The series began with a blowout win on Monday night for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tonight the Reds will look to rebound and get back in the win column. Cincinnati will send Justin Dunn to the mound as he tries to put together a good start for the third consecutive game. The Cardinals will be sending Dakota Hudson and his groundball tendencies to the mound to try and keep the 1st place squad’s winning streak going. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:
St. Louis Cardinals
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Lars Nootbaar – RF | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Brendan Donovan – 2B | Jake Fraley – DH |
| Paul Goldschmidt – 1B | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Nolan Arenado – 3B | Donovan Solano – 1B |
| Albert Pujols – DH | TJ Friedl – LF |
| Tyler O’Neill – CF | Nick Senzel – CF |
| Corey Dickerson – LF | Aristides Aquino – RF |
| Yadier Molina – C | Alejo Lopez – 3B |
| Tommy Edman – SS | Austin Romine – C |
| Dakota Hudson – SP | Justin Dunn – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Justin Dunn | 19.1 | 5.12 | 1.50 | 10 | 15 |
| Dakota Hudson | 121.1 | 4.23 | 1.39 | 55 | 70 |
| Links: Justin Dunn’s Stats | Dakota Hudson’s Stats |
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Justin Dunn
After struggling the first two times out this year, Justin Dunn has put together back-to-back starts where he allowed one and two earned runs over 11.0 combined innings and struck out nine batters.
The splits this season between the big leagues and minors for Dunn show that he’s really struggled against left-handed hitters. They’ve walked more often than they’ve struck out against him and that includes both a very high walk rate and a low strikeout rate. They’ve also hit for a very high average and slugging percentage. Right-handed hitters haven’t hit for much average or gotten on base a lot, but they are showing a good amount of power against him, too.
Splits (In MILB and MLB this season)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 100 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 22 | .233 | .290 | .478 |
| LHH | 122 | 32 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 17 | .330 | .467 | .577 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.0 | 83.1 | 87.7 | 79.6 |
| Usage | 48.3% | 21.5% | 7.8% | 22.4% |
Dakota Hudson
Strikeouts are a big part of today’s game but not so much for Dakota Hudson who has the 3rd lowest strikeout rate out of 147 pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched this season. His walk rate isn’t good, either. But he gets a high rate of grounders and keeps the ball in the ballpark.
Hudson has weird splits. Not shown below is that his ERA on the road is 5.05 compared to just 3.25 at home. But he also has weird righty/lefty splits. He’s a righty, and lefties walk more often than they strike out against him, but they don’t do anything at all when they make contact as they are hitting just .228 and slugging just .317 against him. They do walk often, giving them a good on-base percentage, though. Righties make plenty of contact against him, too, and they hit for a nice .287 average against him, but with all of the grounders they don’t slug much.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 271 | 68 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 38 | .287 | .353 | .405 |
| LHH | 241 | 46 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 33 | 32 | .228 | .346 | .317 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 91.4 | 91.9 | 87.9 | 86.5 | 80.4 |
| Usage | 19.3% | 35.8% | 27.1% | 4.2% | 13.5% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (out of market)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 78°, cloudy, 10% chance of rain
News and Notes
Derek Law up, Ross Detwiler DFA’d
The Reds have called up Derek Law from Triple-A today and he’s taking the place in the bullpen of Ross Detwiler who was designated for assignment. We’ve got more on both of those moves if you’re interested in reading about them.
Joey Votto on his surgery, future
Earlier today we shared the entire 15-minute video of Joey Votto speaking to the media about his surgery and moving forward with the Cincinnati Reds. You can go watch it here.
That’s going to be tough pitching with no catcher!
I need a vacation lol. I haven’t had an off day since February. I’m running on fumes.
I thought maybe a new strategy. 😉 If I had to keep track of as many things I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t do as well.
With Moose out at 3b and DH and Votto out at 1b, it looks like Fraley, Friedl,Senzel,Aquino ,and Fairchild will take 4 spots daily at OF/DH with Senzel getting some infield too occasionally. Barrero is out again after a horrific slump.
Much like DJ is charged with developing Greene,Ashcraft, and Lodolo- its Zinter’s job to get hitting production at the MLB level and firmly on his shoulders to get Barrero to hit. Barrero is out of the lineup again. I would imagine Barrero is getting some time off to work with Zinter in the tunnels and course correct this awful slump. Something has to give with both.
How can one call this a Barerro slump. This is what he has done each time he has been called up over the past three seasons. He is young, but so far his entire MLB career is not favorably impressive offensively.
Is Barrero hurt? Looks like we’ve got 3B covered pretty well tonight. Catching however may be a little lacking. 😉
This is the second of two days of “mental rest” prescribed for Barrero by Bell. Sounds like he did some stuff on the field this afternoon and could be available for other than full all out emergency use tonight if a correct situation arises.
Otherwise, he probably returns to the lineup tomorrow unless there is a change in plan.
Dunn improving over starts. Really looking for a QS from him tonight, if he can get more, then great
What I can’t understand is the train wreck the starting pitchers are. Why sign Anderson, add hin to the 40 man roster, then start him yesterday if he was working out of the bullpen in the minors all year. And dont give me some bull about service time and player development or hurting their confidence. Even minor leaguers are professionals. According to many we should wait until 2024 to add players, how do you think they will contend starting 4 or 5 rookies. Bring them up now and get them the experience.
He wasn’t working out of the bullpen all year. He worked out of the bullpen for a month. There are no prospects in the minors that are remotely ready to step into the big leagues right now as starting pitchers. Between the big leagues and Triple-A the Reds have 16 pitchers on the injured list, and that doesn’t include Brandon Williamson who left his start on Sunday with an injury.
Then have another bullpen day it ended up that way anyway. By the way anyone out of the Cincinati area can listen to the radio broadcast on WLW using the Iheart radio
You can’t have a bullpen day every day. They’ve already got a reliever starting every 5 days and have absolutely no depth in the rotation.
TJ certainly is putting the bat on the ball. Didn’t get quite enough of that one, but still he’s showing us something.
That’s disappointing.
Cardinals have had one(1) losing season since 2000. Reds have had 17 counting this year. That’s all you need to know about what organization has a better Front Office.
Chalk one up for The Lettuce Guy!!
Lopez gets a hit, Lettuce gets a homer….obviously its to the bench with both of them
+500
Exactly
So far, we’re enjoying facing Hudson. That’s a good thing, right?
Now fraley and india work another run….. Bench the whole lot
Another +500 … 😀
now Farmer!!!! Think about the DFA’s…. What about the DFA’s
Opposite field hitting everywhere tonight. They really score a lot of runs when the occasionally use this approach. It’s like they want to try other ways to hit (fail), when they try to pull everything out of the park.
Can you get the reds on the radio if not try the iheart radio ap
Everybody hits, everybody scores, everybody gets benched tomorrow. It will be a new kind of “bullpen game” all the way around 😀
Steer 3 run double.
He needs to be called up and take Andesons spot
Then who will pitch?
KEvin let Aquino pitch. He hits like a pitcher
Friedl with his second hard hit bad luck tonight. I’m thinking he’ll join the hit parade soon enough.
Another GIDP by the guys. I do love seeing that.
NIck Senzel tore his labrum in his R shoulder in 2019. He’s not been the same player since. He has no power and his arm is weak. Hes hitting weak grounders to the pitcher ? Senzel needs a physical and a shoulder MRI. Hes a shadow of his former self. Hes not going to volunteer his R shoulder isnt 100%. Hes making 1.2 mil and fighting for a job next year.
Shoulder injuries sap power. Ask Geno and Votto.
Didn’t he have a shoulder issue last season as well?
This is his 4th year in the league. I do think next season is a make or break season for him. You maybe right about his lack of power and weakness. Somethings needs to change or looked into
That was the left shoulder. I’m just looking at his weak R arm from CF and hitting and focused on the R. Labrum tears are a big deal. Throwing Shoulder injuries are a big deal.
Nick…get your R shoulder looked at.
I thought last year was a knee?
Sadly JB both. Hurt his left shoulder Opening Day 2021 minor, but then knee ended his season late May.
The Right shoulder in 2019 was his most serious injury of his career and I think has altered his career as a right handed athlete with a good bat.
Have the Aliens landed or has that went away after lastnight?
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Wally – gonna be the only warning you get. That post was inappropriate.
Ron, stick to posting about baseball.
Lopez two hits, he is out of lineup next three weeks. hahaha
for the rest of the season you mean
Good Point.
No, he’s reclassified as a bullpen pitcher.
See you in a week Lopez. Thanks for the hits.
No what Dunn out after 4 innings and just 63 pitches
Dunn out? Here is law
Dunn removed and animated discussion with Bell and in the clubhouse.
Is he hurt??
Really? What about?
If he is not hurt then Bell needs to be managing at Daytona since that is the way he handles pitchers. Four innings and you are done.
I stepped out but heard the tail end of Jim Day. Someone comment who heard the whole thing but sounded like Jim was saying tough situation for a guy who missed 400 days.
Sadak says he is hitting 420, that is really hard to do. Barry concurs. It is especially hard when you have to by federal law, play guys hitting 214 and with a 295 OBP. But they make 16 mill.
+5,000
If Dunn goes on the IL, I am traveling to cinci and pitching. I need those game checks
+1,000
I’ll drive you
We’re talking aliens inbound within our solar system right now. Surprised Arrenado doesn’t have a bloody nose.
Excellent.. on stand by
GIDP that scores a run. Given it’s the WLB’s, I’ll take that even without the RBI.
Mark forgive me…Ive seen WLB’s forever in your posts,,,what is that?
I didn’t originate the term, but it stands for Whiny Little … uh … Birds (or something like that last word).
rhymes with stiches
originator: Brandon Phillips
I apologize Mark and VA. I should have know that.
Anyone else like Romine as a backup C?
I’m fine with The Lettuce Guy, especially in the current situation. He’s a veteran who has seen pretty much everything.
Britches?
😉
Brandon Phillips ages well. i was irritated at him his last year but he was good and entertaining and a competitor.
Deos Dunn have a setback? Just 4 innings and 62 pitches is not logical after he has been rising his count on innings and pitches …
Aquino stance change?? Or have been asleep?
Slightly less open, but bat still starts on the shoulder. So I’m not seeing any significant change, especially not one that will produce more hits.
Silver lining is at least he doesn’t have a K. 🙂
Joey Votto coming back to the TV booth in 2nd inning tomorrow.
Bat to Ball Lopez 3-3.
Wow … Cowboy is really ripping on AA tonight. Just not letting up on him.
Mark- I am to AA as you are to Moose so I am not commenting. Not commenting.
Yeah … I’m pretty much right with you. My wife was asking why Cowboy was so negative. I told her he’s just tired of the shenanigans.
Old-school, the differences between AA and Moose are significant. Neither can hit apparently, but AA is younger and cheaper, can actually field his position well, isn’t injured every month, and doesn’t look like Tojo Yamamoto running the bases.
Even Larkin ripping on AA. Seems to not want to listen to anybody. The hitting Robert Stephenson.
LDS
I’m not commenting on Aquino.
Moose was the #2 pick in MLb draft and set the Royals HR record until Soler broke it and won a WS. Reds just messed up signing an old guy. Moose has had a great career…just not as a red.
David bell should be fired though! Lol
Perhaps, but who is he not listening to? Or is this just more planted stories like Zinter working with Barrero all day before he hits 2-HRs? I’m very skeptical of stories coming out of “affiliated” sources. They always have the feel of PR pieces from th3 Reds’ FO.
Old-school, just not as a Red is something we’ve all gotten used to. I, for one, thought the Moustakas signing was a good move. I never imagined he’d more or less stop trying.
We agree LDS. Reds manipulate the media and no one is buying it this year.
On a positive note, if Diaz learns to cut down on his BBs, he could be a big deal for the Reds.
Lopes with a three-hit night, at this point I think missing person signs will be up tomorrow
Might as well DFA Lopez now. No way he plays again this year.
Jumping the gun, however do the Reds have their catching tandem? Stephenson your DH?
Just throwing out a idea. Lol
I’m still thinking TySteve is our #1 catcher. But I hear what you are saying. Plus we really don’t know how the collar bone healing will impact his game. It’s not like the hips and Mesaraco, but it isn’t a nothing burger either.
I like what I see from Chuckie so far. The Lettuce Guy is a solid veteran, but he’s also of an age that places him very near his expiration date.
Consultant’s answer (from a consultant) … it depends.
keep them all. We can’t have too much catching depth. Especially since Stephenson should be part time DH/1B.
Lopez with another multi hit game. That’s not acceptable is it?
Nope.. hahahaha
He’s headed to the bullpen … permanently.
Considering the DH that’s one way of keeping him “under control”. 🙂 Maybe he should get a start considering the pitching depth at the moment.
Did Lopez just jai-lai that into Farm Dawg’s glove so he could complete the throw?
Getting a little contentious but everybody is tired of the same nonsense from Bell, removing the hot hand. Of course Dunn could be injured, seemingly every other pitcher (except good ole’ Minor) has had a trip).
This franchise needs a shock badly, like the ownership getting some backbone and giving David Bell and staff a very extended mental health break after the end of this season.
+10,000
+10,000
Six.More.Outs.
We’re not asking much, guys … just those six without any theatrics or drama. Play some add-on if it helps take the pressure off.
That’s half of what we need to wrap this one up. Nicely done.
Edman lucky that didn’t end up in the camera well or dugout.
Thought we were going to get the mandatory BP walk there for a minute
And it comes down to this … and Tyler O’Neil (UGH!)
Aliens landing on the Ohio River … and everybody’s happy about it.
Catch you all tomorrow night.
Excellent pitching performance by everyone tonight. Dunn making a case.
Seems like the bullpen has gradually improved over the last couple of months and now some hitters have seemed to find their stroke. Lots of guys are player as if they were a few bad games away from a DFA or about to see their mediocre time in the majors literally run out of time.
Of course, this is the case for a good 75% of the players now being used and out of this just maybe see a few more keepers for the “sorting”. The worst case scenario may be avoided if of course the coaching is there to nurture the long pull prospects.