Nick Lodolo will take the mound this afternoon – as long as the weather allows it (and it’s not looking great) – making his Major League debut against the Cleveland Guardians. The game will wrap up a brief 2-game series between the two teams from Ohio.
Update: The game is set to begin at 1:15pm – apparently the 2pm earliest start from earlier was incorrect.
Starting Lineups
Here’s the lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s business person special:
Cleveland Guardians
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Myles Straw – CF | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Steven Kwan – LF | Tyler Naquin – RF |
| Jose Ramirez – 3B | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Franmil Reyes – DH | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Amed Rosario – SS | Aristides Aquino – LF |
| Owen Miller – 1B | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Ernie Clement – 2B | Mike Moustakas – DH |
| Oscar Mercado – RF | Brandon Drury – 3B |
| Austin Hedges – C | Jake Fraley – CF |
| Triston McKenzie – SP | Nick Lodolo – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Stats are from 2021.
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB% | K% |
| Triston McKenzie | 120.0 | 4.95 | 1.18 | 11.7% | 27.5% |
| Nick Lodolo (Minors) | 50.2 | 2.31 | 0.97 | 5.5% | 38.8% |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Triston McKenzie’s Stats |
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Nick Lodolo
The left-handed pitcher will be making his big league debut after a spring training in which he threw 11.1 innings with two walks and 12 strikeouts and allowed just three runs. The first pitcher taken in the 2019 draft, Lodolo dominated Double-A last year, but only threw 6.2 innings in Triple-A before he was shut down for the final month of the season with a shoulder strain.
While the 2021 season was limited for Lodolo, he dominated both lefties and righties. Of the 12 hits he allowed to left-handed hitters last season only one went for extra-bases. He doesn’t walk hardly anyone – or at least hasn’t in the past. And he’s done that while also racking up tons of strikeouts.
2021 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 137 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5.8% | 37.9% | .211 | .292 | .301 |
| LHH | 64 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4.7% | 40.6% | .197 | .234 | .246 |
Pitch Usage
We don’t have pitch data breakdown for Nick Lodolo because that information isn’t publicly available in the minor leagues at this point in time. With that said, he’ll throw a fastball in the 93-95 MPH range while mixing in a plus breaking ball (depending on who you ask it’s a slider or it’s a curveball), a cutter, and a change up.
Triston McKenzie
The 24-year-old starter misses a lot of bats, but he also walks hitters at a high rate for a starting pitcher. There weren’t many hits against him last season from lefties or righties, but teams did hit for a solid amount of power against him when the hits did fall.
In his first start this season he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out just one batter in 3.0 innings against Kansas City. He threw just 47 pitches in the game with more than half of them being out of the strikezone.
2021 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 258 | 42 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 11.6% | 28.3% | .186 | .283 | .389 |
| LHH | 237 | 42 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 11.8% | 26.6% | .203 | .304 | .377 |
Pitch Usage (in 2021)
| 4-Seam | Change | Curve | Slider | |
| Velo | 92.1 | 86.0 | 79.3 | 86.4 |
| Usage | 61.6% | 1.3% | 18.0% | 19.1% |
When and Where
- Game time: 12:35pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 65°, cloudy, 90% chance of rain
News and Notes
Roster Moves
Cincinnati made several roster moves today prior to the start of the game.
- Nick Lodolo added to the 40-man and 28-man roster.
- Daniel Duarte optioned to Triple-A Louisville
- Riley O’Brien was designated for assignment
Tommy Pham’s X-rays were negative
After exiting the game yesterday after colliding in the outfielder with Nick Senzel, Tommy Pham had his wrist examined and the x-rays came back negative. Still, he and Senzel are out of the lineup today.
Mike Minor set to rehab tonight in Double-A Chattanooga
After having a small setback in spring training, Mike Minor is ready to begin a rehab game with the Lookouts tonight. The lefty has already pitched a simulated game/live batting practice.
Tanking is still happening and Cincinnati is a good example
Jesse Rogers of ESPN wrote about how the new CBA was supposed to help fix tanking in Major League Baseball and how that it isn’t actually doing that.
When the lockout ended, the Reds were projected for 82 wins this season and the Athletics 76, according to ESPN MLB writer Bradford Doolittle’s projection formula. During negotiations, the league argued that the two additional teams added to the playoff field would have give teams in similar spots more incentive to try to win now. Instead, Cincinnati and Oakland went the other way. By Opening Day, the Reds had lost five wins in Doolittle’s projections — and the A’s had lost 10.
Around the Beat
More Phil Castellini fallout reaction
“The Younger Castellini, who was born on third base and thought that entitled him to a ballclub……” C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic laid out just how tone deaf and out of touch Phil Castellini was yesterday with his two public interviews and then the apology that was released by the Reds at 9pm last night.
The game has officially been delayed. It will not begin before 2pm (at the earliest).
WRONG.
Game is now set to begin at 1:15pm.
If the game gets postponed, I wonder if Lodolo still makes the next start for the Reds
They have made the roster move; so, one would think he is traveling with the team. Perhaps just an unfortunate situation where there was a deadline to make the move if they wanted him to be eligible to pitch today should the weather permit the game to be played?
I was hoping Duarte was in the bullpen to stay. I’d rather have seen Strickland heading to Louisville. But nobody asks me…
Hate that Lodolo may have to wait to make his debut, and likely that his family will be in Cincinnati with no game to watch. I’m hoping he gets the start in LA pushing back SanMartin, or better yet just replacing him for now.
And finally, I really hope that Senzel (and Pham) are okay. Nick looks poised for a breakout year IF he can stay healthy. I’d hate to see him miss time (again) for such a dumb bad luck kind of play. Go Reds!
Wikipedia:
Castellini’s son, Phil, widely detested amongst the Reds’ fanbase.
Born with a silver spoon inserted in his pie hole, I wonder if Bob is waiting for one of his grandchildren to come of age before handing over the company business to him.
Why is a comment like that from realist allowed? It has nothing useful to say, and is disgusting?
If the game starts, I hope the weather then holds for Lodolo to get a solid length to his start. I hope it is not one of those start/stop games where he can’t stay in rhythm, or burns a start by getting an inning or two then sitting through a delay that prudence says he doesn’t restart the game.
Pie hole is disgusting? The wikipedia comment? It is a comment on the article from Doug, it is very useful. why do you care what Prudence says about a restart of the game she should mind her own business.
Not exactly Mr. Personality. ‘Born on third base.’
I could borrow from then Texas Governor Anne Richards who said of the late President George H.W. Bush … “Poor George … he can’t help it … he was born with a silver foot in his mouth.”
That seems to be the case with Phil based on his inability to interview.
I miss Anne Richards but not Phil C.
People are all over Pham because he hasn’t had a hit yet while Senzel “is poised for a breakout year”, based on hitting .118 through the first five games. If outfielders keep running into each other, which is poor fundamental baseball at its finest, then it won’t be a breakout year, it will be a broken year.
Pham has looked terrible at the plate and hasn’t had a hard hit ball yet. Nick Senzel has hit the ball hard for the most part.
Based on my observations .
Still early, but he has looked terrible .
You’re right @Doc. I think people forget Pham missed almost the entirety of spring training. I’m not saying Pham will or won’t be good, just that people need to let him get some work in before passing judgement.
Side note, I love that Stephenson is in the 3 hole, hopfully that move is permanent. That can allow Pham to bat down in the lineup at an easier spot while he gets his timing down.
@MBS, but does Pham need to get up to baseball speed batting 3rd in the order?
@Doc, does the club reimburse you for your endless support of their inadequacies?
When you can’t win with sound arguments, criticize and impugn the messenger.
Reds Twitter now saying first pitch at 1:15pm.
It’s a weather delay … where else are you gonna go?
Bust out the paper bags.
Here is what Nick Castellanos just said, so sorry if it is disgusting and not useful.
“What sucks is in a great city like Cincinnati where the fan base is impeccable, it’s suffocating because of ownership. I’m not saying that they are bad people. The system is bad.”
Wow … what a statement. I find it very telling from a player like Castellanos.
Bell was asked in the pre game radio about Santillan going another inning.
Paraphrasing he said yes he went 1+ innings in Atlanta but we are preparing for the whole year and he was slated to only pitch 1 inning yesterday.
He did refer to Warren and Santillan being used for the top of the order.
So Bell scripts his bullpen useage pregame and doesnt deviate.
“Scripted” … I read the exact same thing in that statement. And we all know you don’t vary from the script. It’s not like you want to hold the line and give the team a chance, right?
5 pitches or 25 pitches… doesn’t matter. What matters is the number of innings. 20 pitches in two innings yesterday would have ruined his arm in August, but if it had taken 23 pitches to get through one inning, that’s fine. Sports medicine is very precise like that, and Bell is just following the science, I’m sure.
Well, we can’t know whether he deviates unless we’ve read the script beforehand. We don’t know either way, but isn’t it reasonable to suppose that he consults with his highly regarded pitching coach?
WE HAVE BASEBALL
I enjoyed the comment in last night’s game concerning 1st round picks on the roster. And now that Lodolo is official, it goes all the way from 2015 through 2019. The first round picks are all on the roster today (Stephenson-2015, Senzel-2016, Greene-2017, India-2018, Lodolo-2019). That seems significant to me and says a lot about what the Reds have been doing with drafting and development lately.
+500
First K … and the first non-swinging strike on Kwan.
Ist career K for both Lodolo and Kwan. Pretty cool!
Well THAT was filthy
2 K’s and 2 pretty weak hits that didn’t do any damage. I believe we’ll take that.
Speaking of first-round picks, we also have a bunch of players who were picked in the first round by other teams:
Moose
Naquin
Moran
Minor
Sims
Hoffman
(and Petty down on the farm)
Hedges hasn’t hit at all this year and it looks like Lodolo practically pitched around him to turn the lineup over with just one out and now two aboard. This is how yesterdays first few runs came over the plate.
Now he’s walked them loaded. Uncharacteristic lack of control for Lodolo.
And a third consecutive walk to bring in a run. 14 pitches and 12 balls. Something is very wrong with him.
And now he’s hit his 2nd batter of this inning and brought in a second run. Bases still loaded with just an out. This is going to be so ugly and I’m worried about him.
I want Aquino to succeed as much as anyone, but how much longer can he continue not producing and it seems not making any adjustments?
We are in the process of finding out.
If your SS can’t score on a 2 out double off the wall then maybe you need a more athletic SS
Really good relay by the Guardsmen … it could have skipped off the mound weird, but in the end it was just the 3rd out at home.
I was about to say that if there is worse hitter in baseball than AA, I haven’t seen him.
Then, Moose came to plate.
Yeah, Farmer is the problem with this club.
The Reds will end up letting Farmer go and he’ll end up winning a World Series with another team.
Not questioning Farmer’s effort but when a shortstop cannot score from 1B on a 2 out ball off the center field wall, a person has to wonder. It wasn’t a tall can of corn that grazed the wall but there was substantial arc on and decent hang time to it.
Beat me to it. See below 😉
And then THAT happens … it isn’t the Hunter Greene debut, that much is sure. But we’re not giving run support either.
I don’t blame 3B coach for waving in Farmer. It didn’t work, but at least I like the gumption of trying to make something happen rather than rely on the one-base-at-a-time approach. I don’t think the Reds have the lineup to string together multiple hits, but I hope they prove me wrong.
And just as I’m typing this, it’s now 3-0. This isn’t playing out to be a Hunter Greene debut.
I’m with you. Farmer showed House signs of wanting to go all the way from the start. The relay throw was nearly perfect and even the skip off the mound went the right way.
In the post presser, Bell said that Strickland is going to be used in closing and critical situations, be available tomorrow, no regrets, blah, blah, blah, etc. He had his 3 top relievers to either pitch beyond a short inning or be brought in (Cessa). In a big game emotionally with the 3rd chance to make a comeback in a tied game, he brings on someone who hasn’t shown anything in terms of results. How many relievers did Bell throw out there last year because he “wanted” them to succeed in spite of all objective evidence? He has 15 pitchers to win the close games, use the half dozen or so within them to burn innings like everybody else. You think Tony Santillan is not capable of pitching 2 innings after a day’s rest or making 60 appearances over the year?
If Tony isn’t, then all of our eye tests are failing us. It’s all about choices and you can’t expect Bell to say “I made a bad one” even if that’s what we see and what the facts bear out.
And once again Joey Votto cuts in front of the second baseman half way between 1st a d 2nd where there is no chance for a play at first instead of just covering the bag and letting India throw the guy out. It’s really amazing how this same play just keeps happening over and over with Votto going on at least 5 years, but yet the announcers don’t even mention how boneheaded of a play it is. I can’t believe the manager doesn’t say something to Votto every single time he does this
Pirates winning today. We’re about to fall into the Bumbling Bob Basement. :<
And we’re done for the day. Cleveland is just flat-out hitting us and we’re not producing. That’s a prescription for a loss and, I have to think, doesn’t bode well for the LA trip. This is a pretty big hole.
Lodolo will be fine in the end. But he’s getting the L today barring a miracle.
I too thought Farmer should have scored but at least it was an aggressive out. When you don’t have much offensive in your line up you have to take chances on the base paths.
First home stand of the season, not looking promising at the moment.
Sort of like Custer’s 🙂
It’s going to a long year. 2-4 after today with a 7 game trip to L.A. and S.D. Let’s guess what the record will be coming back home next Friday. A 3 and 4 trip would be a big success more likely 2 and 5 at best.
I was hoping for more from Lodolo today. On the other hand, Cleveland is the best hitting team in baseball at the moment and the highest scoring. And the Reds? Well, sadly below .200 thus far on the season. But at least their OPS is higher than Arizona’s. It’s going to be a long, long year.
why is Aquino on the roster?
I was just about to ask the same question. He should not make the trip to L.A.. I would keep Moose from the trip as well. This team really needed that game yesterday it’s a shame that Bell let that one get away by trying to out smart everybody.
Man, Colin Moran must be worse than I thought if he can’t play ahead of Moose.
Moose? Can they invent an injury for him. He can longer play this game
Moose? Collectively, the team is hitting under .200. The problems are much, much deeper than just Moustakas.
Yeah Moose! The other guys will eventually look like major leaguers. Moose is done. Can’t hit, field, or run.
I can’t recall anything Moose has done to help the Reds win a game, except there was a lot of hullabaloo when he was signed.
When Shrock is healthy, I hope they give him a shot. But until then, I prefer Moose to Moran.
@TR> Just for the record, I think Moose had a pretty good September in 2020 that helped the Reds get into the faux playofffs.
To show the Reds are not tanking, they need to sign more players like Moustakas to big contracts like the one he has. That will help with the win projections. Reds just need to spend more money on Moustakas to get better
The fact that they signed him to a huge contract to play out of position with no clear sign that other teams really wanted him, all while they had a ROY in AAA that could have played 2B instead, perfectly sums up the Reds’ front office over the past 10 years.
Whatever their shortcomings, they are at least ahead of last years’ team in the sartorial scruffiness contest: they have more beards than ZZ Top.
Going to be growing pains with the young starters. Definitely a weak point of the team. Also I realize that they have faced some good pitching so far but not great hitting at the moment. This series isn’t going to bring the fans back.
Nor are the comments of Phil C.
Just talked about Friday nights L.A. game and next Friday’s game only on Apple T.V. Gambling on game is coming soon to the ballpark. More money for Bob and Phil. I guess the game will be on the radio or maybe they can figure a way to make a buck on that. I think the Reds may have peaked in Atlanta.
Have you ever heard a color man worse than Barry? I can’t think of one.
Prediction – Hunter Greene is still a thrower and needs to learn how to pitch. Hope I’m wrong.
22 years old and pitching in the majors. He must be doing something right.
Regarding Barry Larkin, yes I have heard a worse color man.
I grew up in South Central Ohio. We got Indians and Reds game on TV. In the early 1980s, the Indians color man was, and I am not making this up, Reggie Rucker of the Cleveland Browns.
Reds came into the game 29th in team OPS. As constructed, I dont see them in top 20 at all this season and bottom 5 perhaps
Well we knew they were going to lose big this year. The problem is with the Reds that they’ve always financially invested in dead ends like Moose, Shogo, etc. so they rarely end up starting their best 9 on any given day. That sucks
Losing big is one thing, but to lose big with random veterans and players who have proved they can’t get it done such as Moran and AA is tough to accept. At least let the young guys such as Friedl and Barrero when he is back healthy get a full season in to learn from and to prepare for next year.
Coming into the season, I have been a bit baffled, why so many think this team is shoo in for at least third place. I can easily see this team finishing behind the Cubs.
Time to throw away whatever scouting report they have on Ramirez
Slow start for Joey. Was hoping he would be able to replicate or at least approach last year’s production again. He’s striking out at an alarming rate so far.
Yea, along with India, Moose, and Senzel. These first 20 games are nothing short of a buzz saw. I was hoping they could split with Tribe.
And with his Mom in the stands today, too
8 strike outs in 12 ab’s.. good job Aquino. “are we better on a weird way”
Reds season over in month of April. I see sweeps on the horizon against dodgers and Padres. Hope I am wrong.
Aquino is sort of the “anti-Steven Kwan”.
+1,000
And Kwan is what we hoped Shogo could be plus some so far this year
Reds are hitting the DH 7th today and 9th yesterday
Thats not how this DH thing works. The idea is to use one of your best hitters at DH and hit them high in the order to use that extra and elite bat to help win games
I have to agree that 1-0 and 2-2 might be the best this bunch sees the rest of the year. I knew it would be tough year, but this team looks much worse than I thought they would be. They very seldom have a good at bat let alone 2 or 3 in a row. This sad thing is this trip out west is not going to help. They face Beuhler tomorrow, oh boy.
You have to wonder how much the comments by Phil yesterday are affecting the motivation/clubhouse of this team. It certainly didn’t help.
Well when I wore my “Sell the Team Bob” tee shirt at Goodyear I could tell Big Bob didn’t like it and several players gave me a thumbs up on the shirt since I was sitting right next to the Reds dugout. Yea, I would say they also want Bob to sell.
https://www.facebook.com/charles.levan.7146/
They didn’t help that is for dang sure. On a side note Moose and Aquino have to go, they are automatic outs who rarely, if ever, hit the ball hard.
Phil’s comments didn’t do a lot for my motivation. It’s hard to root for a team when the owners shows such contempt for the fans.
I keep trying to remind myself that the Castelllinis are not the Reds. But those comments yesterday still anger me.
@Votto4Life I am a die hard Reds fan but I feel the exact same way as you after those comments. If I hadn’t already bought tickets this year and I didn’t typically go to games on the company dime, I certainly would not purchase tickets this year or until the team is sold.
I’m not sure what you expected? Their pitching is completely unproven except for Castillo and he’s hurt. Maybe Santillan and Warren produce in high leverage, but they have no track record. We have alot of offensive holes too. You can’t just subtract Castellanos and Winker and expect that much
Mahle is unproven? What happened to 2021?
Thanks….knew I was forgetting somebody. I just had Covid….about 60% at best
Some of these players are making the decisions for who will go when the injured horde returns quite simple.
Very true statement. I have to wonder how short AA’s leash is. Do we know when his arbitration hearing is?
I do think that losing Solano and Schrock hurts, while not stars they did give professional at bats.
Agreed. I was in favor of Schrock as the DH against righties.
I know it’s let’s gang up on Moustakas time for Reds fans. But seriously, there has to be something wrong with him, right? In that at-bat, he swung through two 89 mph fastballs in the upper part of the zone. A major-league hitter at least makes some sort of contact with those pitches.
You do have to wonder about that. Regression is one thing, but what we’re seeing is an extension of his injury-riddled 2021 season.
I would assume that he had the entire off-season to heal and get back into shape. I’ve even wondered about vision. In his first at-bat today, he wore sunglasses while batting. I can’t remember the last time I have seen that, if ever. He’s not making any contact to speak of — not even foul tips.
Same here, Tom. Yet what we’re seeing definitely isn’t right or what we know he’s capable of doing. Something is off … WAY off.
Just my opinion, but I don’t remember he lunging forward every swing until last year and this year. His head moves forward towards the pitcher nearly a foot from his set position to the point that he swings. That much head movement makes the pitch seem faster than it actually is gives you no chance at picking up an off speed spin. He used to sit back and drive the ball, not lunge/drift forward and be out in front of everything as he is now.
And then he singles against one of the best relievers in the game … go figure.
At least the NFL draft is two weeks from tomorrow.
I seen in a mock draft David Bell will be drafted by the Bears.bi
Thank god I am a UNC basketball fan. Good news today Bacot is coming back.
Don’t worry Reds fans. We have Mike Minor on the way! Don’t concern yourself with the 5.05 era he had in the biggest park in MLB because I’m sure he’ll be aces for the Reds! Meanwhile they couldn’t be bothered to ever give Lorenzen a legit shot to start. They start him when he’s not ready and then never give him another shot. Sounds like the Reds
Hey, Indy, two things to add — 1) Minor will fit right in perfectly with that 5 plus ERA and, 2) Yea, why didn’t we keep Lorenzen and give him a chance to start. The Angels got him on a 1 year 6.75 Mil deal. Seriously? We couldn’t match or slightly better that? Not sure if it will last, but he just had an excellent start yesterday.
When was the last season that Lorenzen didn’t have a major injury? If he makes it through the full season with the Angels, it will be the first time in a very long while.
I’m more than a little apathetic about pulling a Clete on this one today. It’s now just background noise in my office.
Dave Roberts pulled Clayton Keyshawn after 7 perfect innings today in Minnesota.
He only threw 80 pitches with 13 strike outs. Will be interesting to see what happened.
Man Wish Tyler did not catch.
Longer career and one of reds best hitters.
He’ll move to first when Votto’s contract expires.
Hope so wish before so on cheap still.
By then could be looking to trade him.
I still contend the team would have been better served by keeping Tucker, moving Stephenson to 1B this season and using Joey as the DH. Could have done that without and saved money by not signing Tommy Pham.
The Reds seem hell bent on salvaging some production from Moose.
Bench had a decent length career, catching the entire time. Reds have time. Moving to 1B doesn’t guarantee TS will stay with the Reds after reaching free agency. If what Phil C said about Krall, we’re looking at a Tampa Bay model, which I would be happy seeing, and a long career with the Reds is probably 6 years.
My Point was want best hitter most games.
Not 5 out of 7 games being catcher nowadays.
Lineup not full of hof either right now.
So many taller players fail with us lack of contact.
tyler the rare one working out so far.
Like see what could do not catching that is all.
Understand lack catchers though.
Thank you Tyler. He just cashed my Over 8.5! The businessman specials almost always go Over
I got the Indians at +115 somehow. Never had a worry on that one.
Watching the Moose VERY closely on this AB
And he fights off a high one for a flair hit. His head did look to be down when he swung at that.
Aquino 0-4 with 4 strikeouts, El Golden Sombrero!
Frustrating … not looking forward to the visit to Chavez Ravine.
2-159 record is still in play
Which game is being cancelled?
Pirates or cubs last game make up when rained out again and its october 8th when both teams are 20+ games out
They’ve done pretty well with first round picks; this should help!