The Cincinnati Reds go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Marlins after they have taken the first two games of the series. First pitch is set for 1:10pm.
Starting Lineups
Miami Marlins
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Miguel Rojas – SS | Tyler Naquin – LF |
| Jazz Chisholm – 2B | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Jesús Aguilar – 1B | Nick Castellanos – RF |
| Jesús Sánchez – RF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Lewis Brinson – CF | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Isan Díaz – 3B | Mike Moustakas – 3B |
| Sandy León – C | Jose Barrero – 2B |
| Bryan De La Cruz – LF | Shogo Akiyama – CF |
| Sandy Alcantara – SP | Vladimir Gutierrez – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Vladimir Gutierrez
Since a poor start on July 19th where he allowed six runs in 4.0 innings, Vladimir Gutierrez has dominated over the last month. In his five starts he’s posted a 1.99 ERA in 31.2 innings with nine walks and 28 strikeouts.
There are some splits for Gutierrez. Righties are hitting .279/.344/.459 against him. Lefties have hit .222/.308/.438 against him. Lefties walk more and hit for more power, but they don’t get nearly as many hits. He also pitches much worse at home than he does on the road. In Cincinnati his ERA is 5.35 while it’s just 2.92 on the road. The OPS splits for home/road are also extreme – it’s .962 at home and just .645 on the road.
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.2 | 77.3 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Usage | 47% | 19% | 23% | 11% |
Sandy Alcantara
The former All-Star (2019) is having the best season of his career, posting a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts. He’s walked 44 and struck out 135 in 151.1 innings pitched while giving up just 128 hits. Alcantara is among the top ground ball rate pitchers in the league.
The lefty/right splits aren’t much different for Alcantara. Righties are hitting .228/.287/.343 against him. Lefties are hitting .223/.291/.378 against him. But the home and road splits are significant. On the road he has a 4.40 ERA (2.43 at home) and hitters have a .259/.331/.429 line against him (.193/.245/.291 at home).
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 97.9 | 97.5 | 90.3 | 91.7 | 83.8 |
| Usage | 20% | 29% | 22% | 25% | 4% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv,
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 86°, sunny, 2% chance of rain
News and Notes
John Sadak breaks his elbows
Hello, my friends! So, I had an accident running yesterday & suffered breaks in my elbows. Thank goodness, Dr. Kremchek has taken great care of me & I plan to return Tuesday. Thank you for your kindness & to Jim Day/our awesome crew for being fabulous friends/teammates. #GoReds
— John Sadak (@johnsadak) August 21, 2021
Off day for Jonathan India
With Monday being an off day it’s going to be two days in a row for Jonathan India getting some much needed rest.
NL Central Standings
Playoff odds via Fangraphs
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff % |
| Brewers | 75 | 49 | 0 | 99.3% |
| Reds | 68 | 57 | 7.5 | 56.5% |
| Cardinals | 62 | 60 | 12.0 | 3.7% |
| Cubs | 54 | 71 | 21.5 | 0.0% |
| Pirates | 44 | 79 | 30.5 | 0.0% |
So, breaking both of your elbows sounds pretty horrible. Sorry to hear that.
Team really needs a good performance from The Impaler today. The Fish starter is a legit ace. Reds could use some crooked numbers early in the game, and a solid 7 from Gutierrez. Getting a sweep and keeping momentum, while keeping pressure on SD before heading to Beer town would be really nice.
I was going to say the same about the Marlin’s starter. He is a good one.
Barrero in
Day off for India
No Aquino (great news here)
Let’s hope for the sweep today. Marlins look like they are running out a good pitcher today so we should not assume anything. Series win is there but a sweep would be sweet!
I’m here today just to make sure they/we win. 🙂
The home/road split on Gutierrez is a small-sample-size issue. He had a cruddy outing against the Padres at home in June, and another against the Mets on July 10, but he has been fine over the past 6 weeks at home. He only has 6 home starts total.
Moustakas is 1-32 with 12 strikeouts. Looks like a relief pitcher at the plate. But they only owe him $38 million more after this season.
Pitchers will just keep pounding Moose hard up and in on the hands. Over/under on infield pop-ups is 2.5
gotta get the win. Phillies failed us last night. Got to keep going
Squish the Fish Part IV coming up
Let’s make it happen, guys
No hoy aquí-no
When Castellanos got injured Farmer had a breakout and hit as slugger while Castellanos returned… After that, Winker is injured but Naquin got on fire mitigating the absence… Today India is idle so we need Barrero becomes a star…
I think it’s kind of ridiculous that our best SS is playing 2B but oh well. 🙂
I can neither confirm nor deny that I also think it’s more than a little bit of insanity on the part of DTB.
He just made a basket catch while running away from the infield. Could Farmer have done that? I’m listening on radio so have no sense of how easy or hard the play was.
I think Farmer could have made the catch.
Hard throw to even moderate power does stuff like that. Nice way to work the count and get the cement mixer.
Naquin? Omg? Guy is insane right now! All started with 3-4 bloops pushed the other way and he just picked up confidence in a hurry!
Naquin had a 1.183 OPS in August BEFORE that homer.
Farmer in July, Naquin in August. Who will be the next guy to step up in September that isnt the big 4( Castellanos, Votto,Winker,India).
Tyler Naquin getting started early
Votto and Farmer both first pitch hitting.
You don’t see that too often. If it works, fine.
If not, you’re extending the possible innings that the pitcher will work. I’d rather see Alcantara out sooner rather than later.
Vlad making it look easy today. Mostly strikes (thanks Jim Day for jinxing it) and pretty efficient. Marlins would like to just get out of town.
noone ever is the number of people that have started a game not throwing a ball ever. Not blaming JD for that jinx
Moose and Suarez just keep swinging at balls.
C’mon, JB. You can’t blame Sir Strandsalot for that one … 🙂
They are like the same person. I think Moose should bat righthanded and Suarez lefthand. They might have better luck.
MousStrandus K’s … imagine that. He still doesn’t look right.
Larkin is calling it out in more polite terms.
Moose 1 for last 33. Hard to believe anybody could be as bad as Moose/Geno? Seems like they could return Moose to IL and check him out. Open up more playing time for Barrero and maybe Schrock
You spelled Lopez a bit weird there. 😉
Lopez? RLN gets a flavor of the week and they WEAR IT OUT)))) Hope the kid does great, but he’s Jose Peraza II
As much as I think you’re wrong and Lopez could be a solid .300 hitter, I’d take Peraza at 3rd this year anyway.
I just like Schrock. He’s got surprising power for a little guy. Actually Lopez has it over Peraza. Switch-hitter and he’ll take a walk unlike Peraza. Time will tell.
Difficult to say he is Peraza when he hasn’t even been given a chance. He has hit wherever he has been. I saw him earlier in the season in Montgomery and I was impressed with his bat. He isn’t going to supply much power but he usually makes contact. We need some of that at 3B and LF right now.
IRM so after what 20 at bats you figured that Lopez is Peraza but after about 350 at bats you tell us we need to give Aquino time.
I’d take 181 hits like Peraza had from anyone.
Well Lopez is 5’7 and 150 or whatever. Better chance to play Tattoo in the remake of Fantasy Island then to be another Altuve.
Peraza 181 hits that first year til they figured out they needed to move the RF up 15 feet. Then .210 forever after
Schrock 2 doubles, 3 hrs this week
Lopez 0 extra basehits in last 2 weeks
When they know you have no punch then you can’t walk either because they don’t fear a bloop over the infield
Yes I’d take Lopez at 3B too. Or George Lopez or Billy Crystal. Barry Larkin to unretire or Sean Casey. Somehow Moose made me wish for more Geno too
Schrock 2-4 with double & hr both Friday and Saturday. Not playing today
Lodolo 1 ip, 3 Ks, nothing else
Antone 1 ip, 2 Ks, nothing else
I have this fear that in the wildcard game it will be 2 outs in the 9th and Reds are down by one with the bases loaded and Moose or Suarez will be up. The weak link will always show up at the wrong time.
Don’t go there JB … not yet at least
You have to classify what Moustakas is in as a slump. Hopefully he’ll come around soon. Suarez is in what his baseline has been for the past season and two-thirds, so that is who he is, at the moment.
I’d say you have to classify what we’re seeing from Moose is not healed from his last injury. His batting stance and approach say that to me at least. It’s breeding the “slump”.
1 for 33 and nothing really even hit hard. Thats more then a slump. He needs to go back on IL
It looks more like father time may have taken it’s toll on both to me. Whatever it is they have worn out their pass for being in the starting lineup for now.
Barrero! Yeah, we would not want a “raw rookie” to make defensive plays as the team fights to win a playoff spot.
Farmer, Barrero, India, Votto should be starting infield (left to right side).
Totally agree Doofus
Saurez 51 PA late/close games .283/.37o/.5oo
Bases loaded 15 AB .267/.294/.333
Cherry-pick much?
Direct response to the OP’s points, obtuse one
RoY India’s hair is in a bit of a man bun …
Awfully small crowd at GABP today
My wife noticed that. I’m actually thinking of taking a trip up there in September to catch a couple of games. Perhaps during the Pie-Rats for Formerly-ESPN-Washington-Harpers. I’ve got some Delta credits and hotel points, so tickets, food, and ground transport would be the only costs.
Would you call that the Delta variant?
Given how I got the credits, absolutely I would.
you would think that there would be more considering the Reds are in the midst of a Playoff race and the Bengals havent started the regular season yet.
Hunter Greene should watch alot of Alcantara videos. He throws 100-101, but he’s not trying to K everyone. He just pounds the zone and gets alot of weak swings and the Ks happen too.
Good point.
WOW! All that and he still almost got him at 1st. Good heads up quick choice there.
Why isn’t he at SS again? Asking for a friend …
If he threw it it to Farmer double play. Cost us a run. He’s a shortstop. Move Farmer to 3rd!
Maybe. Could be he’s “thinking like a SS” and acted on instinct with an oncoming runner. I’ve no doubt at the very least he and Farmer should be flipped for an India day off.
The only reason I can understand is that I read somewhere earlier that Farmer has a -7 on Defensive Runs Saved at shortstop, which I believe I read ranks seventh out of 36 qualifying shortstops. Very impressive. That being said, it seems apparent from the eye test that India and Barrero, provided that the latter hits in the big leagues, are going to be a pretty special double-play combo for hopefully many years.
Thinking the same thing. And the newly signed prospect SS still plays into the infield mix in a couple years (max, I hope).
I think 2022 sees Farmer at 2B, Barrero at SS, and India at 3B. Add Votto at 1B, and the catching tandem of Stephenson and Barnhart, that’s a pretty solid infield defense.
Barrero at 3B and he keeps that ball on the infield
Anybody other than Moose has a chance at that. Suarez might’ve gotten that one.
Well that was just unlucky.
That’s not easy catch by Barrero.
And he waved everybody else off.
Bells hands have to be tied by Bob or Krall.All can see this kid is ready to at least field the position and by moving Farmer to 3rd and Barrero at short we end up having our best lineup on the field.Beel knows this but unless he is free to do it he will not and well he works for Krall who works for Bob.
You have to believe that is the case with the push to achieve Game #163 and still outside shot at the NLC title.
So who is following the Scoreboard messaging drama between Tom and Caitlyn?
Something for everyone. . .from what I can tell, the “strength of schedule remaining”, the Reds have a better change of making the playoffs over the Padres.
Also, odds are that we won’t “win the division”. But, the Brewers do have a harder SOS remaining than we do.
We have one of the easiest SOS remaining in the league. My only hope. . .we don’t let up because of this. We have one of the easiest SOS remaining? Fine, then come out of it with one of the best winning percentages during this time.
Nice points, Steve. Fangraphs still favors the Trolley Dodgers to win the NLW. That means the GIants have to drop and, if they do, we might be able to overtake them and bring Game #163 to GABP. So winning is very important on multiple fronts. The best scenario would be to leverage that weaker schedule into edging out the Bernies and hosting the first series.
the Reds have 6 w/ Cards chasing WC2 (w/ Castillo, Gray and Miley scheduled as it now stands), whereas the Brewers still have 1o remaining. Brewers will see the Dodgers 6 more times, the Reds 3. Brewers will enjoy 4 w/ the Giants and 3 more with Phillies, probably the closest WC2 pursuers by that point. Winning the next 4 would assure the Reds of being at most 4.5 back of the Brewers and with a firm focus on actively pursuing NLC1 rather than holding off pursuers of WC2, a worthy attribute in its own right
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/MIL/milwaukee-brewers/schedule/regular/
so 1 of those down, 3 to go and then a revisit with these Marlins for 3 more
MOOOOOOOOOSE.
Well that helps Moose. More of that would be nice.
Proof that even an injured Moose finds his swing every now and then.
Nice shot, Mr. Moose!
I hope he doesnt lose it again and keeps on hitting. The Reds need something from 3rd.
Moose may have just broke loose.Reds up 2-1.
THAT’S one way of ending a slump (we’ll ignore the obvious Suarez record)!
Let’s chase Alcantara here.
The streak is over!! Woo hoo!!
Hopefully followed by a more positive streak …
Mooses second strike on swinging looked good…. the homerun was even better
Don’t slap at it Vlad!
Three pitch K of Barrero followed by a 5 pitch BB of Akiyama.
A little wobbling by Alcantara
Catch a little magic here, Tyler
Nope. Not this time.
Alcantara averages 98 and hangs 2 breaking balls for 2 HRs. Hanging breaker inside to a guy on a 1-33 skid? Thats just beating yourself, but we’ll take it
Add that little ditty to our growing cadre of double-plays.
Nice work, Vlad. Erased that lucky flare single to Rojas in fine fashion.
I have to say, that Vladimir Gutierrez has been one of the more pleasant surprises this season. He looks like he could be a perfectly serviceable #4 or #5 type starter in The Next Great Reds Rotation, with Mahle as the #3. Now we just have to hope Lodolo, Greene, and Santillan can help to round it out.
I’d like to see them trade Gray and possibly Castillo for some outfield help, especially if Nick C. opts out this offseason. I feel the Reds’ rotation is in good hands for the next half a decade at least.
I’d say he has upside potential to the 2-3 slot in the rotation. He throws more strikes and is more efficient than Mr. Mahle (or at least the home version of him).
Vlad might have gotten ROY attention if not for his own teammates – India and Stephenson.
I still say the Reds will have 3 of the top 5 vote getters for the award.
I’d wager this inning is it for Alcantara no matter what happens here. No real reason for the Fishies to stress his arm or risk it at this point in their season. Playing for “pride” doesn’t mean jack for the future of this kid.
Anyone else enjoying Jim Day so much more than John Sadak?
(raises both hands and jumps up and down enthusiastically)
Day is much better.
I would really enjoy Larkin and the Cowboy do a game together.
Who would be the “straight guy” in that setup?
I really liked Day last year, but a lot of folks here really poo poo’d him.
I just find his vocal tone and cadence easier to listen to. Plus he doesn’t seem to babble like Sadak does (or like Thom used to).
I didnt like him last year but I do this year. I think maybe he was just a little raw then. He is more of a talker this year.
I think Jim Day babbling is a sad attempt to fill time.
I like the guy who broke his elbows running. He is always yapping. he reminds me of a cross between Al Michaels, Bob Costas and Howard Cosell. I will drift from the game doing other stuff, but his way of exclaiming what just happened will bring me back to the game.
I get a kick when he asks Lark or the Cowboy a probing question that provokes them, and they just ignore him.
Jim Day is like…the Barney Fife of the TV broadcast crew.
So Barrero is definitely NOT our 2B going forward. It’s not as easy a transition as some want to think. And I don’t believe he’s played any games there at this level, has he?
Farmer would’ve had that, lol.
I doubt any other manager, at any level, would look at Barrero and think, “I believe I will play my best defender at 2B.”
In fairness, this isn’t fantasy BB. Farmer has done all that the Reds could ever ask for. Why risk a clubhouse split for a short term gain?
Farmer has not been chopped liver from a fielding perspective.
Barrera should have made that play. He was brought up to play multiple positions down the stretch. He has to make that play. That not on the manager.
How is playing Barrero at SS a short term gain? If Farmer thinks he’s the SS going forward then both he and Bell are delusional. Barrero is the future. Farmer, despite his performance thus far, is a utility guy. And as SS, since OPS+ is 86, while the best of his career, is still well below average.
IIABDFI … if it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Beelicker, sometimes I think you’ve lived a very sheltered life
He just gets over his skis sometimes.
Dropped a NASTY hammer on him. Nice work through 7 innings.
Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers belts his 500th Home Run. Good start by Vlad. Now get some more crooked numbers
Remember when Miggy was a lean 3rd baseman?
After seeing this Geno was overheard saying he wants to be the 2nd Venezuelan to hit 500
He was actually overheard saying: “¡Quiero ser el primer venezolano en poncharme 3,000 veces!”
Seems like Gutierrez has just gotten better as the year goes along. He has become a very reliable pitcher. And today may be his best start of the season, just when we needed a solid starting performance.
+500
Just a little surprised to see Sandy back out there.
Bottom of the order closeout
Moustakas had a nice AB there, and was robbed.
Little bit … Debbie is NOT happy with that call
I following on Gameday. Has the ump been consistent with that call?
I dont think this ump has been bad . Hsvent really noticed anything before that strike on Moose.
So 4-6 outside is still a strike … good to know some things don’t change
Yeah. Hitting in modern MLB is already hard enough. Now the I LS are making it even harder. It’s well beyond time for automated strike zone. Keep the HP ump, but let him read it off a screen or whatever
Now the umps*
Exactly
Well that 23 pitch inning should be the curtain on Mr. Alcantara.
Can’t say I’ll miss him
Same. He’s looking like a great young talent. Wonder when the Fishies will shop him to another team.
With a team payroll of about $62MM, I think that SHOULD be able to afford him. Besides they need to win a WS before they sell off again.
Sims and whoever pitches the 9th…..just please don’t walk the leadoff man.
At least Sims worked more recently than 4 days or so ago. Hope he’s on a short leash here.
I said I’ve enjoyed watching the games more this weekend and got rejected by the post police?
Porque??
I said I’ve really enjoyed Jim Day. Sadak wears me out. I guess I’m old school but constant sabremetrics grinds.
I thought I responded to you on that thread as well. Sadak wears me also. Just seems like he tries to hard, as if he’s constantly “auditioning” to keep the job. And I don’t mind some metrics, but he just seems to babble on as I see it.
Sims flirting with walking batters. So much dancing around the strike zone by Reds bullpen. Throw to weak contact. Games will be shorter, fewer pitches, better health and more action
That 2-2 pitch to Anderson has been a strike all day. SMDH!!
Yep. Inconsistent zone once again
OK, glad Sims has that clean inning under his belt. We’ll need him to be sharp for the next several weeks.
A little add-on would be pretty sweet here.
Looks like Mikey biseps gets the 9th unless we score a bunch of runs in the bottom of the 8th
I’m good with that
Naquin again?!
Doing his best Da Wink impersonation
Tyler Naquin is on fire.
Looks like Naquin has stepped into the offensive void left by Winker to the IL
Great news for the team!
Is it just me or were there people posting here that we need to have a better option than Naquin to man one of our outfield spots?
People here have been complaining about Winker until this year. No patience with some people.
He had a .568 OPS in July and was pretty middling in May and June as well. Don’t pretend like that didn’t happen. Happy to ride the hot streaks, but I wouldn’t write him in as a starter for the next five years either.
He has 361 ab’s 16 hrs and 64 RBI’s. What he has been is timely. With our injuries he has been huge . Especially considering in the spring he was considered a 5 outfielder
yes all the time. i posted about this about 2 days ago. People really have no clue about talent, chanting aquino and shogo should be playing and naquin has options and should be sent down. i will say it again, dont know where this team would be without naquin in the outfield all year while senzel has been out and the other 2 not doing anything offensively all year. Naquin should be resigned for next year. One of the few thins this front office did right.
I don’t think they’re going to exercise an option on Naquin and send him down. Just a wild hunch. 🙂
When Naquin is hot, he’s truly remarkable. And boy, did he pick a good time to heat up.
Only question is – how long will it last? Hopefully, at least until Winker gets back.
Wow. Not sure what happened to Naquin between May and July but he is on fire now.
White hot
He reminds me of Jay Bruce – streaky left-handed power hitter. Bruce could carry the team when he got hot, and so can Mr Naquin.
Naquin = Baby Bruce.
Reds are going a little Bass fishing.
I see what you did there
+100 for the marginal pun
Would love a little Nick – Tyler – Nick action here. Already feeling more at ease about the 9th.
Actually a good call there. He was right on top of it and saw where it landed.
Time to make the Fishies pay for walking Joey there
Or not … Bring on Mikey Biceps!!
The Marlins want no part of Votto.
Healthy respect from Mattingly
And with good reason
Well, that ends Farmer’s hitting streak.
Naquin keeps on chuggin’.
Next man up
So as long as this holds up, it’s got to be Naquin for the Jim Day interview, doesn’t it?
4 pitches in … that’s 12 total in 1.2 innings going back to last night
Mikey pitching fat in the middle of the plate. Getting away with it so far
Don’t put the tying run on
Dag nab it
Squish.Fish.Sweep!!!
Great game today. Fun to watch with y’all.
4 game Sweep… finish no worse then needing Game 163. Tyler Naquin takes the team on his back as Moose loosens the Funk.
Full credit to Guerrero for a terrific start. He matched the Marlins’ ace, an All-Star, pitch for pitch.
And yes, credit to Moose for a big HR. If you’re gonna go 0-30, you might as well break your streak with a HR. Hopefully, it will help him going forward.
Naquin is really stroking it right now – just let him pull the wagon.
And The Big Man is now the closer on this team. Mr Castellini needs to find some $$ to pay this man, because he needs to be back next season.
Reds looked like a playoff team today, didn’t they??
Gutierrez, not Guerrero
+500
Lived on the homer today vs a tough pitcher. It will work in small doses.
The Friars are up 1-0 after 1. Hopefully the Phils will help us out.
Every game is precious here, including seeing the Friars falter.