The Cincinnati Reds offense never got going on Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs in a 2-1 game where Cincinnati managed just five hits on the night against Kyle Hendricks and three relievers.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs (53-69) |
2 | 11 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (65-56) |
1 | 5 | 0 |
| W: Hendricks (14-5) L: Gutierrez (8-4) SV: Heuer (1) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
The Cincinnati Reds didn’t have a hit until the 5th inning when Tyler Naquin singled into center. They wouldn’t get on the scoreboard until the 6th inning when Nick Castellanos connected with an 89 MPH fastball from Kyle Hendricks and put it into the seats in right field for a solo homer to cut the Cubs lead in half, 2-1.
Cincinnati got the offense going again in the 7th. Kyle Farmer and Tyler Naquin led off the inning with singles before Shogo Akiyama struck out. Tucker Barnhart came to the plate but was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the top of the lineup. Rookie of the Year front runner Johnathan India struck out, setting up a situation for the Cubs to bring on lefty reliever Adam Morgan to face Joey Votto with two on and two out. It was Morgan that came out the winner as Votto grounded out up the middle to end the inning.
Trailing 2-1 the Reds began the 8th inning with the 3-4-5 of the order due up. Nick Castellanos got into one, but it went for a line out to the center fielder. Tyler Stephenson struck out and Mike Moustakas popped out for a very quick inning that sent the game into the 9th with the Cubs still up by a run.
After Tony Santillan shut the Cubs down in the top of the 9th the Reds still needed at least a run to tie things up. Kyle Farmer struck out to start the inning. Tyler Naquin grounded out to shortstop. That left things up to Shogo Akiyama to keep the game alive. He didn’t, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort as he hit the ball hard, but just like Castellanos in the previous inning he lined out to center.
The Pitching
Vladimir Gutierrez worked around a single in the 1st inning and two singles in the 2nd inning. But the Cubs came through with the big hit they had been looking for in the 3rd when Frank Schwindel followed a walk with an RBI double to put Chicago up 1-0. The Cubs padded their lead in the 6th when Ian Happ led off with a solo homer to right. A 1-out double in the 7th by Matt Duffy ended the night for Gutierrez as Cincinnati turned things over to Justin Wilson. He got out of the inning with a fly out and a hard ground out on a nice play by Mike Moustakas at third base. Gutierrez finished with seven strikeouts and just one walk in 6.1 innings – lowering his ERA to 3.87 on the season.
Luis Cessa came out to begin the 8th inning. He gave up back-to-back singles, though Patrick Wisdom’s should have been caught by fell just out of the reach of a diving Kyle Farmer on a ball that should have been called by Shogo Akiyama coming in on the play but instead he pulled up. Cessa locked the inning down, though, getting a strikeout and a double play to strand both runners and send the game to the bottom of the 8th with the Reds trailing 2-1.
Tony Santillan, just called up prior to the game, entered the game in the 9th inning to try and hold the game at 2-1. In what has to be one of the weirdest sequences you’ll ever see, Santillan struck Austin Romine out on three pitches and immediately followed by walking his brother Andrew Romine on four pitches. Matt Duffy then flew out on the first pitch he saw. Santillan would then catch Andrew Romine trying to steal second base, stepping off of the mound and tossing to Jonathan India who made the tag to send the game to the bottom of the 9th.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday August 18, 12:35pm ET
Adrian Sampson (season debut) vs Tyler Mahle (10-3, 3.58 ERA)
Do the Reds understand there is not enough games left in the season to lose games like this to a team like the aaa Cubs
Theres actually plenty of games left that they can lose a game to the Cubs, but I guess I’m might be alone in that opinion, esp round these parts
Boy, I sure am glad you told them. They had no idea! I’m sure they will try harder to win from now on. Thanks.
I’ll personally disagree with “plenty” if only because we’re nearing 40 left and “plenty” is a difficult number to quantify.
That being said, losses like this will come. And they really do stink up the house. But it is still mid-August and not the end of civilization as we know it. It makes it harder when the Dirty Birds win because they are chasing us. It puts a little more challenge into catching the Bernies (that’s the best outcome as I see it). And we still have to overcome the West Coast mob, or at least the weakest of them.
But taking 2 of 3 from the Stupid Cubs and then 3 of 4 (or dare I say a sweep) of the Fishies this week is still a great homestand in August.
I had them at 5-2 this week in my projection to 90 wins for the Reds from the All Star break; but, was secretly hoping (vs believing) 6-1.
They can’t and won’t win every game, but yeah, this one was winnable.
A tough loss but in baseball you can’t win or lose them all. We need to bounce back and win tomorrow. Wish Heath Hembree well but he should have been gone 10 days ago. We need to win daily for the next 10 games and then see where we stand. Good starters and great offense make for a strong finish. Hang together and get it done.
Could we trade Shogo back to Japan? His not a major league regular as far as hitting goes. Great fielder but still not a good as Billy Hamilton. I loved to see him play center and run the bases. He was not a hitter though which was the problem. Senzel back to center when he’s ready physically???
India and winker cant win every game
Winker sorely missed
Moose and shogo didnt hit and havent all year
India and votto
Castellanos came through
The team has too many offensive holes in the lineup after India, Winker, Castellanous, Votto and Stepehenson when he plays. Farmer has been ok since the break. That’s 4 solid hitters and maybe 1-2 more on any given day. The pitcher’s slot is a zero which is why I prefer the DH. So that is 4-5 weak hitters in the lineup on any given day. If those top 4-5 don’t get it done then it usually doesn’t get done. You can’t be successful if 3B (a corner offensive production position) is a zero and worse still you take no steps to rectify it when there are better options in the minors and with Farmer..
@Alan, the team has offensive holes in the lineup by choice. There are better offensive options, Barrero, Senzel, Lopez, et al, that they refuse to play over Suarez/Moose/Akiyama/Aquino.
It is disheartening that in a playoff race, the club refuses to write its best lineup on the card every night.
Winning is not the priority, as sad as that statement is.
That is exactly what I was referring too. You are 100% correct. Those holes are fixable. Barreo to SS and Farmer, Lopez or Schrock to 3B. Suarez and Moose would be behind all 3 3B choices listed for me. Bottom line is you put your best team on the field and try to win. Find a way to IL one or both of Suarez and Moose to free up roster space. Where there is a will there is a way. There is no will.
Sad that we have to talk about such things, and that the club doesn’t value winning enough to do just that.
I’m sure they are trying to get one of Moose/Suarez somewhat going so they can attempt to off load one of those contracts this winter without eating all the benjamins, just some of them. It’s all about money, not winning.
It isn’t known whether or not Senzel et al are better options. I note that Barrero starts today, so we may know more in the fullness of time. Senzel has been hurt, so starting him would have been a bad idea. Lopez had a five hit game, yes, and didn’t replicate that feat. He’ll probably get more chances. They may not care about winning, but they are.
“ It’s all about money, not winning.”
What’s wrong with winning so the fans come and then you can make money?
What’s wrong is that the owners make lots of money independent of the fans.
“Why the Cincinnati Reds don’t live their fans back”
https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/why-cincinnati-reds-dont-love-their-fans-back/
Hope we see Barrero tomorrow. Not sure what to do about the 3rd base situation, but I’m not sure Moustakas is really game ready. So, don’t know how much he gives you over Suarez anyway.
Good news is that the Cards and Pads are both losing. I don’t see the Reds catching the Brewers so rooting for them over the Cards.
Moose has to sit. Play Barerro at short and Farmer or Suarez at 3rd. If Farmer sits, it gives him a day off and Suarez is probably a better defender paired with Barerro. If Suarez sits, Farmer gives you a better hitter. But either way, Moose has to sit.
*Barrero
1 run ball game and you don’t bring up a guy that can actually hit a HR in what turned out to be the final at bat?
agree, why not Suarez, coulda hit his weekly home run…
Shogo Akiyama is not that guy.
Complete agreement. Is Bell that stubborn? Stupid? Why not go with Barrero at that point. Give the kid a chance.
Hindsight being 20/20, I’d have liked to have seen Aquino come in and have the opportunity to extend the game.
I would have picked AA over Suarez. 175 chances out of 1000 Suarez hits a HR and 825 chances he strikes out. Put another way 17.5% he hits a Hr or 82.5% he strikes out. AA not a whole lot better but at least better.
Wow…now everyone wants Suarez to bat…if he struck out, everyone would say “What was Bell thinking? ” What about this, Akiyama has been getting on base (hit a rope as it was), PH up next, Suarez HR, game over…maybe.
The Reds need to do something. They are only three games above .500 since the all-star break.
Surely Bell can’t sit Barrero for the day game tomorrow after this offensive performance. Surely not right? 🙁
Bell’s solution will be to get Suarez back in the line-up.
Tough loss… get the series tomorrow and then sweep the fist. We have already gained a game on the Padres this week.
Go get em tomorrow. Next game up.
Bell allowing Shogo to bat with 2 out in the 9th was one of the worst managerial moves I have ever seen. He had 3 options on the bench who might run into one and he stayed with a guy who has never hit a home run and is also a poor all around hitter. What was he hoping for?
9th. inning, 2 outs, Reds need one run to tie the game and the manager lets light-hitting, to say the least, Akiyama hit when Aquino was available. Baffling.
Suarez has 23 home runs. It’s the one thing he does do well.At GABP and down a run and down to your last out bottom of 9 and no one on base? I’d pinch hit the guy who is MLB leader home runs since 2019 for the guy who has never hit one in his career.
Watched a bit of the beginning so I didnt watch the ninth, but I’d have had Aquino starting over Shogo at the start of the game. Not sure the handedness of the pitcher, but if there was no runners on I dont see it as that crazy of a non-move. You need a baserunner there and thats supposedly Shogo’s only strength. Thats not to say AA isn’t bad at getting on base, but I covered that a couple sentences ago either way.
Since 2019, Pete Alonso leads MLB in home runs with 95. Suarez is 2nd
Home runs since start of 2019 MLB season.
Suarez 87
Aquino 29
Shogo 0.
Bell left 116 home runs sitting on the bench in the 9th inning.
The irony of people criticizing Bell for not having Suarez bat is so delightful that I’ll feed off it all day. The Reds miss Winker, and they ran into a very good pitcher. It happens.
A managers job is to put players in roles and situations that help the team win.
Suarez as a power bat off the bench late in the game is a good role for him right now.
Shogo with his career OPS of .609, ISO of 0.50 and wRC +of 71is not the guy for the situation of trailing by a run bottom 9 th and 2 outs.
coming into the game Shogo has shown the hot hand and was .333/.481/.381 for August on the heels of 4 for 12 (.333 also) over his last 4 games in July … lefty vs a righty, contact swinger and not prone to wild overswing and obviously can take a pitch (as evidenced by the OBP) … Shogo had as good a chance to extend the game there for a HR swinger to take a winning shot as anyone … What Bell needed was a baserunner and then the HR hitter could take his shot for the win … surely can’t see how that was “one of the worst managerial moves ever seen”?
I understand your point, but being down to their last out, the correct strategy was to try and tie the game with one swing, something Akiyama is 0 for the season (and his career) on doing.
Both Farmer and Naquin can hit a HR, so leaving them in makes some sense, but Akiyama? Again hitting a HR is something Akiyama has not done.
Of the 3 hitters in the 9th, you have to pinch hit for Akiyama given you had Aquino on the bench. Akiyama and Aquino’s batting average against right-handers are nearly identical. However, Aquino has 8 HRS in 111 ABs (7.2% HR rate), 4 of them coming off right-handers and 5 have been solo shots.
I know Bell wants to show confidence in Akiyama and I believe that’s the primary reason he left him in. If that’s the case, he needs to quit thinking about a player’s confidence and make the move that makes the most sense. Go for the HR.
The possibility of a homerun has it’s place. Down one run with 2 outs in the 9th. inning, that’s what you need to tie the game and then go from there.
Well yeah, a HR would be awesome, but the surer way to score is a single and a double IMO. Especially if its Shogo running as he has some of the best speed on the team.
I personally think you just go for baserunners there instead of the HR, thats a debatable opinion of course.
A single and a double is not a “surer” way to score. A HR will get you a score every single time. Not every double with a guy on first nets you run. Plus it takes two hits opposed to one.
The “human error” portion of the game is really starting to frustrate the hell out of me. Obvious strike 3 call missed by the umpire, and sure enough, a home run on the next pitch.
Allowing Shogo to hit away w 2 on and no out was a close second
Hoping for lightning to strike 😉
Correct. You should try you best to manage such that you won’t be in that situation to start with.
Sorry all. I was at the game and I must be bad luck. Moose has no energy in his swing. Votto was determined to hit something with bases loaded and took the bait on a ground ball pitch. Shogo hit the last one with an EV of 105 but couldn’t find a hole. He made a beautiful catch. Rough night.
Recovery from plantar fasciitis is all about not putting weight on the foot and not overstressing it and letting it heal … which means anything you can do to keep up your core strength and balance goes out the window … probably elite weight bearing on practice swings is out too, so muscle memory fades or is altered by weak and altered swinging
I can attest to this.
Moustakas is not going to help this season. He may be finished as an effective player.
On Saturday, I said that I would like the cubs win one game to Miami at least so they don’t come to GABP with 11 losses in a row because it was very unlikely they were gonna lose 3 more …it’s just statistical…
The Reds technically can’t afford Shogo in play … Tonight he has 2 clutch ABs but he made nothing …They should call Senzel up ASAP and to resolve about Shogo I don’t know how but there’s no much time remaining… Moose is failing repeatedly in high leverage situations as well… Bell could start a game with Barrero in SS and Farmer in 3B … The next game is very important for the Reds to look for a victory is almost mandatory.
Senzel against AAA pitching is hitting .257. He has 13 strikeouts in 39 at bats. He would be on pace for 166 strikeouts. Pat Kelly says he’s still favoring the surgical knee. For a speed player you’d count on to back up multiple positions none of that sounds ideal. Barrero at least gives you healthy, speed and elite defensive ability to play SS and likely 2nd & 3rd at higher proficiency than Senzel already
I don’t know where you are getting your numbers from but they are very incorrect. Senzel is hitting .286/.316/.429 in 10 games with Louisville since beginning his rehab assignment and has 2 strikeouts in 39 at-bats.
Some guy over on the Q comments section … i didn’t look them up. I’ll have to take it up with him later. somehow he got the 38 ABs right?
39 lol
Thank you Doug Gray for the info on Senzel. Why do you think he is not up with the Reds?
So if he did take this 72 hours to report option … and i assume he did, since Jim said he didn’t play tonight in addition to Sunday, was that a formal process with application/paperwork and would it have had to be rescinded for him to have been called up?
Well above my pay grade.
eehhh, thats kinda the gamblers fallacy. In a vacuum, I think their chances to win are the same everyday, the players/pitchers playing are the main factor not their previous results.
Wasting a good Pitching Night Hurt.
hurt more then Most other games for me.
Go Reds.
Yes, this lose did hurt. Decent pitching from Vlad, and bases loaded in the seventh with less than two outs. Not able to tie it with a run.
There is a movie where one actor tells another, “You and I are Not on the same page!” Same here. Reds Owner, GM, and Manager think Shogo is the answer…even though he cannot hit, and Aquino is not the full time answer. Why not DFA Doolittle or Hembree…they probably are not going to be with the team next year or should not be with the team next year! Bring up Senzel, look at the numbers he put up recently at AAA. Tyler N nor Shog A can’t hit left handed pitching. It seems like the Reds don’t want to work with or deal with Senzel anymore…his days as a Red appear to be over.
They did DFA Hembree today and brought up Santillan.
As somebody above pointed out, Shogo has been hitting well for a while now.
If the Padres can start Tatis in RF and the Dodgers can start Betts at 2B, I’m sure the Reds can get creative with some of their lineups. Stephenson surely can play a corner outfield spot for a few games til Winker comes back.
India 2B
Barrero SS
Castellanos RF
Votto 1B
Stephenson LF
Naquin CF
Farmer 3B
Barnhart C
P
I mean it lacks lefties a bit, but that’s how it’s gonna be until Winker comes back. Moose and Suarez are just awful to watch at the plate. I think this would be the current peak lineup if Bell would just get over himself.
Bell NEVER maximizes his lineups , NEVER ! He’s incapable because of his little league participation rule .
Can’t manage squat ! Reds win in spite of him !
Maybe the problem is that he’s managing people, not names and numbers in a box score.
Wow…really?
Id rather Farmer in LF and Suarez at 3B if you’re talking about maximizing that lineup. Youre throwing a guy with no minor league experience in LF (I do think he’d be capable, but he needs to work on it in addition to him continuing his work as a C) and as much as everyone wants Suarez gone he’s still one of if not the best option defensively at 3B. I think I value defense more than most round here, so take that as you will. I agree I’d like to see Barrero more, which time will tell.
Kris Bryant and Tatis didn’t have any outfield experience
prior to doing it in the majors if I remember correctly. Might be a little different because he’s a catcher? But not really, he’s still a athlete. I don’t think it’d hurt anything and I also don’t think there would be much drop off if any defensively between Farmer at 3rd over Suarez.
lol, stephenson is not the athlete Tatis is. And Bryants played in the OF prioe
I would switch Farmer and Stevenson – but an idea I like. Either that or start playing Lorenzen in the outfield more (LOL) – we need his healthy pitching arm more.
Need the Diamondbacks to hold onto this 3-1 lead. At least the Cardinals and Padres both lost. Makes our loss not the end of the world, BUT we could have gained a game on everyone so.. that sucks. Need to start putting the best team on the field before it’s to late.
L- C Barnhart
R- 3B Saurez
R- SS Barrero
R- OF Aquino
That’s your bench tonight. Nobody’s gonna complain playing Stephenson even against a righty. Righties Barrero being a rookie and Aquino being a free swinging dead fastball hitter don’t really inspire me to choose them to start against this particular pitcher. Geno might have in hindsight now everybody is seeing might have been the better choice at 3B … but you’ve have been screaming bloody murder before the game or right now if he didn’t get a hit … but that’s your bench. We’ll assume Bell’s not the final word on making the personnel calls, so who do you play instead of who he did tonight and why? You want Farmer to sit and no way is the owner going to allow playing Farmer over $2o million of available third basemen, just not gonna happen
$29million i mean
Just want to say right now there is no way we are catching up to the Brewers They are getting all their Covid players back and unless some major injuries hit I just don’t see us catching up.
Our only shot is the wild card. Just saying it now… Lets all get real here.
If the Cardinals will just cooperate the next 2 nights the Reds can make it 6.5 back and stay in the hunt, if for no other reason than to keep the Reds sharp & focused winning forward chasing, rather than playing not to lose the rest of the way. Cards will play them 12 more times and the Brewers will win at least 3 of those under the best of circumstances
Like all Reds fans, we just want the best effort to win. Then to the playoffs whatever way is possible.
Hey, the Reds can’t win them all…especially when the pitcher is now the MLB leader in wins…one of the few that escaped the purge. The big picture is that the remaining schedule, continued “replenishment” for the Reds, and the cultivated “never give up” offensive capability makes it odds on that a wild card berth is achieved. Whether a decent campaign for the NL Central is waged should point the way to the near term future of this franchise. The younger players are there for minimal outlay and the financial losses to be taken are not that bad in comparison going forward. This is David Bell’s time to shine (or not) in the next 6 -8 weeks but I will enjoy what is the best Red’s team in the last 8-10 years.
This team does look like they’re gonna make it close. They have flaws of course, as they have all year, so I can see them falling short. That said, we are nowhere near that point yet. Even if they pass the Padres they have to keep the spot down the stretch. Gonna be a wild finish, Im looking forward to it.
Odd game between these teams with good pitching performances from both sides. The left/right approach is not a sure thing, sometimes you have to take risks, leaving Aquino in the bench in the bottom of the 9th just didn’t make sense. Time to move forward with some line-up & roster moves: switch Farmer to 3B and free Barrero at SS, bring up Senzel and DFA Doolittle.
Big mistake not having Shogo bunt in seventh. But I agree with others Moose is not anywhere close to being the player he once was . Place him on IL and bring up Senzel or Shrenk.
DFA Doolittle also and bring up either Lodolo or Greene to be the long pitcher out of the bull pen
Then Garrett is dropped when Antone is ready. Then you have done as much as possible . The rest is up to the team.
It is strange that Shogo has no bunting in his game, but then again he hit 20 Hrs in Japan. Wouldn’t have mattered last night with Tucker’s hbp.
Nobody wins them all, but can’t have too many of those. Milw beat the Cubs/Pirates 10-2 every night almost.
Hey hey hey. You’re forgetting about that 14-4 romping the Pirates put on the Brewers the other day. Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Thats true. Overall they beat them both senseless though. That one Arrieta start in Milw I took the Over. Cubs got 7 in the top of the 1st and got beat 15-7)))
Brewers are.. 27-8 vs the Cubs/Pirates and the Reds are currently.. 19-6. So technically we could still outdo them. Would be nice to see.
IMO Bell was playing an old Dusty (Baker) angle at the end. He hoped Akiyama could reach so he could send up one of his big guns as the potential winning run.
There is not a lot of difference between Akiyama’s and Aquino’s OBP versus a RH pitcher. So, maybe it wasn’t such a crazy idea.
There’s one out to go. Why take a chance with Shogo? Aquino is a homerun threat, Akiyama isn’t.
I wasn’t watching and don’t know if the Cubs had a lefthander in the pen. If they did Bell may have been baiting Ross by sending up Akiyama. If so, Ross did not take the bait since Akiyama actually has reverse handedness splits this year. His OBP vs LH pitching is almost 18% higher. And of course, Aquino’s is also much higher vs LH pitching.
Possibly what Jim said. Possibly because Akiyama has been getting on base lately. Possibly because Aquino does run into a pitch from time to time, but not often. I do know that, had Bell used Aquino in that situation, and the likely result had occurred, we would have been all over Bell like turkeys on a junebug.
Never assume, but the NL looks like its coming into focus.
Braves are on a roll…..maybe Sims put his old team on a roll? Philly didn’t impress me at all. I think the Braves will put them away. LA might catch SF, but SD is not going to get there. USA Today had Milw #2 overall and best in the NL about 2 weeks ago. They might be right.
Bottom line I think our Reds roll past SD. I don’t think Philly or St. Louis pose much of a threat for the wildcard with the Reds schedule. The Reds pen is now a strength with Antone coming back. I think Bell will have a week to overthink this wildcard game)) Of course thats assuming Wink comes back close to 100%
The need to accept Moose is a lost cause (for 2021) and get Schrock or Lopez back up for that roster spot. Either guy could make a crucial difference over a short interval filling at LF while Winker is out or at 3B.
Bell needs to realize you are down to 41 games, it is no longer a 162 game marathon, every game is huge and he must manage that way, not worrying about feelings. Play your best available players period, and right now Moose is not on that list regardless of who’s pitching.
Tough loss. Seems like the Reds made a lot of hard hit outs. The biggest opportunity missed was with base loaded and 1 out and India striking out. From the feed I was tracking, the ball Joey hit up the middle had an exit velocity of 101, just where the SS could get to it. Hard lucky some nights.
Vlad put up another strong start. Wilson came in and did a great job getting out of 7th. He’s been a real nice addition to the Reds. Must have needed a change of scenery. Nice to see Santillan back up with the Reds.
Tough to take the loss when your pitching only gives up 2 runs, but there will be nights like this. Get em tomorrow.
A tough loss indeed. With Sept. not too far away, ‘Get it done time’ has arrived for the Reds.
Moose batting 4th today. Enough said.
Shades of Walt Jocketty, “We got Jack, excuse me, Moose for that”
I think it’s interesting that Santillan went from not good enough to be in the Reds’ bullpen to pitching the 8th in a one run game in 24 hours. Glad he’s back up, but if he’s trusted in that situation….well where the heck has he been? Confirms what’s been thought by many regarding roster management.
I hope Moose starts to hit , but he really looks out of shape he needs to be on the IL. Having him bat 4th doesn’t seem to make sense. I hope he proves us all wrong the team needs this win.
Another day straight no Suarez mike is playing today again. Ss position is be played by barrero today. I hope he does well for whole game
Perhaps I overlooked something but it seems we are all dwelling on the negatives about this game…the upside is that we can’t pin this one on the bullpen!!! How about that for a change? (the down side is that we did lose to what was essentially a AAA team with a really good MLB pitcher.)
Wow…now everyone wants Suarez to bat…if he struck out, everyone would say “What was Bell thinking? ” What about this, Akiyama has been getting on base (hit a rope as it was), PH up next, Suarez HR, game over…maybe.
Ooops…didn’t mean to repeat this comment…see earlier thread.
I hesitate to talk about lineups because it is what it is.Bell is told to play Suarez and thats not going to change much.He is going to use his entire roster and thats not going to change either.Other things factor in such as days off injuries etc etc so we will rarely see our best players on the field at the same time.So far the Reds have had several guys do better then expected and great rookie years from India and Ty Steve and an amazing year from Joey,Wink and Casty but until we see our best every day or at least 9 out of 10 games we will not take the next step.Won’t happen this year and may not happen next year unless Bob eats some of these big contracts of non performing players.Still the best year we have had in a long long time.