Despite the 7-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves Friday night, the Cincinnati Reds showed great fortitude in making a grand comeback in the ninth inning. Unfortunately, the team fell short of the goal, but that’s the beauty of baseball: there’s another game tomorrow. It is tomorrow, and the Reds will try to get the early advantage in this one rather than trying to play comeback at the last moment.
Details:
- When: 7:20 p.m. ET
- Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
- Weather Forecast: 54 degrees and sunny
- TV: Bally Sports Ohio (in Cincinnati market); MLB Network (out-of-market)
- Radio: 700 WLW
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Atlanta Braves |
| 2B Jonathan India | RF Eddie Rosario |
| RF Tyler Naquin | 1B Matt Olson |
| DH Tommy Pham | 3B Austin Riley |
| 1B Joey Votto | LF Marcell Ozuna |
| LF Jake Fraley | 2B Ozzie Albies |
| CF Nick Senzel | CF Adam Duvall |
| 3B Mike Moustakas | DH Alex Dickerson |
| SS Kyle Farmer | SS Dansby Swanson |
| C Aramis Garcia | C William Contreras |
Aramis Garcia gets his first start of the season tonight behind the plate, and Tommy Pham gets the DH spot in the lineup.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | ERA | xERA | FIP | xFIP | WHIP | K% | BB% | |
| Vladimir Gutierrez | 114.0 | 4.74 | 4.54 | 5.22 | 5.11 | 1.41 | 17.7% | 9.3% |
| Kyle Wright | 6.1 | 9.95 | 11.61 | 9.64 | 8.32 | 1.89 | 17.1% | 14.3% |
**Stats are from 2021.**
REDS
Gutierrez made his major league debut for the Reds in 2021 and ended up making 22 starts. He wasn’t a “lights-out” pitcher, but he wasn’t absolutely terrible either. That, combined with the trades and injuries, earned him a spot in the starting rotation to start the 2022 season. Gutierrez was a little shaky in spring training, however, giving up nine earned runs in 9.1 innings.
The 25-year-old right-hander throws four pitches, utilizing his fastball and slider the most while mixing in a curve ball and a change up. In 2021, his fastball velocity was in the low 90s and his off speed and breaking pitches were in the low 80s.
Not many Braves hitters have faced Gutierrez, but the ones who have faced him hit him pretty well. Dansby Swanson has a home run and two RBI in five at-bats, and Guillermo Heredia also has a home run against him.
BRAVES
Kyle Wright’s 2021 stats are a little deceiving because he only pitched in 6.1 innings for the Braves last season. He mostly pitched for their Triple-A team, where he put up much better numbers. In 137.1 innings (24 starts), he had a 3.02 ERA, striking out 137 batters and walking 45. He also gave up only nine home runs.
Wright has bounced back and forth between the Braves and Triple-A Gwinnett for the last few seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander was the Braves’ first round draft pick in 2017, but his low fastball velocity and his lack of command has probably held him back a bit. His fastball velocity averaged about 93.7 mph in 2021, and his walk rate has consistently been up near 14 percent.
No current Reds have faced Wright. Left-handed batters have hit him better in his minor-league career. In 133 at-bats, left-handers have a 1.012 OPS against Wright as compared to a .728 OPS in 136 at-bats for right-handed batters.
News and Notes
Lucas Sims could be back with the big league club soon.
David Bell said he got great reports on Lucas Sims yesterday. Sims is expected to pitch for Louisville next week and could return to the Reds for the home series against St Louis
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) April 9, 2022
Lucas Sims might be back soon, but some Reds rookies pitched really well out of the bullpen last night in Atlanta. You can read all about their impressive debuts here.
Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote a story about how Hunter Greene’s major league debut tomorrow is a rewarding part of what the Reds have been trying to do with their pitching development.
Curious why no Moran no drury to some new guys some at bats here as well or will they play tm for the 1pm time slot tm
Likely they get their starts tomorrow on get away day
Especially Drury.
Time to complete the guaranteed split in ATL. That will take some “pressure” off young Mr. Greene tomorrow.
Watched a gem of a pitching duel mid summer at GABP with Gutierrez v Alcantara marlins . I think Gutierrez threw 1 ball in the first 2 innings. Hope to see that that guy pounding the strike zone
Go Reds!
So who goes down when Sims is back?
First, one goes down when Lodolo gets activated. Presumably a 2nd when Sims comes back. Hendrix might be the 1st to go down, but who can predict the health of a pen that far down the road.
Sitting Stephenson in Game 3 of the season is just plain stupid.
He’d sit 1 of the next two games. Does it really matter which one?
DH?
Catcher pretty much always sits the night game before a day game. It’s not really stupid to save your catcher’s knees. Although I wouldn’t have complained if he got to DH.
Gray – 2 runs in 4.2 IP today
Winker 0-3 2 walks
Suarez on the bench
I’m a Winker guy but very aware of his limitations.
I’m 100% behind this team as long as they play the young guys and commit to the plan.
I dont miss Miley or Suarez. Gray is a favorite as a competitor but I believe is in rapid decline. Watched him labor too much to get 5 innings over 94 pitches.
Trading Suarez contract will go down as a genius move by Krall.
I’m in agreement with all of the above.
Last season, I was really hoping the Reds would sign Nick C. long term. I know he has limitations in the field, but I love his approach at the plate and I think it’s cool that he is not afraid to show emotion. I also think his contract isn’t going to look all that bad at the end.
Failing to sign Nick however, I was hoping the Reds would at least get a small ransom for him at last year’s trading deadline. Had they done that, the Red’s system may have had an additional gem or two in it now.
With the Reds fighting for a play off spot last summer, I assume the Red’s were unwilling to trade Nick. It just goes to show you, even when good things happen to the Reds, it still comes back to bite them.
I know Nick was also on the IL at the dead line last summer, which is why I think when you find the right deal, you make it then and there. (Not to say there was a deal)
Don’t get me wrong, I would have had steam coming out of my ears, if this front office would have traded their best hitter in the middle of a pennant race. But, I assume the Red’s front office had an idea, at that point, they would not be re-signing Castellanos regardless.
I’m not blaming anyone for the outcome. Obviously, Nick Krall is not fortune teller and injuries are often untimely. It’s just frustrating.
Nick Casty homered today.
He’s the one I really miss. Intensity and hitting approach.
I’m buying rf seats against the Phillies to cheer for that guy .
Winner and competitor
An unmentioned benefit of Gray being traded is Stephenson could not catch him. To many balls in the dirt for the big man. Obviously Gray on this team is a better team, but I remembered thinking when I heard he was gone, at least I won’t have to see so may passed balls.
I saw Winker hit a hard liner into the shift in his last AB. I think he will benefit from the rule change next year.
In many ways I am a traditionalist when it comes to baseball, but I’m not going to miss the shift.
I don’t see anything about Tommy Pham that gives me cause for optimism, especially batting in the three hole. The void Castellanos has left, will haunt this team this year.
Thanks Uncle Bob.
So much for us all being happy that TS can play every day with the DH.
Misguided happiness. They don’t want Stephenson flaming out in August. He’s tall for a catcher, and it must be very tough on his knees. Also, this is the third game of the season and, while we may want the “best” players playing all of the time, it’s a long season and it’s imperative that the Reds make use of the whole roster.
It goes all the way back to Johnny Bench. Reading about the Big Red Machine Sparky Anderson found all kinds of ways to keep his bat in the lineup. Bench even started the second game of a double header in CF one time. I know TS isn’t as athletic as Bench was. He doesn’t have to be. David Bell doesn’t have to be creative. All he has to do is write the letters DH next to his name when he’s not catching. One might say that TS is no Johnny Bench. Well, on this team, relatively speaking, he is. He’s by far and away one of the best hitters on the team and getting better all the time. If the current Reds team wants to have any shot at competing TS better be in the lineup virtually every day. It doesn’t matter what time of year. Games won in April are just as important as games won in September. Sparky Anderson didn’t like the DH at all but you can bet your last dollar we would have used Bench in that role if he had the chance.
I agree
I think picking up Pham was a move to help soothe all the trades. I suspect hes past any real productivity, but hope he proves me wrong. I hope Naquin and Fraley gets enough at bats.
Sorry if I asked something wrong. I genuinely didn’t mean to.
is there a rain delay, i thought first pitch was 7.20
never mind it is the ring ceremony for the Braves
Why has the 7:20 game not started yet?
World Series ring ceremony.
They’re doing a ceremony for their WS rings. Personally, I think MLB should expect teams to stick to the start time; if they need extra time for ceremonies, then put it in the schedule. But I’m a crumudgeon.
Kyle Wright and Hunter Greene were same draft class 2017 and top 5.
Interesting they are pitching 2 days apart at MLB 5 years later.
One day. Greene goes to the bump tomorrow just after Noon.
Tommy Pham might be a platoon player,
He and Moose need to give better at bats.
C’mon
+100
I hope Pham works out, and I’m not going to panic after 2+ games, but I don’t really get the logic of batting him 3rd even if he turns out to be something like his historic best.
+100
OK, Vlad. Let’s mow down some Bravos and their shiny new rings.
Its feast or Pham-ine. I’m thinking he goes hungry
I’m really not an Austin Riley fan. I mean, the kids a ballplayer … but he’s killed us so far this season.
Buckle down, Vlad.
Moose with the lightning quick reflexes and amazing 8 centimeter range
I really don’t want to be put in a position to Clete tonight. But Moose lumbering and lunging after that … well, I know y’all aren’t happy with the result either. Or with the SF from Ozzie.
He’s coming at Duval like he did with Ozuna.
Alright, not too much damage…. just don’t understand why we could not have shipped moose to SEA with winker instead of Geno. At least Geno’s glove was better
Because Suarez is better, younger, and much cheaper. Geno can atleast make the routine play and occasional nice play
Nice rebound, really the only mistake was to Ozuna, a bloop shot, a weak hit the other way, and a pop out.
True enough. Time to see if that’s the case.
Well, that’s not the way to redeem yourself, Moose. Not at all.
Let’s hope Vlad has his jitters worked out and starts dealing. The “he’s tired” certainly doesn’t apply at this point.
This isn’t starting well. As bad as the off season was they really miss some of the people on the IL. So far Pham is giving nothing and Moose looks awful.
They might want to tape gloves to Moose knees and elbows. It’s the only chance he has.
Lumbered and lunged … again.
And I know it’s a difficult position to play. But it’s painful watching Moose do this stuff. Swanson on 2nd just pours salt in the wound.
More Moose anti defense. The ball will find your weakest defender. 3 games in…wearing thin.
I want to say Moran has to be better, but I’m not sure. I am pretty sure Moran will get the chance tomorrow.
This #$&n guy. If you drive a truck or you’re an accountant and you’re a little overweight then no harm no foul. I could stand to lose 10 lbs, but this guy? No athleticism whatsoever so you could atleast put in some effort to stay in shape.
I want him the #$#& off my team
Moose needs to be next move to go and aquino. Moose keep can’t dive for ball seems sluggish. Time for younger 3rd baseman have Moose dh at times
He will be hurt soon enough, they pay him too much for too long to drop him.
$16 mil this year. 18 mil next year guaranteed so no. Doesn’t matter if Farmer and Barrero hit .340. Doesn’t matter if Drury hits .375. I was surprised they ate Shogo’s 8 mil. Maybe they’ll release Moose next summer
I think they gave Swanson a double on that. That’s 2 errors by Moose that score keeper gave the home team a hit.
They can’t continue to play Moose at third, DH or sit.
No damage other than a few too many pitches for Vlad that shouldn’t have been.
Moose has natural padding so what about just laying sideways at 3B? It would increase his range 300%. The pitcher is on his own on a bunt over there anyway
HURTFUL!!!
But +100 for the humor. And it’s funny because it’s true.
It is amazing he’s not hit by more pitches.
That video of Deshields and Washington hitting hot-shots to infielders….I really wish we could have seen that with Moose. I bet it would be hysterical, in a tragic sort of way.
Can’t believe how many strikes this kid Wright throws. I expected it from Morton. It’s probably just an organizational philosophy. Throw strikes. Atlanta, as a team doesn’t seem to swing at pitches out of the zone either.
5 hits … 3 of them in the vicinity of one Moose.
Got out of that without more damage, thankfully.
Fraley to Farmer to Garcia.
Well done!
Great play by Farmer right there. Another miscue by Moose. There really needs to be a contingency plan for him. Got out of the inning unscathed.
Nice relay..Fraley to Farmer to Garcia.
So that’s what a 3B’er fielding a ball looks like … (eye roll)
I am a new Farmer fan. I think he turned a corner last year, and seems to be continuing it into this season. He’s not the sexy name, but he’s a solid hitter, and a better fielder.
The corner he turned was finally convincing someone in a front office that he can play SS really well.
It’s a crime what LA did to him by trying to make him a catcher. Cincy continued the crime for a while but finally came around.
This team can win with Farmer as SS.
It’s tough to watch Moustakas at 3rd tonight. Hopefully he makes up for it with the bat
When Solano returns it makes sense to DH Moose and have Solano and Moran over at 3rd
Also should add Farmer to that mix when Barrero returns as well
The guy deserves to play somewhere. He’s a gamer
Wright…41 pitches …32 strikes
Very efficient and trusting the D behind him.
This line up is not strong enough for Bell to take out one of his best hitters 3 games in. Stephenson should have been the DH tonight.
But that flies in the face of the lefty/righty/sit your catcher ever 3rd game philosophy.
C’mon, man!! (hard eye roll)
This write-up said Wright avg 93.7 last year. He’s humping it up there better then that tonight. He’s got good stuff.
Its going to be a long year, but just trying to see some light at the end of the tunnel for 2024. Can Senzel actually play most of a season? Greene and Lodolo and can Santillan convert most of his 30 save chances (12 vs Pittsburgh)?
Problem with Vlad and Mahle is GABP. They’re fly ball pitchers and you give up a 3 run cheapie and it gets in your head. Vlad 5.94 home & 3.80 road last year.
I don’t know how you can insure that they get most of their starts on the road?
Yep. This is why I would trade Mahle. He would bring a huge return.
Miami Valley Gaming…. you had the entire offseason to come up with new commercials…. but noooooo just run out the same lineup
I’m watching the TV feed (YouTubeTV) on the MLB Network, so I didn’t get one of those … AWESOME!!!
no it was the lucky buckeye today. this is the first game i have been able to watch on Bally this year.
The team that hit so well the last few weeks of spring training seems to have stayed in Arizona. Of course, they weren’t facing the Braves pitching. With 11 of first 13 on the road with the Braves, Dodgers and Padres away from home this team may find itself in a big hole. I think 4 and 9 would be a success.
Completely agree
Vlad has almost 5 innings of 2 run baseball against the world champions in his first game of the season.
I think we can live with that.
And then, as I’m typing, he just hits someone
It just kept running up and away on him.
He has pitched well tonight. If he had a legitimate third baseman it might be 0-0.
YIKES!!! That hurt from where I was sitting.
Vlad did a nice job tonight, I agree even a average 3rd baseman would have really helped him.
Strickland is what we needed yesterday, then bring in Hoffman for length.
Pretty Good outing from Gutierrez. A bloop, a ground ball where India would’ve been if not for the shift (I hate the shift), and a ball Moose couldn’t knock down are the reason for the 2-0 deficit right now.
OK, we’re still in this game at the moment. Need to find a way.
Looks like it’s shaping up to be the long season that most of us expect. I think a good first step would be moving Pham out of the #3 spot until he shows that he’s bouncing back. As for Moose, we’ll he likely would have been DH’ing more had Schrock not been injured. Or at least that’s my hope. I’m not confident that Moran or Solano will solve that problem.
I’m with you on that, I was saying earlier today Pham and Stephenson should swap spots in the order. Stephenson is the 2nd best hitter we have, with India a close 3rd.
Looks like we have a Centerfielder. Nice catch Nick S
Just have to avoid serious injury this season. He’ll be fine if he can do that.
We got some speed in the OF now! Winker would never have been able to get to the ball that Fraley relayed to Farmer.
Fingers crossed
Can’t give in to Ozuna
Laser throw and he gets him for a 2nd time!!
And you know we won’t face Jensen tonight. Time to strike while we can.
Nice throw AA.
Great play by Aquino…. still willing to give him a longer leash then moose
Just give Moose a Lazy Boy @ 3rd. He’ll probably play better
The question remains: why was Moose acquired in the first place?
Short leash for both, but micro-short for Moose. AA at least brings some solid D to the game.
The most famous of which is “never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: Never run on Aquino!
+1,000 from a long-time Princess Bride fan
🙂
Well … the hope is waning quickly. Looks like it will fall to Young Jedi Greene to give us a split here in Truist Park. I’m signing off for the night. Catch you all tomorrow.
A split on the road against the WSC would work for me. I like the way this team is playing, with few exceptions, MM chief among them.
Votto!!!
Aquinas s#cks offensively. When will Reds management recognize it. Defensive replacement in the late innings is all he is good for. He is just overmatched at the MLB level.
Aquinas played for the Catholics.
Must be a spell check problem.
Lol. ST Thomas Aquinas would probably hit better though nailing a runner at the plate is probably not in his wheel house.