The Cincinnati Reds (70-59) enter play on Friday with a 2.0 game lead for the second NL wild card spot with 33 games left to play. The Reds will travel down to south Florida to play three games against the Miami Marlins (53-75) starting tonight at 7:10 PM. The Reds swept the Marlins in a four game series in Cincinnati last weekend. The Marlins did win their last two games against the Nationals, but prior to that had lost 8 straight games. The Marlins are 9-15 in August.
Starting Pitchers
Tonight’s pitching matchup is a rematch of last Saturday. Zach Thompson (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) out-pitched Wade Miley (4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K), but the Reds offense made the Marlins pay when Thompson was lifted after 5.0 innings. Thompson has been great for the Marlins, but he has not thrown more than 77 pitches in any of his last four starts as it looks like the Marlins are trying to limit his innings.
Starting Lineups
| Reds | Marlins |
| 1. Jonathan India (2B) 2. Tyler Naquin (CF) 3. Nick Castellanos (RF) 4. Joey Votto (1B) 5. Mike Moustakas (3B) 6. Kyle Farmer (SS) 7. Tucker Barnhart (C) 8. Max Schrock (LF) 9. Wade Miley (P) |
1. Miguel Rojas (SS) 2. Jazz Chisholm (2B) 3. Jesus Aguilar (1B) 4. Jorge Alfaro (LF) 5. Brian Anderson (3B) 6. Jesus Sanchez (RF) 7. Bryan De La Cruz (CF) 8. Alex Jackson (C) 9. Zach Thompson (P) |
Max Schrock will make his first career start in LF (he did start in RF earlier this season and went 5 for 5). Schrock only made 3 appearances for the Bats in the outfield, all in RF. He has not played LF since 2019 for the AAA-Cardinals. Schrock has a .941 OPS vs RHP this season in 46 PA.
News and Notes
The Reds picked up Asdrúbal Cabrera on waivers this afternoon from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s a switch-hitting 35-year-old corner infielder who has only had any sort of success from one side of the plate this season. We’ve got some more information on the pick up here if you are interested.
Conclusion
Reds 33 remaining games:
9 vs Pirates (.367)
3 at Marlins (.414)
4 vs Nats (.429)
3 at Cubs (.434)
3 vs Tigers (.477)
6 vs Cardinals (.508)
2 at White Sox (.574)
3 vs Dodgers (.633)
It’s go time for the Cincinnati Reds. They have put themselves in a very favorable position to get back to the postseason for a second consecutive season. What a fun run that it has been so far. Sit back, relax and enjoy it. Go Reds!
Nice write up Nick.
Great to be playing meaningful baseball in late August.
David Bell in his pregame meeting with the media said Schrock is starting in LF because they need his bat and really couldn’t afford to not put him in the lineup. Doesn’t sound like a guy leaving the roster tomorrow with Cabrera coming up.
I applaud the move. Play your best 8 and roster your best 26. But what does this say about the Reds view of Aquino and Akiyama? How can they possibly be part of a reds 2022 OF if they arent playing in crunch time in 2021 when Winker is hurt and Shrock is? Has the clock run out on Aquino and Akiyama?
For next year maybe. For now, they will find a way to kick the can down the road.
Sure looks like Barrero might be headed to AAA and replaced by Cabrera.
Ultimately, Winker gets added in September when healthy and then another pitcher to get to 28. Will it be Hunter Greene? I think it will. They will want him up to experience a playoff atmosphere and he has pretty much hit his developmental check list for this year. I’d give him a spot start to to sell tickets as well
Barrero is certainly going to be on any playoff roster but as far as I can tell, being on the 40 man at midnight August 31 is now that benchmark, so optioning him would not walk on that.
I am both ways on whether Greene is ready or needs more AAA time. When he throws like he did this week, he is more than ready to play under fire at MLB. In other games, I have seen him (MiLB_TV) seemingly get rattled when he didn’t get a strike call or there was a shaky play behind him. Foe some guys accepting they can’t be perfect may be the last hurdle to get over?
“Max Schrock will make his first career start in LF (he did start in RF earlier this season and went 5 for 5)”
As your resident Max Schrock expert, he was actually subbing for Joey that day))). He did play RF in that series too though if I’m not mistaken
Barreros is going back down. Reds cannot afford to have him “find his legs” in a playoff Scenerio. I am not saying he is bad, just that he will have much more time finding himself in April May of next season rather then right now. Think its an under game today, but the reds should take it.
Agreed. Thinking he needs a little more time to play regularly and then a full big camp Spring Training.
Barrero isn’t hitting well in this sporadic role. Sending him down for three days or so to play each day and get his timing and stroke honed again for September would be a decent move.
Speaking of Wade Miley, did anyone else on this RLN site see the video of Miley’s last game when he was removed with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 5th inning!? He was visibly upset in the dugout before heading to the clubhouse! He was NOT a happy camper! He’s a fierce competitor and probably wanted to pitch out of the mess he created. In any event, I hope he can channel that frustration in a quality start tonight against the Fish!
Go Reds! You grabbed the Brass Ring (2nd NL Wild Card)! Now hold on with both hands!
#163 or Bust!!!
I also noticed that when Miley was removed in his last game. It was quite a contrast to his usual amiable Louisiana manner. Miley has been such a pleasant surprise this season. He is definitely needed as the Reds head toward the playoffs.
Squish the Fish in the Fishbowl!!
Naquin is on fire period.Reds up 1-0.
He is a firecracker right now.
Wish he could keep this streak going into October.
Naquin starting early. I had Naquin and Nick C for my beat the streak picks. So I will go ahead and take credit for that
Loved it. Easy, sweet swing.
Wonder if RoY is a little amped up playing in front of family and friends tonight …
i think so for that first at bat…. had the eager to contact sort of swing
Hope this portends well for Senzel. Naquin has been injury prone. Finally stayed healthy and got to play a full year, and he is producing.
With good fortune Senzel will do the same: stay healthy and break out.
No more walks tonight, Hulk! Cut them down now and then Crooked Numbers.
Not a bad first inning in the end 🙂
My 1st game in about 2 years. Moved to Miami last year, I’ve been waiting for the Reds to come to town
Enjoy! And most importantly, bring home a winner!
Looks like it will be 4 games vs Dodgers, to extend but not close out the season.
Did Wade get to set down?Hulk better be the Hulk if we are going to do that?If there guy is throwing cookies we didn’t chomp on any that turn at bat.
Looks like these guys want this game over quick.
I’m really thinking of heading to Cincy for the Pie-Rats series in September. Been way too long since I’ve visited GABP. The Monday and Tuesday games are both Senior Days with discount tickets. Hotel is relatively cheap and I have Delta credits.
What’s the Lyft situation in that area right now? I’d need to use a ride service several times to get around. Are they readily available right now (airport and near the river vicinity)?
Spottier than it used to be for Lyft and Uber – I haven’t had a problem yet, but haven’t used it but a few times in recent months.
For the airport run, you could stay at one of the hotels with a shuttle.
Welcome back to Cincinnati!
I was thinking of the airport hotel route. But then I’m limited for meals and still have to Lyft downtown to GABP and back.
The bus from the airport is $1.50, with little traffic takes less than 30 minutes, several stops around downtown including fountain square
Going to GABP (from Florida) myself at the end of September to catch a game during the Reds last home stand. Probably Thursday September 24th against the Nationals!
I looked at those dates. I’d have to move a doctor’s appointment, but that’s not all that difficult to do.
I don’t drive at night (old man) so I use Uber when I attend games (I live in Northern Kentucky). I have never had a problem getting an Uber from GABP. I have also used Lyft on occasion without issue. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Naquin is why you dont label guys as injury prone and write them off.
Naquin didnt play more than 90 games from 2017-20 due to various injuries. The talent was always there. Just bad luck.He was a first round pick.
Hang in there Senzel.
Yes, particularly when it’s not a chronic single problem (like a bad back).
There is a difference between writing them off, and insisting they’ll be productive. Most people believe if healthy Senzel could still produce. He just needs to be plan 1b, not 1a, until he proves otherwise.
Exactly Old-school.
Naquin does have holes in his game for sure. He’s Jay Bruce 2.0. Maybe not as streaky, but also less slugging. He’s a solid 3rd or 4th outfielder. Some years, possibly an all star, but he’ll never light the baseball world on fire.
Time to do something against their pitcher.Guys sleep walking other then Naquin.Maybe the 2nd time through we do something.
You asked for it, Joey and Moose deliver.
Joey.Still.Bangs.
Safe, safe, safe, safe!!!
Moose with the RBI
Moose with a big knock.We need him for sure the rest of the way.Hoping he can get it done.
He crushed that ball. Hope that means he’s getting back to too Moose form. Yes, the Reds need it.
Farmer pulls the ball to third and thats not good.Just has to do better right there.Little things.
Miley is a better hitter than people think.
Wade Miley making them pay for the IBB. Pitchers rake
Take that, IBB to get to The Hulk!!
Walked Schrock to get to Miley.
Hah Hah!
Well this is fun
The Hulk says take that.
Air Mailed it!!!
wow that was…….an interesting inning
Ya think the Reds are going to give Miley his usual 10 run lead?
Aguilar literally with the 4″ vertical)))
Nice to come out with some intensity. With 2K people in attendance its easy to sleepwalk a little bit
You mean 4 millimeters.
Good point. Feels like a Spring Training game.
I’m loving Naquin these days, but that play shows why a real CF would be helpful.
Especially out in that cavern
No, Sam, we’d much rather have you up there talking than Sadak. Come as often as you’d like. Stay as long as you’d like. In fact, just take over …
I don’t like ex-players that much in NFL broadcasting, but they do seem to be much better in mlb currently. I like Sam and Larkin. ARod was very good.
I usually listen to the radio team, but I turn up the tv when Sam is on.
ALright, just a reminder we are also Angels, Twins and Rockies fans for the next few days
Very true
Colts 1st half lost, but took Cubs/WS over 9 and Reds in a parlay. Cubs with 6 top of the 1st!!
Hit every inning, (still active) and HRE under 26.5. plus if wade can get another 2K and Votto homers I got a parley that will hit
I like the Over 0.5 rbi or Over 0.5 run bets occasionally, but never liked HRE. Are you on 5dimes with those?
most of the time
Aquino? Ball obviously wrapped around the plate and they call it on him. He isn’t going good, but they call everything that they roll up there a strike on him? Ridiculous
Another #44 for the Reds used to really go off about such stunts (Dunn) because he felt he often didn’t get a fair zone just based on his size.
Suspect Aquino was just as angry that he felt it dropped too deep (late) as he was about the horizontal location on this one.
“Baseball is most like life …”
Does he even hear himself? I mean, c’mon!
What happened to schrock or did he just got pulled over for Aquino. I don’t like Aquino at all he swings at everything. As I have experience from playing and witness when a hitter swings at everything and strikeout hitter umpires calls strike on the batter always I was hoping schrock play more than he did tonight
I’d say things look not so good for Akiyama and Barrero with Cabrera coming in because at the first sniff of a LH pitcher AA was in. That seems to say you are the LF vs LH pitching till (unless) Winker is back as much as Schrock getting the start was a vote of confidence for him. But then again maybe AA has to produce tonight or be the odd man out.
Twins beating brewers last time I seen come on twins
6 strong by The Hulk! Got to love that action.
hit every inning alive through 7
And now through 8
I don’t think Naquin is going to be nontendered this year; and, I do think whether in a 1 year deal of multi year bridge deal into free agency, he is going to get a very big raise unless the CBA negotiations/ potential lockout get in the way.
I tend to agree. Pending some sort of lock-out (which would be idiotic on the part of the owners), he’ll be a Red in 2022.
Moose makes a hit every inning alive through 8
Moose looking much better, now who starts against lefties?
With Bell at the wheel? Probably Suarez because Bell has no idea Suarez has bad reverse splits and it will take Bell 4 games to realize Cabrera is on the team.
+100 🙂
Moose breaking out with the bat. I may have to eat some crow if he keeps it up. I will add that he makes way more contact than Suarez and has taken a fraction of the sample size to start hitting.
I’m wondering if there is enough crow in Cincinnati for all that needs to be eaten this year. Votto, Naquin, Moose, the list is endless of players who should have been gone according to wannabe general managers.
Love that comment Doc!!!
I don’t remember anyone saying Votto or Naquin should be let go. I certainly didn’t. The jury is still out on Moose. He by no means has turned the corner. 2 good games and you 2 are crowing like a rooster.. It should have already been ruled on Suarez and Garrett. Hembree, Doolitttle and Feliz were finally let go. Not giving Lopez, Schrock and Barreo any chance at all and yet giving Suarez and Moose the the time they have gotten rings of incompetence. Then you look at AA and Akiyama. Yes, they is a lot wrong with how the Reds have been run this season. I repeat, a lot To emphasize how hypocritical some have been, you get all excited over Moose’s 2 good games(I repeat 2 games) and yet you write off the starts Lopez and Schrock had and the lack of a chance Barreo has had. They were promptly benched and sent down. I personally don’t think anyone making those kinds of decisions should be managing the Reds. I have played at (fairly high levels) and coached all my life Doc and Jim T. I have members of my family that have played professional baseball in the high minors. How far did you 2 make it up the baseball chain? I will be waiting for your answers and most on here would like to see your credentials for your bold opinions on the Reds. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t mean they are an idiot. This board is for the civil exchange of opinions. You 2 seem to fail at that. People like you is why I quit posting for several years. I enjoy exchanging ideas with knowledgeable baseball people like MK and some others on the board. Dealing with the likes of you 2 is a waste of my time. There is an old saying that if you have to constantly tell everyone how good you are or how right you are, then you probably aren’t. Time will tell the truth on anyone.
Moose may be breaking loose.Lets go cause its just as cool to say Mooooooose as it was to say Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce
Does Akiyama play for the Reds?
He signed a 3 year $24 million contract
Reds OF depth chart after Winker and NC
1.) non tendered cast off who signed minor league contract with the Reds
2.) career minor leaguer claimed off waivers from the cards by the cubs who then was waived without ever playing and claimed by the Reds and played in the minors 90% of the year
3.) a 27 yo out of options guy who’s batting average since Opening day 2020 is .190
4.) Shogo Akiyama
*would be behind Senzel if healthy
**Reds signed 2 time GG CF playing in AAA
Could the Reds DFA Shogo and call up Inciarte as veteran OF defense depth like they did with Cabrera before September 1
Yes, they could DFA Shogo. We’d eat all his remaining salary as nobody would take that on without us doing that anyway. I think he got caught up in the short season last year and hasn’t figured out MLB pitching this year. He might do fine elsewhere and he’ll get a chance, but we’ll be paying the freight.
wishful thinking on shogo, but have to get 80-90% into that contract before DFA is a possibility. Can Cabrera play LF? Hmmmm. That would help in roster flexibility. You’d think an aging former SS might be able to do that.
Brewers leave’em loaded in the 4th. Still 2-0 Twins.
Anyone think the innings career highs of the three best starters end up biting them late?
First batter walk, might as well make it intentional to save time.
Don’t let Lorenzen and Givens head from the bullpen for an early shower just yet.
Now a test of my theory that with the 3 man rule, the 4th batter is often pivotal. Well tonight it went the Reds way.
Did I miss the memo? Does EVERY Reds RP have to walk the first batter they face? So frustrating and unnecessary!
It’s mind-numbing
Let’s see if Jesus can hit a grounder … kind of like that.
Sam is really breaking down Hoffman right now. A GIDP will get him through the inning, but if not, he’s toast.
I do not have enough room left in my HRE to mess around like this…. get some outs.
ALright I will take it Doesnt have to be pretty, just good. get that last hit.
How much is the payoff on what amount?
5 gets me 34
5 WOULD have gotten you 34 …
A little dicey at the end, but we’ll take the out. Hoffman is now off the hook. My wife gets upset when a guy like Miley hands a shutout over to the BP and they blow it up (even when we win).
Two (2) walks by ANY RP in a game you are leading by 6 runs is unacceptable in my book!
What’s with Hoffman? 8th. inning, you’re leading 6-0. Fire the ball over the plate. This guy should not even be on the second tier late relief staff.
The Reds savior for their inept pitching approach (walks) has been the DP. My gastric ulcer has calmed down for now!
Nothing quite like a GIDP to cure your ulcer(s)
Brewers leave’em loaded in the 4th. Still 2-0 Twins.
Anyone think the innings career highs of the three best starters end up biting them late?
I do! All of the Brewers “Big 3” starting pitchers are approaching the maximum number of innings any of them have pitched in a single season! Not wishing anything bad for them but just saying!
Maybe Hoffman gets DFA’d tomorrow. Is he really going to pitch again before Sept 1? Do they need him ever again? He finishes with a nice parting gift- eats 2 meaningless innings in a blow out win.
Aquino painful to watch. He’s not taken his opportunity with Winker hurt.
I’d rather keep Santillan
Agree on AA. And as I said (below) what the hey switching back to his former hands held very high wide open stance mid game after he seemed to at least not be chasing and missing with the same stance?
after he seemed to at least not be chasing and missing with the CHANGED stance?
I didn’t think Hoffman had options left. Wouldn’t he be subject waivers if we DFA him? We would surely lose him if he has no options.
India wants a hit so badly.
Hoffman hitting for himself … which means he’ll pitch to start the 9th.
Sorry, BoR. If RoY can’t stroke one, you’re hit every inning is toast.
no its not…. cause it doesn’t matter if the hit comes from CIN or MIA
so keeping hoffman in actually helps me. Lets slightly go Marlins….lol /s
What was that with Aquino’s stance? Versus the RH pitcher, he went back to the wide open, hands held very stance then gets burned on a pitch away?!?
And couldn’t we have given Shogo that AB so maybe he could slap one into LF?
Lets just give the first guy every inning a free pass to first and go from there.Our relief crew must have a bet going on as to how many they can walk.Its amazing to me we do it regardless of the score.Up by a bunch,down by a bunch,tie game,up one,down one its almost automatic.
Marlin Brian Anderson watches 5
Pitches and goes down on called strike 3
While losing by 6 runs. I’d be losing it on him as a manager.
When was last reds shutout?
August 6 vs. the Pirates, 10-0
If Hoffman isn’t a victim of DFA-roulette tomorrow, he won’t be eligible to pitch either (and maybe not Sunday). So at least our better arms should be well-rested.
Oh no…. Hoffman got good..noooo I mean, yaaa we won
Gotta give props to Bell for running Hoffman out there to start the 9th! If he can get the job done saves the arms of the other BP pitchers!
+100
Exactamundo! And no Hoffman tomorrow or probably Sunday either.
Five Fishes Squishes in a row!!
And about a 2.5 hour game … haven’t seen that in quite a while.
Thinking the same thing. Could not tune in until late, so I didn’t get to listen to much of the game. I would have to look it up, but when is the last time a Reds’ game lasted under 3 hours? Miley usually works fast, though…..
Wow! That was a quick game! 2 hours and 30 minutes! Why can’t they do that on a work night?
+1
Nice bounce back game by Miley after his last outing of 4.2 innings!
Every bullpen needs a Jeff Hoffman. Someone who can make an emergency start if needed. Someone who can pitch a few innings if you’re up by a bunch or down by a bunch. His contributions won’t
show up in the stats, but tomorrow we
will have a fully rested bullpen.