The Cincinnati Reds (76-71) season felt on the brink yesterday, but the Reds were able to survive in Pittsburgh for a 1-0 win against the Pirates. The Reds continue to hang around in the race for the second wild card spot with 15 games to play, despite having lost 7 consecutive series. The Reds will get a massive boost to their lineup as Jesse Winker is returning for the first time in over a month.
The Reds have the third easiest schedule remaining in baseball, but it certainly will not feel like it this weekend. The Reds will host three games against the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers (94-53) starting tonight at 7:10 PM. The Dodgers currently trail the Giants by 1.0 game for the NL West division lead.
The Dodgers will not be coasting to the finish as they want to avoid the wild card game that the Reds are just begging to get to. The Dodgers for essentially the first time all year are at full strength and their machine is rolling. The Dodgers have won 6 straight games and they are 25-7 in their last 32 games. If you are looking for one tiny positive – the Dodgers only have a .700 team OPS over their last 30 games, which ranks 20th in MLB. The Reds will be lining up three good starting pitchers to hopefully keep that trend going, at least for a couple more days.
Programing note: tonight’s game is available on the MLB Network for those outside of the Cincinnati market.
Starting Pitchers
The Reds are going to face a lot of good starting pitchers this weekend, but don’t sleep on just how good Luis Castillo has been. Since June 1st, Castillo’s 2.91 ERA is the 6th best in baseball. He has not faced the Dodgers since 2019, but does have a career 2.60 ERA in 3 starts. This is a big start for Castillo tonight and hopefully a successful audition for a potential wild-card matchup in 19 days.
The bad news: Walker Buehler has a 2.32 ERA this season has really only had two bad starts all year.
The good news: one of those bad starts was this month when he allowed 6 ER to the Giants, and the other bad start was when he allowed 5 ER runs against the Reds back in April. Jesse Winker could not have returned at a better time as he has 2 career home runs vs Walker.
Starting Lineups
| Dodgers | Reds |
| 1. Mookie Betts (RF) 2. Max Muncy (1B) 3. Trea Turner (2B) 4. Corey Seager (SS) 5. Justin Turner (3B) 6. Will Smith (C) 7. Cody Bellinger (CF) 8. Gavin Lux (LF) 9. Walker Buehler (P) |
1. Jonathan India (2B) 2. Jesse Winker (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. Luis Castillo (P) |
The Reds are going with a…….bold defensive lineup. Jesse Winker will be in CF for the first time since 2019. Winker played 132.0 innings that year, the only time he has played in CF. He did not commit an error, but had -3 defensive runs saved.
The Dodgers lineup is stacked. The first six hitters in the Dodgers lineup all have a wRC+ of greater than 127. The Reds do get a bit of a break in the bottom of the order. Cody Bellinger (48 wRC+) and Gavin Lux (88 wRC+) are having very disappointing seasons for the Dodgers. All-Star Chris Taylor (118 wRC+) and AJ Pollack (132 wRC+) are both hurt. Pollack is on the IL and very unlikely to appear in the series. Taylor has missed 6 straight games dealing with neck soreness.
Winker (and Naquin’s) Value
Tyler Naquin was placed on the IL as the move to bring Jesse Winker back. Naquin got hurt on Friday night in St. Louis when he collided with Jose Barrero. Naquin will not be eligible to return from the IL until Wednesday. It appears that his season could be in jeopardy with only 15 games left.
It’s unclear if Jesse Winker will be able to return to form this late in the season, but I don’t think we realize how important that he (and even Naquin to a lesser extent) is to the Reds offense.
Here is the weighted runs created from Opening Day until he went on the IL:
Winker by himself was worth 15% of the Reds total offense. Naquin by himself for the full season has been worth 9% of the Reds total offense. We are literally talking about 1/4 of their total offense being out.
We talk (rightfully so) about the Reds struggles vs LHP, but a lot of that was masked because the Reds had the best offense in baseball vs RHP with Winker.
The Reds were leading MLB with .339 wOBA vs RHP through 8/15. However, since 8/15 the Reds have .316 wOBA vs RHP (16th in MLB).
News and Notes
Anyone have a spare brick wall we can run through? pic.twitter.com/gTyYdCtGqj
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 17, 2021
This is how Jesse Winker showed up for the zoom.
He then spent the next 10 minutes basically telling us that he decided, "(Bleep) it, I'm going to play."
He'll smoke the cigar postgame win or lose. He'd prefer a win. #Reds @fox19 pic.twitter.com/13iWtnmVnf
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 17, 2021
All of the Reds players on the field are wearing the same shirt right now.
“Us against the world.”
In case you can’t see, that’s a Reds flag planted on the globe. pic.twitter.com/TnOVnhoR5J
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 17, 2021
#Reds top prospect Hunter Greene has reached his innings limit and will not pitch again this season. He is healthy, the team says. Tim Adleman will start for Louisville on Saturday
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 17, 2021
Conclusion
If we are being completely honest, it does not feel like the Reds have much of a chance of winning this series. Most Reds fans would probably take just winning a game this weekend. The good/painful/exhilarating/deflating/heart-warming/heart-breaking thing about baseball is that we truly never know how any one game or series will go. The Dodgers are as complete of a team as I’ve ever seen in my lifetime watching baseball. That does not mean that it’s impossible for Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray and Wade Miley to just have great starts this weekend. We have seen each of those guys completely dominate at times this season.
The Reds offense has been limping of late, but we have seen them breakout of slumps out of nowhere and hit some really good pitchers. It would truly be the most Cincinnati sports thing to end a 7-game series losing streak to the most talented team in baseball. Go Reds!
This weekend we play ’em as they come and take whatever results we get. Hoping we can sneak 1 or 2 from the Trolley Dodgers.
At least 1 win vs LA, 3 wins (sweep) vs Pitt, 3 wins out of 4 vs Nats, 1 win vs Sox, then 2 wins vs Pitt? Oh man. Maybe 85, 84 wins, will get it done.
Remember there are 2 types of teams that are dangerous, those that have nothing to lose and those that have everything to gain. Those are the types of teams the Reds play except for the White Sox.
+100
We’re getting very close to the former while still clinging to the latter. A few solid wins will take everybody’s mind off all that.
Kyle Boddy is out.
Yep, just saw that. Absolutely disgraceful. I have been hesitant to post it, but I have felt for awhile that it is possible we’ll see Boddy, David Bell, Derek Johnson, Nick Castellanos and Wade Miley all gone due to money issues. Reds are headed back to the “way we used to do it” for pitcher development. We’ll know soon enough whether there will ever be any hope of improving the team other than the occasional hotshot from the farm system.
A possible bright side is that orgs that cut all their obligations are often orgs that are up for sale or about to go up for sale.
Much more to come on this. He mentioned in his press release reds were going a different direction in player development. Perhaps its not money, but more about pitching philosophy- max velocity, max effort ,miss bats, throw more not less etc., but this sounds like a good C Trent article.
Nah, it’s about money. It costs less to not have customized player development plans for each player and to not have a director of pitching for the organization. The Reds stepped right off the cutting edge, which other teams will now use as their model to improve themselves.
Tom- if you are correct, this is phase 2 of the salary purge after last off season. Castellanos will be gone. Gray will be traded.
Lorenzen and Givens will not be pursued. Cessa and Naquin as A3 eligible players will be non-tendered and Garrett and Farmer as A2 players will be non-tendered.
Barnhart option will not be picked up.
Miley’s will but then traded.
Go Reds!
Read his statement and wonder if anyone (and everyone) coming out of contract at the end of the season is gone unless they will work for cheap.
See immediately above, Jim. 😉
crossed in the mail as we used to say 😉
Reds dump 2 huge stories on a Friday night with Oktoberfests and football everywhere this weekend. I guess they wanted their news on Boddy and Greene buried.
That does beg the question of DJ
All who have responded …
Good stuff and some excellent thoughts. I’d wager Miley stays since $10M is pretty cheap for a starting pitcher. The coaching staff shake-up may just happen regardless of whether or not we make Game #163 (or beyond). Maybe it’s getting ready for a sale, maybe it’s something else.
As I’m reading all this, I’m also thinking of the banter that will mandate a salary floor ($100M?) that still might come into play.
I’m wagering Castellanos is out no matter what. Even if the doesn’t opt out, the lure to trade him might just be too great to ignore. But I’m still thinking he opts out.
Mark, I have no inside information, but I truly think there is a chance that anyone who is not already contractually bound for next year is going to be bye-bye when they seek a raise and essentially told there is no money in the till.
And yes, you would think $10 million for a 6+ WAR player with a team option would be a great deal. Don’t hold your breath.
I hear you, Tom. Which is why I say Miley stays. His is a predictable, fixed cost. He’s also major trade bait if we want to use him that way.
Others no far more than me on CBA and the mess coming, but a salary floor is indeed something I think will happen. I read 12 teams would be under a $100 million floor and could see a scenario like NBA where expiring contracts become a good thing.
Shogo might have value after all!
@Tom> if you are still around, do you think the team is for sale or about to be for sale?
@OS> I think a cap and the floor are linked; and, I don’t see the MLBPA caving for a cap even if they could get the floor. At most they might agree to a minimum set % of revenues to come to the players but not a team cap per se I think
Beyond that I see MLB trying to move to a model which incorporates much which I have learned about the North American professional hockey system over the last 5 years as I became a serious hockey follower. For instance that set age or Free Agency proposal is straight out of the NHL CBA (not the exact age of 29 but the concept. Except for the special caveats the age is 27 in the NHL). Watch for a form of restricted free agency to replace arbitration if they can get that too.
I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. Certainly, for some players, he was very effective but over the course of the year, one had to wonder if his approach and focus was universally applicable. As for Tom’s prediction, I’d love to see DJ and Bell also gone. At his point though, whatever they can do to hold onto Miley and Castellanos next year would likely be prudent. And there’s still Barnhart, whose option they should pick up and shop him to see what he’s worth. But I think the fire sale and rebuild predictions are more likely correct. So it goes.
Holding on to Miley is a simple $10M decision. Holding on to Nick C. is on him and him alone. He opts out, he’s not staying for the QO even if we extend it. He’ll have his sights set on the biggest number he can muster. It won’t matter what we all think the Reds FO might offer, it won’t be enough.
The choice on Miley is strictly up to the team. It is a 1 way team option at $10M against a $1M buyout. And assuming he is healthy he is worth it either to the Reds as a player or as trade fodder. But I question why they would trade him until the deadline.
I don’t get why exercise the option on Barnhart then try to shop him. He was almost certainly shopped last off season ahead of the tender date because Casali would have been at least a million cheaper this year than Barnhart if they could have gotten Barnhart off the books at full contract cost. If nobody would take him for $4.5M last off season (including the option 2022 buyout) who is going to take him for $7.5M this year?
I doubt they would relegate Barnhart to back up and Stephenson really needs to start with regularity. A cheap, gold glove catcher should have some market draw.
The Dodgers lineup is very intimidating and the pitching as well… But this is baseball so everything is possible until last out is made it. Maybe the starting pitching and offense may get the job done although at least the today’s problem I see is the short availability of Reds bullpen
Hunter Greene has also hit his innings limit and is done for the season
But it was a good, progressive season for him. I’ll be interested to see where they start him next season and when he hits the MLB roster.
105-110 innings this year makes a person wonder if he figures to be in the MLB rotation from the get-go next season. There is no way he starts at a lower level than AAA. He was a man among boys all the way from the very start at AA this year.
Exactly, Jim. AAA at a minimum. Really depends on how things develop during the offseason. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that both he and Lodolo are vying for spots in the MLB rotation.
Reds take 2 out of 3 this weekend.
That would start with a win tonight. If that happens, I’m buying my seats at GABP for next Thursday and Friday. Gonna take some major “Jobu wake up bats” action tonight and a heckuva performance by LC against the Trolley Dodgers.
Got the Hunter Greene shut down, He has progressed very well over this year considering he was off last year. Reds really need a couple of wins this weekend.
+100
Can’t forget that weird 2020 situation where he didn’t pitch competitively at all. With that in mind, getting 100+ innings this year and progressing to AAA is a pretty solid thing.
Just seeing Reds are parting ways with Kyle Boddy. Must have been his fault team wasn’t scoring runs by putting the likes of Aquino in the lineup nearly everyday.
Or, it’s at least possible, that with the crack-down on the Spider Trak stuff, he won’t get the results he did with as many pitchers.
very true…. could be moving towards control pitchers and not Velo Pitchers
That was FILTHY on Turner!!
I have great respect for Tom, Old-school, etc. but this speculation regarding Boddy seems a little over the top. A real distraction if any of the players get wind of this especially at this time. I always wondered why Boddy was allowed to spend a lot of time on building the Driveline business while giving just part time to his Red’s team duties (even after Jaeger left). Don’t hear much talk about the spin rate controversy lately but it did seem to accomplish its goals for MLB (which means that a lot of these high spin rate guys suddenly become less effective, injured, etc.) It also didn’t help Boddy’s cause that nearly all their pitchers acqs did not come through this year and top disciples like Antone and others spent most of the season on the IL. Couldn’t it have just been a discipline issue, decision that the system was overhyped or something just particular to Boddy. I don’t see how all the other guys go down the drain on account of this although I would not shed tears of Bell was given the boot. Perhaps, the son of Bob is preparing to move out of the shadows and wants to go in a different direction. Don’t know the guy but wouldn’t be disappointed in that either. Whatever it is, this “thing” could have waited until the “day after” and if current leadership couldn’t see that, then bring on the next regime (if it exists).
Agree this sort of stuff brewing “back stage” could be a factor in why the team seemed to lack focus on the real job before them the last couple of weeks because such things rarely happen in a vacuum and one way or another are leaking out.
Also on the injury issues and whether the day of spin rate superiority is on the downslope.
+500
Excellent thoughts. And the timing is definitely strange to say the least.
@DD
PC taking over? Interesting thought.
Not sure I got that but somehow I think that Richard Castellini will step up and exert increasing influence as Bob fades.
Winkers bat speed seems a little bit better than someone with only 5 rehab AB would have…. bat failed him there
Yep. Good cut, but in on the handle and cracked it but good.
It will take a night of the Very Good LC like we’re seeing to help make this happen. I’m very seriously putting my Cincy trip on the line tonight. We win, I keep the travel and buy my seats for both Thursday and Friday nights.
That’s filthy. LC is living in that low and inside or outside corners. Keep it like that.
Great job getting Beaty out so Bueler starts 3rd.
+100
So Sadak says what can the Reds possibly do against this pitching staff? Think he ticked off Larkin. Just shut up!!!
I probably need to set the over/under on when I switch to the WLW feed because Sadak is driving me nuts
I’m sorry … but Moose is just way beyond ineffective at the plate. It’s so painful to watch.
You dont have to apologize Mark.
I totally get his swing at the 0-2 pitch. He was protecting the plate. But that last one? Yeah, he’s just looked way off balance since he’s come back.
He’s not seeing the ball well. Can’t tell a breaking ball from a fastball.
I’m pretty sure I’ll die of medium/old age and Tucker will still be the Reds starting catcher. Likeable, grit filled, and good with a glove. Scoring runs is overrated anyway
The fact that NO ONE EVER drafts TB in fbb should tell you something. Means the guy is NEVER in the top 12 offensively
Buehler … Buehler … Buehler …
Go sit down. Better yet, go to Miami Valley Gaming … 🙂
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not Awesome
At this rate there will be free pizza by the 5th
I’d take that even if I don’t get one
Clean inning and K Mookie … I think we’ll take that.
Let’s see if young Mr. Schrock can lead the way.
Yeah … no …
CJ Gillman Reds minor league hitting coordinator moving on and left a stinging statement
Source? Don’t see anything
https://mobile.twitter.com/ctrent
Mark Sheldon is reporting Gillman drove Winker home from Memphis yesterday
FYI:
https://twitter.com/CoachGilly6/status/1439006811634372611/photo/1
Kyle Boddy responds to Gilman tweet.
Ouch.
This is ugly
This isnt about money. This is about the Boddy brand and ego and viewing himself as being bigger than the Reds and not towing the company line. Reds dont like loose cannons.
Really? You’re that much of a Prima Donna that you need your OWN rosin bag (Dodger Blue at that)???
Got zapped for saying Schrock should play instead of Moose. Little sensitive are we?
What? When? Where?
Given what we’re seeing, Shogo in CF and Schrock at 3B probably would be preferable. But, as we’ve all noted multiple times, we don’t fill out the line-up card.
Which Beaufort, btw? NC or SC version?
Attaboy, RoY!!
The Reds hitters look over matched so far. Castillo got to keep it up. Good job India.
Keep it up like that inning, Mark?
Way to stick with that, Kyle. Bit of a Jai-Lai move.
Just completely FILTHY tonight!!
Great pitching dual going on
No room for new commentaries on here. Beautiful here in the SC low country. Gonna sit on the boat and listen to WLW. Go Reds
Who is that in the booth? I was out of the room at the inning change.
Eric Davis
Thanks
That’s just bad luck
yea, that gets through Muncy its first and third. Vottos disgust is evident LC Pitching a super gem
Cardinals caught a major break with Vasquez pitching for Pads tonight, they just picked him up off the scrap heap. 1-0 already
Farmer. The best .250 hitter in MLB 🙂
Guy can play. Not spectacular. Not a superstar. But guy can play.
Agree. You can win with players like him. You need some power hitters and others mixed in but his bat is not a negative.
Here we go!
Farmer a good base runner too
TB base hit with Farmer on. Reds lead 1-0 !!!
Small ball achievement earned
+500
I do believe we’ll take that
SUAREZ NEEDS TO PLAY.
GO REDS!!
Castillo with the (gasp) sac. bunt
Very well executed to boot.
I thought Eric Davis was the 2nd coming of Say Hey Willie when he came up. Great career, but injuries kept him from being one of the all time greats
A rather sad +500 because you are very correct
Had so much potential and promise… Still a Reds great in my book.
Loved hearing from Eric Davis in the booth. Would make a good analyst, if interested!
He was fun to listen to. I finally caught that Larkin was calling him “Boogie”. I don’t know why, but … 🙂
One of those plays that makes you not a fan of the shift
+100
Big out getting Turner and holding Turner on 2nd.
El Nino in playoff form
Need some more runs
SO Cessa, ML? Givins has pitched 2 days in a row
I’m thinking that’s likely. I don’t believe either of them threw a ton of pitches in their last outings either.
Nice stroke Nick!!
Perfect time for the Moose homer of the week
Oh but wouldn’t it be?
or not
Nice stroke Joe!!!
Where have you been? (asking for Debbie)
Been dealing with some stuff. It’s all good now.
Thanks for asking.
How are you sir?
Nice AB by JV
It was. Now if we can capitalize on it.
I think we need to make a defensive substitution in the outfield for these late innings. Afraid a combination of Winker and Schrock could cost us late.
Either of them in LF is okay … but we probably need Shogo.
Of course, that 2-run double by Farmer helps in a HUGE way.
YESSSSSS!!!!
Farmer Harvests the Bases….3 nothing
He’s playing with a complete “Take THAT!” attitude tonight.
Whoa Farmer.
Farmer having a memory making night against the team who wouldn’t play him in the field.
+5,000
Nice to see Farmer burn Dodgers.
I mean. Don’t Whoa. Keep it up 🙂
FARMER IS 2021 REDS MVP
Reds up 3-0
Just a little too much launch angle. But we’ve touched Buehler but good!
Farmer’s got Spunk. I love Spunk
And GRIT … Spunk and GRIT go a long way.
+1000
Farmer….Farmer…. that name sounds familiar. Isn’t that the guy who folks wanted moved out of the starting lineup because he only had one good month? Gotta love it.
+1000
LC in FULL Sellout mode tonight…. Take another inning for the BP. Schock out for Defensive upgrade I think
I hope this 7th inning doesn’t haunt us. Got to be a VERY short leash.
That’s a great way to start.
A spot where he didn’t trust a lefty enough for the 3 batter minimum. Can’t blame him there
Anti-shift hit again.
No matter what now, LC outlasted a potential cy young…. outstanding
+5,000
Up to Cessa to keep this train rolling. Any out will do. GIDP would be great.
Mahle and Castillo flat out got it done last 2 starts when backs against the wall.
Another +5,000 for Mahle since LC got the same above 🙂
Gladly give up that advanced runner for the out. Nice play by Jesse tracking it down.
My wife about had kittens on that deep fly ball 🙂
Dude, if your wife is about to have kittens, you have WAY bigger issues than the Reds’ fortunes. 😉
Cessa Strands them…. interesting to see how the last 2 innings will play out Pitcher wise… unless we score 10 off their bullpen
Not even mad about the Suarez and Deshields Ks. They are in here for defense, and more than likely won’t bat again. They improved the Defense in-game at their position. It’s a good move.
+100
Same exact thoughts. And Deshields did tag that one just foul.
Robbed!!! Somebody call the locals to investigate that theft by Seager (nice grab). RoY hit that right on the screws.
Very good baseball game
Need to find 6 outs
5 outs
4 outs
3 outs
Found 3 of them
Yes we did. Just need 3 more.
Go.Sit.Down.Max!!!
I don’t want to press my luck or anything, but I’m thinking tomorrow morning I’ll be selecting my game seats for next week instead of cancelling the flight and hotel. It feels good to think I’ll be a part of the GABP crowd after a long absence.
Go for it Mark. You’ll enjoy it.
Need 3 more to get a must win, especially with St. Louis winning. Come on Padres
THat inning was so short, maybe send Cessa out for the save. WInker finally back on base.
I guess that’s a welcome back, Jesse … right in the ribs off the elbow shield.
Hope its nothing with Winker. Aquino does provide a defensive upgrade as well
Yep. I’m with you on both accounts.
Who’s gonna close this game for the Reds? Cessa straight ahead?
Depends on Joey right here. His spot is up next I do believe.
Dont ask Sadack,
Hes only announcing the game and has view of bullpen.
Hes more interested in Cabrera walk up music
Absolute announcer malfeasance.
He’s a clown and a tool … a clool … or a tlown. Take your pick.
sabotage is a good walk-up song though j-s
And the watch for hit #1 in a Reds uniform comes to the plate …
Despite Sadak’s emphatic prognostication … we get a weak pop-up.
How bout Santillan?
Wouldn’t hurt Sadak to spend some time listening to Vin Scully for a bit. Let the “sounds of the game” fill some air time
Exactly my thoughts. He just has to keep talking, using multiple variations of a word to describe something. I find it beyond annoying and most nights I flip over to the WLW audio feed. Severe case of oral diarrhea.
Lorenzen … I hope he has the arm in strong shape
Okay, Mikey Biceps … time to nail this one down.
Popeye is in da house
Let’s get this out and not let Pujols come to the plate, please.
Or not …
Seeing eye groundball. No worries.
That’s a wrap! Big win.
YES!!!! That is a complete game right there…. The Reds need to emulate that the rest of the season. GREAT GAME…. now lets take one more
Take 1 of 2 over the weekend. That’s all we’re asking. Then go on a ripping tear next week.
If Winker is OK, it could be two more from the Dodgers.
Wow
What a Reds baseball game
Just what we’ve been looking for!
That is one HUUUUUUGE win!!!
I’ll let y’all know what seats I pick up tomorrow. This is the team I can go root for.
Who do we get for Jim Day tonight? Farmer? And will he wear the bubble Geno put on his hat?
Which game are you going to?
Definitely huge. To hold a lineup such as the Dodgers’ to ONE run is huge. Kudos to Castillo, Cessa, and Lorenzen. Farmer rules.
Anytime you beat the $$ Dodgers is a good day
ABSOLUTELY
Yessir. Go get some skyline everyone.
Guess I should listen to all the games on the boat . Great win. I guess the Reds figured out what to do with the invincible Dodgers rotation. One at a time. Have to admit listening to the game wasn’t as eye pleasing but sure did bring back great memories of summer nights in the 60s and 70s.
Can’t figure this 2021 Reds team out! We can beat former Cy Young pitchers and current year Cy Young candidates (i.e. Buehler) but can’t beat journeymen pitchers or AAA callups! Great win nonetheless!
Which is why we’re addicted 🙂
I agree need to win one of next two then have a great, great week at home.
Honestly, we miss LA’s best lefty in Urias! Don’t know if you guys have seen him in his last few starts but when the Reds secure the 2nd WC spot wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dodgers start him in the playoff game1
Reds are currently 2-4 in their 16 “easy” games (Pirates, Cubs, Nats) slate, and 2-2 in their 8 “hard” games (Cards, Dodgers, White Sox).
14 games remaining. 4 “hard” ones, 10 “easy” ones. If the Reds are going to make the playoffs, they probably need to go something like 9-5 over their remaining games.
Should be interesting, at least.
LC escaped 1st and 6th inning threats, giving offense chance to win game. Farmer obliged. Winker got the first game out of the way. Win win.