The Cincinnati Reds (19-23) are in desperate need of a win to stop the bleeding of a four game losing skid. The Reds will play the first of three games against the Milwaukee Brewers (21-22) tonight at 7:10 PM. The Reds enter play 5.5 games back in the NL Central. They are 1.5 games behind the Brewers for third place. Fangraphs currently has the Brewers with a 35.7% chance of winning the division (Cardinals are at 37.4%, Reds are at 7.7%), so while a battle for third place in the division might not seem like a big deal, getting ahead of the Brewers would be a nice step for the Reds.
This will be the Reds first series of the season against the Brewers. The last time these two teams met was in September 2020 in Cincinnati. The Reds won 2 of 3 to all but clinch a trip to the postseason. The Brewers are just 4-11 in their last 15 games. The Brewers top two players (pitcher or positions player) in fWAR are SP Corbin Burnes (2.2 fWAR) and Brandon Woodruff (1.8 fWAR). The Reds are fortunate to miss both pitchers in this series. The Brewers rank 27th in MLB in OPS (.654). They have scored 1 run or less in 6 of their last 12 games.
Programming note: tonight’s game is exclusively on FOX Sports 1. Kevin Burkhardt and Eric Karros will be on the call.
Starting Pitchers
Jeff Hoffman has a 7.53 ERA/5.44 FIP over his last four starts. He has walked 11 batters in 14.1 innings. Hoffman does have a career 2.70 ERA in 2 starts against the Brewers.
Adrian Houser has a career 5.64 ERA in 22.0 IP against the Reds and has allowed 7 home runs. Houser started off May with a pair of quality starts, but he did not make it past the third inning in his last start as he walked 5 batters.
Starting Lineup
Milwaukee Brewers
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Kolton Wong – 2B | Jesse Winker – LF |
| Lorenzo Cain – CF | Nick Castellanos – RF |
| Christian Yelich – LF | Tyler Stephenson – 1B |
| Omar Narvaez – C | Tyler Naquin – CF |
| Daniel Vogelbach – 1B | Eugenio Suarez – 3B |
| Travis Shaw – 3B | Tucker Barnhart – C |
| Jackie Bradley Jr. – RF | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Luis Urias – SS | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Adrian Houser – SP | Jeff Hoffman – SP |
News and Notes
Roster Moves Galore
The Cincinnati Reds placed Nick Senzel and Wade Miley on the injured list this afternoon prior to the game. They also designated Carson Fulmer for assignment, and promoted outfielder Scott Heineman and right-handed pitchers Ashton Goudeau and Brad Brach. Doug Gray wrote a little more in depth about it here if you want to give it a read.
David Bell says Tyler Stephenson will be playing some first base, and Scott Heineman can play first base as well in addition to the other infielders they have with experience there.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 21, 2021
Bell says Tejay Antone “is always a consideration” for that spot start, but “he has pitched so well out of the bullpen and is so important to our bullpen.”
“No decision has been made yet."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 21, 2021
Brad Brach was one of the best relievers in baseball between 2015 and 2018. He threw fewer than 15 MLB innings in each of the last two seasons, but he has a 0.00 ERA in Triple-A this year.
Like Wade Miley, Brach relies on his cutter and his changeup.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 21, 2021
Conclusion
This series overall looks like a good matchup for the Reds to get back on track. Tonight’s matchup is probably the biggest challenge of the weekend, but Winker, Castellanos and Suarez have a combined 6 HR in 31 at-bats against Adrian Houser. Tonight is a good time to get the good vibes back. Go Reds!
I think I saw a post from NK earlier saying the reds could still win the division. If so, better start with a weekend sweep.
I believe the saying goes: No better time to start than right now.
Who knew Kim Jong-un was a Reds fan?
I guess, from an ideological standpoint, it is the proper MLB team for him to support.
I’m surprised he’s not a Marlin fan.
This is the best lineup we can put out there until Senzel and Moose returns.No need to do anything different.Lets go play ball.I like Krall and his optimism about winning the division but first we need to win a game.It starts tonight.I don’t know how the players feel after yesterday’s game but we will find out really soon
True. I would like to see India batting first and get decent pitches to hit to go with his speed. That way everybody moves down one spot where they all belong.
I like it.Lets give him 4 or 5 at bats every game and lets see what happens.
I believe the NK was Mr. Kirby not Krall. Could be wrong but could swear I saw a posting on BR to that effect. I would have laughed at Krall – again.
Good info, Nick.
My first question for David Bell is that if Tejay Antone is so important to the bullpen, why did he not throw a single pitch in a four game series?
I’ll take my answer off the air
Bingo!! The guy is rotting in the bullpen and could pitch every 5 days.
Otherwise known as, “The Chapman Scenario”.
He should be starting
Any idea when Votto is returning?
Going to post early today as I suspect this game will be over early! There’s a saying that doing the same thing over and over again expecting different (and more positive) results is the definition of insanity! Sending Hoffman out to the bump tonight falls into that category! Make no mistake, the Brew Crew hitters are better than the Giants and will feast on Reds pitching! I hope I’m wrong but the obvious lack of hitting combined with the recent poor starting pitching does not bode well for this series.
The games is on FS1 if anybody didn’t see it in the preview.
Well, at least we’re through the first inning. Now to see if tonight’s the night we start hitting again.
It’s 7:17 PM at my house … anybody want to set an over/under time on when I just have to Clete? (I really hope I don’t.)
TySteve walks – Casty should have walked. Let’s make them pay.
I like walks from a rookie.Guy will become a very good offensive player.
+100
Same here. He’s got good plate discipline from what I can see. Definitely a part of the “core” team.
Naquin!!!!
That’s one way to make ’em pay! A no-doubter.
A batting order that (almost*) makes sense and it produces.
*Suarez batting any higher than 7th does not make sense.
Naquin punched out 3 times yesterday but you love to see guys come right back the next day and do damage.Great job.
Hoffman battles but he really just throws way to many pitches to get guys out.Hope he can go 5 solid tonight but he will have to get some quick outs.
Hoffman isnt even a guy that nibbles. His pitches that are balls arent even close.
Last nights prediction.
“Quick prediction. Fulmer DFA’d, Santillian brought up. Hoffman pitches 2 – 4 innings in his last start as a Red. Next time Hoffman is up Santillian takes his spot in the rotation.“
I may have been generous with Hoffman making up to 4 innings.
In would be great to bring in Antone before this game gets out of hand. Let him “start” the game a couple innings late.
I think that would be a great idea Doc
Wow he air mailed that one and got away with it but 3-2 count so I’m sure he will walk in a run.
Get Hoffman out NOW!!!!!!!!
Three (3) walks in 1.1 innings! Please STOP with the walks!
Just can’t allow that to happen.Just can’t walk 3 in a row and expect to stay in the game.Got to take him out.
Carson Fulmer finally convinced the front office that he is not part of the answer, and it’s just a matter of time with Hoffman, as well.
As Jeff Brantley said, he just won’t throw strikes.
49 pitches for Hoffman with two out in the second.
Is that alot? Juan Marischal would say he is just getting loose.
51 pitches thru 2 innings! Hoffman up 3rd, time for the Bell Special, the old double switch!
Part of the problem is that Tucker keeps giving that stand up target and he wastes pitches, and gets the hitter in a better count.
This is not going to end well.
Hoffman smoking in the dynamite room every inning.
Well put. 🙂
+5000
Maybe the best comment I’ve EVER seen on that topic. Ever!
Again, hilarious!
Vogelbach, the new John Kruk?
Chris Farley in Tommy Boy
nailed it!
Even better!
Playing with fire Mr. Bell and a two (2) run lead that will vanish in a heartbeat or a Hoffman walk and a HR!
Pen will have to cover a lot of innings tonight.I just hope we have the lead before they come in
Winker hit ball long
“Hit ball long” is so much better than “Big Fly”.
Wink makes him pay. How will Bell screw it up?
How you ask? He (Bell) won’t have a relief pitcher warmed up and will wait until Hoffman is hopelessly in trouble with more walks!
It’s been an hour since I set my over/under mark … I’m still here and we’re up by 3 (for now).
Hoffman is on a pace for 192 pitches over nine innings.
Seaver could have breezed through that.
Just tuned in. Nice change of pace to be up early instead of treading uphill…
You get to a 2-2 count, you have to throw a strike.
I like Eric Karros telling it like it is with Hoffman.
Me too. Hopefully the right people hear him too!
Garrett warming up in the ‘pen.
Wrong guy. Perfect time for Antone.
Another walk to lead off the top of the 4th! Perfect! Sometimes I believe Bell is just stubborn! No other manager for any other ML team would tolerate a similar performance!
+250
Sanmartin is dealing with 5 K’s in 3 innings, and the 0.60 ERA looks good to. He’s no spring chicken for AA, at 25 years old. I wonder if he gets the promotions to AAA ahead of Greene and Lodolo.
I think Greene stays there the entire year. Lodolo moves up as soon as one of the AAA moves up or moves on.
Could be right, I’m pretty excited about the Arms that should come up over the next year. Lodolo, Greene, Santillian, Sanmartin, Gutierrez. The 1st 2 will take a starters role, if one of the other 3 manage to grab a spot, it could be real fun to watch the Reds over the next several years. I’m feeling like the Reds will deal Castillo or Gray by the deadline. There was a lot of smoke in the off season, and with hopefully continued success of the young arms, It just feels inevitable.
Hopefully we see some of these arms soon. I’m expecting someone gets called up for Mileys turn but would love to see Antone instead.
Hoffman playing with more fire than an arsonist! Smoking in the black powder room!
Apparently smoking in the dynamite room is now an acceptable strategy that works … tonight. Glad he got Yelich.
+500 at least for this game
Wow! Hoffman has more tricks than David Copperfield!
Winker again???!!!???!!!
Announcer: “I can’t believe Hauser is being allowed to face Winker again.”
Next pitch….GONE
Let’s hope we’re not scoring all of our runs in the series tonight ??
Need all the runs we can get! Four more innings to go!
Wink is good.Good hitter that hits homers as somebody on here said a few days ago.Naquin may turn out that way also.
Well that should quiet some of those who wanted him pulled after 2. Maybe Bell does know more than most of the posters on this site.
Ugly perhaps, but Hoffman made it 5. The more curious thing is why did Bell allow him to continue, with 99 pitches, when he pulls much better pitchers far earlier. Kind of like the Fulmer stunt, let him pitch until he proves it’s DFA time. Sort of like he did with Hughes. Bell is “unique” in his approach.
To the people that think you need 10000 at-bats vs a pitcher to get a true sample size:
Winker now 8-13 with 5 HR’s off of Hauser.
Batter vs. pitcher results are a real thing
A unique redemption opportunity for one Geno Suarez … can he convert?
No but Barnhsrt will show him how its done.
Now if Suarez just puts it in play instead of swinging fo4 the fences.
I’m a Suarez defender, because I think he gets undo negative comments. This is not one of those times, how is he swinging 3 -0? I get he was thinking a meatball was coming his way, but that was a “selfish swing”.
If he went on his own he should be benched.The green light doesn’t mean you have to swing.
Yes, but remember he hasn’t really produced since 2019. Too infatuated with HRs. I’d rather see consistent string of 2018 like years than an occasional 2019 year and fewer 2020/2021 years
Would be nice to see Suarez take some uppercut out of his swing
David Bell gave a .150 hitter the green light on 3-0.
Absolutely zero baseball IQ on this team.
I’d give him the green light 100%. Its up to him to not miss a pitch, not Bell.
Yeah,wake up the other dugout with stupid stuff like that.Suarez won’t get going until he changes his style and you know right there he is trying to hit it nine miles.
Did he just swing 3-0 with the bases loaded?How on earth can that be?
Fire Bell. Trade Suarez for a SS. Bench Farmer. Put Senzel at 3rd assuming he doesn’t fall apart further.
Classic RLN rant lol
Not a rant. Just stating the obvious.
So replace the manager with someone else to lead a flawed team and show all potential candidates that the org will just panic and fire you if they lose.
Sell low on a guy youll just get a farmer type for anyway and bench farmer. And we’re playing guys on th IL too? Obvious for sure.
Are you related? I’ve noticed you routinely support Bell over the players. I don’t think the Reds are as mediocre as their performance. Consequently, go for new management.
And I notice you’re routinely negative. The Reds have essentially no pitching right now, im not sure what you expect from a managerial change.
Who do you try and get? TB just gave up their SS.
I still the Rockies would deal Story cheap. They aren’t likely to try to sign him
Nice inning by AG!
Turns out Amir doesn’t have to beat his chest or celebrate in order to be effective. Just execute your pitches is all it takes.
Garrett did overreact with RIzzo, but it was a spill over from last year. He always has a little swagger, but not excessive.
Swagger is fine, I like it….just celebrate success with your team. Not towards the opposition.
Garrett is back or at least he was for that inning.Fastball at 96 and slider at 84 and that is good enough anytime if you throw strikes and he did.
Our throw in player on the Long for Gray trade just had a nice night! I really don’t know much about Sanmartin, except for he’s a Lefty. Anyone know what this guy pitches?
AG and Perdomo have carbon copy pitching motions
Could Winker be any more dialed in???
Garrett out after 6 pitches.Guess we can find a guy that doesn’t have it tonight.Lets use 3 more to get 9 outs after using two position players yesterday.Bell has no feel for his pen at all
What feel can you even have with a bad bullpen and starters that barely make it 5?
Unbelievable! Clueless!
The announcers are right, but I think Castellanos is the guy to move, not Winker. He won’t resign next season anyway, and if we’re out of it, we might as well get something for him. I like Winker LF, Shogo CF, Naquin RF with Aquino on the bench. I would like Senzel to move to the INF, the OF is too much of an injury position for him.
I guess Bell doesn’t subscribe to the theory of riding the hot pitcher as long as he is effective!
Who, other than maybe Antone, is a “hot” pitcher for the Reds right now?
Especially when the next batter was a lefty to lead it off. Sims hasn’t been stellar this year either.
One more thing! Just because MLB has instituted the stupid relief pitcher rule that a relief pitcher has to pitch to a minimum of three (3) batters requires you, the manager, have to remove him after he has fulfilled that rule! I think AG can throw more than six (6) pitches in relief on a cool night!
Sims is the anti-AG tonight. Definitely not dialed in.
Dont be fooled
Reds TEAM offense has 5 hits
Winker 3 hits with 2 homers
Castellanos 1
Naquin 3 run home
Classic gabp game
The Reds play 80 games a year at gabp and the wins there count the same. There is an old saying about a gift horse and how you look at him that applies here.
Somebody is still smoking in the dynamite room …
Reds have 5 hits
3 homers by winker and naquin and singles by winker and Castellanos
GABP- no team hitting
Yeah and if we don’t homer we don’t score or win to be honest but this game was a cake walk if Garrett gets another inning.Dude has no innings to speak of so just let him pitch.This game is only number 43 but we need it and lets worry about the next game when we play it.
Who is this guy coming in? Number 70? Is he new?
It seems like we got Garrett back, we need to get Sims back. Miley are you seeing anything?
One long ball from a tie game!
This bullpen is just plain ugly.
TJ stops the bleeding — for now.
Wouldn’t hurt to add a few more runs here.
Taking out Garrett was weapons-grade idiotic, even for Bell.
You knew it was coming.Bell is clueless and I mean clueless.Garrett was dominate and he pulls him after 6 pitches.We won a bunch despite Dusty but we just can’t with this guy.
AG’s been consistent his last 3 outings, and had a left handed batter leading off the inning. SMH
Dusty had a pitching staff
Ok ill check out now, enough provoking for the day. Go Reds! Youd have a hard time telling theyre winning ’round these parts.
So, will Bell the Clueless pull TA? After all, he did throw 8 pitches!
AG only throws 6 pitches. Any reason he can’t come back for a 2nd inning?
Alternatively let Antone start the 7th and let try for a 3 inning save since he hasn’t pitched in awhile.
No Nell needs to bring in Simms, wait till the score goes from 6-1 to 6-4 before he brings in Antone. This is not rocket science.
Bell and Sims
It is a form of rocket science when you’re smoking in the fireworks storage room!
Credit to Cain for catching that one.
Pirates down 12-0 braves
They are 100 loss team
Brewers look 88-90 loss team.
Nl central is cards or Cubs. Reds get a month to figure out if they want to hang out with the brewers/ pirates or cards/cubs
Thats one back,lets get some more.
OMG! Do I see Shrock on the 9 hole? Noooo! Antone gone after 1 inning?
Ok, nevermind
Just a psyche move. Antone is batting
Nice 2-out hitting here by Farmer and India!
Yes singles are good with men on base.Two walks and two singles gets two runs.
…and sometimes more exciting than home runs…
Gave us a little extra breathing room.
Antone now has to deliver and put this bus in the garage.
Thats another one back,lets get some more.
Antone in for the duration? Can we trust Bell to keep to that?
7th inning insurance runs are always welcome!
Lineup working pretty good tonight.
Stephenson injured? Or did he just get Bell’d
Defensive replacement
WINK HAVING A GAME!
He’s a one-man wrecking crew tonight!
Umm they might want to extend him right now before he prices himself out of Castellinis budget.
+100 same thought. He seems to be putting it all together.
So much more fun than yesterday’s disaster.
And now the Pirates are getting shelled by the Braves.
Da MVP!!!!
Brach?
Nice win. Better than losing. Let’s do it again tomorrow.
Okay then … Brach.
Nice win by our guys tonight. Let’s keep the Bernie Brewers in a position where they can’t figure out why they’ve now lost 13 of 17.
doesen’t seem like there is as many calls for trading or firing Winker as we had in the recent past.