The Cincinnati Reds will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon as they look to pick up a series victory after taking game one last night. First pitch is set for 2:10pm.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Mookie Betts – RF | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Corey Seager – SS | Max Schrock – LF |
| Trea Turner – 2B | Nick Castellanos – RF |
| Max Muncy – 1B | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Justin Turner – 3B | Mike Moustakas – 3B |
| Chris Taylor – CF | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Gavin Lux – LF | Tucker Barnhart – C |
| Austin Barnes – C | Delino DeShields – CF |
| Max Scherzer – SP | Sonny Gray – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Sonny Gray
Over the last five starts Sonny Gray has allowed just six earned runs in 30.0 innings while giving up just 12 hits, walking five, and he’s struck out 28 batters. He has allowed four home runs in that stretch.
Gray has dominated left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .192/.277/.336 line this season. Righties have found more success, hitting .250/.316/.408 against him. Gray has struggled at times at home where his ERA is 4.65 (2.97 on the road) and his OPS against is 134 points higher (.737 to .603).
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.4 | 92.5 | 84.5 | 82.1 | 88.0 | 79.5 |
| Usage | 25% | 29% | 3% | 16% | 4% | 24% |
Max Scherzer
Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Max Scherzer is 14-4 with a 2.17 ERA this season – leading the league in both ERA, WHIP, and hits allowed per 9-innings. He’s given up just 100 hits in 162.0 innings, walked just 33 batters, and he’s struck out 219. Scherzer faced Cincinnati back in May when he was with the Nationals and allowed two runs in 7.0 innings while striking out 9.
He dominates both lefties and righties. Righties are hitting .170/.208/.320 against him this season. Lefties are managing a slightly better line, hitting .179/.256/.308 against him on the year. Being with two teams, his home/road splits are tougher to say much about, but his ERA on the road is 2.42.
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | Cutter | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.3 | 90.2 | 85.9 | 85.0 | 77.0 |
| Usage | 47% | 9% | 20% | 15% | 9% |
When and Where
- Game time: 2:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 88°, partly cloudy, 4% chance of rain
Notes Worth Noting
Jesse Winker and Shogo Akiyama
Jesse Winker is being evaluated today after feeling something during a swing last night before he was hit by a pitch and then subsequently removed from the game. No determination yet if he will go back to the injured list. Shogo Akiyama still has a tight hamstring. This means that the Reds could be playing two guys short this afternoon.
NL Central Standings
Playoff odds via Fangraphs
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff % |
| Brewers | 90 | 54 | 0 | 100.0% |
| Cardinals | 77 | 69 | 12.5 | 41.8% |
| Reds | 77 | 71 | 13.5 | 32.2% |
| Cubs | 66 | 82 | 24.5 | 0.0% |
| Pirates | 55 | 92 | 35.0 | 0.0% |
Winker’s gonzo, I’d say.
I fear that’s the case. That ricochet off his guard into the ribs was pretty hard from what I saw.
I’m thinking the “2 players short” is a bigger deal. L’ville isn’t playing for anything right now. I realize you want to avoid IL trips if you can, but this is a very tough situation to be down by 1, let alone 2 players. I wonder if they will consider using Mikey Biceps in the outfield at this point … he seems to be doing well enough.
Would they put Akiyama in IL and call Friedl, Crook or somebody else?
Hard to fathom playing short handed.I don’t know how many guys we carry in the pen now but I would imagine it would be better to have one or two less there then on the bench.Surely we would want to try to avoid having to watch Miley hit with the game on the line.Just a thought.
They have a 5 man bench.. My opinion not truly “short-handed”
They need to bring Lopez up asap, I think he can play outfield.
TJ Freidl has been brought up.
Reds FB page announced TJ Friedl and Art Warren activated. Winker and Shogo to the IL. So that’s the roster for the next 10 days.
MLBTR has it as well.
interesting moves. Fredl has an opertunity. Needs to take advantage of it. What handed batter is he
If he ever sees the field
With Shogo and Naquin both down our outfield defense is very suspect especially in CF. TJ is a very good defensive outfielder.
Young Deshields is a good CF’er. Mikey Biceps might be an option. TJ has played CF at L’ville multiple times from what I recall.
Deshields is a very good cf better than anyone else except Shogo
The Winker and Antone situations are very similar = sadly
That rebound Jesse took in the ribs didn’t help one bit.
Makes one wonder for sure. Then senzel.. ugh
Don’f forget Senzel
Are we finishing the year with a TJ friedl Delino deshield platoon in cf and a max schrock aristodes aquino platoon in lf and a geno suarez moose platoon at 3b and a catching platoon
Quite possibly the case.
I would think yes.
Well hopefully Winker, Naquin can be back for playoffs. Wish we knew were Senzel was with him injury
Naquin more likely than Winker. Both possible if we go deep enough.
Lil’ Nick will be ready by Spring Training. His knee was likely much worse than we all were aware of.
Playoffs?????
Let’s gooooooo Reds. David vs Goliath. We did it last night, it’s possible to beat them Hollywood filthy rich team.
+50,000
Anybody on any given day. That’s why we play ’em all.
Feels like playoff baseball…lets hope that Sonny copies LC and shows up as well.
That’s what it’s gonna take today.
I am not sure that is a playoff team, but people will really have to pick it up = Moose, Suarez, Votto, Castillanos, all the new guys and all pitchers. Hey, you never know, that’s why they play the games.
Castellano specifically. He seems to be not motivated, seems hurry to get his at bats over with. Weird to say this, but I feel like give Moose a few more at bats, I think he’ll do some damage. I feel nothing wrong with his swing, it’s just he does not recognize the pitches early.
Nick maybe pressing to much.. I follow on gameday don’t have cable. Does he seem rushed?
+100 on Moose not being dialed in
One positive takeaway from this series (in addition to the win last night). This is very likely the team we’d face in Game #163 (or #164 if a tie happens with the Dirty Birds). Playing them now is a great tune-up.
I agree about Castellanos, he seems like he already has one foot out the door.
Hard hits by RoY and Schrock, so that was encouraging. Nick has to feel like it’s all back on his shoulders again. I know it sounds simple, but I’m thinking he needs to relax a bit.
Is it me or reds taking more pitches so far?
Reds have 4 outfielders now hurt. Remember when that was a strength. Baseball is such a funny game.
Reds getting good looks and getting hard contact even if it is outs. Gray pitching well.
a ground ball double shift move up
+100
doesn’t flow off the tongue though
An extra +50 for trying it
Nice double by RoY!! It’s the kind of stuff that needs to happen today to back Sonny up.
Just need one big hit from someone!
Johnathon India with two beautiful swings… one down for the doublwe
It was pretty to watch
OK, Nick. Patience and just find some green space.
Nope … not quite
That’s on Moose. A better throw gets him. Calling it a hit is a complete gift.
And I realize Turner is greased lightening.
How was that a hit? Not only was the throw bad, but he’s still out if Votto catches the throw.
Focus on Muncy. He’s swinging pretty wildly today (and last night).
Flat-out FROZE him in place!
What the heck is going on? Watching but cant listen.
Delay of game. Umpire is trying to freeze Votto lol
Why?
Umpire removed Had to replace home plate ump
Hope the delay has a negative effect on Scherzer.
4 pitch walk, pop up on first pitch, not smart baseball Moose.
Sonny Gray had a better at bat than Moose. He is terrible.
I know it’s early, but it looks like Scherzer is battling just a little bit. Maybe the delay did have an impact.
I have NEVER EVER seen someone pop-up as much as Moose does.
It’s pretty bad at this point
Cannot give Max strikes he doesn’t earn!!
Both of them!!!
This is looking alot like yesterday
+100 same thought
Why do the umpires not inspect a pitcher’s hat, glove, etc. BEFORE he takes the mound, where he might use an illegal substance?
I’ve wondered the same thing. Horse is already out of the barn at that point.
I think because they’d hide it then use it that inning
You had to think one of those was coming. Too many good hitters and Sonny just left that up a bit.
Please quit playing Moose.
+1,000
I’m way over Moose. Can’t find his stroke and quickly becoming a defensive liability.
And we’re down 2 to zip
Get Moose out of there. I can deal with Suarez bat as long as I get his glove. Now Sonny is in a place
Moose…ugh,,,we got 2 more years of this.
hmm, well this was quite the inning to tune into
Thanks alot Moose. His bat is slow, he is slow , has 3 inches of range and can’t throw to first without bouncing it or throwing it wide. The black hole of 3rd base.
One run on Sonny. The other on Moose. Need some weak stuff to get out of this jam.
One of the biggest differences I see in this team versus the top tier teams is the lack of fundamentals, something thats on the coaching staff. Huge error and more evidence defense matters as much as offense to win games.
Moose deserved 2 errors on that
+500
And Geno hit a home run off Scherzer last time they faced
Yep. Moose has put the Reds in a hole. They did t give an error on his first flub but should have. Instead of turning a simple DP he costs two runs. Plus he’s not hitting at all. It’s too late to do what should have already happened. Bench Geno and Moose, move Farmer to third, play Jose at SS. Too late. The vets are killing the team.
Two of those runs are on sonny, Assuming he still gets through the 6th, Reds still need to get runs. This is looking like the series will be up for grabs tomorow
and now India….. what is going on here… a circus game?
Not true. It plays out totally different if with man on 2nd 1 out, than 1st/3rd no outs. 1 event changes all of the future events.
a butterfly flaps his wings in china, and there is a rainstorm in montana, I can buy that.
I have to Clete for a bit
Th Moose contract is an albatross. This game is most likely over. The need a win Sunday and some help from the Pads. The defense has fallen apart you can’t do that against good teams plus Votto is a horrible 1st baseman.
I’ve forgotten, if I ever knew, but why was Moustakas signed in the first place and for such a bloated contract?
Votto’s throw to third wasn’t even good. He shoulda caught that, India was inaccurate. Moose…yeesh ugly defense costs them.
Votto having problems catching the ball today. Not accurate throws, but totally catchable.
Moose is garbage
Personally? No.
But his overall play is poor.
Fine, Moose’s play is garbage
You can put Suarez in anytime ,Bell. At least he makes those plays in the field.
If the Cardinals win the next 2 I think it is all but over.Pads would be 31/2 out, Reds at least 2 out, most likely 3 and Phils at least 21/2. It is sad they just hung around all summer and the Reds and Pads have let them take control. However you have to give them credit they are playing well now. Not to make excuses but for the most their main men have not gotten hurt.
God, I feel like I’ve heard the “its all but over” thing for like the last 3 months around here
but that probably just jades me. your point is valid.
Clean squeeze play, fundamentals win games.
Bell take notice.
Dodgers playing small ball. No way any Reds hitter bunts like that. They would have bunted it right to the pitcher.
Good 4 innings but after that the wheels came off for Sonny Gray and the defense… This looks enough for Scherzer and LAD gets the win today.
DID WE QUIT WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR?
I had to say that after reading some of these comments.
You are right, but the possibility of losing 8 straight series is hard to take.
The LA series isn’t lost yet.
It was the Japs
Its a joke, a line from national lampoon if I am not mistaken
Was that a joke? The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
In some ways I will be glad when this season is over, between all the injuries and the over all play the last 8 series the joy is ending.
Hoffman looking well rested, like he slept at a Motel 6 last night
Maybe they left the light on for him
I was very disappointed when I stayed at a Motel 6 once and the light was NOT left on for me.
Bell needs to find a way to get Barrero, Stephenson, and possibly now Friedl in the lineup. We’ve seen what Moustakas, Geno, Deshields, and Aquino offer.
+1000
I 100% agree. As long as DB has those guys at his disposal, they will play. We have seen with the BP, give him those type of marginal players, everyone will get participation trophies. That is not recipe for success
I hate to break the news but if winker is out for 10 days and Naquin is done for the year as Enquirer has said… this isnt a playoff team and we all know that
Tough ending but platooning at 4 positions wont work
I wonder how many times Castellanos has made swing to the first pitch with no success in the last games? I think he is not having quality ABs like he did before or Am I wrong?…
Hes definitely struggling, anybodys guess as to why.
Castellanos playing his way into not opting out
I’m wondering about that also.
If he continues this slide he might not be getting they keys to Fort Knox that everyone is anticipating. I’m not sure whether this is good or bad from the Reds standpoint.
Not if the Cubs can help it.
Art Warren looking like a good improvement to the bullpen. Honestly, I dont think we were winning two times against Scherzer in a season. Gotta hope that the Injured Kershaw doesn’t have it tomorow
Agreed. That was the ONE game where I thought we stood a chance. Last night was gravy. Today was always going to be tough and since we didn’t back Sonny plus kicked in an additional 2 runs … I stayed “Clete” and only checked the score a couple of times. Back at it tomorrow.
Moose with another screw up again
I think this game really was always the toughest of the series to win it because of Scherzer presence. Although the Reds will face a leftie tomorrow in the person of Kershaw, I feel there is more chance to win than today , of course, hoping Miley throws like a star as long as the offense and defense get the job done …
Watching Moose it doesn’t seem to bother him, no accountability on this team and as long Bell is the manager there never will be because there never has been.
I agree that today was always going to be tough, but 18 in a row is sad and indicates they gave up when Dodgers scored.
Why not Geno for Mistakeas?