around quickly if Bell will let them. Time for Aquino to return. Just brutal watching Bell manage a game. Go Reds!
Lorenzen was so proud of his 100 mph speed during off season. Learned to throw; forgot how to pitch.
Hate to be a downer here but if (big if) the Reds stay at a 42% win clip towards the end of this month and other teams start to get hot, what happens at the deadline? They have a good amount of depth at SP, catcher and OF; do we see them dangle Bauer and others to see if an offer is made that they can’t refuse? No way they flip Castellanos unless they are very confident that he will opt out. However, if that was the case and he stays hot I would imagine he could warrant a very nice return.
I have to think it is overwhelmingly probable that the Reds start to win at closer to a 60% clip but who knows at this point. Getting late early as far as having time to make these decisions.
Disturbing trend of not being ready to start the season.
Why?
Well that game winning HR on Monday “only” went 378 feet so he’s obviously lost it. Good grief. He’s not going to be the Votto of a few years ago but I would still rather see him than just about anyone not named Castellanos up there in a clutch situation.
Klugo are you going to retire from the RedLegNation comment section? Asking for a friend. I mean maybe not mid-comment, but…