Two of the worst teams in Major League Baseball will be playing in the showcase Field of Dreams game tonight on FOX. The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs will each be sending a lefty to the mound, with Nick Lodolo taking the ball for the Reds and Drew Smyly for the Cubs. First pitch in the corn field is set for 7:15pm.
Starting Lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight’s contest:
Chicago Cubs
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Nick Madrigal – 2B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Willson Contreras – C | Nick Senzel – CF |
| Patrick Wisdom – 3B | Kyle Farmer – 3B |
| Seiya Suzuki – RF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Nico Hoerner – SS | Donovan Solano – DH |
| Ian Happ – LF | Albert Almora Jr. – LF |
| Nelson Velazquez – DH | Aristides Aquino – RF |
| P.J. Higgins – 1B | Jose Barrero – SS |
| Christopher Morel – CF | Austin Romine – C |
| Drew Smyly – SP | Nick Lodolo – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Lodolo | 43.0 | 4.40 | 1.58 | 20 | 58 |
| Drew Smyly | 65.2 | 3.97 | 1.29 | 15 | 52 |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Drew Smyly’s Stats |
|||||
Nick Lodolo
Following the worst outing of his career on July 16th when he allowed five runs in just 2.0 innings, Nick Lodolo has turned things around a bit. In the three starts since then he’s allowed four earned runs in 16.2 innings with 8 walks and 20 strikeouts.
The lefty has been dominant against left-handed hitters this season. Of course they haven’t really been given much opportunity against him, either, as opposing managers have rarely allowed them to step into the batters box against him. Those that have, though, have failed. Right-handed hitters, though, have found plenty of success. They don’t make a ton of contact, but when they do, they have turned that contact into hits and shown solid power and drawn plenty of walks.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 174 | 44 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 50 | .290 | .379 | .467 |
| LHH | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | .200 | .385 | .250 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.4 | 88.2 | 82.2 |
| Usage | 57.7% | 16.1% | 26.2% |
Drew Smyly
Lefties don’t get too many chances against Smyly, but they do get more against him than they do against Lodolo. They haven’t hit a ton, but they’ve shown a little bit of pop against him in their limited opportunities. Righties have had some success against him this season. They don’t walk much, which does hold down their on-base percentage, but they’re hitting .285 and showing good power with a .492 slugging percentage against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 203 | 55 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 44 | .285 | .320 | .492 |
| LHH | 78 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | .214 | .282 | .386 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.2 | 88.4 | 82.6 | 78.2 |
| Usage | 31.4% | 26.4% | 0.5% | 41.6% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:15pm ET
- Where: A corn field in Dyersville, Iowa
- Watch: FOX
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 75°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Chuckie Robinson called up
The Reds called up catcher Chuckie Robinson today as the 27th man for the game. Not sure why the game gets a 27th player, but it does, and Robinson will spend his first ever day in the big leagues in a corn field.
What was Ray’s real financial problem?
In Field of Dreams the storyline is that Ray is risking his farm by plowing the field of corn to make a baseball field. Hate to be “that guy” (no, I absolutely don’t, I AM definitely that guy), but as many have pointed out, the plowing of the field and wasting of that corn was only worth about $1200-1300 in 1989 when the movie was supposed to take place. There’s no way that kind of loss would cost him the farm, literally, so I want to know what his real financial problems were from.
Is this going to be avalible through the MLB.TV app?
I’m thinking it won’t. One of the 4 major networks is carrying the feed, not a sports network affiliate.
No. It’s on Fox.
Uh, maybe Ray gambled on baseball…..
I like it, Jim.
Almost sent you a DM instead 😉
MLB network live doing a great job. David Ross interview great.
Might have cost him the farm. He might well have owed lots of money to the bank and put himself further in hock by borrowing to buy the seed in the first place.
I think that’s it. Wasn’t some sleazy ex-boyfriend of his wife the banker?
Same game parlay. Here we go:
Solano hit
Over 8.5
Reds +3.5
Cubs +3.5
Neither one of these teams is good enough to beat anyone by 4+. Thats my plan anyway
Gotta be a farmer bet in there somewhere against a lefty in corn country.
Surprisingly he’s 0-6 vs Smyly, but could be 4 screamers to LF?
Anytime Lodolo, Ashcraft, or Greene pitch we always have a chance to win. That alone makes it fun to watch. It’s pretty cool considering they’re all rookies.
Interesting articles on the Mariners. They might not win a ring, but they are at least trying. Too bad the Reds didn’t try to build on what they had last year.
I know there are a lot of folks here who love prospects, I do too, I think they are important to supplement a major league roster. But winning is much more difficult when you place all of your bets on unproven players.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/starting-look-anything-possible-mariners-182231590.html
Who is the Mariners best player? Superstar rookie #1 prospect coming into 2022 Julio Rodriguez at 4.0 bWAR
Its kind of worn out by now, but the guys from last year are mostly disappointing this year.
Miley done
Castellanos bad year and bad defensively. 34-35 yr old Nick feels like Moose II possibly
Winker bad year
Suarez solid, but not 2018 level either
Gray 5 inning guy surviving on wits alone
Lorenzen hurt again
Givens decent
Thats a big payroll thats nowhere near contention imo
You forgot tucker’s $7 million and 60wRC+
You state it very well that it is ‘too bad the Reds didn’t try to build on what they had last year.’ It is the reason myself and perhaps many other Reds fans have had an overall empty feeling this season despite the emergence of young starting pitching. Now we rely on prospects to come through in the years ahead.
I agree and a better bullpen this year with all that talent coming from last year’s team. But hey were u gonna go.
The kind of rebuilds the Reds are executing now are a sign of organizational failure. Unfortunately, last year’s roster was deeply flawed: poor defense in the outfield and infield corners, aging vets in the rotation and on the corners/DH. Key players coming off injuries, etc. Sustained poor performance and COVID left the team cash strapped. To build on last year’s roster would have been a bigger mistake. I agree, the Reds will need to add vets–can’t build a roster on prospects alone.
Still one of my favorite movies, let alone baseball movies.
Good for Chuckie getting a full day’s MLB pay and perks plus being in the Cornfield.
As I type this, it’s just under an hour until we walk out of the corn and Kick some Stupid Cubs little piggy tails!!
That weather looks AWESOME (especially given what we have around me).
My father wasn’t around much when I was young, so I don’t remember playing “Catch” with him. Actually my only baseball memory with him was playing a game in the backyard. He was on the opposite team. I hit a hard one to CF and as I headed for 3rd, I heard him yell, “He’s heading for Home”. I hit 3rd base full speed and as I attempted to round 3rd, the base slipped away from under my feet. I fell and as I put my arm down to break my fall I heard a loud “Crack”. My arm looked like a crooked “Z”. I may have uttered a few curse words, but I remember blaming it on a stash of Playboys I had found in a ravine near our house. Karma I guess. As a father, my boys were really into Futbol, and I gotta admit. kicking a soccer ball back an forth ain’t quite the same a playing catch
There won’t be a game at Field of Dreams next year. Frank Thomas and his group are build in a youth LL complex on the site.
So this is a two-and-done thing?
Hopefully Castellini hear “a voice” whispering about to invest a lot of money that will turn the Reds into a strong winner team forever…
“If you sell it, they will leave you alone”
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/style/mlb-wont-return-field-dreams-
“Go the distance … Bob”
My earliest professional baseball memories are of watching the Elmira (NY) Pioneer Redsox in the NY/Penn league. I believe it was a short-season thing back in the day (mid-70’s). The only player I recall by name was Jackie Guitierez (sp) who did play for the Sox in The Show at one point. His nickname at the time was “the bird” because of his constant whistling while at his SS position.
ELMIRA! I live about 15 minutes from Elmira. Dunn Field is where you watched the game. Saw plenty of great players cone through there. Boggs, Oil Can Boyd, John Elway played there one night. Was Orioles organization for awhile, then Red Sox. Don Zimmer got married at home plate. I played a few games there myself.
Dunn Field! I was trying to remember the name. I’m a native Upstate NY’er (born in Norwich) and we lived in Horseheads from ’72 (moved there after the flood) until ’79.
That’s the area where I learned to love the Reds and hate the Yankees (including the little club from Oneonta).
I grew up in Horseheads and still live there. Hated the Yankees.
My late father pastored First Baptist Church. We lived up on Ridge Road. Several in my family worked at the Dunkin’ Donuts down Center Street. I’d ride my bike to work early in the morning to go mop floors on the weekends.
I grew up on Ridge Road. 5 miles from the Ridge Road school. Wow talk about a small world.
JB ever visit the site of the Civil War POW camp there? I’m a history buff and I believe one of the largest POW camps in the North was near Elmira.
Kitchy … but I like Junior and Senior “having a catch”.
I’ll admit Bench in the uniform chokes me up a little bit.
+10000
OK, Smoltz. The outfit is probably overkill.
I really would like to see Joey hit one out tonight.
Tears came to my eyes when Griffey Jr/Sr came out of corn to play catch. Then my fav player all time Bench appeared thru corn… wow…
Sad baseball won’t be around another 150 years, def not in Cincy, thx to owners/players greed.
So much will likely change in 150 years. I’m with you about Bench. I choked up seeing him.
Do you think maybe we can talk him in to going back there until TS returns? 🙂
Now my tears are because the Reds are brutal and don’t deserve to be in this showcase game. Embarrassing!
Frankly, neither do the Stupid Cubs.
Yeah, it’s hard to envision baseball lasting another 25 years in Cincinnati. I think the break point will be when the GABP lease is up in what 2036? Or so.
I Just don’t see the citizens of Hamilton County building another tax funded baseball stadium. There is just not that much interest in baseball here anymore. There will be too much of an incentive to move to a city that is willing to pay to have the status of a major league city.
The game is so much different from the game I loved watching in the 70’s and 80’s. People who didn’t get to enjoy baseball back then really missed out.
+1,000,000
JB with a nice pick of the Fergie one-hopper!
Anybody else notice it’s Wishbone C vs. Wishbone C tonight? Let’s hope the Stupid Cub revert to historical form and choke big time while we find the corn multiple times.
I love these uniforms.
+1000
It’s a good look for both teams.
It kinda makes me feel like a grumpy old man about losing some of the tradition. The DH, the auto baserunner in extra innings. The game isn’t the same these days. Without these changes, perhaps a smart manager could make a difference. Now it’s just following the “book”. fwiw.
I grew tired of watching pitchers flail away at the ball, so I’m OK with the DH. The “ghost runner” doesn’t come into play all that much. But I agree too many have a “book” they go by and that’s that.
But there were so many pitchers in the 60’s and 70’s who could hit well, and it became a chess match in extra innings. I don’t think the DH adds much to the excitement honestly
I’ll give you that about the pitchers of that era. It used to bother me, but I was ready for the DH across the board.
Alas, I think the “good hitting pitcher” thing is largely a nostalgic myth.
I looked up Joe (Nuxhall) a couple of weeks ago when I was thinking about this, and his offensive numbers were brutal, career OPS+ 41/ Slugging .292. Yet around Cincy, the Ol’ Lefthander was always brought up as a good hitting pitcher when such conversations started.
Drysdale was almost identical to Nuxy. Gibson was slightly better, 50 OPS+ and .300 Slugging.
Well nuts …
Not to go back to baseball but Lodolo owned this inning and let it go. Still think wisdom swung on the HBP with 2 strikes.
He definitely swung. Ump missed it.
Double nuts!
Really dont need to hear Senzel doesnt have an arm as an argument Almora is the solution. Almora had the ball in his glove while the runner was touching 3b and not even remotely close at home plate. Almora is reverting to the mean and this game is going down the drain. The notion that Almora is a future outfield solution is delusional. Hitting is terrible too.
I thought his throw would have challenged the runner, but it wasn’t even in the vicinity. Nick’s hit a good relay, but ultimately probably a good decision to pocket that one and not let the hitter advance to 3rd.
Settle down, Nick. 3 runs is nothing in this band box of a park. And these are the Stupid Cubs, not the Mets, Yankees, or Trolley Dodgers.
The sound balance between the announcers and the field mics is WAY out of whack. Not that I care that much what the booth has to say tonight.
India and Farmer are magnets for the baseball.
Right in the meat of the calf at the top of that guard. Hope it rattles Smyly something fierce and we can capitalize on it.
ok someone remind me to cancel my fubu subscription at the end of this game…. notice a reds game finally got a full crowd
+5,000
Leave it to the Reds to have people changing the channel within 30 minutes. Lodolo was so sharp in the beginning of the Brewer game. Hope he can get it together
I think they’re the “Traffic Dodgers” now 🙂
+500
Typical bad luck inning for a Reds SP!! Should have been a 1-2-3 inning but a HBP followed by bad pitches in bad locations!
That was an adventure in fielding for Happ.
Got to bear down, Nick.
I really think he’s missing TySteve in a HUGE way.
Seems like he’s nibbling now … not a good approach. It’s going to run up his pitch count.
Giving Lodolo nothing on the outside of the plate
Agreed. He’s getting squeezed and that’s adding to his nibbling. At least the HP Chumpire rung up all three in the end.
Johnny Bench was really good that inning.
So was Nick Lodolo.
Bench was a treat to listen to, that’s for sure.
Wasn’t he the play by play guy on tv in the 1990 season with Tommy Hume (who was terrible)?
Not sure, Melvin. We were in Western Michigan, so seeing a game was a rare event until the playoffs.
Yes. Compared to Hume, Barry Larkin Mad Dog Russo.
Reds not getting it done at the plate.Two on and 4 and 5 up and nothing,Cubs got 3 after two were out and none on.I said this last time we played in that Ross has his guys ready to play even though they have nothing to play for.The Reds well maybe are just not interested.
Dumped one in for a base hit … I like that.
I’ve seen enough of the Barrero experiment for this year. Maybe he’ll re-find whatever he was doing at AAA last year over the offseason but he is completely helpless at the plate right now.
That was his 26th at bat this year.
He’s not competitive and wasn’t at AAA either. If he had the same AAA numbers that he put up last year, then I’d agree, but something is off. I’d send him down and see if he can find it again at AAA. No point in trying to make it happen at this level.
And he has struck out in more than half of them.
Kyle Farmer was 0-32 this year…right??????
2nd worst ever in Reds history.
He’s 32
Cut him????
Sure. That’s fine with me. Farmer is a below average MLB player in his 30s.
Aquino making more contact without hitting an HR every time is a very good thing.
Ugly, ugly, ugly swinging
What I’ll remember about the Reds in Iowa:
“If you play it they will lose”
Today only I’ll make an exception for my dislike of the “mic’d up” player stuff during the game action.
The Bats replay is on the Marquee Network. Steer 2-5 with a double and HR. Call him up and see what he can do. Why not?
Why not but he plays second and third for the most part.So you think Bell can work him in?
The Bats offense today was a two man game! Friedl singles and scores on a Steer double for the 1st run. Then singles and comes around on the Steer HR.
My guy Fairchild is starting to get spun back up. In his last 3 games, 12PA; 4H (1 double); 1BB; for .417 OBP and if I calced it right, a .455 slg% for a .872 OPS.
Also, it looks like he is starting to play stubble faced to quell the thoughts just looks too young 😉
I’m thinking he can’t walk that off … YIKES!
Nobody put the ball in play after the first 2 reached.Nobody including the vet catcher or India.Not covering for Barrero but it is what it is.Seen enough already.
India has been given a long leash but his numbers are pretty similar to Senzel’s. He’s also a poor defender at 2B. I’m not sure he’s the long-term answer, though he’ll obviously have more time to show it. Certainly not someone I’d be looking to extend on the cheap at the moment.
India has done the job one season and been plagued by long term and nagging injuries this year. That buys him another go around for me.
Lodolo still getting squeezed a bit … that’s contributing to the nibbling approach.
Oh, that was gruesome.
Is it just me or is this home plate umpire awful? Giving Lodolo nothing on the outside and very little on the inside.
If he’s a home plate umpire he’s awful until proved otherwise.
+1,000
Bring on the robo-zone
The Chumpire is definitely squeezing him.
C’mon Nick! Two walks and a HBP in less than 3 innings? You are better than that!
Joey telling a Smoltz story is pure gold … maybe platinum. And they are talking about pitchers and command of the zone vs. anything else.
“Thanks for the time guys. I gotta go hit. Maybe a homer.”
Oh we’d love to see that, Joey. We’d love it.
Cy Smyly is on tonight … wonder why he isn’t pitching for a competitive team.
Joey committing to more time past his current contract. If he is willing to take a discount I am willing to keep him on
“Have fun” is what he heard. I think that ends up meaning more than the dollar value of a contract. He has enough money to last him (I presume). He wants to play while it’s fun.
If he wants to play longer he WILL take a big discount to do so. I know a lot wouldn’t agree but I’d like to see that. Maybe mostly as a DH and a few starts @ 1B. I would at least like to see him break the Reds HR record held by Johnny Bench. Bench was awesome of course.
The Reds are more boring then public access TV. The Fox audience already switched over to CSI Akron
Unless you’re gambling/drinking they’re an impossible watch and will be until atleast 2024
+1000. I have been watching more MiLB the last week in sequence vs jumping through afterward to pick up certain guys at the plate. Not sure if it is the pitch clock or fewer pitching changes within innings, less time between innings, or just the impact of all these; but the AAA games are better paced and more interesting to watch than the Reds.
Also if the Reds were to play an intrasquad best of 5 series between the MLB and AAA team with Lodolo and Ashcraft assigned to opposite squads and the rest of the pitchers assigned randomly, I am not sure I would bet on the current MLB team to beat the current AAA team.
There are so many guys on this team with zero plate discipline, it’s a hard to watch
The last four games have proved we have very little on this current team that will be here in two or three years except for a couple pitchers. They are making these journeyman starters look like all stars.
India out (not that he was in peak form anyway). This is getting more challenging to watch by the minute. I had high hopes given the Stupid Cubs really aren’t that much better than we are. But still … we’re in a slump after that NYM trip.
Solano could give lessons in hitting to a lot of these guys. He just takes what the pitcher gives him and hits it hard.
For you younger fans, that was a classic hit and run play.
I’m probably being overly critical, but it looks like non of the Reds, minus Votto, want to be there tonight. Very little energy. Maybe a few hits will give them a spark.
I’m seeing the same thing. And I’m NOT seeing that spark.
This is becoming unwatchable for me. I may need to Clete and watch something else.
I know this is probably a stupid question but humor me and refresh my memory on the definition of “Clete”.
AA with the rocket arm-some never learn
Why? Why are you running on Aquino?
When will they ever learn?
Do not test the arm of Aquino.
Wow. That was a great throw. He had to turn his body before letting it go.
I am sorry I got late to the party, but after 30 years plus after watching this movie if I knew I wish Ray would of sold the farm and took the money
They just will not learn, will they? Running on AA is a losing proposition almost every time.
Maybe that wakes the boys up.
Why are they running on Aquino….. thanks for the free out, and in Iowa no less
I’m glad they are running on Aquiño. It’s about the only way we get outs.
Barrero is lost at the plate. What’s the record for strikeout percent by a hitter. I don’t get to see many Reds games living in Tucson but how in heavens name did he hit two home runs in a game? Was a hurricane blowing out?
it’s very fitting that the Reds are playing in “the field of dreams’ game….cause it’s basically a “dream” for us Reds fans if/when we will ever compete for a championship again.
another Berrero strikeout….
He seems afraid to take anything.
He’s obviously pressing. He needs to calm down, take a deep breath, and think. Right now he’s his own worst enemy.
Lodolo had great control in the minors. Not sure what happened. Has really been struggling the last few starts.
I thought Joey’s comment about “not letting the game swallow you” was so spot-on with all these young guys the Reds have now.
+5,000
A so so outing from Lodolo, learning to be sure, and had some accidents in the first, but need to get more length
+1,000
Lodolo might have a little national TV jitters-big game for the rookie
Joey’s black shoes take me back to the BRM
Yes! I loved that look.
Offensively challenged
At some point, reds fans are going to have to admit this team cant hit, collectively. Other than Donavan Solano, who can actually say any reds hitter can hit? If they are over 28 and cant hit …..move on.
I’m not even looking for .300 … I’d be happy with a bunch of guys hitting .275+ and getting on base so stuff would happen. But the plate discipline does seem to be terrible. Not sure how that gets fixed either.
$$$
Not many guys in MLB hitting over .300. I looked the other day and there was 14. Unbelievable
2 on no outs in the 7th. Heart of the order coming up….they have to score here. Right?
I’ll admit it
It’s done, but Drury was the center of the Red’s offense this season. Even with another rebuild, he should have been extended.
I do believe I’m done for the night. At least we have Friday off so we can rest up for the weekend. And by “we” I mean we poor, beleaguered fans.
Night all!
Quoting GWB: well, that was some weird sh!+
very bizarre
Well shoot.
Reds shutout so far and Barrero doubles…that hurts the barrero is the problem on offense narrative at least for a day.
+1000.
Where’s the haters now?
I think they all went to bed…missing a comeback right now.
Nights like this make me feel like this rebuild is years away , not just a couple. Hopefully the young guys relax and learn to slow the game down and enjoy it. Need India and Stephenson to become leaders quickly. Need the 3 young starters to stay oh so healthy.
We have Life!!!
Renyolds filling in nicely….
Reynolds is the cheap back up SS utility player in 2023
Hes a nice back up. Hits the opposite way and can play many positions including SS. Farmer might need to worry as a $5 million arbitration utility piece who cant hit righties.
Just hope for the Reds sake that Votto retires after this year. Hate to see him bat anymore. If he plays next year he will lose a lot of my respect for his career!!’
Said earlier in the game he wants to play longer. Suggested maybe 43.
He “threatened” to retired a zillion times but we all know he hangs around to pocket $20 mil a year
No way he walks away from 20 million he’ll just re-invent himself for another .220 season
I don’t mind he gets what is his contract but I despise the constant threatening to retire and then after getting a couple hits started to run his mouth “there is no reason to not have success”. And his penchant of looking for free pass, ending up striking out looking. Omg
Two in and a man on second and no outs and Senzel Farmer and well you know leaves him right there
My sentiment exactly
Aquino is not quick enough for that open stance. Having to do two moves and just isn’t reacting fast enough. He sets up to hit home runs and just looks lost.
Papinski cannot throw out anyone he needs to be gone
Hard to see a legend like Votto slipping before you. He really needed another year to add on to his HOF chances, and it’s slipping away. If only he had an Arenado behind him, didn’t do a stupid sliding pad in 2012 that cost him a second MVP season. I enjoyed the journey, but it’s so hard to watch the end and accept it.
Said it before but Reds need to talk to him after this season is over.Unless they startthe conversation he will expect to play and every day at first base.That isn’t good for him in his last year.Make the decision before the season begins, worse thing he does is he falls off the cliff and they have to set him.Just DH him against certain righties and set him against lefties and let him go out softly.
Not a lot of reasons to watch much more this year.
Football starts tomorrow so interest will really plummet
Do you think interest in the Reds will drop off like as steep deep valley?!? 😉
How appropriate that would be.
No question Jim, except for the truly die-hards. As memories fade of the Machine as well as 1990, I would worry about future interest in this franchise.