The Cincinnati Reds will look to even up the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this evening. First pitch is set for 6:35pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Pittsburgh Pirates
|
| Jonathan India – 2B | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| Max Schrock – LF | Yoshi Tsutsugo – RF |
| Nick Castellanos – RF | Bryan Reynolds – CF |
| Joey Votto – 1B | Colin Moran – 1B |
| Mike Moustakas – 3B | Jacob Stallings – C |
| Kyle Farmer – SS | Ben Gamel – LF |
| Tucker Barnhart – C | Kevin Newman – SS |
| Shogo Akiyama – CF | Hoy Park – 2B |
| Vladimir Gutierrez – SP | Mitch Keller – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Vladimir Gutierrez
After struggling in two straight starts, Vladimir Gutierrez rebounded last time out against the Cubs as he allowed one run over 5.0 innings and picked up six strikeouts.
Gutierrez has held lefties and righties to a similar OPS on the year, but how they get there is quite different. Righties are hitting .268/.332/.431 against him. Lefties are hitting .226/.304/.468 against him. Lefties don’t hit for much average or get on base, but they hit for plenty of power and make a lot of contact in a strange “all-or-nothing on contact” approach (just 29 strikeouts in 207 plate appearances). He’s pitched much better on the road with a 3.43 ERA (4.91 on at home) and hitters have a .672 OPS against him away from Cincinnati (.889 at home).
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 93.2 | 83.2 | 81.2 | 77.6 |
| Usage | 47% | 23% | 11% | 18% |
Mitch Keller
On the season he’s made 19 starts for the Pirates and has a 6.29 ERA while giving up 108 hits in 83.0 innings. He’s faced the Reds twice this year – giving up seven runs in 3.1 innings back in May and then four runs in 5.0 innings in early August.
Lefties are crushing him to the tune of .360/.432/.506 with 22 walks and 30 strikeouts in 191 plate appearances this year. Righties are finding success, too, hitting .280/.357/.474 against him. His home and road splits are severe, posting an 8.19 ERA at home (3.63 on the road) and hitters have a .967 OPS against him at PNC Park this season (.753 on the road).
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | Change | Slider | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.0 | 90.1 | 86.2 | 78.6 |
| Usage | 57% | 4% | 23% | 15% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:35pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 71°, cloudy, 50% chance of rain
Notes Worth Nothing
Jesse Winker’s rehab assignment
Outfielder Jesse Winker went 0-3 with a strikeout this afternoon. Last night he went 0-2 with a strikeout.
NL Central Standings
Playoff odds via Fangraphs
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff % |
| Brewers | 89 | 57 | 0 | 100.0% |
| Cardinals | 75 | 69 | 13.0 | 30.9% |
| Reds | 75 | 70 | 13.5 | 36.5% |
| Cubs | 66 | 76 | 22.5 | 0.0% |
| Pirates | 53 | 91 | 35.0 | 0.0% |
It would appear that our manager doesn’t know that Tyler Stephenson hits righties (.795 OPS) better than he hits lefties (.770).
Or that he hits righties better than Barnhart does (.747).
Sitting TySteve for the first two games of this important series when we’re starving for offense is managerial malpractice.
It would appear people don’t pay a lot of attention to things
Stephenson 1 for his last 11 and .226 the last 30 games
Barnhardt is hitting .293 over the last 30
People here whine just to read it over and over
In 4 of the last 6 games Stephenson has played, his only appearance was as a 1 AB pinch hitter.
In 5 of the last 5 games Barnhart has played, it was in a starting role with a minimum of 3 ABs. Tonight will likely make it 6 of 6.
That will certainly have an impact on batting performance, especially for a rookie who needs regular ABs.
Stephenson has better season numbers across the board and needs to start more often.
More so- players need rhythm and repetition and continuity and roles and confidence and that only comes by playing regularly
That is Bells greatest flaw as a manager. Playing a roster of 26-28 irregularly and interrupted suffocates rhythm and doesnt allow players to sustain anything.
You dont need an everyday 8 but you do need a regular 10. Just like In basketball. You cant play 12 guys. You need a rotation of 8-9.
Bell doesnt believe in that.
I was at the Alcantara v Gutierrez 4 game Reds sweep
Unreal pitching match and Stephenson didnt hit that game but he and Vlad were together. Last time this team was good and Stephenson never plays
Old School, you know baseball. It is obvious in your posts. Everything you said is spot on.
Thanks Alan
We all just want the Reds to win
Its frustrating when they are this close and then falter after so
many empty years
I’m just about the last guy on earth who would ever want to defend Bell, but I’ll point out that catcher is a position where defense is arguably just as important as offense, if not more so. If TS allows three runners to advance because he doesn’t slide over fast enough to block a pitch in the dirt with the bases loaded, while TB would have made the play, he’s completely wiped out the advantage he offers on offense. I don’t know exactly how to quantify this, but you can’t always just pick the guy with the higher OPS and assume you’ve made the right call. The offense is struggling, yes, but winning 2-1 is better than losing 3-2 because the catcher hit a home run but then failed to block a pitch in the dirt.
TS has a higher more runs saved avg than TB on the year
Very tough for shogo to play twice a week and expect performance.
Particularly for a guy who hasnt played in mlb regularly ever
Hope he figures it out and gets on base a couple times
I saw his name and had the same thoughts. He’s playing because Naquin can’t, so I get that. Going to be interesting to see if he can scratch out a slap hit or two tonight.
he has also been known to take a walk or two
He’s played even less than that. Before tonight, only two PA’s this month. Last start August 24.
When Winker went down and Schrock came in, that really reduced his playing time since he was not doing much to help the team anyway. With Naquin down, they are quickly running out of OF options. Ironic, since OF depth was considered a team strength in spring training.
Wish we had Jose Siri right about now ….
Okay the win streak starts tonight!!!
I’m on board with that plan
The Game will be slightly delayed this evening. No exact set start time announced just yet.
Rats …
7pm ET expected 1st pitch
Thanks, Doug.
Looks like we’re back in “warm up” status. I’m thinking that means first pitch coming shortly.
No Naquin, nor Winker yet… Lineup looks weak, really…but still better than Pirates…
During a slow moment at work today I Googled the word despondent! The first entry on Google showed a 2021 Reds fan in the definition! Seriously, I was never more depressed this morning when I checked the final NL scores and current standings! The Dirty Birds now hold the 2nd NL Wild Card spot AND they are NOW in 2nd place in the NL Central standings! I despise the modern Cards teams as I equate them to the NY Yankees of the NL. Hoping beyond hope the Reds turn this thing around and make a magical run in their last 17 games! Again, not worried about the Padres but have to figure a way to catch and pass the Cards. It all starts with a win and moving on from their!
OK, Dennis … you and me, side-by-side, pick your night and I’ll buy the tickets. 117 or 118 on the 23rd or the Moondeck on the 24th.
This is a good way to start things. And run up Keller’s pitch count early as well.
Mitch Keller living up to his “cant look at himself in a mirror after the game” billing
🙂
Monster fly ball … how far is it to straight center anyway?
4 hundred and forever feet…. make contact votto
Maybe gets us a run. Does get us out of a DP.
That helps. Breaks our string of failing to score in the 1st, right? Plus a chance to push Keller’s pitch count up toward 30.
Attaboy Votto, Lets see if Moose can get another single
Well How about that
If a groundout got this kind of cheer, that’s why Votto is thought to be a lock HOFer
Can’t count on them stinking Mets lol
Do they have huge fans blowing IN from all fields?
Chuck-and-duck is right
Let’s see Joey swat one a mile
That was … weird. Some kind of a TOOTBLAN for Nick, but I’m not sure how it actually unfolded aside from him jogging home to get tagged.
nearly had it. Nick needed to go faster
House is so bad
That has to be on House. Nick would have stopped if House told him to do so.
Classic in teams with offense troubles… their runners are put them out at home plate
I’d take Kebryant Hayes on our team.
Castellanos couldn’t be bothered to run hard until the ball fell.
Well, it’s not like Reynolds is fast or anything (eyes rolling hard)
I think they are all in off season mode. Totally different team than we saw play a month ago.
Not a lot to be optimistic about right now.
The usual Vlad fatigue shutdown is underway yet again.
Vlad isn’t fooling them this inning
Between Chris Welsh acting as if the screwup by Castellanos was no big deal, followed by his clueless comments about the old Memorex ads, I have to start questioning my own sanity for continuing to listen to such BS at such a frustrating point in the season.
Nearing time to switch to the WLW feed (again)
2nd worst announcers in history, only behind Sadak. Embarrassing. But they do fit the reds, who are also embarrassing.
NUTS!!!!
Team back to it’s new ways. I am nit sure they will ever win. {LOL}
I swear … if Sadak says “overdue” one more time …
He drives me crazy. Worst announcer in the history of the game,..with Welsh coming in a close second. All the other Reds announcers are great,…but those two? Worst I ever heard.
Hit my First 5 inning over. I’ll take it… reds need those runs back next half inning
Bell should have the pen up = desperate times.
Wilson is up
Vlad doesn’t have it! Again! Early BP night!
Followed by a day game tomorrow
Gotta worry about tonight first!
You keep hearing about pitch limits for minor league pitchers pitching in the majors for the first time. What’s Vlad’s pitch innings limits for this year? Is this the most he’s pitched in a season, especially considering last year?
Cards already leading Mets 5 to 1
I am slowly realizing after what was a fun summer, this team has totally collapsed.
I’m still scheduled to make the trip to Cincy and watch 2 games next week. I’m 95% sure I’ll go, but nights like this (and last night, and the night before, etc.) keep that 5% cancel factor in play.
I don’t like Gamel. I’d take him on our team in a hot minute. But tonight, I just don’t like him.
That catch he made against the Cubs that they showed was spectacular.
It certainly was. And on the track to boot. You could see him trying to shake off the effects when he got up. And he made a throw from on the ground just like against us tonight.
Keller threw 32 pitches in first inning and Vlad less than 20 but he reached Keller right now just in the third throwing 58 overall… He didn’t bring so much in his stuff just in this very huge game…
Vlad no longer brings it in any game….he has hit the wall… i understand getting him more reps to lengthen him for next season but they need to start treating his starts as bullpen days.
I’m thinking you are very correct, sir. He’s just running on empty.
Yet he will continue to pitch and Shogo will continue to hit, laughable.
Naquin is unavailable…. but yes, Vlad should be on an extremely short leash
Not a good update on Naquin …
and Barreros stock drops again
Likely. It’s a shame, but it happens.
Watching Cardinals they are loose and having fun Reds are tight as drums and look miserable.
“Loose” and “Fun” are definitely 2 words I wouldn’t use with our Reds right now. The opposites you gave seem far more accurate.
Farmer, Suárez, Aquino, DeShields, Akiyama, they are practicly automatic-out hitters and Moustakas is flirting with this group too…
Suarez who did not produce an out yesterday?
Aki maybe, the rest have produced at least somewhat… the rate Barrero is kicking out the rest of the players I will take something over nothign
If you check the box score Saurez was 2 for 3, flied out in the 7th.
Four #8 hitters in the line up.
It’s pretty simple actually, when one player doesn’t produce at the plate, another player must produce twice as much.
When four of your hitters don’t produce you simply can’t win.
Inherited runners scores … I believe we’ve sung that verse a few times this season.
All is certainly not lost tonight … but these 4 unanswered runs really need an answer soon. Like, this inning.
I don’t know about everybody else, but watching this team right now is pure misery.
Again, making me question the planned trip next week. I could still cancel. I haven’t bought my seats for the games yet.
Now batting for your Cincinnati Reds … and still seeking is first hit in the uniform …
And STILL seeking that hit.
And RoY gets hit … it’s been a while, hasn’t it?
Does HBP followed by that SB count as “small ball”?
Not that it mattered in the end
It did, Schrock and Nick failed to follow through though.
India appears to be he only Red constantly hustling and keeping his head in the games.
can a manager be fired in the middle of a game?
Yes … but it won’t happen
I will be surprised if this is David Bell’s final season, unless the team finishes under .500, which is within the realm of possibility the way they are playing now.
But, I suspect after the Reds have been all but eliminated, the team will experience a dead cat bounce and go on a little run ensuring them a winning season. Enough to save David Bell’s job.
The Reds play extremely well when there is absolutely no pressure.
If david bell does not make the postseason, he isnt comming back. There is no excuse the way the team played. The FO understands… they also understand they are under the microscope. Bell will be the sacrificial lamb or the conquering hero
I really hope you are right Bet on Red.
Where are the people who were urging the front office to sign David Bell to a Long term extension a few weeks ago?
Bell needs to argue and get thrown out on the next close call. an you imagine a team managed by Sparky, Pete or Lou going through such a sad,sad now 20 games in a pennant race. Looking at 6 and 14. Hard to type that.
+500
I completely agree. He needs to show some emotion and passion here.
Does any body honestly see this bunch scoring Friday or Saturday?
if it didnt happen with Mitch keller its not happening
David Bell doesnt need to be nice with them, he needs to remind them of the concept of Professional pride. Many of these players are getting millions of dollars…. not to look like this. The rate he is going, Nick might reach a non opt out production. If Bell cant do it, then he needs to be replaced next season by someone who can
There’s an old Paul Simon song titled Slip Slidin’ Away! It’s now the Reds theme song for the rest of the season! If we can’t beat the AAAA Pirates what chance do we have against the Dodgers this weekend?
“You know the nearer your destination the more you’re slip sliding away …”
This has been sad for players making as much as they are to play like this. I can’t imagine how small the crowds will be from here on out. I don’t live in Cincinnati but I’m not sure I would go with this effort.
I will soon be rooting for the San Diego Padres. I can’t stand the thought the Cardinals taking the WC.
Shogo gets a base hit! Like the first time in months… 😉
Got a little something going. C’mon Reds!
India with the sac-fly. 4-3 game. More please…
TB and Shogo, breaking the bad luck, lets go stephenson….or not
Stephenson has really cooled off, doesn’t look like the same player. India needs to hit not walk here. Schrock has had a terrible game.
Given the frequency of his playing time and adjustments the league has made, it’s not all that surprising.
Alright, India gets one in. Lets try for the other.
Schrock can hit.
Now up to Castellanos
Alright, Schrock on base. I will take a nick HR or a nick oppo single. Shogo is fast enough
Or just line out to third on the first pitch…. that works too nick…. SMH
Well I was wrong about Schrock.
Rats. At least we got one back.
again, Nick fails…..again
With Winker still out Castellanos or Votto needs to step up Big Time!
or ironically Farmer
They have not and that has been a major reason for this epic collapse.
Bell has pinched himself into having Tucker face a lefty if it comes to that. The man isn’t a major league manager. He has no clue how to look forward.
Who cares? Tucker hits lefties the same as righties, if not better.
it’s interesting, unless I have missed it…..thru this whole freefall, I have not seen an interview or any comments from Castellanos
Nick is probably detaching a bit from the Reds knowing he will be leaving the organization in a couple of weeks. I don’t blame him, it’s just human nature.
I’m sure he still wants to win, but he knows that isn’t likely to happen this year.
FARMER TIES IT!
Pounding Votto with sliders. As a team, can’t hit Lefties and can’t hit breaking pitch. I am an eternal optimist but I am about to tune in to Better Day by OneRepublic.
Finally … nice swing and found the shortest route to the seats.
But Kyle farmer needs to be benched…. TIE GAME
Farmer should never be benched vs a lefty
yes this was a one But sarcastic comment. Farmer shouldn’t be benched
But +250
Big hit by Farmer, now they must win this game.
Quote of the Day:
“Who says they don’t like the three hitter rule?”
Chris Welsh
+100
That was strike three
That was strike three (four) as well
Why didn’t Bell pinch hit for Moose. Sometimes it does look like he doesn’t care or more likely he is just an awful manager.
Personally, I don’t think he has a good feel for the game. I know others say he’s good and the players like him, but I guess I’m far more old-school in what I expect from managers.
Sims comes through in the 8th.
Now we need to score some runs and put this out of reach.
Why did Bell let Shogo hit? I know Barrero would have had to play center, these are desperate times folks.
Good point
Lucky that bounced out for a GR2B
Feels like a do-or-die play right here, right now. GIDP needed in the worst way.
An absolutely disgraceful way to lose this game.
Well that just blows. And so do the Reds. They just do.
Unbelievable … we screwed ourselves AGAIN!!!
After I sleep on it, I may just cancel that trip next week. Hard enough to watch these guys on TV let alone go in person and spend my money that way.
Its in the rules that Votto must fall down on every groundball that’s hit to him.
STL crushing the Mets. 1.5 out. Need a miracle vs LA this weekend. Need the Dirty birds to get beaten by a team not in new york this weekend. Need to open up tomorrow by beaning Reynolds in the head to provoke a bench-clearing brawl that may be the only way get these guys out of the lethargy they are in.
Honestly, I don’t care anymore. Joe Burrow is my new Sundays, and overrides Precedence on the Reds for the time being. The Reds might make a turn around, but they might not.
Burrow won’t last the season and they won’t win 5 games.
hahahahahahhaha….burrow may or may not last the season, but they will be 2 and 0 after the weekend
Sorry VA I dont know why this is here and not below
He was trying to get out of the way and side step, like he has ALWAYS done. Pitiful.
Talking about wilting under pressure. Even our stables, Indian and Castellano, are struggling. What are we to do? Let’s hope that cincy beloved HOFer don’t fall down, is it too much to ask?
Wow, he just never stopped and givens did not turn around until it was too late… poor defense Via, Schrock and Votto…. and Barrero’s whose incompetence is still being felt today.
you lose a game because a major league baseball player can’t catch a fly ball….beyond belief
Seven straight series. Game and a half behind the Cards. Come on off-season and hopefully goodbye to the current coaching staff.
Shrock’s play was bad but he’s playing out of position.Not only can Votto not hit he can’t even field his natural position. His playing the ball to one side or the other is ridiculous.
Meanwhile in NY, Cardinals up 11-4 in the 8th over the Mets.
I don’t think we’re getting the WC. At this rate, we’ll be fortunate to finish with a .500 record.
The Pirates notch their 54th win of the season. Bucs will be getting the brooms out tomorrow. But don’t panic!!! We have the easiest remaining schedule (sarcasm)
Somewhere Cardinal fans are having a hardy laugh at our expense.
Actually, the Pirates have the easiest remaining schedule. They play the Reds 7 more times.
Good one. Helps to keep a sense of humor! 🙂
I have seen enough of shrock in left field that was an easy play. This team is toast 7 series in a row and about to be swept by the Pirates. The series losses will soon be 8 and I really don’t think they will play over .500. They are now 75 and 71 with 16 to go, does anybody think this bunch will go 7 and 9? I highly doubt it. Bottom line is that no manager who has never won can or should survive this epic melt down. The wild card is gone 1 and 1/2 back, 2 on loss side, this team makes me sick to my stomach.
Amazed at Suarez not having enough intestinal fortitude to even swing at strike three in a clutch situation. He takes strike three in the 9th. Sit down, Suarez!!! You are too afraid to even swing the bat. At least Shogo swung the bat when he struck out. Suarez is too chicken to take his bat off his shoulder. That is what I call cowardly. He and Bell are the two main reasons this season has been a big flop. And the management, of course. And many other reasons now that I think about it. But Suarez playing major innings all year and batting below the Mendoza line was a BIG MISTAKE!!! I would have much rather had any pitcher on the team batting in place of Suarez this season. I’d rather have any little leaguer batting instead of him. A little leaguer would have at least took his bat off his shoulder. The Reds are pitiful. And we need a manager.
wow, Suarez is what you got from tonight. A pitcher for him, which pitcher has 18 homers in a season? yea, there are reasons for tonight’s loss… Suarez’s pinch-hitting isnt it
Bet on Red,..you’ve been wrong with every post you’ve made all year!!!!!! And you still have the audacity to keep saying wrong things??? I did not say Suarez lost this game. But his strike out in the bottom of the 9th without taking his bat off his shoulders sure didn’t help. Nor has his year long .178 batting average or his 156 strike outs in his 454 times at bat helped either. That’s 35% of his at bats this season that he whiffed,..including the one tonight. As far as “Betting on Red”,..how’s that bet looking for you??? I’ll take that bet, if you’d like to talk greenbacks.
Hey i won my bet tonight, as far as being wrong this year…not even close guy
>>>Hey i won my bet tonight,
So,..you bet Red would lose then? Maybe you should change your name, if you’re now betting Red loses? Just a suggestion.
No, Much Higher up you will see that I won the Over on the first 5 innings of 4.5. But I am always wrong right….
Okay, Bet on Red. It’s been real. You know your odds. No doubt about it. You really should spend more time in Vegas. Heh heh.
>>>I won the Over on the first 5 innings of 4.5.
Huh?
>>>But I am always wrong right….
Maybe not always. But truth be told, I don’t remember you ever being right with one of your posts. And I remember you being wrong MANY TIMES. I’m sure you’ve not been wrong 100% of the time though. Well,..I’m not really sure of that, but I would think the law of averages would have made you right at least once this year. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.
your fingers have simply outpaced your brain. The only time I ever see you is when you are complaining about someone/something not being man enough or not having enough guts. An objective eye shows that I am right more often than not. The way that WordPress works allows for you to continually throw your mental failings at other people without any fear of retribution, since no one can access others personal data, without any sort of moderation at all. I am done with this. I know what I am, my betting line knows what I am… and you are neither.
I repeat (under the right thread this time). Okay, Bet on Red. It’s been real. You surely know your odds. No doubt about it. You really should spend more time in Vegas. Heh heh. Would you mind telling me how to bet on tomorrow’s game? I’d sure appreciate it.
One team sprinted on a batted ball that didn’t look like a hit, the other team jogged until it was obviously a hit. As I said a few days ago: it looks like a lot of guys are just going through the motions right now, but it’s hard to tell the difference with this team.
This team finds more ways to lose a game than any other team in the history of MLB!
Can’t wait to see Bell’s winning getaway day lineup tomorrow!
I’m sure he will have some “scheduled off days” built in. David Bell thinks he is managing a local Pizza Hut franchise.
If this Reds team can’t defeat the Pirates then there is nothing to do. They are eliminated for this season even will likely finish with losing record… The hopes for a playoff berth was like a mirage…it is very disappointing and sad…
I think finishing below .500 will be the death knell for the Red’s current manager. Hopefully, for Nick Krall as well.
Work to do in the offseason…In my opinion, aside adquiring new FO/manager, They also must released a handful of players that don’t help in any way and trying with rookies if it possible and maybe landing some free agents that can fix some huge holes…
Bell HAS GOT TO GO! Absolutely NO IN-GAME management skills!
I hope principal owner, Big Bob Castellini, is reading the blog and listening to the fan chorus.
Everybody is down on Bell and I agree he needs to go 100%, but others such as Votto = horrible slump, Castellanos = he has checked out,wants to go back to the Cubs,good riddance, Suarez = has stunk all year, bull pen = bad all year with a few exceptions, I could go on and on but what’s the use.
You’re right in all you say. But you are most right when you say Bell needs to go.
Bug, I can’t argue there the only person I know who wants Bell gone more than us is my wife, she literally can’t stand to look at the man. We watch every game and are really upset about what has happened. The only thing in sports that gives us hope is college football. I hate to say this to you all in Ohio, but we are huge Penn State fans. I have gone to Cincinnati a lot, from Missouri, and traveled all over to see PSU play. Big week end coming up with Auburn. October 30th at Ohio State.
I am actually not from Ohio. I’m from Kentucky,..now living in Tennessee. It’s where the job took me. I do appreciate Penn State loaning us Will Levis (as one of your cast offs) for this year. We will gladly take him. Now, my Cats finally have a dual-threat at QB for the first time in a long while. Course being from Kentucky, naturally I’m a tad more of a basketball fan. (Not that I don’t like Penn St. or anything.) However, I’ve been a huge Reds fan for 60 plus years. We finally get some good young talent, and we have Tinkerbell to manage them. What a bummer!!!
The USS Wannabe Red Machine is taking on water, and lots of it. Hey, as much as I love Reds’ baseball and this team it’s the truth. Did the annual “JUNE SWOON” arrive very late this year?
I hope so much I’m wrong about this and soon we will be talking about a one-game trip out west. But that cloud is far from being crystal clear either as we all know that for this ballclub trips out west are generally not good.
The sad thing is this team, going all the way back to before spring training, had chances to improve in several key areas and fell victim to the “ride out the storms” mentality.
And when David Bell makes a statement like one he was quoted as saying in this morning’s reporting…..”we have to turn this around”, well, that beckons back to a time not very long ago when we listened to Marvin Lewis’ post-game analysis on the his Bengals team’s latest loss.
Less than two weeks ago this team was 12 games over .500.
There’s an old phrase used in MLB from time to time concerning managing in the big leagues. It dates at least back to the late 1960’s and 70’s with the late and former Reds’ infielder Billy Martin. Because he managed for five different organizations Martin himself may have coined the phrase, I don’t remember.
The saying is……”In baseball, you’re hired to be fired.”
We will soon see if this proves to be the case with David Bell.
What’s going to make it even worse is the Cardinals are going to get the spot. So next year, if the Reds are having good stretches between March and August, I’ll need to remind myself to ignore it – the Cardinals will have the spot again when October rolls around.
I was taken aback by the reaction in the dugout by the reds after the homer by Farmer to tie the game. It was also noticed by Sam and mentioned on the postgame yesterday. It was very subdued and I think this has to do with the managers “don’t get too high, don’t get to low” attitude and his deadbeat personality….and it has seeped into this entire team and it is killing them! They are like robots at this point and it’s like they can’t show any raw emotion and are to just to repeat the company line: “we are fine, this is all going to turn around, it’s just a matter of time” Bell has hurt this team all year and it’s killing them now.