The Chicago Cubs are coming to Cincinnati to begin a 4-game series against the Reds this evening. The Reds will be sending Vladimir Gutierrez to the mound for the first time in nearly two weeks. He’ll match up against Cubs left-handed starter Drew Smyly.
Starting Lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight’s NL Central contest:
Chicago Cubs
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Rafael Ortega – CF | Nick Senzel – CF |
| Jonathan Villar – 2B | Brandon Drury – 2B |
| Seiya Suzuki – RF | Tommy Pham – DH |
| Ian Happ – LF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Yan Gomes – C | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Frank Schwindel – DH | Aristides Aquino – RF |
| Alfonso Rivas – 1B | Mike Moustakas – 3B |
| Patrick Wisdom – 3B | Albert Almora Jr. – LF |
| Christopher Morel – SS | Matt Reynolds – SS |
| Drew Smyly – SP | Vladimir Gutierrez – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Vladimir Gutierrez | 26.0 | 8.65 | 1.96 | 19 | 19 |
| Drew Smyly | 34.0 | 3.97 | 1.38 | 7 | 26 |
| Links: Vladimir Gutierrez’s Stats | Drew Smyly’s Stats |
|||||
Vladimir Gutierrez
Following the last time we saw Gutierrez take the mound it was announced that he would be moving to the bullpen. After six starts his ERA was pushing 9.00 and he had as many walks as strikeouts. But as it’s gone for the Reds this season, another injury – this time it’s Connor Overton and his back – has altered the plans that the team had and Gutierrez returns to the rotation before he even made a single appearance out of the bullpen.
Right-handed hitters are doing well against Vladimir Gutierrez this season, but left-handed hitters are hitting like prime-late-30’s Barry Bonds against him. Gutierrez has walked more lefties than he’s struck out, they are hitting .340 against him, and they are slugging .793.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 60 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | .292 | .417 | .458 |
| LHH | 68 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 12 | .340 | .471 | .793 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.5 | 82.1 | 82.5 | 78.1 |
| Usage | 49.9% | 18.5% | 17.5% | 14.2% |
Drew Smyly
Teams haven’t put many lefties in against Smyly this season. When they have, they haven’t done much hitter. With that said, when they have gotten hits they’ve put up some power with 5-of-8 hits going for extra-bases. Right-handed hitters have hit well against Smyly. What they haven’t done much of is draw many walks – but hitting .311 and slugging .534 makes up for a lack of free passes.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 107 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 22 | .311 | .336 | .534 |
| LHH | 39 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | .222 | .282 | .417 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 91.8 | 87.8 | 81.5 | 77.6 |
| Usage | 26.9% | 28.4% | 0.5% | 44.2% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 64°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Roster moves and more roster moves
The Reds made a whole bunch of roster moves today.
- Nick Senzel activated
- Tyler Mahle reinstated from the restricted list
- Joel Kuhnel reinstated from the restricted list
- Brandon Drury reinstated from the restricted list
- Albert Almora Jr. reinstated from the restricted list
- Aristides Aquino both sent back to Triple-A and then recalled
- Graham Ashcraft sent back to Triple-A
- Taylor Motter sent back to Triple-A
- TJ Friedl optioned to Triple-A
- Connor Overton placed on the 60-day injured list
- Donovan Solano transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list
2020 1st round pick Austin Hendrick promoted to High-A Dayton
In a bit of a head-scratching promotion, Austin Hendrick was promoted from Low-A Daytona to High-A Dayton despite hitting .205 with a strikeout rate of 40% – both numbers worse than he posted last season while also in Daytona. Sometimes there’s more to things than the numbers, but Hendrick has hit .104 with 25 strikeouts in 54 plate appearances since May 6th.
Over/under on how many days before Lance M slobbers over Hendick?
Well … that’s a line-up. We’ll see if we can score on this mild-temperature night. Let’s hope the Stupid Cubs fail to score and make Vlad look more like Cy Young than Cy Yuck.
I think if Gutierrez has a good outing tonight he ‘ll keep in the rotation at least for another game so Ashcraft only chance to be called up again is Gutierrez having a bad
performance or an injury arising as both scenarios aren’t that we want to have
The important thing is that Mottel is no longer on the roster. Glad to see Aquino back up. Fredl has gone, and lots of other movement too….
Good to see Senzel back and hopefully it won’t be too much longer for India,Barrero and Shrock.
Pre-game video of India doing drills. Barrero still with the Bats. Not sure about Schrock.
Vlad throwing strikes. I like it.
+250
He looked pretty good. That last batter especially. Focused and got him to look at one away.
Let’s go Reds!!! Senzel will hit a lead off Home run. Callin I.
Nick roped that one! Too bad he didn’t get any lift. Still, I like it.
Welcome back, Brandon Drury!
Knowing Smyly is a junk-baller, makes me a little nervous about how AA will perform.
This is not knowing a scouting report. AA can’t hit the breaking ball or slow stuff. What happens three slow pitches and a strike out.
To me this is Bell just mis management. Maybe I am wrong.
Don’t know if it will ever happen but I still believe if Senzel could stay on the field he would be an above average major league player.He has all the tools and can help a team win a game in a lot of ways.
Honestly wish they would of left him at 3rd.
Welsh in the booth tonight.
He provides so much more insight than Larkin
I think I’ve soured on Pham. He’ll have a few good games, but doesn’t seem to put anything together. He’s not going anywhere so he’ll have more time, but the revenge tour isn’t scaring anyone
OK … you all wanted AA to get a shot. Here we go.
Nice AB, TySteve.
Over.Matched.
The man hits a big two run double yesterday and all the putrid performances beforehand are forgiven, apparently.
Big spot for AA.
3 benders … 3 strikes
Aquino just can’t adapt to seeing a breaking ball.
Sadly, that appears to be the case. And that’s all Smyly is going to feed him.
Almost everybody is under .250 as a team and nobody picked up AA when he went on waivers so thats all you need to know. Yeah the Reds are stupid but everyone else isn’t
Ouch Aquino…swung at 3 straight balls. We root for you, but that makes it hard
Hard to hit a pitch when it’s at your feet. Maybe Bell can hand him a golf club.
Welcome back, Nick. Nice read on that ball.
Busy night out there in CF
and on that ball
You get much of that rain? We got just shy of an inch so far.
Bases loaded. Three whiffs by AA. How about working the count?
Nope. Got to be the “Punisher” you know.
Pedro Cerano in the flesh. Trouble with the curve.
If Senzel can stay on the field he is a very good player
Senzel Having fun out there chasing down balls
What do you all think. Having AA play against a pitcher who throws the slow stuff is not a good managerial move? AA can’t hit the breaking stuff.
It’s a bit baffling to me. I realize you want to give the guy a chance to demonstrate he’s improved, but 3 swings over 3 benders doesn’t show anybody that.
Not even a hint of being patient. Knowing they r gonna throw me nothing but breaking stufd
AA is what he is untill he isn’t.He is a good athlete but he just can’t play in the big leagues unless he puts the ball in play.
+500
AA is career 2 for 3 agains Smily with a Home run.
I watched a game gabp last year between Gutierrez and Alcantara Markins and it was a great pitching duel
I think Gutierrez threw 2 balls in 2 innings and Alcantara was nasty
Gutierrez has it in him.
See what happens. Thats what 2022 is about
Exactly and if we do it right we will win some games along the way.We can’t overcome that record setting awful start but when healthy this team has some promising younger players that I believe can provide a good core going forward.
+250
The whole is way too deep, I agree. So you double-down on what you can do instead. Now if we’d only see consistent evidence of that. Heck, I’d probably consider making a trip up there if they did.
Way to go Mr. Moose!!
Right idea. Little too much hang time.
Keep running up the pitch count.
Keep working it. Back to Vlad to hold them down.
They guy with the catch in a beer cup … then drinking around it in celebration … 😮
Hope it wasn’t a spitter 😮
My guess is he’s played beer pong, and figured beer baseball must be better.
Lil Nick is busy tonight
Yes, busy being 0 for 2, extending his 0 for 10 in AAA. It’s not his fault, I’m just frustrated that they brought him up before he was ready. I didn’t watch any of the games, maybe he was scolding the ball, and was just unlucky. He did smoke that one to SS 102.4 mph.
I was surprised as well but he is here so we play on.
His stroke looked decent at AAA from what I saw. He did rip that first one tonight. But I tend to agree … a little more seasoning would have been better.
Focus, Vlad … FOCUS!!!
Flex-o-Zone on full display
Vlad looking good…smiley looking like he is confusing the reds hitters as well
Reds continue to struggle at the plate against lefties especially the soft tossers.Don’t know why but they just do.Long season so we play on.
Nick’s not chasing down that one on the fly
That’s not good …
and now original Vlad is back….sigh
Yep. Kind of like the rain on the way later and on into tomorrow night. You think things clear up, but you can’t actually change it.
Our offense is awful right now so getting down 1 or 2 runs seems like 5 runs.
Mariners in a battle royal with A’ s for last place the AL West 17-25 chasing the Rangers for 3rd and 10 back of the Astros and never to see the Angels either
Krall fleeced the Mariners.
Suarez is suarez . Hits a home run a week. Strikes out 30%. Slow aging bad dense owed $35 million
Yeah but Moose fleeced the Reds
Geno is a GG hitting machine compared to Moose
Blind squirrels
+100
Well, we got Moosed on that one
Moose…AKA…Hands of Stone
Next pitch…3 run tater…all 3 unearned…thanks Moose.
The guy is horrible. Not Motter horrible though. Close. Very close
and that is the vlad we know and wanted back in the bullpen
He is a DH and thats it in this stage of his career.
And I’m on the verge of a Clete already. This is a HUGE hole. Plus we all know what those 4-run innings do to our guys.
Sadak
“Moustakis keeps it on the infield”
Chris Welch all in managing the message and throwing vlad under the bus
Reds marketing machine in full force protecting moose
Routine mlb grounder
Moose cant play 3b .
Because Lopez at 3B wouldn’t have been any better, him being a contact hitter against a guy like Smyly and all … SMH Extra Hard!!
hahaha Don’t hurt yourself. I understand. 🙂
So if Moose makes that play. The inning would of been over correct? Following on game day.
I don’t see how they can go forward with Moose at 3B? Of course a good pitcher doesn’t follow that up with a 3 run cookie, but Vlad stinks. Oh well
You saw it coming a mile away.Vlad is struggling and Wisdom is there home run threat.First pitch 92 right down the middle.Ball game and good night to all.Can’t give away outs or walk hitters in the big leagues.
Bad pitch but those runs are on Moose. This is the major leagues for gosh sakes. Someone should hide his glove. He had no business on the field.
Johnson mound visit….why did he tell Vlad to throw a fastball to their best HR hitter….It should be a steady diet of off speed, and fastballs out of the zone.
Moose has to smother that ball. It’s not enough to just block it. You have to smother it and keep it at your feet. And apparently Wisdom can hit a fastball that’s right down the middle. Go figure.
Down 4-0 against the Cubs? What has happened to Gutierrez this year? He looked far better last year.
First time around, ok. Second time around, there it goes. Gutierrez should be in the bullpen; possible closer.
4-0 is to much for this team. Maybe tomorrow.
And here we thought Motter or whatever his name is was sent back down … 😮
You want them to ‘Welcome Back Motter?’
You don’t run on AA.
You just don’t!
Haven’t they been reading the scouting reports?
that aquino play was on point though
Man. Aquino just needs to learn how to put the ball in play. He has awesome talent. Great throw.
AA! Looks like their guy didn’t read the scouting report. That kind of thing would fire up a decent team, but then there are these guys
AA look like his normal self typical luck of the batting good throw from him for an out though. This game is going to be a lost knew when Vladimir Gutierrez pitching which needs to be sent down or stay bullpen. Also see AA didn’t go back down to minors sucks why not bring up someone young or something
I hope this stops the Guttierez is a starter talk.. I like him out of the bullpen. Leave Hoffman in bullpen please.
JB I agree with you but I think Hoffman and Gutierrez should be sent down for Ashcraft and another position player
Just curious as to why send Hoffman down? His Era is 1.66 he is one your best bullpen pitcher. So is your logic, behind your statement
I like him out of some other organizations bullpen
I’ve never seen him out of the pen, I’d put him in AAA and let him start there. It’s probable we’re down a starter or 2 by the deadline.
OK, nothing to see here tonight. I’m calling a Clete. Back at it tomorrow. Somebody wake me if a miracle happens.
I guess my fantasy of the Reds being in 3rd place by the end of the week is now dashed. Darn it.
Senzel? I just never got what some of you guys see in him? Its not like he’s Byron Buxton and showing obvious talent before he goes on the IL multiple times every year. This team is officially outfield free. They have zero in the OF. Nada. Maybe you keep Almora or AA around as a defensive OFer moving forward. I doubt their roster could fit both of them.
He is better than AA and Almora.
No he’s not and if he was it wouldn’t matter because he’d be on the IL
Hoffman from the bullpen has been a pleasant surprise
Again, where is the offense? And stop with the walks (4 walks thru 6 innings)!
PHAM BAM
AQUINO!!!!!!!!
Like to see more of THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone Cleated too early it seems
These guys seem to claw back late in most every game. Keep it going
OK, I’ll tap back in then. Can’t hurt.
Oops …
Sadak says the pull-shift is on
Is there another kind of shift?
Asking for a friend
its called the football shift. Conducted only in late August, it is when I shift to watching football as the Reds are out of it by that point and the Bengals may do something surprising like say… go to the SuperBowl
That run was so unexpected. Enjoyed it though. Go Bengals!!!
Good for Aquino…he sure is struggling. Hopefully, he can do enough to stick. At least give Naquin a blow against lefties.
Aquino buys himself another 1-40.
I do wish they would stop the “punisher” talk about AA. Dude isn’t that good and battling below a buck 150.
Look I hope he succeeds but he so far is a one month wonder. In 3 seasons.
Why are you mad at the PUNISHER? Is it the 3 for 7 with a HR and 4 RBI’s he’s hit since returning, or that he smoked that runner earlier.
I believe he’s a AAAA player, but let him at least ride out his streak.
And now begining to sour on Cessa… broke the back again
I guess I picked the wrong time to tap back in … and give up crack cocaine.
Airplane reference to go with the new photo? Surely you must be joking.
he’s not joking… and don’t call him surely
Nice!
The shift caused this. Had they been in a regular formation, could of GBDP our way out of that inning. Instead…. this
I’m glad he gave Solomon a shot. He looked fine, and got totally robbed on strike 3, called ball 4, so Bell yanked him.
And Cessa eventually gets the Reds out of the seventh inning.
Cessa was lit up again, back to back. Guess he’ll be heading to the IL, hopefully. Otherwise, we know what will happen.
The Reds really needed to sweep the Cubs in this series. Guess that dream is off the table.
I’ll settle for one (1) win in the series! Two wins would be nice!
I was hoping for 3 out of 4 but, that looks a lot less likely now.
Saul is Calling.
Whatever momentum in cleveland… its over
Pittsburgh doesnt count.
Back on the 100 loss train
Joking with a friend from Detroit last night. The Reds, Tigers, and A’s are tied for fewest hits in mlb. Not good.
Cessa and Bell on that one. A breaking ball down and in to a lefty? To the Babe Ruth of GABP? A base was open….thats on Bell too. You nibble then you walk the guy if he refuses to get himself out
Most folks here are pretty rough on AA and deserved so. The sad thing is that he has more HRs and RBIs than Votto with half the plate appearances and 90+% less salary. And few here will criticize Joey insisting he’s a slow starter and any day he’ll catch fire. That’s not real evident at this point. As for Senzel? He wasn’t hitting in AAA so I was hoping he’d get more time before being recalled.
One of the underrated aspects of a AA or a Puig in RF in a small park is that they can really challenge doubles or a potential sac fly in ways that guys can’t do in a big park.
Medium flyball to right in Detroit and everyone scores, but medium fly to right in GABP and a big arm shuts that down! Naquin has a decent arm, but a really big arm makes a difference. Unfortunately he can’t hit consistently
True enough, though excepting Stephenson, who on the Reds is hitting consistently?
…and mostly batting 5th. 🙂
Aquino says he aint going back down….. and that he doesnt know how to hit singles
Its memorial day
Reds as a team have about 1500 at bats
Tommy pham Kyle Farmer Joey Votto and mike moustakis have over 500 PA or about 35% of the PA
Their combined WAR is -0.7
Their combined salary is $50 million or about 55% of payroll. Throw in Akiyama
Thank God Krall got rid of Suarez
This team needs blown up of overpaid veterans
Aquino is mvp of this game
How bad is that
Sort of like last night. Joey got the press but AA did more damage.
Why the constant Geno bashing? .773 ops for $11/mil a year isn’t a bargain, but I’m sure you could find 50 guys quickly that are doing less for more. I’ve watched the M’s quite a bit and he is swinging it better. His career high in doubles is 25 and he’s got 9 already.
C’mon
Reds need a $12 million bad runner bad defender who hits 1 home run a week and leads mlb in K’s like they need Moose
200 k’s and meaningless Solo HR’s on a bad team over age 30? No way
Good vibes though
Mariners suck .
He needed a change of scenery and likely better coaching, ie you can’t hit a HR every AB. And he’s still hitting only .225. I think trading him was the right move though I think the Reds accepted a mediocre return for him and Winker, a laughable return IMO.
Ill give you Adam Duvall
He hit home runs and was GG and could run a bit
You nailed Duvall
Geno hits the occassional home run
Doesnt play defense
Doesnt run
And makes way more money
Your point stands in that I don’t really want him on the 2024 Reds, but he’s not that bad. A .773 ops is probably well above average in todays shift happy dead ball era
Alex Bregman .758 ops for example. Carlos Correa .731. I’m sure I could find 80 more easily
well there you have it…. on one and you have a 2 HR 3 RBI outfielder with a defensive web gem…. on the other you have an -0 for 5 with 3K outfielder
Happy for Aquino.Guy has been thrown under the bus so many times he has tires marks all over him.Helped us yesterday and again today.
Happ kills the Reds at GABP and Wisdom is the Cubs power guy that has now hit one out in 4 straight games.Now I am sure if I know this then the Reds must know this.Both went deep on the first pitch for 6 runs and it was the ball game.Memo to Reds they will be in the lineup tomorrow so please act as if you at least go over these hitters and have some kind of plan.