The Cincinnati Reds will look to rebound from last night’s 4-3 loss. The Pirates will be looking to try and remain in second place in the National League Central, where they are currently a game up on the Chicago Cubs. First pitch tonight is set for 6:35pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Pittsburgh Pirates
|
| Jonathan India – 2B | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| TJ Friedl – LF | Bryan Reynolds – LF |
| Spencer Steer – 3B | Andrew McCutchen – DH |
| Jake Fraley – DH | Carlos Santana – 1B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Connor Joe – RF |
| Wil Myers – RF | Jack Suwinski – CF |
| Jason Vosler – 1B | Mark Mathias – 2B |
| Nick Senzel – CF | Rodolfo Castro – SS |
| Jose Barrero – SS | Austin Hedges – C |
| Graham Ashcraft – RHP | Mitch Keller – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 19.0 | 1.42 | 1.16 | 8 | 17 |
| Mitch Keller | 23.2 | 3.80 | 1.35 | 10 | 25 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Mitch Keller’s Stats |
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Graham Ashcraft
Things have gone well for Graham Ashcraft this season in his three starts. His strikeout rate is up significantly so far this season, he’s given up just three total runs, and he is 2-0 (the Reds are 2-1 in his starts).
This season right-handed hitters have hit well against Graham Ashcraft. They aren’t showing much power, but they’ve gotten 12 hits and five walks, giving them a .447 on-base percentage against him so far. Left-handed hitters have homered once, but that makes up half of the hits they have against him. While things weren’t THAT extreme last season, it was mostly the same – righties hit him very well (.901 OPS), while lefties struggled (.555 OPS).
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 38 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | .364 | .447 | .485 |
| LHH | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | .057 | .132 | .171 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Change | Slider | |
| Velo | 97.9 | 97.0 | 89.4 | 89.3 |
| Usage | 7% | 55% | 0% | 38% |
Mitch Keller
The Cincinnati Reds faced off against Mitch Keller on Opening Day and found plenty of success, scoring four runs in 4.2 innings on five hits and four walks. In the three starts since he’s pitched at least 6.0 innings and has an ERA of 2.84. He’s been prone to give up homers this season, giving up four so far in 23.2 innings.
This season left-handed hitters have gone better against Mitch Keller than righties have. All of that comes down to showing a little more power in a small sample size. His splits this year are similar to the ones he had last season, where he was solid against both but lefties had a little bit of an advantage.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 54 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 14 | .245 | .315 | .408 |
| LHH | 47 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | .238 | .319 | .476 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.5 | 93.8 | 90.8 | 78.3 | 82.8 | 90.9 |
| Usage | 22% | 19% | 25% | 14% | 16% | 3% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:35pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 79°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Elly De La Cruz makes his 2023 Debut
Last night saw Elly De La Cruz show up in Louisville after spending the first three weeks on the injured list. The shortstop had three batted balls with an exit velocity over 100 MPH. One of those was 109 MPH off the bat and went for a double. We’ve got video and more details over at RedsMinorLeagues.com.
The best or worst way to lose a perfect game
From this afternoon in Chicago…..
Drew Smyly just lost his perfect game on this… pic.twitter.com/xcdvKV0CD6
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) April 21, 2023
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 14 | 5 | 0.0 | 72.9% |
| Pirates | 13 | 7 | 1.5 | 14.1% |
| Cubs | 11 | 7 | 2.5 | 25.9% |
| Cardinals | 8 | 11 | 6.0 | 53.6% |
| Reds | 7 | 12 | 7.0 | 0.6% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
19 games in and we are 7 out. Keep sorting.
Let’s try not to let the Pie-Rats score 4 or more runs in the first inning!
Did they flip the scheduled starters? I thought Greene was going to start tonight since he only pitched 3 innings in his last start before being hit in the leg by a batted ball.
Nope. The plan was always to delay gis start a day to heal. That’s why Stoudt pitched Wednesday, to let Weaver and Ashcraft stay in line before him. His usual day would be today, but after he got hit they moved him back to Saturday.
Thanks for clearing that up!
Maybe Ashcraft can stop a potentially long losing streak.
Scoreless streak done. Time to shake the “L” monkey.
Need a strong start from Ashcraft and some early runs. Top 2 bullpen pitchers in Diaz and Young only pitched 3x combined in 8 days.
Looking at Reds stats today and India Freidl and Steer really having strong starts. They Need help
Long, noisy out.
So that’s what a clean, low pitch count 1st inning looks like 😀
Big fan of Stephenson but his K rate is not good. All his injuries has taken away his reaction time. He’s not seeing the ball well. That happens when you dont play. Hope 200 at bats fixes this.
Yeah … seems like he’s playing in extended ST mode lately. Still making some contact, but the K-rate is creeping up there.
Seems to take a bunch of called strike three.
Need a GIDP here to chase the haunting ghost of that BB.
Yep … that was a balk. His left knee twitched before he stepped off.
And we’re down 2-zip
Maybe if the Reds go another 20 games without ever having a lead, ownership will start to consider the possibility that the current manager might not be inspiring these guys to play their very best.
+10,000
Maybe … if they pull their heads out of their wallets long enough to pay attention.
Nah. They will give him a two year ext.
Well, it’s only 2 runs … that’s half of what we gave up last night in the 1st.
Progress!
Ashcraft 40 pitches through 2 innings.
Keller likely won’t have 40 through 3.
Seems to be a recurring theme. Opponents come right at this weak Reds lineup. So they have low pitch counts.
Keller looks “on” tonight.
Vosler looks completely lost.
Really wish they would call up McLain and DFA him.
But he’s left-handed, so he must be the best possible option in the entire organization.
Exactly.
I wouldn’t mind too much him being a lefty bat off the bench but I don’t like him playing every day. Since Bell won’t leave him on the bench it’s time for Krall to do another round of “Bell Proofing” the roster.
Senzel put a charge into that … but not enough of one.
Nice play by Ashcraft. Kept the pitch count down and didn’t allow any damage.
Good play by Ashcraft
Ashcraft 48 pitches thru 3 innings! Better!
An idea about a possible trade of Newman to the Dodgers from Fansided
https://blogredmachine.com/posts/reds-should-trade-shortstop-needy-dodgers-kevin-newman?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email
Interesting proposition.
I wouldn’t mind trading Newman. Another way to “Bell Proof” the roster.
We’re just not getting enough contact and/or finding the holes. Something’s got to give … like maybe that HBP for Steer.
Any word on votto?
He paused his rehab one week ago and was eligible to go back to rehab Thursday for another 20 day stint. If Votto is out through may, this season is already on life support……but no votto and no credible first base and no LH hitting thru Memorial Day ends this season very soon…Maybe on Sunday if things doing change.
Crickets. Makes one wonder.
I think the use of the word “training” which I have heard several times describing Votto’s current activities are a clue he is nowhere near going back out on rehab. This makes me think it is likely he he is doing non baseball stuff like strength and flexibility training.
This HP Chumpire is very frustrating. He’s flexing that zone like it’s a rubber band.
Was hoping for at least a split in this 4-game series with the Pie-Rats! If they can’t pull this game out looking at 1-3 with Cessa throwing batting practice tomorrow!
Johnny Bench was once asked what it takes to win a Division. He said “Play 700 ball at home and 500 on the road” Reds currently 6-6 at home but a dismal 1-6 on the road.
3-22 is still possible. Just not to start the season
No hits thru 4 innings! Wasn’t aware that Cy Young had been reincarnated in one Mitch Keller!
To be fair, Keller is “on” tonight … but the lack of hits is puzzling.
As I’ve been saying Krall needs to find ways to shake things up and show the players/manager that losing is not acceptable anymore. Show us what you’re made of Mr. Krall.
I don’t believe Krall has that kind of shaking up within his authority level. I still tend to think DTBell is “untouchable”.
He can do things like trading players, releasing players, bringing players up…things like that. That will at least show a sense of urgency and that status quo is not acceptable. It might even put a little fear in David Bell’s mind about his job.
Perhaps, Melvin. I still think the biggest/best shake-up would be the removal of DTBell.
Yeah. May have to do that kind of one step at a time being the delicate situation that it is.
To be honest, it’s an organizational problem. Another night of impotent offense system wide. Reds have scored.a total of five runs in 24 innings so far tonight. So many heads need the role. It’s nearly impossible to sort out. This really reminds me of what my dad used to say about the St. Louis Browns. Horrible organization from top to bottom. Looks like we are there.
Finally! Should have had Santana retired 4-5 pitches ago.
I’m sure he’s a nice guy and all, but I really dislike Connor Joe. Just throwing that out there.
I think the Reds had him at one point.
Wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
That’s a better start for the 5th.
Thought Myers was coming out of it but maybe not.
Myers and the backwards K … SMH very hard
Stephenson and Senzel oppo for a run
There you go, Nick! Very timely for him and for our Reds.
Good job Senzel with a timely hit. He can be the all around sub for the younger guys who need to play every day.
Barrero good at bat..7 pitches..sac fly
OK Jose! Got it done and we’re tied.
Good AB by Barrero there. Down 0-2 and works the count then with the Sac Fly.
This is what we need to do to Keller. Get in his melon and then light him up.
Finally. a sac fly with a runner at 3rd and less than 2 outs! Nice productive out by Barrero!
Sure … walk the first batter … that never comes back to bite you …
Amazing how other teams are willing to and are able to execute sacrifice bunts!
He gets Cutch here and we should see him in the 6th. Nice pitch to freeze him.
88 pitches after 5.
Again, the 3 walks by Ashcraft will limit his outing to 6 innings at best!
Another article from Fansided on Maile.
https://blogredmachine.com/posts/reds-roster-luke-maile-cannot-stay-much-longer-tyler-stephenson?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email
Wasted the leadoff hit … again.
Good game. Some competitive at bats. Solid start from ashcraft.
Bullpen needs to step up as does the offense.
Diaz and Young should be fresh. Need someone offensively to hit a bomb. Reds dont do that much.
It’s in the hands of the Law now
89? Smh
Why is Ashcraft done after 89 pitches and only five innings?
I’m puzzled. I mean, get Law ready, but let Ashcraft start the 6th.
Bell wanted to rest him.
Was it scheduled? 🙂
There is always the possibility that there is something we don’t know…but it sure seems like another stupid move from our brilliant manager.
The Reds have no pop in their offense. They forgot how to homer. Ty Stephenson lost his power after the surgery. Is Fraley in slump? Or Is he the real Fraley?
Nobody’s fooling Connor Joe tonight.
Why is Ashcraft out??? He is pitching well, and only after 89 pitches
DTBell … need I say more?
SMH… Man….
Really hoping that terrible pitch doesn’t bite us.
And it bites us. Bobble and bobble.
Barrero geesh
As Brantley said the SS position is a black hole for the Reds
Thrall and Day are saying the same things about Barrero from the WLW booth.
Barrero brought his glove into his body. Didn’t have time to react to the ball bouncing up. Like Larkin says, ” keep it out in front of you to cover the hops.”
Who was it last week that was talking about Barrero’s great defense ad nauseum. I’m all for giving guys a shot but winning games should still be of some importance. Fans aren’t gonna spend their money watching players screw up routine plays. When is McLain gonna get his shot?
“Thrall and Day are saying the same things about Barrero from the WLW booth.”
I need to switch. I forgot.
Are we seeing this version of Barrero more frequently of late? Somebody mentioned “Suarez Syndrome”.
Was enjoying listening to Thrall and Day
Barrero has to make that play. Still not sure Vosler catches it cleanly at first he is out. Reds cant get out of their own way.
I don’t know where Barrero and his mind is at but his defense and not his hitting is what’s putting his job in jeopardy so far. Newman has been even worse. Maybe they’re both feeling the heat from EDLC and McLain.
Law is short hopping these tonight.
Law is killing worms. Those are wild pitches giving TS no chance.
Nope. None at all. Gibault warming.
Another reason why you let Ashcraft start the 6th. He was doing well and you never know that you will get out of any bullpen.
Yep., I guess using only two bullpen pitchers lastnight the bullpen is “fresh”
No reason to take out ashcraft after 5 tonight. Good job, Bell.
DB loves those substitutions.
DJ is wearing out a path to the mound tonight.
Friedl guns him at the plate.
Well in Laws defense he should have been out of the inning with no runs.
Nice throw by TJ to limit the damage.
India Friedl and Steer really strong starts to the season. They need some help.
Reds outfielders throw out more runners than our SS does
Nice!
Wow. We actually threw somebody out at home. Good play by Friedl. LF is exactly where he should be.
Yep. Has the speed and range for any OF position, but seems his arm is better suited to LF.
That’s on both Hayes and Santana. But we’ll take the gift.
Bob Steve in for PBurg.
Tough story with Stephenson and the Reds.
He’s not who he was when we brought him up.
Nope. Not enough jack in that.
By pulling Ashcraft after 5 it tells me Bell has no concern about winning or losing his job, sadly the joke is on all of us. What a pathetic situation this organization is in. Mclain and EDLC can’t get here fast enough, it will probably be August.
McClain getting pretty close to forcing the FO hand. Of course, then we have to hope Bell will play him enough to justify keeping him here!
Where do you play Mclain? SS?
I would shuffle McClain, Steer, Barrero between SS, 3B, 1B, DH. Whatever it takes to put Vosler on bench where he belongs. Jose has been a disappointment with his D so maybe put McClain there?
He takes the place of either Vosler, Myers, Senzel, or Fraley. Personally I think CF. He may move back to SS or 2B (played there last night) eventually. Myers to 1B. Senzel as a real sub not taking time away from Steer, Barrero, India, Friedl, or McLain.
India 2B
Friedl LF
Steer 3B
Stephenson C
McLain CF
Fraley DH
Myers 1B
Barrero SS
Fairchild RF
Bell should have left Ashcraft in for the sixth…..period! He is a terrible manager
Apparently the Reds have once again forgotten how to steal a base. And obviously Bell won’t call for any hit-and-runs because he doesn’t even know it’s a thing that exists in baseball.
DFA Vosler and Maile
Offense needs 2 better hitters and no its not Newman
Newman batting over 300 against left handed pitching.
If Newman only played against LH pitching I’d be with you.
Walks….. For the 9,000 time…
I’m thinking we’re cooked after that one. Walks still bite our collective hiney every single time (or so it seems).
Barrero trying to pull an off speed pitch on the outside corner.
According to Jim Day two of four runs tonight reached via walks.
Two relief pitchers since Ashcraft and 3 walks! Insanity!
Ah Mr. Westrick, how are you kind fellow lol
Walks truly do Haunt
Watching this team is like watching the movie Groundhog Day! Different day, same results! Makes me want to play my DVD that has all of the games of the Reds in the 1975, 1976 & 1990 World Series!
Yeah, but Dennis, we “Bill Murray” types never end up with Andie MacDowell 😀
And once again…Diaz and young dont get to pitch.
Ian Gibault making David Bell look like a hypocrite for dropping f-bombs on Tampa bay pitcher and telling umpires to kick him the F out because he s throwing at guys head?????? What does that mean for Ian Gibault who is doing the same thing?
Bell is a hypocrite.
I am confused? Reds pitcher yelling at Bell?
David bell was kicked out of Reds rays game yesterday with 2 outs in the 9th and Reds down 8-0 or whatever it was . Rays pitchers had 2 up and in fastballs at Fairchild. Bell was heard dropping Fbombs and kicked out and said get rid of a guy if he cant not throw at guys heads…..Bell then said in his post game it was about safety and protecting his guys.
Gibault just did same thing rays pitcher did. No control and throwing at guys head repeatedly. not intentional..just bad pitching. Pirates fans yelling at Gibault
Rally time … c’mon guys! Kick these Pie-Rats hard!
Reds need some guys to get hot again. Maybe the understatement of the month lol
Man Fraley really is in a major slump.
Is Fraley playing hurt and not telling anyone?
His drop in performance is free-fall right now.
Something doesn’t seem right.
In case nobody has noticed, Ashcraft’s ERA is 1.88. He should be 4-0!
No shade on Hunter Greene, but the Reds signed the wrong pitcher long term.
Maybe they’ll get smart and sign Ashcraft (and Lodolo) too.
Lodolo negotiations are reported in progress.
They are talking to the other two pitchers. Greene happened to get signed first Geesh!!!
Relax
Bubba, I’ll relax when the job is done.
Until then, it’s still the Reds.
Name is Kevin. Not Bubba.
mind boggling to take him out after 89 pitches unless he got hurt?
This really feels more painful to watch than last night’s loss.
WOW a called third strike that was out of the zone
Stephenson couldn’t check his swing.
Thanks JB for that.
These Reds are similar to the team that finished the last 25 games of last season. Don’t score more than 3 runs in a game and they are out of pop. If don’t wake up they are going to lose a lot…
Our next 3 batters (quite likely the last 3 tonight) don’t inspire a whole lot of confidence. Looking like well under 2.5 hours tonight.
Pitch clock helps with our misery.
Myers , Vosler, Senzel. If that doesn’t strike fear in the pitcher then I don’t know..
I wish I’d been keeping track of how many times this season the Reds have struck out on check swings, or taken a third strike. Other than India and Friedl, they all seem to be guessing on almost every pitch.
I was just wondering the same thing! They keep statistics for everything in baseball but the Reds have to be leading the league in strikeouts (swinging or looking) with runners in scoring position.
Night all. Glad we can share the misery with each other.
Law now 0-3 witha 2.89 Era. Proving once again wins and loses by a pitcher mean nothing really. Lol
Perfect ninth inning. Two guys get themselves out by swinging at balls out of the zone, and the other guy can’t hit anything but he’s left-handed so he’s required to play.
This team is going nowhere if they struggle to score only 2 runs with one of their best pitchers on the mound.
Can’t wait for the fireworks at PNC Park tomorrow with Cessa on the mound.
Not to worry Jason Williams of the Enemaquirer says they’ll compete in 27 or 28!
In hindsight this season took an early turn for the worse with the decision to not keep their best spring training hitter. They are much worse than I thought they would be. Many factors including Stephenson lack of power, poor infield defense, Fraley in a big slump, very little from Myers, black hole at short stop but # 1 has to be Bell’s inept managerial skills, see close losses. He is with out a doubt the worst manager in all of baseball. It is a slap in the face to all Reds fans that he is still employed as manager of this team. Rant over.
I think the season took a turn for the worse when the Castellinis decided not to spend money on pitching. Everyone who follows baseball knows the Reds needed a fourth and fifth starter. They also know the Red’s bullpen is atrocious. I am sure the Castellinis knew it. I am sure Buddy Bell knew it. I am certain Nick Krall knew it. Yet, nothing was done to acquire pitching.
I am not a fan of David Bell. If the Reds fired him tonight, I wouldn’t shed a single tear, but no manager can win without pitching. It has been that way for 154 years.
3-22 to start last year. Injuries were big ,however 3-22. Now 7-13 and agree he isn’t manager material. Tonight taking Ashcraft out (unless he was hurt) after 5 innings and 89 pitches. Just unreal
Kevin H – Yeah I know. Surprisingly Ashcraft after the game said he was gassed. Said he would have gone out if they would have asked him to.