The Cincinnati Reds used a 3-run 6th inning to take the lead from Oakland, but the bullpen couldn’t hold it. The Athletics would tie the game up in the 7th inning and then they would walk it off in the bottom of the 9th on a single by Esteury Ruiz to stop the Reds 5-game winning streak.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (12-16) | 4 | 12 | 1 |
| Oakland Athletics (6-23) | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| W: Jackson (2-1) L: Law (0-4) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
After Nick Lodolo retired the first two batters of the 1st inning, a check swing single from Brent Rooker kept the inning alive. That was good news for Oakland and bad news for Lodolo because Jesus Aguilar came through with a 428-foot 2-run home run to give the Athletics an early 2-0 lead.
Nick Senzel would get one of those runs back in the top of the 2nd inning with a 2-out solo home run. That’s where the game stayed until Brent Rooker pulled a long home run down the left field line to extend the lead to 3-1 for Oakland.
In the top of the 5th inning the Reds offense tried to get a rally going. Matt Reynolds hit a blooper into center for a leadoff single. Jose Barrero then singled into left field to put runners on the corners with no outs. But Curt Casali and Kevin Newman struck out, bringing Spencer Steer to the plate. He would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Steer, Barrero, and Reynolds would be stranded when Stuart Fairchild flew out to end the inning.
Nick Lodolo picked up two strikeout in a 1-2-3 bottom of the 5th, holding the score at 3-1. The offense got moving again in the top of the 6th with 1-out singles from Henry Ramos and Nick Senzel. After Matt Reynolds flew out, Oakland went to the bullpen to bring on Domingo Acevedo to face Jose Barrero…. but David Bell called on TJ Friedl to come off of the bench to pinch hit against the right-hander.
The move did not go as planned for the Athletics. Friedl hit a comebacker that deflected off of the glove of Acevedo. He then raced to pick it up and then threw the ball by the first baseman, leading to Henry Ramos coming in to score and put Senzel at third and Friedl at second. Jake Fraley came in to pinch hit for Curt Casali, but Oakland opted to walk him to load the bases to face Kevin Newman. That also didn’t work out for the home team as Newman lined a single into right field and brought in two runs to put Cincinnati on top 4-3. The inning ended when Spencer Steer’s line drive was grabbed inches off of the ground by the third baseman.
Nick Lodolo gave up a single to lead off the bottom of the 6th inning and that was all for him on the day as David Bell walked to the mound to call in Lucas Sims from the bullpen. The first pitch he threw hit Brent Rookie in the arm, placing two men on with no outs. After striking out Jesus Aguilar, Ryan Noda drew a walk against Sims to load the bases. Pitching coach Derek Johnson then took a stroll out to the mound to discuss things with Sims and catcher Tyler Stephenson. Whatever was said seemed to work as Sims responded with a strikeout and got a ground out to first base to strand all three runs and hold onto the Reds 4-3 lead.
Jonathan India, who didn’t start the game but took over at second base in the bottom of the 6th inning, singled to lead off the 7th. Henry Ramos singled to move up India to second base. With Nick Senzel at the plate, Jonathan India was thrown out at third on an attempted steal. The Reds challenged the play and lost, though it certainly appeared on one replay that he got to the bag ahead of the tag. A fly out would then end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning Buck Farmer took over for Lucas Sims to begin the inning. Oakland would tie the game up after a single, sacrifice bunt, walk, and a single loaded the bases before a sacrifice fly played Jace Peterson to make it 4-4. Farmer would get a lineout to end the inning, but the damage had been done and it was a new ballgame with two innings left.
Neither team would score in the 8th, sending the game to the 9th all tied up. Kevin Newman led off with a single and he moved to third base when Spencer Steer followed up with a double to the wall in left. With the go-ahead run just 90 feet away, Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson struck out. That left things up to Henry Ramos if the Reds were going to push across a run in the inning, but he would ground out to third base and the opportunity that was there for the taking ceased to come to fruition.
Oakland got a leadoff bloop single into shall left field by Jace Peterson to get the winning run on base. Kevin Smith then laid down a bunt, but Matt Reynolds bobbled it as he tried to field it and both runners were safe. That’s when David Bell made a pitching move, bringing in Alexis Diaz to replace Derek Law. The second pitch Diaz threw went behidn the head of Esteury Ruiz and both runners moveed up. The next pitch hit him. Or maybe it didn’t as the Reds challenged the call and it was overturned. Perhaps they should have let that one go because a few pitches later Ruiz lined a walk-off single into center as they avoided the sweep.
Key Moment of the Game
Esteury Ruiz’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th.
Notes Worth Noting
Derek Law fell to 0-4 on the season.
Nick Senzel picked up his fourth multi-hit game in his last five games. In the one game he didn’t have multiple hits he went 1-2 with 2 walks. That hot stretch has raised his line to .278/.361/.426 on the season.
Speaking of hot – Henry Ramos had two more hits on Sunday. He’s now picked up nine hits and four walks in six games since being called up. He’s been on base at least twice in five of his six games.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres
Monday May 1st, 9:40pm ET
Luke Weaver (0-1, 7.71 ERA) vs Blake Snell (0-4, 5.48 ERA)
Missed BIG opportunity to gain in the Central. (shoulda left Lodolo in longer)
+1,000
David Bell wrongly thought the 5 game winning streak was because of him, when in reality it was in spite of him. But due to his hubris, he went into full, insane tinker mode, starting the game with a ridiculous lineup and batting order, taking Lodolo out after 70 pitches and burning his whole bench in the 6th.
This loss is 100% on David Bell.
x1000 my friend.
I will say it again: the Reds most difficult 2023 opponent is David Bell.
Wonder how many people buy into Sadak’s shameless praising of his every move…
I’d guess it’s close to the number of people who think every move he makes is the wrong one.
Doug, I don’t think every move Bell makes is the wrong one. I praised him for leaving Barrero at SS for this game.
However, can you justify having Kevin’ Freakin’ Newman batting leadoff? Can you justify not playing Friedl? Can you justify taking Lodolo out after 70 pitches?
We have to be objective here, and objectively, David Bell makes a lot of dumb decisions and is hurting the growth of young players. Lodolo was clearly (and rightfully) upset at being taken out. As a young player, how do you think it makes Lodolo feel to know your manager doesn’t trust you? I imagine Barrero feels much the same way.
These players need someone in their corner, someone who will boost them up, not tear them down the way David Bell does.
David Bell, like every manager, does things that don’t make sense.
Some people on here, though, complain that every single thing he does is wrong.
Bell’s handled Nick Lodolo quite well. Maybe he pulled him early in his last outing, but let’s not pretend like that’s something he does regularly. In his last 12 starts he’s been pulled prior to 92 pitches twice. One time he was getting rocked. The other time was this weekend. Those just happen to be the last two times he’s pitched. If Nick Lodolo truly believes that David Bell doesn’t trust him all of a sudden, I’d say that he’s got to pitch better, then. In his last three starts he’s given up two hits per inning and has an ERA of 11.20. I doubt Lodolo feels that way, and I doubt that Bell feels that way.
Barrero has a bit of a gripe.
Thank you David Bell for making this a throw away game today.
+ infinity
Please. Guys on second and third with no outs in the ninth and two of your best hitters whiff? Yeah, blame it on the manager.
Please. My disdain for David Bell’s managerial choices didn’t come down to this one game. The list could go on and on.
So tell me how it was a “throw away game” considering they had a great chance to win it in the 9th?
Sitting your hot hitters for Mark Reynolds and Stuart Fairchild and having Newman hitting leadoff? Are you kidding me? Just take a look at that stellar lineup that Bell marched out there yesterday. That is exactly what I mean about a throw away game. This team doesn’t have the luxury of decent depth. I’m tired of hearing about matchups. Yes, the situation in the 9th could have been different but the fact that David Bell is a bad manager is the whole point. Stick up for him all you want but I’ve seen enough. He managed anywhere else and he would have been canned after a 3-22 start last year.
Lodolo pitched pretty well today. Mostly getting ahead of hitters with no walks 3 ER and 7 Ks only throwing 70 pitches in five innings.
Yeah – not like he wanted to come out!
No. He wasn’t happy at all actually.
This is just another example of Bell having no clue on how to run a pitching staff. I am so sick of this. Give me a break 70 pitches!!!!!!!
ERA > 5
If India or Stephenson gets the run in in the 9th maybe Diaz closes it out in the bottom of the 9th. Games 2 and 3 should have been easy wins if we could have gotten the runs early in the game we left on the bases.
+500
Dawgie Perez gets it done in the 9th. It was his bread and butter.
It’s not often a team like the Reds gets a chance for a six game winning streak. I think we should have gone for it with everything we had. Oh well.
Melvin I agree. Reds should of played same line up all 3 games. Same batting order.
They scored 11 rubs game 1.
The argument is made often that David Bell doesn’t win because he doesn’t have good players. That’s just not always true. Often times he has good/decent players but he sits their butts on the bench unnecessarily. He disrupts the players and the teams momentum. He disrupts the flow when things are going well. He doesn’t know how to win consistently. THAT’S the problem. After 4+ years it’s time to at least let someone else try. He hasn’t gotten the job done.
Especially facing San Diego the next three games. Padres have been playing well lately.
Tough loss
But, Bell using his position as manager to ramrod down the throats of Reds fans regular use of journeyman.
Newman hits leadoff and plays all game. Yes… he had a blooper jam job hit
Reynolds played whole game too
Put your GM hat on. Is there any scenario in 2023 as a 90 loss team already in the bottom 10 of MLB that newman hits lead off and Reynolds play 9 innings??!
Friedl and Fraley and Steer and Senzel and Barrero need to play every day. No idea if they are 2 WAR guys when the Reds play in 2024.
We all know for sure newman and Reynolds are not
First time ive been really disappointed in Cowboy. Hes repeating the internal memo from Phil Castellini marketing message. Go back to Mississippi Jeff and drink your coke . You sold out!
I respect Brantley’s opinion more than most but that’s all it is – an opinion. He should know more than most – he is around the team everyday. But it doesn’t make his opinion infallible. Same with me,
Doug, David Bell, professional scouts, talking heads at ESPN, Fan Graphs, etc
Yep!
I don’t know why anyone quotes Brantley like he’s some kind of authority when it’s so blatantly obvious he’s just flat-out wrong just as often as he’s right.
I have noticed this year he has been more egregious in some of his opinions. Claiming that Newman is the best-fielding shortstop in the organization? Give me a break.
Let alone, who ever heard of someone from Mississippi calling himself “The Cowboy”. (Hard eye roll)
The down home, good old boy, shtick really gets old.
Tyler Stephenson has really had a disappointing year so far, .276, 0 home runs and 11 rbi’s. He looked horrible striking out in the 9th when all that was needed was a fly ball. This team’s lack of power is really telling and going to San Diego won’t help. I think this could be a tough series with Weaver and Cessa pitching two of the games. Hopefully Ashcraft will do his thing and maybe they can steal one of the Weaver or Cessa games. Regardless when you look at the line up, particularly with Bell managing, I just don’t see how this team could help but lose 90 to 95 games and maybe more. I do think if the right call ups are made the 2nd half of the season could be a great way to start a much better 2024 season.
Not to mention he’s literally the worst defensive catcher in Major League baseball. He can’t be a catcher long term, so he’s going to have to be a DH/1st baseman and he’s a gap hitter who hits a lot of singles with a pretty good average… but he has very little power. I would not sign him to a long-term deal…no way
I hate to admit it but you are right. He is a poor defensive catcher and signing a DH/1st baseman who hits .275 with no power would not be a good idea. A good defensive catcher with his offense is fine but not a catcher who to put it mildly is a defensive liability. I think the Red’s would be wise to move him before his value falls more than it already has.
Mark, you are spot on your comments. Curious why fans would rather wait for the call ups? The young players are what has me excited for the future but seeing Reynolds recalled instead of CES/McClain is a really downer.
I think you might have to expect low power levels after his clavicle was broken, and he needed offseason surge to repair his collarbone. I also don’t think the Reds are planing on signing him to an extension in the same way they did with Greene. Both parties are probably playing a wait and see strategy before attempting any contract talks.
I think Stephenson will bounce back offensively. It’s going to require some patience. He probably won’t be himself until next year. I agree with you about an extension however. I wouldn’t give Stephenson or India one at this point.
Don’t know that I would say disappointing just yet. Coming off his broken clavical I didn’t expect him to have much power until later in the season. What I do find alarming are the strikeouts and he appears to be unable to turn on an inner half pitch with any authority. Hopefully he will improve these areas as the season goes on because the team needs him to produce.
Typical, of some fans. Stephenson hitting for average and 11 rbi’s through first month of season and it’s not good enough. “Send him down” don’t sign him long term” and “disappointing”
I mean come on two years ago coming of Bench. Now not good. Geesh tough crowd
I don’t think any body ever called Stephenson the second coming of Johnny Bench. When Bench was 26, Stephenson’s age, he had already won an MVP. His current rate of 11rbi’s would give him less than 65 for the year, combine that with 0 home runs and those are stats that push for a long term contract.
It’s a small percentage of grumpy fans! Let’s stay positive. Locked on Reds podcast said Stephenson was a possible 40 homer guy which was laughable. If he stays healthy, he will hit some homers eventually. I predicted 19 homers and 76 RBI. I believe fan graphs or one of the prediction sites said TS was only going to be good for 2 WAR this season and a .700 OPS.
Speaking of fan graphs, I think they also predicted CES for 27 home runs. So it’s not only “over anxious” fans who think he can handle big league pitching.
I’ve watched him catch a lot of games going back to 2021… and most of the time when I watch him catch I think he’s the worst starting defensive catcher in MLB. I am constantly amazed at how poor his
actual catching/blocking of the baseball really is…and his throwing is just adequate. You just can’t have a catcher who is constantly a
liability to your young pitching staff… puts too much pressure on them and will likely stunt their development.
Stephenson is generally a good hitter for average, but I’ve never thought he had the kind of power that will develop into anything more than a 12-15 HR/yr. hitter. He would not be a #3 or #4 hitter on any good team. Now if he would take a
reasonable contract as a
DH/1st base/emergency 3rd C who averages maybe 350-400 at bats a year I could see signing him to something shorter term that is team friendly. But I’d rather trade him this year while he has value to a team that would give you something
decent in return so the Reds could put defense and pitcher development at the top of the list right now as to their catchers. Give me a .210 -.220 hitter who is strong defensively all-around and will call a great game to help the young pitchers develop and I would be thrilled.
Injury aside, I agree that TySteve is not a great defensive catcher. But, who do we replace him with? Who is in the system? I don’t mind people opining about roster moves when they also provide an alternative answer.
I was agreeing with Mark about TySteve having a disappointing year, upcoming tough series with the Padres, difficult for this team to avoid losing 90-95 games, etc. There are no legitimate catching prospects at the moment. Vellojin seems to be struggling in AA. Robinson is not a long-term solution. I like Stephenson, just give them some time. Would like to see a dip into free agency this off season. Probably not a big money contract but a catcher capable of hitting league average and handling the pitching staff. That’s a big ask and I don’t think the owners are up for it.
Just when I thought I was out Senzel pulls me back in. To be fair I gave up on Senzel a while ago, but this hot streak feels like it’s something. What a change in the organization if Senzel lives up to 80% of his old hype. We would have a pretty nice 3B, and putting CES at 1B would solidify our corners.
I’m amazed that he was drafted as an infielder and almost immediately put in CF. It seems pretty apparent now that the move to outfield likely had a sizable negative impact on him, which impacted his confidence at the plate…combined with all the injuries he’s dealt with playing outfield. He seems like a great kid who has handled a lot without complaining and it looks like the Reds might have finally put him in a position to find his comfort zone…which is everything in sports. Hopefully playing 3rd will help him avoid injuries so he can stay healthy for a year or two to see what he might do.
Nick Senzel was drafted in June of 2016. He didn’t play a single game in the outfield until April of 2019. That’s nearly three years.
We thought Suarez would be our solution at 3rd for the conceivable future. His shoulder issue changed the dynamic. Didn’t Senzel get some reps at second base, but it coincided with Scooter’s career year? Then the injuries came. But once they moved Suarez and Winker to Seattle, Senzel probably should have become the heir apparent.
Lol at blaming loss on Bell/Newman/Reynolds. I know, I know, it’s what RLN does, but it’s still just supremely lazy commentary. Multiple chances to win the game, but big hit/pitch/play wasn’t made by pretty much the entire roster. Over the big 162, games like this happen to every team, geez.
I have to agree with you. I’ve been mostly neutral on Bell for quite a while. He rolled the dice and got the lead in the 6th. Not his fault they can’t score with a leadoff double and 4-5-6 coming up and 1st/3rd nobody out, AND 2nd/3rd nobody out with 3-4-5 coming up. Stephenson was absolutely horrible today. Thats why they need to find a spot for CES asap. They need a big bopper that others have to look out for.
Overall, atleast we have some hope. I’ve been working & traveling alot and haven’t seen that much baseball this year, but even casual Reds fans know we finally have some talent in the pipeline! Just need to weed it all out and find more pitching….like almost everyone else.
Like I said in the pregame posting. Even if the Reds win today Bell has set them up to lose the game with his everyone has to play mentality, and random lineups on a daily basis.
Only thing I will admit about this game is that the team had multiple opportunities to score more runs and did blow it but some of these came with Bell’s genius lineup.
Did anyone see anything different in Diaz pitching in the 9th. He just didn’t seem to have it today.
Glad you re back Indy.
So, you take out our 2nd best pitcher after 70 pitches. That was a good decision! He still had the game under control at that point. Remember a quality start is 6 innings and giving up 3 earned runs. He could have gone maybe 2 more innings.
Batting Neuman leadoff was a good idea?
Why ever would you bat Fairchild 3rd?
You sit and rest 3 of our 4 best hitters in the lineup all on the same day?
Come on man we have a legitimate gripe here.
Also, would like to point out you don’t need to bash the posters here with your comment. “I know, I know, it’s what RLN does, but it’s still just supremely lazy commentary”.
This! Thank you, Jay. +1000
A lot of folks blaming Bell for taking Lodolo out early but I saw some commentary that a few folks wanted Lodolo to go the bullpen or AAA. I can’t believe RLN would turn coat so quickly on our young starter. Whoever said that needs to wear the cone of shame today. I don’t think taking Lodolo out after 5 innings to keep his confidence up was a bad move.
Also, no one mentions wholesale changes made after game tied and the “stars” didn’t come through against a terrible bullpen. What in that scenario makes one think it mattered who started. Guys all were clamoring for could not produce when they were in. Chances were there throughout the game it just didn’t happen today. It seems to me Bell has the team on or above pace to reach the win totals many predicted.
One thing I noticed about Lodolo is he’s missing that 10 o’clock to 4 o’clock action on his slider. Not enough bite and it flattens out and gets hammered. He is working in more change-ups and Brantley mentioned Lodolo is working on the slider away which their guy was using pretty well today. Going down and in only is too predictable. He’ll get it together and be a solid #2-#3 imo
Tough loss today but they still won the series. Padres aren’t really tearing it up right now. Like to see them get the win tomorrow and then Ashcraft. Guys are battling for those spots and Senzel is saying why not me?
im’m getting sick and tired of not seeing Friedl in lineups vs lefties when his splits favor lefties. He better start tomorrow vs Snell.
Be prepared.
Bell believes young players can only hit opposite throwers. I realize Newman was fine today, but I believe the team that traded him as a 29 yo below average SS, to make room for a young player with high upside, is leading the division. Which team seems to be more committed to a rebuild?
Good point.
GREAT POINT!!!
I truly believe the Reds will never be a big consistent winner with Bell managing. He does not allow consistency, and good teams have that.
100% in agreement with you and I think a very high majority of Red’s fans feel the same way and rightfully so.
Veteran players have a role to play on a good team, it’s just a question of where and when. The ability to change from a set, established routine is missing from current Red’s management. Ramos is a good example, and that’s not to say he’s the answer. Breaking a routine and giving youth a chance is often needed. The Red’s nearby rival, the Pirates, seem to have realized that.
It seems as if he’s always trying to imprint his identity from his days as a player into the culture of this team and I don’t believe that’s ever going to result in the kind of improvement we’re all hoping for. When you look at the difference in this team’s
offense since Ramos was called up and playing everyday consistently hitting…and then you think about what they have down in AAA
offensively just waiting for the call vs. some of the dead wood that he keeps running out there it really makes you wonder.
Luke Maile has one HR in 20 AB’s, while Tyler has Zero in 98. Gotta move TS out of Cleanup for a week or two. Take the pressure off.
I could complain about Bell but why? Nothing’s going to change this year.
Bell has no clue on how to handle a pitching staff or fill out a lineup card yet probably be manager until Buddy Bell is gone from the orginazation.
The Bell’s, a long established Cincinnati baseball family will probably only be gone from the organization when the Red’s have new managing ownership.
Only wish we had a couple of 1.000+ OPS thumpers at AAA who could plug in at 1B and SS and maybe hit a few HRs for this power-starved offense.
Oh wait…we’d rather play Newman and Reynolds. Great rebuild.
If they did, they likely wouldn’t be 1.000+ OPS thumpers any longer. Give it time.
As I said yesterday, this team as constructed right now, and with Bell as manager, can’t win for a long period of time. I think you add CES and Mclain in place of Reynolds and one other person. I would also like to see another outfielder added in place of Fairchild. They also need to add another pitcher maybe Abbott. Stephenson also needs to really pick it up because right now he might not be worth a long term contract.
Right now, there is a “roster crisis”. What happens when Myers comes back? Will Joey Votto come back?
Yes, I want to see Matt McClain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand up here pretty soon, at least (and bring on TJ Hopkins while you are at it), but those three guys have to be added to the 40 man, and somebody has to go, and also ….waiting for Myers and Votto to return. Myers will be back (sometime), but who knows when Joey will be back?
Winning can wait. We have bigger considerations! (that’s sarcasm, by the way)
And the lack of commitment to winning by Top Management makes me pretty sad, too.
And yes, TJ Friedl will likely NOT play (or at least start) tonight against a left- handed pitcher. THIS IS BELL-BALL, Reds fans!
To answer my own question, the line-up has been posted, and yes, TJ Friedl is NOT in the starting line-up.
Stuart Fairchild is batting third, with his sparkling 0.217 BA.
Why not hit Ramos third?
Or Nick Senzel, he’s hot, or so I’ve heard.
Newman is playing third.
Newman.
See, in my world, Senzel would be batting third, and playing Third base, Friedl would be in CF, and batting second, and Steer would be batting Cleanup.
Ramos bats fifth, and slugging Stephenson bats 6th.
In my world.
Will someone PLEASE tell David Bell that Friedl hits lefties just as well as he hits righties?
I really wish David Bell would stop tinkering.
Stop moving people around to different positions. Stop changing the batting order every day. Let the players get comfortable in roles and positions, then leave them alone. If someone needs a rest, do a like-for-like swap and don’t re-shuffle the whole batting order.
Why does it seem like David Bell always has to keep messing with things?
Based on the players the Reds have now, this should be the everyday batting order (and positions):
2B India
CF Friedl
3B Senzel
C Stephenson
LF Fraley
DH Steer
RF Ramos
1B Myers
SS Barrero
Let’s say Barrero needs a day off. Swap in Newman, leave everyone else where they are.
Perhaps Senzel needs a day off. Play Steer at 3B and he takes Senzel’s batting order position, and DH whoever you want. Possibly move Ramos and Myers up and move the DH to right before Barrero.
Let’s say Stephenson is a DH. He keeps his batting order, Steer sits, and again, the Catcher moves to just before Barrero and Ramos and Myers move up.
If India needs a day off, Steer moves to 2B, one of the bench bats DH, the whole lineup moves up one position so Friedl is leading off, DH moved to right before Barrero.
This is not hard. Other baseball managers do this with no problems. Why does it seem like Bell can’t?
Why? For one, that would not make sense. The lineup shouldn’t be the same for a lefty vs a righty (unless you have a massive payroll and eight superstars). The Reds have neither of those things. Instead of Fraley, I would always prefer Fairchild or even Newman in the starting lineup when facing a lefty.
Now, I won’t argue Reynolds shouldn’t have started that game.
Fairchild is hitting around .210, why do people think he should start ahead of Friedl or Fraley. To add on there is no way he should ever be batting 3rd.
Fairchild with a .764 OPS, much higher than Fraley.
Fairchild currently hitting for more power and getting on base at a greater clip vs Fraley.
I’m not saying he’s great, but I’d much rather see him against a lefty starter vs Fraley.
Sure.
Swap Fraley and Fairchild for a lefty.
Keep everyone else the same.
See? Not hard at all.
I like your idea, of course that should all change with the likes of CES, Mclain, Hopkins and eventually EDLC on the way. I might also add there is no way Bell should be allowed to manage these potential young stars, they will not be given a chance to fully develop with him as a manager.
Nick Senzel NL player of the week
Raise your hand if you called that!
The League seems to know he had a good week.
Can you tell David Bell, and maybe bat him higher in the lineup?
The fracas about Fairchild versus Fraley and the lefty-righty thing is one thing. But playing Stuart, why is he batting ….third???
Why not back Nick 3rd or 4th? He’s hot, hot hot!!
Agree. FS is a different hitter from 6 on down in the order. I’m convinced Bell bats him 3rd b/c it sets the lineup better to swap him out when a RH pitcher comes on.
You are correct Jim. But what manager goes into every game planning on replacing 2 and 3 hole hitters and third baseman and center fielders every day over 162? Its insanity.