The Cincinnati Reds are coming back home to open up a series against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight. The two teams faced off just last week, with the Phillies taking two of the three games in the series in Philadelphia. There should be plenty of familiarity between the two sides, with both teams having faced tonight’s starting pitchers already. First pitch tonight is set for 6:40pm ET. Today’s game is MLB.tv’s Free Game of the Day for those of you who are out of market.
Starting Lineups
Philadelphia Phillies
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Bryson Stott – 2B | Jonathan India – DH |
| Trea Turner – SS | Spencer Steer – 3B |
| Kyle Schwarber – LF | Stuart Fairchild – LF |
| Nick Castellanos – RF | Tyler Stephenson – 1B |
| J.T. Realmuto – C | Wil Myers – RF |
| Alec Bohm – 1B | Nick Senzel – CF |
| Josh Harrison – DH | Kevin Newman – 2B |
| Edmundo Sosa – 3B | Curt Casali – C |
| Cristian Pache – CF | Jose Barrero – SS |
| Bailey Falter – SP | Nick Lodolo – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Bailey Falter | 10.1 | 2.61 | 1.07 | 0 | 5 |
| Nick Lodolo | 12.0 | 1.50 | 1.17 | 4 | 21 |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Bailey Falter’s Stats |
|||||
Nick Lodolo
This will be the second consecutive start for Nick Lodolo against the Phillies. Last week he was dominant against the defending National League champions, shutting them out for 7.0 innings and striking out 12 batters before watching the bullpen give up three runs and the Reds take the loss.
Managers do all that they can to avoid sending lefties to the plate to face Lodolo. The limited few hitters that seem to be deemed good enough be in the lineup against him probably shouldn’t be. Last year they managed to hit just .109 against him with one extra-base hit in 53 trips to the plate. This season so far they are 3-11 (.273) with no walks, no extra-base hits, and five strikeouts. Righties had far more success, hitting .252 in 2022 with a solid walk rate and solid power against him.
2022 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 388 | 85 | 14 | 3 | 13 | 9.0% | 28.4% | .252 | .351 | .427 |
| LHH | 53 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.5% | 39.6% | .109 | .226 | .130 |
Pitch Usage (from 2022)
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.5 | 94.2 | 88.4 | 81.6 |
| Usage | 36% | 23% | 11% | 30% |
Bailey Falter
Last week saw Falter match up against the Reds. He would throw 5.0 innings and give up a run on four hits. The lone run he allowed came on a homer. He’s given up a home run in each of his two starts this season. He also hasn’t walked a batter in either of his two starts this season.
Left-handed hitters didn’t hit for much average or get on base often against Falter last year. But when they did get hits, they were extra-base hits. Righties found far more success against him, posting an .818 OPS. Not shown in the below were the extreme home and road splits for Falter. In 2022 his ERA in Philadelphia was 5.49 (2.42 on the road) and batters had an .883 OPS against him (.695 on the road).
2022 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 275 | 69 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 56 | .273 | .324 | .494 |
| LHH | 74 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 18 | .229 | .257 | .414 |
Pitch Usage (in 2022)
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.6 | 91.2 | 76.7 | 83.8 | 83.3 |
| Usage | 56% | 37% | 16% | 16% | 5% |
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: 78°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Nick Senzel is back
The Reds have brought Nick Senzel back from his rehab assignment in Triple-A and have optioned outfielder Will Benson to Louisville to make room on the 26-man roster for Senzel.
Joey Votto is still “day to day” on rehab
Last night saw Votto go 1-1 with three walks for the Louisville Bats. He’s not quite ready to return to the big league club. He’s eligible to return now, but he can remain on rehab assignment until April 20th.
David Bell with an update on Joey Votto's return: "Keep inching closer to where he feels healthy. He’s healthy, but he’s still fighting his way to getting all the way to where any player needs to be to be able to compete at this level. He’s not quite there yet. Still day to day."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 13, 2023
I don’t believe in jinxes
Michael Baumann wrote about Nick Lodolo over at Fangraphs this morning. And while he said he didn’t want to say that Nick Lodolo’s been the best pitcher in baseball so far this season, he’s not not saying it, either. He looked at a change that he made in the middle of last season and how it made a big difference in the results, and just how unique he is on the mound.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 8 | 4 | 0.0 | 65.3% |
| Pirates | 7 | 5 | 1.0 | 6.3% |
| Cubs | 6 | 5 | 1.5 | 16.2% |
| Cardinals | 5 | 7 | 3.0 | 64.6% |
| Reds | 4 | 7 | 3.5 | 1.2% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Day off for TJ but not Myers. Good to see India resting properly at DH.
TJ had 3 hits yesterday and hits LH. Falter is LH, so of course Friedl sits, despite hitting .364 against LH’ers. It’s the Bell way
No reason to “rest” Friedl. And he’s hitting .364 against LH’ers. Does Friedl need more “rest” than India or Myers? As he, and Steer, for that matter, are hitting currently, aren’t their bats important to have in the lineup, same as Stephenson?
I’d have been perfectly fine if he was in the line-up today, but why bother making more out it than needed? They aren’t robots, plus I’d be shocked if he doesnt come off the bench.
TJ plays hard, why not give him a day off and keep him fresh? A LHP is fine as an opportunity to do that.
In theory, sure, but another theory is that you don’t want to rest a guy when he’s getting on base against everyone. Maybe wait until you’re facing a lefty after he’s gone 0-4 with a couple strikeouts the night before. We’ve seen a lot of players go into slumps immediately after being “rested.”
Why you’d manage guys based on their night before is an absolute mystery to me. I don’t see the benefit or why that would matter more than the macro stuff like the handedness of a pitcher that day.
Bell’s rested him already this year and it didnt affect him or put him into a slump. I’m certain there’s zero merit to the statement “lots of guys go into a slump when they are given rest”
Nevermind the rainouts were the dates I thought he was given rest, which is still sot of true. However, by your logic the whole team should have gone into a slump after the two days of rain.
Because baseball players, like all professional athletes, go through periods of playing better and playing worse. I don’t think there’s a single guy in the majors who would deny this. What a guy did the night before should absolutely factor into whether you want that guy in the lineup tonight.
I seriously doubt a day of rest is what causes him to suddenly go into an extended slump. I guess I just dont see the logic. I’d have been perfectly fine with him playing and Myers or Newman sitting, but I dont see a good reason at all to think he’s suddenly going into a slump because of it. He’s likely to regress from this level as it is.
I’ve lost track of how many times people on this blog have made some comment along the lines of “so-and-so was doing great until Bell had the brilliant idea to rest him.” If you’ve never noticed those post-rest slumps, you’re not paying attention.
Do I think Friedl will slump? No. But I also think he’s been looking fine against lefties and should probably be playing while he’s as hot as he is.
Because he’s hot and his own manager shouldn’t “pour cold water” and “cool off” one of his hottest hitters. Friedl is hitting .350/.395/.600. Another way to look at it is do you think the Braves were happy not to see Steer in the lineup last night? Last night Steer’s replacement Vosler, who is hitting .167/.189/.528, wen 0-4 with three Ks and 4 LOB. Giving Steer those ABs could have made a big difference in a one run loss. Do you thing they are happy to not see Friedl in the lineup tonight? The Reds don’t have great players. Since that’s the case they can’t afford to sit the hot ones until those players show they need it (or ask). Not if they (the Reds) actually want to be competitive. I like to win. I’m sure you and most every fan does.
Haha, if youre going off the comments at this blog as to how the team’s doing then you’ve lost me completely. I have zero response for that.
I think he should get more opportunities against lefties, he’s not Fraley. That said, I see no reason to complain about a day off when he’s played everyday for the team so far. Everyone on the roster should be getting playing time.
Its just a day off, he had two forced days off and didnt skip a beat just this year. Care to explain why a rainout is any different than a managerial decision? Y’all are making more of it than you should.
2020ball – “Why you’d manage guys based on their night before is an absolute mystery to me.”
Baseball is a game of momentum.
@melvin, @2020, it would be less a cause for complaint if it wasn’t a routine Bell practice. I pointed it out last year as well.
2020ball -“Its just a day off, he had two forced days off and didnt skip a beat just this year. Care to explain why a rainout is any different than a managerial decision?”
The forced days off were out of the Reds control. I’m sure any guy who’s on a streak would rather have played those days but didn’t have a choice. If you ask most players I’m very confident they would not want their own manager to make “staying hot” more difficult which is what the effect very well could be. It’s about momentum and seeing the ball well. Hitting a baseball, I’m told, is the hardest thing to do in any sport so that can change at any time. Ride the hot one while you can. Make it easier, not harder.
@Melvin Baseball’s also a game of attrition, there’s a lot games left. I dont want him on an early season hot streak, I want him performing for the whole year.
@LDS If Bell never plays him versus a LH starter this year, then I’ll begin to be concerned. Obviously Bell loves the knifey-spooney thing too much.
Actually almost all of Friedl’s appearances versus a lefty this year were versus an opposing starter. His defense is important enough that he should be playing most every day, and so far thats been the case. One day off in the middle of April and everyone is up in arms? I guess I just dont see a reason to have much of a reaction. He’s talented enough that it shouldnt suddenly put him into an extended slump. There’s just no logic to it other than y’all would rather see him play than someone else you happen not to like.
2020ball – I guess I don’t think at all that resting a hot hitting player, after just 10 games, will likely help his performance later in the season. Players, especially young ones, are just not that fragile. Again, it makes no sense if that is the thought process as to why Myers has not rested yet and continues to hit very poorly. It would make more sense to me, if the idea is to give everyone a rest, to give it to the poorly playing player first at least. Play the hot ones. Try to win every game. They all count. We are in LAST PLACE.
@Melvin Fair enough, I guess I dont see streaks the same as others then. I dont see why it would suddenly help a struggling player either. Why Myers is a fixture in the lineup over Friedl is a fair argument, but their play-styles are very different. I’d expect a day off for Myers soon, or am hoping for one so Fairchild gets more time. Friedl may even have a minor injury we dont know about, he came up a little gingerly after his slide into home last night.
I’m OK with Senzel starting as long as Benson is sitting. Can’t be any worse…
Benson isn’t on the major leave team anymore, so that’s one mistake Bell can’t make.
*league
Big shocker there!
Preditcion – Fairchild 2-4 with a walk and 1 double
I think we’d all take that if it happens.
I’m happy Fairchild is playing tonight. Myers not so much. lol
Reds were 1-5 on their first road trip! Three (3) one (1) run losses and two (2) 2-run losses! Need to start a winning trip at home against the Phillies! Let’s start by winning Game 1
Offensively this team is doing well.
Seems like a broken record with the bullpen.
Reds easily could of swept the braves.
Theyre doing well enough, slightly below league average. The pitching is obviously whats haunting this team, but still they arent the worst in the league by any stretch.
How do you decide that a team with the worst record in the NL last year could have easily swept the defending NL East champions in their home ball park while starting the Reds’ #3,4,5 starters in the three game set? Easy to make such statements but explain how that could have “easily” ben done.
Make that one (1) 2-run loss! The other loss was by 3 runs!
A plethora of empty seats in that shot behind Annie and Sam (and Day). I’m shocked … 😮
Good evening reds land
Jesse Winker batting 308 for Brewers.
The phillies stupid cancellation of their home opener means the Reds play 20 games in 20 days
Its all hands on deck.
Fairchild senzel maile casali and yes newman. Use the DH which Bell is doing with india. Maximize matchups- friedl and fraley get a blow against a lefty 6 days in to a 20 game stretch
This is where you use your bench guys and dh so your core players play 17of 20 games in that stretch but get some days to rest their legs and hit and lift.
Maximizing Performance means threading the needle between rest and reps. I like it as long as india stephenson fraley friedl steer and barrero are in that 140 game formula
Senzel can be swiss army knife as a utility guy and Fairchild can be plugged regularly in the OF as he can handle all 3 positions
Instead of 19 games in 19 days. Wow! That could be the difference between being division champion and last place.
Bell reminds me of a story my brother tells about his high school coach. He had gone 5 for 5 and he came up with two outs in the last inning. The coach pinch hit for him. When he asked the coach why, he simply said you were 5 for 5 I figured you were due to make an out. They lost. That is the logic Bell seems to use on a nightly basis.
LOL
Don’t let the Chumpire take up space in your head, Nick. Assume his zone is variable and pitch accordingly.
Newman needs to make that turn. I get he’s “out of position” but he had plenty of time.
It’s David Bells team. Everybody is playing out of the original position.
he’s played plenty of 2B, he’s not “out of position”. Still shoulda made that play.
Newmy…SMH
Only 1 run and less than 20 pitches. Frankly, it could have been a LOT worse than that.
Time for the top of the order to keep on truckin’ 😀
Should have been no runs. Schwarber should have been out on strikes.
Robo umps please
I truly think if they had a set 9 the Reds would do better. Remember the ole days like 10 years ago when a player may get a sunday off etc etc
House: “Get up! Get up! Score!”
The Reds pitchers just haven’t figured it out! No defense for walks and walks, more often than not, lead to runs! Plus, walks increase pitch counts which is why Reds starters, in particular, very rarely pitch beyond the 5th inning!
Sign India!!!
At least we got a run back before the TOOTBLAN
Steer eligible for ROY correct?
He had less than 150 ab’s last year I believe so yes he should be
Fairchild caught stealing. ugh
More like caught napping
Thanks, not watching on tv I miss all the action. Gameday does a good job, however still miss the action of live tv.
Fairchild took a one way lead and they caught him. May well have been calculated to run with Myers down in the count and 2 outs figuring either they get a man into a scoring position or at least get Myers a clean slate to open the 2nd. So much for that thought, as Myers still struck out on the 2n chance. Net is 2 wasted outs
He went on first move, I’ve seen a million good base-stealers have that happen. I’m just glad to see some aggressiveness on the basepaths.
Nick struggling tonight! Is he getting squeezed by the HP Chumpire?
Just a bit squeezed
Big Houdini act in that inning.
Needed that!
Awful defense from TS
You dont throw there until he breaks. Look him back once and get the out in front of you, your teammates will tell you if he’s breaking for home.
Yep. Most kids in Little League are taught that. I’m sure TS just had a brain blurb.
Nick at 50 pitches already! Yikes
So close to a 1-2-3 inning
Close only counts in darts, horse shoes and hand grenades!
Steer for the inning saver.
Very good play.
Spencer robinson with great diving play
Steer is a legit ROY cabdidate abd new reds 3b
Bell is not the Reds problem. I hold him responsible, but just do think he makes or breaks the Reds. I thin the owners are a major problem. I have had plenty of criticism of them. I am sure all of us would get criticism, if we managed this team. Bell is not Sparky Anderson, but he does not manage the Big Red Machine, either.
A managers influence is typically overblown, my opinion of course. Dusty was a fine manager despite almost always batting his worst hitter leadoff because of “speed” or “havoc on the basebpaths”.
The FO has always been this teams issue. Sure I’d love a better manager since Bell isn’t that good, but I don’t think any of them turn this team around suddenly. To use a recent example, the Reds traded a significant prospect package for Bauer and then ignored their bullpen the next offseason while also non-tendering their closer and best reliever. Mind-blowing.
Two things can be true at once.
So can everything he said
2020- so bell isn’t a problem? You think he is a solid major league manager?
His influence is overblown, I dont think he’s any different than whomever you think they should hire instead.
and I think he has a high chance to be let go when his contract’s up.
As Reds are 4-7 I gotta believe in the positives right now. That is the 3 headed monster that is brewing with the young second year pitchers. Diaz and Young in the pen. The reds offense is really not bad as we thought. Wishful thinking?
I do hope by year 3 the Reds bring in a few vets to even out the starting rotation and please oh please invest in a bullpen!!!!!
Edit..think, not thin
I do not think Bell makes or breaks the Reds.
wow this ump is missing calls on both sides
Steer comes through with the RBI. Could have used that last night too. Had he been playing. 😉
Bailey is starting to Falter! See what I did there?
*groan* LOL
We still have PTSD from Homer …
Fairchild with the hit. 🙂
I really like the young Reds we have. The core is definitely there. It will be such a shame if the investment is not made into this team making a run the next 2-4 years.
Time for Ty Steve to go deep!
Bloop hit by TS and RBI. We’ll take it. Agree? 🙂
That’ll do Ty Steve! That’ll do!
Bat to ball skills actually work…
Woah. Now Myers. What’s happening?
I like this 2 out rally thing.
Nice to see Senzel in the lineup again!
I am rooting for him to do well.
#LetStephensonCatch
His defense is not good at 1st. Seems everyone will complain about guys out of position unless his name is Stephenson
I see I’m way behind in this thread
yep or Lodolo
I didn’t see tonight’s game but it seems he is struggling a bit at catcher. Semi-perm DH?
He’s not amazing but his defense at C is fine. He looks miscast at 1B, but I’m sure that could change with more time there
Speaking of the DH this off day thing shouldn’t be an issue. If you want to give a guy a day off but he’s on a hot streak just let him DH. Just plan it. David Bell likes to do that. lol India did tonight. No reason it can’t be done one at a time. Unfortunately I think there’s more to it than just giving a guy a day off. We’ll see.
Abbott looks great in Nooga again. 3ip 0ER 7ks
He could be up faster than the guys in AAA.
81 through 4.
This has been inflated some due to not executing easy plays and getting squeezed. But he still need around be more efficient.
I think the former is more the case than the latter, but I agree.
Votto isnt even playing in AAA
Williamson line bad
Theres literally nothing positive in AAA right now
Hopkins is batting well.
Good point Kevin
Ive never seen him but SEC cf and playing well
Maybe doug can handicap
Nick headed for a 5-inning outing after escaping the top of the 4th!
Now Nick needs a 9 pitch inning like the Phil’s pitcher just had!
Time to make a pitching change.
The thought of turning over a 3-run lead to the Reds bullpen is beyond frightening!
Schwarber hit a homer off a lefty. Is that allowed?
Make that a 2-run lead! Schwarber the “Reds Killer” strikes again! Hope Nick can get thru 5 without any more damage!
Scares me to think out bullpen is going to have to cover four innings against this lineup! IF not more than that!
Good timing by Lodolo. Should get another inning out of him.
Should Bell let Nick go another?
He’s their ace so yes.
Sounds good but I doubt he starts the 6th.
I agree and I will not criticize Bell in hindsight either if he sticks with him and it goes bad!
Considering the BP how can you criticize Bell for leaving him in as long as possible? More the opposite right?
Looks like he’s gone no matter.
Darn it…. I really wish Nick had gone another inning!
97 After 5 and we have the lead. Does anyone know a good rain dance before the BP takes over?
Interesting Bell didn’t pull Lodolo, different rules for different pitchers? I ask as I have heard Bell say about stress innings or this or that. Lodolo battled but didn’t have it this evening.
Gotta get deeper in the game
I vote for Nick to at least start the 6th! In the meantime I’m having Door Dash deliver some antacids!
Bulk delivery?
I hope he at least gets a batter. I know no one here like it but it mostly depends on how you want to play L/R matchups.
Reds are winning this game !!!!!
Write it down…,in pencil with an eraser
Spencer steer ROY
Start the movement
As long as he gets plenty days of rest. haha 😉
Abbott: 5ip 0er 2hits 11ks
I suspect he’ll be in AAA sooner than later.
Myers up again in an RBI situation!
I think a lot of the hate for him has a chance to look really premature at the end of the year.
Many of the comments during games look premature just an AB or two later.
lol +1
We all rip the coaches
Mim throwing a shout to Joel McKeithan hitting coach . These guys battle and x for vosler and myers and now departed Benson…. Dont K
Much more enjoyable offense and style of play
+1000. I like that they are patient as well. Pitch counts have been up consistently for opposing pitchers all year.
Stupid throw by Schwarber. As soon as he bobbled it in his glove he should have thrown to second .
Ought oh. Myers has two hits tonight. We’ll take it.
Myers comes thru and gets the run back!
I still like the Myers signing. Of course time will tell, however I think he can produce and perhaps be apart of this process.
Again, a fan of Myers since his days with the TB Rays!
His power has disappeared, but I dont think that will continue forever.
Wil Meyers won’t matter much to this team. If he plays well, he will be gone in four months, if he doesn’t play well, he will be gone on 6 months. As a fan, it’s hard for me to get too invested in him.
Alex young now top lefty in bullpen.
9 pitch inning. Is that allowed ?
Should they give him two?
Yes!! Lol
depends how much you want him rested for the next game, I know a lot of people here would prefer to see Bell use pitchers for 2 innings every outing but he has to find other guys he can trust with a lead if he’s gonna run him into the ground early in the season.
You forgot the Bell “one Inning rule”!
which isn’t even a thing, every manager uses their relievers for an inning typically so they’re actually available on back-to-back days
We need a setup man. Found one?
Looks like it. Hopefully Santillan is that guy too.
Would be nice to be able to cover innings 7-9.
Anyone checking in on AA, Abbott is a monster!
I have always found David Bell’s “planned off days” for position players a bit silly. That is how you manage an Arby’s, not a Major League Baseball team.
Hahaha!!!
You’d prefer he had no plan? I’m pretty sure every manager does this.
Plans are okay and even good….as long as you’re able to humble yourself and be able to adjust.
agreed
2020Ball every manager have scheduled off days for position players? ReLly? I don’t think that’s the case at all.
No question, managers give position players days off, but I don’t think every manager have off days scheduled in advanced.
Most managers make out their line ups based on a number of factors, including pitching match ups and yes how a player is hitting at the time.
If I am wrong then, please cite some examples. I would be interested in knowing what other managers do this.
I definitely don’t think most managers plan out most of the season like Bell did with Stephenson.
Melvin, yes I completely agree.
It wouldnt surprise me at all if other managers did that, I know there’s off days planned in advance for players all the time.
Seems like Stephenson’s already played more C than his supposed plan had him doing, so what does that tell you. Why those that hate Bell seem to pay attention to and hold on to every word of his is crazy to me. I suggest turning off the pre and post-games.
2020 – Believe me. I don’t listen to him. lol If he’s already deviated from the Stephenson plan than good for him. I also heard, if I’m not mistaken, that TS isn’t going to catch the rest of the week.
hmm… they face some lefties so maybe its to get more RH bats in the lineup with Maile and Casali, the latter of which looked pretty good at the plate today. Still think they can execute whatever Bell’s plan is with just one back-up.
@2020Ball I didn’t mean to sound like a jerk with my last comment, I just honestly haven’t heard of managers scheduling off days well in advance for position players. I mean, I know managers may go into a series with a plan to give a certain player a day off or an older player the day off following a night game. But from David Bell’s comments, he seems to have position players slated for specific off days well in advance.
Like I said, other managers may do it, I am just not aware of it. So I would love to know others who do.
2020ball – “Still think they can execute whatever Bell’s plan is with just one back-up.”
Yep
You didnt sound like a jerk, I’m a jerk all the time on here. It’s cool, its just online blogging.
I’ve heard the scheduled off day thing for years, other Reds managers and managers of the other team I follow. I know Votto’s had those in the past with previous managers. It’s a common thing. I still think the thing Bell talked about was just an outline and not a strict plan.
@2020 I have also heard of other
Managers plan it days off. Many times for older players I have heard of managers giving planned days off around an off day to give player two days off. Very common practice.
@Jim T. I am not talking about giving a veteran a a day game off following a night game or resting the starting catcher the third game of a series. That isn’t what David Bell is doing. He is scheduling off days well in advance for his young position players.
Winning managers want their best line up on the field as often as possible. It gives you the best chance to win. Do you give players days off? Of course, but you do so at opportune times, you don’t schedule them a month.
Winning managers make their line ups out based on a lot of factors, most important is the opponents starting pitcher. You don’t know that a month a head of time.
There’s zero chance Bell both (1) schedules off days a month in advance, and (2) refuses to deviate from that schedule based on matchups/injuries/etc.
I doubt #1 is true. I’m sure #1 combined with #2 isn’t true.
Wkuchud then you haven’t listened to David Bell’s press conferences, he discusses “scheduled off days” all the time.
A manager’s job when filling out a line up card is to look for best match ups. You can’t do that if you decided who is going to have an off day weeks before.
Analytics doesn’t recognize hot and cold streaks only averages. Anyone who has followed the game knows there are hot and cold streaks. If you refuse to start a hot player because you had scheduled him to be off on a particular day, you are not giving your team a chance to win.
Jose barrero!!!!
I would feel better with a couple more runs for the good guys!
Bell brought Young in to face 3 right handed hitters.
Interesting..
Check with Spongebob. This is opposite day maybe. 🙂
Might be a 2 inning plan then?
I think I was premature in my account of Barrero. He is doing much better this season putting ball in play and not striking out.
Nice Jose Barrero. I’m starting to believe in this guy more and more!
Barrero! 🙂
Finally starting to produce a little, all he has to do is play better than Newman, its not hard.
Yep. With Senzel here maybe it will basically eliminate the CF thing and he can stay at SS.
Evening walk and some travel prep since my last comment. Listened to the audio feed and very happy with what I heard. Back on video feed again in time to see Barrero smack a gapper and India get hit.
Im thinking its Herget Gibault and Diaz after Charlton
According to the Bell system, we might see Diaz in the 8th agains NC, Realmuto and Bohm and one of the light(aka dead)weights against the bottom of the Phillies order in the 9th.
@2020ball, you made a great point. Young pitching 2 innings he will be unavailable for next game. A conundrum. Lol
The way this bullpen is going you just about have to stick with who’s getting the job done and win this one if you can. Otherwise with saving him we may lose two. I’d let him go three tonight if he could to get to the 9th. We have to win one at a time and go from there.
I’m fine with 2, but I really dont see a dire need to extend him to 3. He’s too important if we get a lead in the next few games.
Fine with me. Just as long as we win this one. 🙂
Sims and Antone both went on extended IL stints after Bell used them in far too many long outings, and yet still people think every decent arm we find should throw 100 innings from the bullpen. Luckily the pen has a little more depth this season so as long as you rest a guy enough, 2 innings is great.
I thought Sims and Antone both had surgery?
Both hardly pitched at all in ST before returning to the IL.
I think the surgeries were from overuse, Antone threw almost exclusively 2 innings from what I remember, maybe I’m wrong. The bullpen depth on this team has been bad for years, I’d rather not see all our decent arms run into the ground just because fans want to see guys pitch as if they are robots.
Alex Charlton still needs to earn his stripes. Bulldoze a catcher at home plate !!!
+500
Now Bell has Fraley pinch hitting for Newman against a lefty.
My head is spinning.
+500 and the same thought
Mine too. ugh
You guys just don’t understand. This is the second Thursday of the month…in April. Remember?
and weak contact on a hittable pitch. He almost beat it out though.
Maybe he expressed some frustration about the other night. He’s not wrong to.
Casty did it and succeeded. Might as well try. 🙂
You are winning 6-2. No diaz.
Herget
6 more outs and we can feel better about our team. Liked seeing Young for 2 innings and he was fairly pitch efficient. That helps.
Fraley pitch hitting for Newman to face a left handed pitcher??
Bell logic 101 is no logic
I thought thats what everyone here wanted
Then why not start Fraley against the lefty?
Because why would you? For Science? Fun points?
I’m glad I’m not counting on you to make sense.
that makes two of us then
And we roll the dice with Derek Law.
Volser for Stephenson? Steer out? Sigh lol
Is Steer out?
nope
Vosler is likely a far better defender, we’ll have to see if he hits or not
McClain with an Inside the Park HR for the Bats. Got to look for the replay of that one.
Opps, steer is still in the game. Newman out
This team is frustrating because they are close to being decent. Young hitters and Big 3 answering the bell so thats something to build on.
Agree lol
+1,000 and same thoughts
Bring back Law for the 9th. Phillies look defeated. If he walks the first guy..pull him. They are 4-8 for a reason.
Agree
Absolutely!
A walk by Barrero….I like it!
Reds aren’t out of this yet.
Leadoff walk. That’s unusual. (rolling my eyes)
Bottom third of the order with a four run lead in the ninth. smh
Hahahaha
Cave was just sitting on that one.
And it’s the Pizza K to boot
At least Law checked the box! He walked the leadoff batter!
That’s very important. Can’t underestimate that particular box.
Steer mad a fantastic effort on a really nice bunt. Just a step too late.
Are people still not sold on Steer and his defense?
I like him. He’s getting better all the time.
I’ve seen some misses this year. He’s impressed me though the more I’ve seen him.
I think he’s improving. My eye test tells me he’s putting in the effort to learn the position better defensively. I won’t say “sold” but he’s definitely “in my cart” with no intention of returning him to the shelf at this point.
This is a hilarious analogy I missed earlier +1
This lineup, can’t mess around anymore. Better get this 3rd out!
Steer’s played some nice defense tonight
Does that count as a save?
I’m pretty sure yes. It has to do with the tying run on deck I think.
Game day says save #2 for Diaz?
Yep. Melvin is correct and that’s a save for Diaz.
5-pitch save for Diaz! And a much-needed win for our Reds!
That felt kinda good. Now on to the rest of my evening and getting ready for a road trip tomorrow.
Night all!
Be safe on your trip tomorrow Mark!
Yah! We won! 🙂
Nice Win!
A win’s a win. Bell is Bell. Reading the comments here, I see he did his usual substitutions. I would have preferred he stuck with Fairchild and pulled Senzel, but a win is a win. First game back, but Senzel did get off to a great start.
I saw that as an infielder decision based on Newman getting hit. Senzel was the best option to go in and play 2B.
What happened to Brian G in the post game? I liked him.
He is playing out the string on the Blue Jackets coverage. Their final game is tomorrow (Friday). It was a terrible night for the Jackets tonight (Thursday). They were in last place by 1 point (i.e. in line for a 25% chance of winning the lottery for the 1st draft pick come June) and in control of their own destiny for that spot with 2 games to go.
And then tonight they came from behind to tie late and went on to win in OT so, they earned 2 standings points. Which dropped them a point “behind” 2 other teams for the catbird’s seat in the lottery. One of those 2 teams finishes the season tonight and with a loss can do no worse than a tie for the top lottery spot. The other, like the Blue Jackets, has 1 more game remaining.
Sounds like something the Reds would do, doesn’t it?
haha Yeah. Thanks for the update.
Good job by the bullpen for once! Lodolo quickly becoming the Ace of the staff! His ERA is 2.12 as well
because I’m a b-hole:
Does Friedl still slump tomorrow after only playing half the game?
Steer was 2-4 after a day off
Lol
Just curious! I’m assuming the “wku” in wkuchad is for Western Kentucky University?
Yes, I graduated from there many years ago.
In fact, while there I got my first ever email address, started with wkuchad – been using it ever since.
I’m a Hilltopper myself! Class of 1976
haha Maybe. It didn’t help. That’s the point. A manager needs to HELP a player continue his hot streak, not make it harder. 🙂 We won tonight. Maybe last night too if Steer plays the whole game getting the ABs Vosler had.
Winning winning winning. That’s what it’s all about. 🙂
amen brother. good debates.