| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (53-49) |
8 | 11 | 1 |
| Chicago Cubs (50-53) |
2 | 8 | 0 |
| W: T. Mahle (8-3) L: Z. Davies (6-7) |
|||
| Statcast | Gamecast Play-by-Play | Game Thread | |||
Prologue
You asked for it. Heck, you demanded it. Make a move, Nick Krall. He did. Were these budget moves enough? Will the return of Tejay Antone and Lucas Sims, plus the additions of Luis Cessa, Justin Wilson and Mychal Givens become a full bullpen renovation–or will it amount to little more than a fresh coat of paint?
Tonight we begin to find out.
Game 102
A major league baseball game got off to it’s usual start with tonight’s strike zone wider than Long Island Expressway’s HOV lane. I’ve watched baseball for a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen worse judgment behind the plate.
In the second, Joey Votto continued his inexorable march to Cooperstown, slipping the surly bonds of earth for his 5th home run in 5 games, a feat done by only 8 other Reds, none of whom were 37 years old when they accomplished said feat. Reds 1, Cubs 0.
The legend of Joseph Daniel Votto continues to grow. ? pic.twitter.com/1zxZEiQOCR
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 29, 2021
In the 3rd, a Jonathan India walk and a Jesse Winker double to centerfield led to the Reds second run. Mahle continued putting up zeros, but throwing a lot of pitches, 66 through 3. Reds 2, Cubs 0.
In the 5th, India again would find himself on 1st (this time a base hit) and once again Winker would double, sending India to 3rd base. Tyler Stephenson would hit a ball into the gap into left-center scoring 2, but get thrown out attempting to stretch a base hit into a double.
Tyler Stephenson drives in two and doubles the @Reds' lead! pic.twitter.com/Cmf775AgO5
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 29, 2021
Mahle would finish the bottom of the inning at 96 pitches. Reds 4, Cubs 0.
Eugenio Suarez would double off the ivy in right centerfield to begin the 8th. Kyle Farmer would take one off the tuchus to put runners on 1st and 2nd base. Max Schrock would bat for Aquino (who struck out 3 times) and walk to load the bases. Shogo Akiyama would also take one for the team, a pitch off the leg that would force in the Reds’ 5th run. Reds 5, Cubs 0.
In the 9th, Stephenson walked. Then Votto–unbelievably–launched his second bomb of the game. His 5 home runs this series tied him for the 3rd most by any player in a series at Wrigley. And the series isn’t over kids. Many in the Reds dugout had their hands on head, grinning in disbelief. Farmer would continue the barrage with a single. Tyler Naquin would walk and Akiyama then doubled to left-centerfield, scoring Farmer. Reds 8, Cubs 0.
The Arms
Tyler Mahle’s final line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP
Mahle threw first pitch strikes to 14 of his first 17 batters with only 2 strikeouts. Mahle’s propensity to go deep into counts batter-after-batter reminds me of Tony Cingrani, who often couldn’t get through 5 innings before throwing 100 pitches. With the aid of a well-timed double play, Mahle would finish the 6th having thrown 103 pitches.
Luis Cessa pitched a clean 7th inning with one strike out.
New Red Justin Wilson, wearing Homer Bailey’s number 34, would walk his first batter, but otherwise keep the ball in the infield to end a quiet 8th.
Ryan Hendrix surrendered 2 in the 9th.
What Did We Learn Today?
Defense matters more than most of us are willing to recognize. Aquino and India saved 3 runs in the first 2 innings with exceptional plays on hard hit balls with 2 outs. First was Aquino’s a race to the ivy in right field; then India laying out on a 102 mph line drive. In the 4th, Aquino would chase down another hard hit fly ball to right, potentially saving yet another run and keeping the Cubs scoreless. This changed the entire complexion of the game.
Largest Hard-Hit Rate Increases from 2020 to 2021:
Tyler O’Neill (STL) +15.7
Marcus Semien (TOR) +14.9
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) +13.8
Joey Votto (CIN) +13.8
Joey Votto does damage. Joey Votto bangs. And bangs.
Final Thoughts
How weird it must be to put a uniform on one night, fly hundreds of miles, introduce yourself to new teammates, don a different uniform the next night. Then be asked to go out and immediately perform in a ballpark you may not have seen in years, if ever. How do you tamp down all the emotions surrounding that? A good question for someone to ask Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson.
60 games to go. More than a third of the season left. Baseball is a long slog. Plenty of time to catch the Brewers.
On Deck for the Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
July 29 at 2:20pm ET
Luis Castillo (4.20) vs. Alec Mills (4.55 ERA)
Thanks Richard. At the very least it’s fun to watch now. Votto is seeing to that. Amazing!
The Cubs announcers talked about Joey for 20 min straight! They’re calling him a future HOFer!! Hope so. I didn’t think he’d ever have power like this again. Nelson Cruz is still cranking them out at 41 so who knows? $20/mil for 2024 might be a bargain))
love following this team. Joey Votto is the man! Way to go Nick Krall today also. This team will be unstoppable in about 2 weeks. Can’t wait to watch it.
thank you Richard. i thought the defense would be a real weakness for this team but for the most part it has been excellent this year. now if we can just clean up the base running, get some guys healthy,… we may be a little dangerous!
I agree. I had heard that Winker, Castellanous and Farmer were not that strong on defense. That is not true. They all have done a good job defensively this season. Some may lack great range but that is the only flaw I have seen. The defense as a whole has been good thus far.
I felt so bad last year when Joey was benched. I didn’t want to see his career end that way. I am so happy to see his resurgence.
A Joey Votto at bat is must see TV once again. I couldn’t be happier.
So we have gone. In a week from, worst contract ever to Maybe we should resign him.
Didn’t you know that is how the posters here react to just about anything.
There is a lot of knee jerking that goes on. One minute its this team is great the next week it’s they need to sell everyone they can and blow the whole thing up.
I doubted the Reds this season and I will be the first to say they are playing overall way better than I ever expected for this season. I thought maybe if things go well they can be a .500 team.
That’s why we love our RLN lol
The Reds have been fun all year, and this Votto run is extra amazing. And don’t lose sight of Winker’s resurgence after a brief slide around the all-star break. He’s been terrific again, just not JDV all world. A nice start for Cessna and Wilson, though I do wonder how Hendrix isn’t back at AAA gaining the experience he really needs to match his raw talent. A tip of the cap to India and Aquino on D.
And finally a tip of the cap to me and a boo for David Bell. I mentioned yesterday in either a game thread or one of the “new reliever” threads that continuing to bat Suarez 5th behind Votto would simply result in opponents taking the bat out of Votto’s hands. And that’s exactly what happened tonight – one IBB and one other at bat where Votto walked with nothing to swing at. That will happen more and more if someone better than Suarez doesn’t follow Votto in the order. Make the change David Bell. It won’t hurt, I promise. Great win, Go Reds!
With how Votto has been hitting he was getting walked in that spot regardless rather it was Farmer, AA or Naquin batting behind him.
I disagree. If AA and probably even if Farmer is behind Votto, Ross doesn’t take that chance because it was only in the third inning. I’ll go so far as to say that if even Alejo López was batting behind Votto then it wouldn’t have been done in the same situation.
If AA and Suárez had been flipped in the order last night then the lineup would have made more sense.
As it is, much nicer to have had them win and that’s the real bottom line 🙂
I disagree of course, but even if you’re right wouldn’t you rather have AA or Lopez or Senzel or Moustakas or even Barnhart or Farmer behind Votto?
Given Farmer’s run here recently I could see him batting after Votto. Acquino perhaps normally, but he is so not able to hit a ball breaking away which is what Davies throws well, and which we saw AA flail at, it wouldn’t have made a difference last night.
With Joey already having hit 3 Hr’s in the series and a RH on the mound and 1st base open no way was he doing anything but walk Votto. He could of pitched to him and walked him or just put him on but either way he wasn’t pitching to Joey in that spot regardless if AA, Farmer or Naquin was batting 5th.
Votto
Winker
India
Farmer
All been playing very well lately.
Stephenson hitting .310 in July as well
Yup forgot him.
Not sure how been quite good.
The inexorable switch to Stephenson as clearly the #1 option at catcher is happening. TB will probably start quick turnarounds like tomorrow (Thursday), stayed paired with Miley, and take some starts against tough RH starters but TS asserting himself to be the lead guy. The injury to Castellanos seems to have forced the issue but I don’t see Bell backtracking when Castellanos returns.
Barny could be in trade discussions.
@Melvin> I don’t think they have the depth to move Barnhart at this deadline. If the team had been wallowing below .500, they might have moved him regardless of the depth situation; but, I don’t see it from the position they are on now. Farmer hasn’t caught an inning all year even assuming they would bring up Barrero to make it feasible to use Farmer behind the plate a couple of days a week.
You may be right Jim. I guess we’ll see. If not Farmer than definitely no unless there’s a backup coming in a trade. I’d rather have Farmer as the backup. He’s doing good but will probably break down without days off. Backup catcher may help him stay healthy.
Lucroy’s a free agent. I wouldn’t be to disappointed in the Reds if they did end up trading Tucker for another piece if they were able to sign Lucroy to the min.
Just before he hit his 2 rbi double into the gap last night, I was thinking Stephenson had ‘hit the wall’. Well sure enough, he did hit the wall, with his double! He and India have been amazing rookies. If one of them doesn’t win ROY in the NL, there is no justice. India’s been the spark to the offense batting leadoff and his D at 2B has been the best since the days of BP. Stephenson meanwhile has been steadily racking up key hits while batting 3rd. Amazing and fun to watch these Reds!!!
@Jim W
“I don’t see Bell backtracking”
I’m skeptical lol
I think you guys are reading too much into this. For Wed/Thur there was going to be a day game and a night game. 1 catcher was going start each game…Bell just went with the matchup he liked best, or perhaps a pitcher/catcher combo he wanted.
@VaRed
That’s the simpler explanation—so not nearly as fun even if it’s correct 🙂
I would hang onto Barnhart. You need 2 good catchers and he is a gold glove one. Rotate him and Stephenson between C, 1B and DH next season with Votto in the mix at 1B and DH. Plus, Stephenson has been injured a good bit in the past. Neither Tucker or Stephenson throw out base stealers very well but that is often on the Red’s pitchers.
I don’t usually pay much if any attention to the Bally postgame interview segment; but, for some reason, I watched Votto tonight. He seems like a different guy than he has often been in the past when in the public eye. For that matter, he seems like a different guy around the other players in the dugout. I liked the changes and that he didn’t pull any punches saying (twice) they need to get after the Brewers with a serious sense of urgency.
Joey seemed like a new man after coming back from the hand injury. Maybe next year instead of 1 or 2 off days a week give him a couple prolonged breaks throughout the year.
We will add Castellano, Senzel, Antone , Sims, Warren, and Moustakis soon. Have to think they replace Brach, Doolittle, Hendrix, Freeman. That leaves two others who must be sent down
Based on GM Nick Krall’s comments today, it will be the middle of August or later before Sims then Antone should be expected back. Krall specifically indicated this order with Antone currently projected about a week behind Sims. He did add surprisingly that Lorenzen appeared to be only a week to 10 days away (the difference between an arm/shoulder vs leg issue for a pitcher??).
There hasn’t been any indication that Senzel or Moustakis has begun or are even scheduled for a rehab assignment. Moustakis will almost certainly come back onto the MLB active roster ASAP. However, if the position player side of the team continues to play as well as it has been, it is very possible, as someone else suggested, that Senzel’s rehab is allowed to run the full length and could end up with him optioned to AAA.
I have not heard any comments from Nick Krall was trying to find some any chance you can put a link up so I can see it.
@JaytheRed
Tweeted by the beat guys pregame. Probably a story in the Enquirer as their guy put up multiple tweets.
Krall’s comments are referenced in the last couple of paragraphs of this story about the trades if you can access it:
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/07/28/mlb-trade-deadline-reds-gm-nick-krall-finds-help-bullpen/5410574001/
The tweets were more specific that Lorenzen was a week to 10 days away, then Sims (about 2 weeks from now) followed by Antone probably a week behind Sims.
Hard to imagine Lorenzen coming back so quickly given the seizure he seemed to experience in his hamstring…looked much more than a tweek. Does Senzel have options left? I have often thought they are keeping him on the DL so as not the disrupt the team flow at the moment, and wait to bring him back after post-season status has been decided. In re: to Moustakis, judging from Zimmerman’s fasciitis experience in DC, even if he comes back soon, he could go down again without an off-season of rest.
I think Brach has been valuable, especially since Antone and Sims were gone. Brach and Hembree have been the strength of the BP (along with Warren) during a tough time. I think he stays. I agree about Hendrix. Not sure who else will be sent down. Maybe Osich?
Osich was DFA yesterday
And I agree Brach has value
Senzel still has options so who knows? Trades possible.
I am not shedding any tears; but, it is a bit difficult to absorb that Thursday’s matinee may well be the last hurrah for what remains of the Cubs’ long time core group of position guys. I guess I will believe it when those guys are actually traded by the Friday deadline.
I hope Baez gets exiled to the Rangers, Blue Jays, or Marlins
#hatetheface
Or the Pirates!
Except with the Pirates we’d still have to see the face!
Votto continues to just Boom!
Famer continue to keep hitting and his defense seems like it keeps getting better.
The 2 out of 3 new Reds relievers both do a pretty good job.
Was surprised Hendrix got the call in the 9th but I guess it gives him time to get some work in with the Reds up 9 runs. I feel like he is the next to be sent down to AAA.
Castillo is up tomorrow and he has been just killing it lately. Looking forward to seeing our other new reliever hopefully tomorrow in the game if Castillo doesn’t go a complete game.
One last thing on the TV broadcast they said Nick Krall said he wasn’t done dealing yet.. Wonder what that means for the team. Maybe nothing but maybe something.
Agreed, Hendrix is likely to be optioned tomorrow to accommodate Givens in the active roster. I guess Santillan, Hoffman and Brach will be eventually sent off the roster when Antone, Sims and Lorenzen return from IL.
I also agree that Hendrix will likely be sent down today. I think he can be a good bullpen arm in the future but he needs more time in AAA.
As far as after Antone, Sims, and Lorenzen returning, I hope it goes:
Brach->Lorenzen
Doolitlle->Sims
Hoffman->Antone
I think Santillan is better than all three and should stay up as long as possible. I have a feeling the ability to option him until roster expansion may be too enticing for the FO though.
Osich was DFA’d to make room for Givens. Hendrix is the bottom reliever. He does have options, so he’s the next guy to go down when Lorenzen is back. It’s fine; just don’t use him for high leverage situations and only bring him in during 7-2 ballgames to work on locating consistently.
I’d forgot about Justin Wilson since he was with the Cubs 3-4 years ago. He doesn’t just throw the fb 90% of the time like Doolittle. Thats a nice addition even if only one of them makes it. They’ll be in really good shape next year!
Actually they’re only 4 out in the L column now from SD. The Pads play 19 more with SF and LA
Thank you Nick Krall for strengthening the Reds relief core while we wait for the return of those on the IL. The Reds are rarely out of the game. They’re the most engrossing team to watch in many years, and with a third of the season to go, the Reds are still in the hunt.
Luis Castillo:
July 31.2, 6 er (1.71), 1 hr, 33 Ks
June 31.2, 6 er (1.71), 1 hr, 32 Ks
Hard to be any more consistent then that! He just can’t suck in April/May next year
Reds in talks with the Yankees for Cessa 6 weeks ago. Couldn’t they sweeten the pot or something. Took way too long((. The Reds have lost 14 games leading after the 5th or later
Amazing Castillo stats
I’m sure you’re correct regarding Cessa. I had just about given up on anything being done to strengthen the bullpen.
Indy, where did you see that the Reds were in talks on Cessa for weeks?
“Krall said that a deal for Cessa — which later included Wilson — had been discussed for roughly six weeks, while talks surrounding Givens began in the last week to 10 days.”
Reds website
Better late than never, especially for the price. Maybe Yanks were asking way too much.
Today I learned how to spell “tuchus”
Thanks Richard!
Have the MLB umps always been this consistently inconsistent and it’s just more noticeable this season? Or does the league rotate them periodically so that it’s only noticeable to one group of fans at a time?
The reason I ask is that if Richard Fitch is calling them out, then I know something’s up—he doesn’t whine about trivial matters
I think it has always been bad. We complain about it every year. Even more so since the “Fox Box” has been the screen
For me it’s always a shame when the arbitrary notions of one person has such an impact on the game. It ruins the beauty of the skilled performances of the players. It’s really not two teams against each other. Each team has to contend with umpiring as well.
I just think umpiring should be invisible. Like good background music—you don’t even notice it
My recollection is that over the years there was always a lot of variance of the strike zone among the umps as a group but for the most part, individual umps were more consistent in calling their zone within a game and from game to game.
Individual umps were known to have a high zone or a low zone or wide or tight etc. The general public mantra among teams was that if a guy was consistent in how he called the game for both teams, that was fair enough.
Nuxhall would at times say over the air, (whichever ump) is going to call that pitch a strike all night. Reds hitters need to accept that, and the Reds pitchers should take advantage.
Interesting comments by the Cowboy last night, that umps (or at least the ump last night and perhaps others) will give a pitcher who is pitching well (meaning w/ control) benefit of the doubts and the opposite for pitchers who are pitching w/o much control. Adds a little more complexity to the concept of consistency. Also, how the umps lines up, which the look like they all do the same, but apparently not, can affect their perspective. Finally, the Fox Box I don’t think captures the break/drop that pitchers are now capable of…even if the Fox Box is true, it is much harder for the ump to determine where the ball is as its breaking across the plate. As bad as it can be at times, please don’t go to no umps.
The umpire performance would have been bad in a little league game. His judgement seemed impaired. The strike call to India was terrible at least 4 inches off the plate. Then he would call a pitch 2 inches inside the strike zone a ball. I could see Mahle was frustrated with him. How can this guy be a major league umpire with a performance like that. Jeff Brantley seemed to know all about him and his tendencies to call a wide strike zone.
Borrowing from redsminorleagues:
Last night’s Bats game
“ Alejo Lopez went 2-4 with 2 walks, 2 doubles, 2 runs, and an RBI.
Jose Barrero went 4-5 with a home run (12), double, a steal (12), 4 runs, and 6 RBI.”
Brewers trade for a dangerous hitter as Eduardo Escobar from D-Backs, by the way , he is a Reds killer. Hopefully Krall could make another move in the next 24 hours…
This is the kind of report I hoped to wake up and see. Bonus that JV went yard a 2nd time. He’s beyond dialed in at this point.
I believe that, for many years to come, Reds fans watching and cheering for a player who goes on a “hot streak,” will be able to say, in all honesty, “that guy is tearing the cover off the ball. But he ain’t as hot as Joey Votto was in July of ‘21. Now THAT was a hot streak. At age 37, he was a home run machine. You had to see it to believe it.”
And it couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy, or at a better time for his team.
I knew Eric Davis did something like that. It was April/May 1987. He hit 7 hrs (15 rbis) in 6 games including 5 in a 3 gamer @ Philly
We tend to forget that, for about a year sometime in the late 1980s, Eric Davis was the best ball player on planet Earth. And #2 wasn’t even close.
Can’t say enough how much it means to watch Votto still getting after it. What he’s done on this streak is impressive for any player, let alone a player about to be 38. It was great seeing the new relievers step right in and get the job done. Is this what it feels like to have a competent bullpen? Adding Givens and the injured guys back could make it a strength. This Reds team is fun. I hope they keep piling it on the cubbies.
Now its time for Joey to chase Schwarber. Kyle hit 16 hrs in 18 games. Joey just needs 9 more in 13 games)) Unfortunately Joey doesn’t have the protection Schwarber had. They had him leading off w/Turner and Soto behind him.
I am optimistic about the Reds playoff chances. They are now 5 games back of the Padres for the 2nd WC slot, and only 4 in the loss column. Votto and Winker are red hot, with India and Stephenson constantly on base. And they’ll be getting Castellanos, Senzel and Moustakas back at some point soon(ish). That has to upgrade CF and SS/3B. They’ve just added two solid relievers (Cessna and Givens) and maybe a third (lefty) in Wilson. And they’ll get Lorenzen, Sims and Antone back soon(ish). On top of that, they have an easier schedule the rest of the way home. San Diego and LA have to battle each other and SF down the stretch. It’s not mathematically possible for all three teams to play great for two months. The Reds should be in a playoff race the last two months of 2021. How about extending Castellanos and making the playoffs? Wouldn’t that be fun? Go Reds!
Huge game today. Taking 3 of 4 from the Cubs feels like a must because the Brewers are beating up on the depleted Pirates. It’s getting late early and there’s no time for treading water so a split to a struggling team would be yet another missed opportunity……..like Gray’s meltdown Sunday. He really needed to step up and didn’t. Hopefully Castillo does.
Jose Barrero has nothing left to prove in AAA. He’s hitting .309/.404/.553 and is hotter than a firecracker. He’s the best shortstop in the organization and it’s not close. His time has come. Farmer can move to third base and Geno can become a power bat off the bench.
I know it’s tough to mess with somebody as hot as Farmer is, but, Barrero is beating the door down.
Agree about Farmer, but his strength is as a super utility guy.
He can still start once/twice a week at SS and take several starts/week at 3rd (at least until Moose/Senzel returns).
I’m ready to see Barrero too.
Yes, the time has come. The Reds organization must make this move and break the news to Suarez that he’s a spot starter. Will they have the courage to do that? It’s the right thing for the team, the organization and the fans.
I really like Stephenson, but Barnhart is a gold glover who is having a decent year at the bat. Barnhart will continue to be the main man this year. Next year will be soon enough for Stephenson.
I would love to have Barnheart back next year, getting two-ish starts per week. I hope Reds can work something out, maybe a $3 million one year deal.
They make a fantastic catching combo.
Agree. I think Catcher is a spot where you need two good catchers. Too much to ask to have Stephenson catch 120+ games a year. Don’t want to wear him out. Plus Barnhart is a great defensive catcher, manages the staff well and he’s hit pretty good this year (tailing off lately).
Not sure Barnhart would go $3M for 1 year. He is at that age where catchers who have caught a lot sometimes start breaking down. He probably wants more term than a single year. Maybe 2 years guaranteed at $5-6M total in the market.
If the Reds want to extend him before he hits the market, I think it will take the option buyout on 2022 ($550K) and as much money over term (3 years?) as he would have made in 2022 if they had not bought out the option. So let’s say 3yrs/8.5M. And I have my doubts the Reds would do that.
Great article but a little too much would for me…..
Interesting lineup for this afternoon. Farmer in No. 3 spot. Geno bumped down to No. 6:
1. J India (R) 2B
2. J Winker (L) LF
3. K Farmer (R) SS
4. J Votto (L) 1B
5. T Naquin (L) RF
6. E Suárez (R) 3B
7. T Barnhart (L) C
8. S Akiyama (L) CF
9. L Castillo (R) P
Very interesting, indeed.
Lefty heavy lineup, so breaking up the handedness may help later in the game when relievers come in. If Stephenson was playing he’d probably bat 3rd, but Barnhart getting the start for the day game following the night game. Farmer has been on a tear recently, has brought his overall offense up to acceptable levels for a SS. Between he and Suarez he’s probably the better pick to move up.
Couldn’t agree more!
Why is the 8 hole hitter batting 3rd?
My guess: He has been extremely hot as of late (In July: .379 BA / .453 OBP / 1.120 OPS). Beyond that, with Stephenson out since he caught last night, who else would you slot No. 3? Certainly not Suarez. Naquin? I don’t think so. Let’s see what happens…
Because Castellanos is out injured, and Stephenson is sitting due to the quick turnaround after catching last night. Farmer has been the hottest RH hitting bat, so he draws the 3 spot. It is analogous to the flyer Bell took of putting Aquino 3rd on Monday night because he had abused Hendricks in the past. One way or another that worked for the lineup as a whole until the pen coughed up the lead they had built.
Postive reinforcement ?
Lol, relax it’s just a joke. Honestly I’m happy for Farmer, he’s having a great run. If your question was real, Votto in the 3 hole, and Barnhart in the 4. Suarez is my 8 hole, the other 3 i would see as interchangeable 5, 6, or 7
Lineups don’t matter if the best players play.Needs to happen more with less then 60 games to play.
Have to give special praise to Votto’s first home run…he went down and somehow looked like he twisted his bat to launch that ball for a no doubter to left field…that was even more than a classic Joey Votto opposite field HR, because it was more than a fly ball falling a few rows deep…a no doubter (P.S. he dropped his bat, too!)
Reds make another — very minor — trade with Rockies: Ashton Goudeau (who had been DFA’d recently) to the Rockies for cash.
… but the Blue Jays get Brand Hand 🙁
All of MLB seems to believe Goudeau can’t miss but everywhere he lands, he never gets over the hump.
Cubs lineup today has no Bryant and no Rizzo. Foreshadowing? Or just a day of rest?
My guess is Bryant to Mets and Rizzo to Red Sox.
Not many chances to face a Cubs team where their best hitter is Baez and a cast of other guys. This becomes a must-win.