After an off day yesterday, the Reds (10-15) continue inter league play with a three game series against the Oakland A’s (5-21) tonight. The Reds will look to continue the momentum they built in the series sweep against the Rangers earlier this week. Right hander Luis Cessa gets the start at Oakland Coliseum in a late night Reds game for those of us in the Eastern time zone.
The A’s come into this series with the worst record in MLB. They rank 24th across the entire league with a .674 team OPS. This is slightly better than the Reds’ team OPS of .667. It’s the A’s pitching that is their biggest problem; however, with a league-worst 8.01 team ERA. This stat seems worse when you consider that the A’s have played half their games in a pitcher-friendly ballpark.
Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Oakland A’s |
| 2B Jonathan India | CF Esteury Ruiz |
| CF TJ Friedl | 1B Ryan Noda |
| 1B Spencer Steer | DH Brent Rooker |
| C Tyler Stephenson | C Shea Langeliers |
| RF Jake Fraley | RF Conner Capel |
| DH Henry Ramos | 2B Jordan Diaz |
| 3B Nick Senzel | 3B Jace Peterson |
| LF Stuart Fairchild | SS Kevin Smith |
| SS Jose Barrero | LF Tony Kemp |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Luis Cessa | 16.2 | 10.80 | 2.34 | 8 | 7 |
| Drew Rucinski (stats from 2022 KBO league) | 193.2 | 2.97 | 1.13 | 34 | 194 |
| Links: Luis Cessa’s Stats | Drew Rucinski’s Stats |
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Luis Cessa
It’s always a bad sign when a pitcher has more walks than strikeouts, but that’s exactly what Luis Cessa has through four starts. He also has a 10.80 ERA in just 16.2 innings pitched, although that number is inflated from the April 16 start against the Phillies when he gave up 11 runs in just three innings.
His 7.9% strikeout percentage is way below his career percentage of 18.6% and last year’s percentage of 17.6%. He’s only given up three home runs, but his BABIP is at .400. His O-Contact% is up to 83.0% from 64.4% a year ago, and his total Contact% is at 87.3%. Opposing batters are making a lot contact against Cessa, and they’re finding gaps and green grass.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 47 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8.5% | 8.5% | .375 | .435 | .500 |
| LHH | 42 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 9.5% | 7.1% | .432 | .476 | .865 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.1 | 93.8 | 83.0 | 87.9 |
| Usage | 20.4% | 17.8% | 38.8% | 23.0% |
Drew Rucinski
The A’s activated 34-year-old right handed pitcher Drew Rucinski from the injured list today to make his A’s debut and his first MLB appearance since 2018. Rucinski pitched in the big leagues for four different teams from 2014-2018, with most of those appearances coming in 2018 for the Miami Marlins. He made 32 appearances out of the bullpen that year, putting up a 4.33 ERA in 35.1 innings. In 2019, he made his way over to the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), where he pitched for the NC Dinos. Rucinski was a starter all four years he was over there. His best season came last year when he pitched to a 2.97 ERA with 194 strikeouts in 193.2 innings.
He signed a one-year deal with the A’s in the off-season, but his season had been delayed a couple weeks by a hamstring injury, as he had been rehabbing in Triple-A.
Pitch Usage (from AAA Rehab)
| 4-Seam | Sinker | Cutter | Splitter | Slider | |
| Velo | 89.4 | 89.4 | 84.6 | 83.7 | 79.0 |
| Usage | 21% | 34% | 33% | 9% | 3% |
When and Where:
- First pitch: 9:40 pm EDT
- Place: Oakland Coliseum
- Weather: 65 °, mostly sunny
- TV: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (out-of-network)
- Radio: 700 WLW
News and Notes
A Reds prospect recently joined a top 100 prospect list with his excellent start to the 2023 season.
As someone pointed out EDLC is playing 3B tonight with McLain at SS down on the AAA farm. CES with a HR already.
CES with another hit. 2-2
They need to get somebody like Bench to sit Votto down and convince him to announce his retirement. Reds need to agree to pay the remainder of this years contract and next years contract. Let him play the next weekend home stand with Sunday being Joey Votto Day; get the sellout and retire his number. Bring up CES permanently and forget about it. Two problems solved. Votto goes out positively, Reds only spend what they already have guaranteed and get a sellout weekend to help pay for some of it; CES starts his big league career. Win-Win
Maybe it’s just the fan in me but I’m not ready to give up on Votto yet.
Mr Encarnacion – Strand is kind of irrepressible! Soon…… 😉
Rucinski is recovering from a bad hammy. Likely his velocity will be off.
Maybe a big run scoring night in Oakland for both teams?
Robinson with a 3R Homer. 🙂
So, for tonight’s game– it has been long said that good pitching beats good hitting.
Will that aphorism become bad hitting beats bad pitching in favor of the Reds?
A few thousand tortured souls await the results with (somewhat) bated breath…
Chuckie Robinson and CES have both homered tonight. No reason not to bring both of them north.
Anyone know how Robinson’s defense is? Last year he was terrible at throwing runners out. He’d have to get much better than that to get another chance in the bigs.
Don’t know about the scouting report for his defense but he just hit another double. If we’re going to carry three catchers he could at least PH or DH.
Chuckie with a 3 run jack #3
Herget pitching fairly well. One ER in four innings.
McLain another hit. 🙂
I’ve seen two pitches “challenged” tonight. That’s a new one for me.
I have MLB Extra Innings package on cable.
Does anyone know how I access Milb?
I tried going to the site but MLB sign in doesnt work with MiLB?
Made new login, but all the MilB site does is spin.
I think you have to subscribe to MLB.com.
I’m signed into MLB….can watch those games on laptop….just not MiLB
I had the same problem. I was finally able to watch off of my MLB.TV package by just scrolling down to minor leagues. The only problem with that tonight was it didn’t start broadcasting until the 3rd inning I believe for some reason.
Thanks Melvin….still spinning for me.
You sign in with MLB account or a separate MiLB account?
MLB account is what I’m signed in to.
I’m watching on my Samsung tv.
I just have MLB.tv and MiLB.tv came along with it. I think the MiLB.tv subscription alone is about $30.
Watched a bit of the Bats game while waiting for ours to start. CES is a machine. McClain started a nice DP. Chuckie pounded one out. Fun stuff to watch!
Onward to Kicking tonight’s Pig in the form of the Oakland Vegas Ace-thletics!
In the words of the late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, Just Win Baby!
I hate these West Coast road trips for two(2) reasons: 1) This old boy needs his beauty rest and 2) the Reds historically struggle against West Coast teams!
Need a good 5 or 6 innings out of Cessa with LOTS of run support by the offense!
Pump the brakes on CES
Hes hitting . Wonderful
He needs AAA to learn first base defense. He was bad in ST
Give him may in AAA every day
Reds need a first baseman but not yet
Infield defense needs to improve
Had a First Baseman by the name of Joey Votto! But, like me, he got old! I would like to see Ty Steve play the position more often!
If we’re not careful we’re going to have half a team full of first basemen. 🙂
Packed house in Oakland I see
That’s sarcasm, right?
Little bit …
You had to expect it, right? 😉
Well just saying hello … this ole man doesn’t stay up late.. much
Not sure how much I’ll watch. I may be good until about 10:30 or 10:45.
Cessa dying a death by a thousand cuts so far.
If Cessa can’t beat Oakland, who can he beat?
Rangers said that about the Reds only a few days ago….
Lucky, lucky, lucky Cessa was with some DP help from his defense!
Now some crooked numbers please!
McLain with a HR 🙂
CES with another hit 3-3 🙂
The man is out on the IL for a month with a bad back and comes back and picks up where he left off.
Every day the Reds keep him in AAA is a waste.
The best pure hitter the team has had in forever.
Figure something out, fast.
CES is 3 for 4 tonight. But still 😀
Well he WAS 3-3. :)…I think. He actually had a hard line drive out to RF too so he should have been. 😉
Just noticed the lineup! What? No Newman? Also, in what world does Barrero bat last?
Oops … a bit of a Little League gaff there. We’ll take it.
Way to go Nick! I’m OK with Ramos getting thrown out at 3rd. Make them make the throw after that bad play in LF.
Bell will sit Senzel for Reynolds tomorrow.
Just wait.
I laugh, but somehow I believe you. Lol
So you think Reynolds and Newman play tomorrow? 🙂 I’ll tell ya if there ever was a time to let a player go while he’s hot it should be with Senzel.
Senzel with a rbi single
Newman!
I mean, Jose!
OK, Jose!!
Like it was on a T.
Senzel fairchild barrero
OK, Cessa … they boys filled in the hole and gave you a lead. Take advantage of it. These are the A’s … just pitch to contact and let the guys handle it.
Barrero’s 11th RBI, tying him with Friedl for 2nd place on the team – 1 behind Fraley.
Time for a break tomorrow. haha I hope not.
Clean inning … must be a warm, fuzzy, funny feeling for Cessa. 😀
One more inning for me
Weekend Kevin….sleep in!!!
My problem is my body won’t let me sleep in anymore. About 7:30 is the max for me almost regardless of what time I turn off the light.
Lol
Therefore stay up as late as you want.
EZ Peazy.
Power nap tomorrow.
Are they chanting “Sell the team”?
And Rake pounds it dead center.
Ok this is a BIG ballpark
Fraley hit that ball a long way
I was surprised to see dead center is only 400′ given the “big” moniker this ballpark receives. Still, it did feel like he had to buy it a ticket to send it that far.
Cessa with 3 hits and his 10+ ERA is playing with fire!
Hope Bell has a Sparky moment and has a short leash with Cessa!
Need to keep the winning streak going!
Fraley with a two run shot
Giving away extra outs and paying the price.
Fraley, freakin’ Fraley with a 2-run bomb!
Would be helpful for him to come out of his recent slump.
I’d keep Ramos behind him in the order for awhile, too.
Is it too much to ask for another 3 innings from Cessa?
I’m thinking the same thing. He’s under 40 pitches (mid 30’s?) right now. If he keeps pitching to contact like this and the A’s get more aggressive and wild, it could work to his benefit.
Cessa better count his blessings with these clean innings and low pitch counts. Let’s see if we can pile on another couple for him.
News Flash! Cessa’s ERA is now below 10!
It has nowhere to go but down … 😮
I can’t believe they let them keep those bullpen mounds. That’s just a major hazard (as we saw on that play).
I don’t know … Friedl definitely did a “pop-up” slide there.
And there you go.
C’mon Steer, really? First & third and less than 2 outs! Need a ball in the air in the outfield!
Friedl should have been running before that to avoid the DP. Especially considering Steer hits a lot of up the middle grounders.
Do you possibly mean, what’s it called, a hit and run? 🙂
Agreed! Nothing like a DP to kill a potential big inning!
That’s quite the DP turned there. 2 more bike helmets for the kids.
OK, I do believe I’m in through the 5th at this pace. Then I’ve got to shut it down for tonight. I’m usually in bed and reading by this point.
I’m usually in bed sleeping! But, tomorrow is Saturday after all!
At what point do we believe Chuckie Robinson has made a legitimate adjustment to his game? .424 BA, 1.121 OPS through 59 AB’s.
Bats win 7-1
McLain 2-5 with a HR
CES 3-5 with a HR
Robinson 3-4 with a HR
Herget 4 innings 1 ER
Lively 5 innings 0 ER
EDLC with a rough one but other than that a good game. 🙂
I have been in favor of not rushing the prospects, but McClain is getting tougher and tougher to ignore.
Though, at times, the Cowboy’s disdain for the contemporary realities of MLB can be a bit much, he’s a much, much better complement to Sadat, who is almost bearable with Brantley. With Larkin, both are barely bearable.
Sadak
Yep! Really miss Marty & Joe! Yes, I’m old and sentimental!
Do any remember the year that Marty and Joe would switch off between radio and tv between innings during the game? By the way “The Cowboy” is my favorite now.
Agreed. He can be almost obnoxious in his “old-school” persona at times, but it’s so far superior to the incessant prattling of Sadak. It’s why the WLW audio overlay is the feed of my choice. I think Thrall does a great job.
Cessa needs to buy a Lottery ticket in California!
I’ll be interested in seeing the attendance figure. It looks like more are there in Oakland than in recent Reds home games.
That stadium is such a cavern … I’m thinking it would look empty with 20K there.
Well, Tom, you know there are fewer alternative things to do in California than Cincinnati 🙂
(Not so sure about that …) 😉
Cessa playing with fire, again!
Well, friends, I’m done commenting for the evening. Hoping Cessa can manage another out here and finish 5 with under 70 pitches. And he does just that.
Catch you all tomorrow afternoon.
Oh, and BTW … breakfast scramble with bacon, eggs, onions, and peppers tomorrow morning followed by griddled burgers and onions for dinner tomorrow. You know you’re all jealous 😀
I’ll send an Uber eats to your house. 🙂 Make sure my order is ready.
Somebody needs to contact the CIA or the FBI and report an Invasion of the Body Snatchers event in Oakland! Cessa has lasted 5 innings!
Barrero with another double. 🙂 Is it time for a day off tomorrow? 🙂
A reliever should have been ready to start this 6th since Cessa has been on such a pitch count. Instead bell waited until two on to get someone up. That stuff costs more often than not.
And right on cue. Now it’s a tight ball game. And Law is a questionable first choice with a well rested pen
Great job by Law.
I don’t have a good feeling about this.
Law bailed them out…nice work
Sure was. Keeping that runner on third with no out from scoring is a good momentum shifter.
Stephenson heating up.
They need a big hit here from Ramos or Senzel.
Yes indeed. 🙂
Big hit by Senzel! Good call with Fraley running.
Senzel gets those 2 runs back…nice work
I was just now able to turn the game on. Looks like the offense is still on a roll. Nice to see Nick Senzel having another good game. I really hope he has flipped the switch. How big would that be?
Apparently, he hits better playing 3rd, over .350, 100 pts less playing 2nd, and below .200 when in the OF. Coincidence? Or just another statistical indication that Bell’s utility philosophy is detrimental to the team?
Back into the frying pan…2 run shot off Law
Is something wrong with Young? He should be 8th and Diaz 9th. Not Sims in 8th.
Hopefully Reds add more runs and it don’t matter.
Young’s been great, but I don’t put him over Sims. The good news is we have 3 guys who are real back of the pen type pitchers now.
Yep. If our starters can just get to the sixth now.
If Steer continues to plummet I could see swapping places with CES. CES would be a much better 3rd place hitter.
Big run.
I had totally written Sims off.
He’s been a pleasant surprise.
Keep it up!
Ramos seems to be a helpful asset.
Wow. Tough luck by Barrero there. Very hard hit with the bases loaded right at him.
Barrero’s offense is much improved; he looks more comfortable in the batter’s box and he has a nice level swing and came through tonight with two doubles. I was aware the Oakland ballpark has the most foul territory in the majors but not aware the dugouts are open with no protection. If attention is not on the action, it could be dangenrous even for pro players.
Rought night for Steer.
He didn’t respond well last year when Bell started juggling him around the infield.
But the flipside is that Senzel is playing better once he’s out of CF.
Reds still have some sorting out to do.
Drafting a half dozen 3B and twice that many SS are going to do that to you.
I hate to say it, but Cruz might benefit from some time in AAA. I don’t know if there’s anyone to replace him, but he doesn’t look as sharp as he was last year.
There’s always…..Strickland!
Game wrapup story is live: https://www.redlegnation.com/2023/04/29/cincinnati-reds-unleash-16-hit-onslaught-pummel-athletics-11-7/
The Reds have only played against teams sporting record average of .500 or more just before last night game vs A’s. That’s because The Phillies now reached 14-13 record … The upcoming starting pitcher matchups against the A’s look quite favorable to the Reds.