Brandon Williamson was stellar in his big league debut, giving up just one run in 5.2 innings and striking out six batters along the way. His offense didn’t do much while he was in the game, though. Things would turn around after he exited the game and Nick Senzel came through with a big 2-run home run to put Cincinnati ahead for good in the 7th inning as the Reds held on for a 3-1 win to even up the series with the Colorado Rockies.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (19-23) |
3 | 6 | 0 |
| Colorado Rockies (18-25) |
1 | 4 | 0 |
| W: Law (3-4) L: Lambert (0-1) SV: Diaz (10) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
In a match up between a pitcher making his MLB debut who had an ERA of 6.62 in Triple-A and a 35-year-old making his third big league appearance of the season after spending the earlier part of the season in Triple-A, a pitchers duel broke out.
Chase Anderson, who began the year with the Reds in Triple-A but was later traded to Tampa Bay before being designated for assignment and claimed by the Rockies, held Cincinnati to one hit and one walk in five shutout innings. Reds rookie Brandon Williamson matched him along the way as he had allowed just one hit and one walk through the first five innings of his day.
Peter Lambert took over for the Rockies in the top of the 6th inning and he kept things cruising right along as he retired the Reds in order. Williamson couldn’t match his inning as Ezequiel Tovar homered with one out to make it 1-0. After getting Charlie Blackmon to ground out, Williamson walked Jurickson Profar and that would end his day with Cincinnati calling on Derek Law from the bullpen. He would give up a double to Elias Diaz, moving Profar to third base, but Law struck out Randal Grichuk to strand both runners.
That would put a final stamp on Brandon Williamson’s debut. The 25-year-old lefty allowed one run in 5.2 innings with just two hits allowed, two walks, and he would strike out six batters.
Jake Fraley reached on an error singled (the play was changed to a hit later in the game) to start the 7th inning, but then made one of his own when he broke for second on a line drive to shortstop and was easily doubled off in the process. That would be pivotal because after Tyler Stephenson walked, Nick Senzel homered to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. Alex Young took over for the bottom of the inning and the lefty picked up two strikeouts in a perfect inning of work to hold onto the Reds newfound lead.
Curt Casali walked with one out and would be pinch run for after reaching second base on a ground out. That paid off as Matt McLain singled into center and Kevin Newman raced home to barely beat the throw home on the play and extend the Cincinnati lead to 3-1. Ian Gibaut came out of the bullpen to start the bottom of the 8th inning. He gave up an infield single to begin the frame, but got the Rockies in order from there to send the game to the 9th with a 2-run lead.
The Reds threatened in the top of the 9th, but they would strand runners on the corners. Alexis Diaz entered from the bullpen for the bottom of the 9th looking to hold onto the Reds lead. It was easy work for the closer, who needed just six pitches to pick up the save.
Key Moment of the Game
Nick Senzel’s 2-run home run in the 7th inning that put the Reds ahead.
Notes Worth Noting
Jake Fraley’s bat remains red hot. He’s now hitting .389/.463/.667 in May and has five 2-hit games in his last six games. The one game in there in which he didn’t, he went 0-1 with a walk as he came off of the bench.
Cincinnati is now 7-14 on the road, which sounds bad (because it is), but they began the season 1-9 on the road….. so things are turning around.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Colorado Rockies
Wednesday May 17th, 3:10pm ET
Graham Ashcraft (2-1, 3.95 ERA) vs Austin Gomber (3-4, 6.30 ERA)
I think today was a pretty big win for our Reds. We had lost 2 in a row. Colorado is not a good team. Coming back and winning this game keeps the Reds moving forward with positive momentum and gives us a chance to win another series. And you have to believe Cincy will be favorites tomorrow.
Where the heck did that Williamson performance come from???
Did the Rockies not have a scouting report on him?
Either way, I’ll take it. If he can be a serviceable starter at least until Lodolo comes back, that would be huge.
And if he keeps pitching like this, hey, the Reds suddenly have another young piece for their current and future rotation, which would be huge.
We’ll see what happens. Another intriguing storyline for this young season.
the Rockies are starting Moose.
That tells you all you need to know.
Bud Black and Bell are neck and neck for stupidity.
Not only that but he was hitting cleanup for them or 5th
Or maybe neck and neck in their lack of good options.
Another nice thing about Williamson is he is the opposite of what we have elsewhere in the rotation. He doesn’t throw it as hard and is constantly changing speeds and locations all over the plate. It’s a nice change of pace when you can break up a three or four game series between harder throwers in Greene, Ashcroft and Weaver with him from the other side, a more balanced rotation. And then if Lodolo comes back you have 2 lefties who are best friends, might bring out the best in each if them.
If Abbott joins the rotation too you could have three lefties. Think about that.
Williamson’s last two AAA starts have been good. So this is three consecutive now. We’ll see if he’s figured something out
Having another starting lefty who can get the ball over the plate is a positive.
Senzel is playing good defense at 3b and nearing .800 OPS. That would give the Reds (4) hitters with an .800 OPS- India, Friedl,Fraley , and Senzel. Diaz is an All-Star. Williamson great . Gibault is solid. Reds catch the Cubs for 3rd in NL central ahead of the Cards.
Solid win.
On rare occasions a good young pitcher struggles in the minors, get called up, and something clicks and he becomes a good major league pitcher. Hope that’s the case with Williams. Great game he pitched tonight.
Other teams seem to do that Reds all the time.
Having what seemed like a questionable starting pitcher pitch like a successful oldtimer was a pleasant surprise. Williamson had a touch of gravitas for his debut.
I am so happy for B dub. Only one game, but, this is the results we were hoping for. Still a lot of work to do…. but good job on first start this season.
Proud of the outing Williamson gave us. He seemed ready to go from the start.
Glad McClain got another hit too, it will only help his confidence.
Mclain comes across as knowing he belongs in the Bigs.
Should be quite an uplifting game for the Reds. Besides that, when is the last time a game was finished in 2:05 or just 108 pitches. Is McClain and Williamson for real? Is Diaz now the premier NL closer? I keep saying there is boatloads of talent here and more in the oven. If the managing and coaching comes through, then things can come together sooner than expected. Things ebb and flow but I like Ashcraft with the chance to expand this opportunity tomorrow. Management is the key.
“You can lead the horse to water, but if you can put him on his back and float, then you got something.”
““You can lead the horse to water, but if you can put him on his back and float, then you got something.””
Never heard that one before. 🙂
Would’ve made Oregon Trail a much more interesting game if horses could float. Lol
Another thought:
It seems like SS is going to be McLain and Barrero’s position going forward, and Senzel has finally become the player we were all hoping for at 3B. So wither EDLC?
Since he has a cannon for an arm and is extremely fast, it seems like his talents would play really well in the outfield, which is an area of weakness for the Reds. This isn’t a “We don’t have a place for him to play, stick him in CF.” scenario like what they did with Billy Hamilton, Nick Senzel, and Jose Barrero. EDLC’s skills seem MADE for the OF.
How about this team at some point this season?
2B India
CF EDLC
1B CES
LF Fraley
3B Senzel
RF Friedl
DH Steer
C Stephenson
SS McLain
Bench:
INF Barrero
OF Hopkins (Fraley’s platoon partner/sometimes DH)
OF Ramos/Fairchild (I’d personally choose Ramos)
C Robinson
C Casali (he stays over Maile because he seems to call a better game)
Can’t wait to see the backs of Myers and Newman. They are just stunting this team’s growth.
“EDLC’s skills seem MADE for the OF.”
You got my vote. Now just talk the Reds into it. 🙂
The scouting reports from the minor leagues have always had EDLC as a guy who could be an above-average shortstop defensively and always had McLain as a guy who was a future second baseman or center fielder….. moving EDLC to center to keep McLain at shortstop goes against what has been seen by professional scouts for years.
Personally I’d rather have McLain at 2B, Barrero at SS, and DLC in CF. I have no idea what they’re going to do though.
I remember seeing scouting reports for Mike Piazza at a museum somewhere, which basically said “this guy can’t possibly be a major league catcher. He’s below average at everything.” We all probably know the story: he was only drafted as a personal favor.
I bet EDLC can play outfield if he wants to play outfield.
Oh, I bet he could too. But why move the better shortstop to the outfield in favor of the worse shortstop who has already played 100-something games in the outfield?
That makes sense to me because I think McLaine’s speed would play really well defensively roaming center field
It’s not just Mclain, it’s also Marte.
If guys remain on their current trajectories, Who would you have playing where in 24-25?
Since you are the one with the most knowledge about the prospects, we’d like to hear what you think.
Shortstop should be Elly De La Cruz’s. He’s the best defender among the guys playing there in the near term (Barrero’s the best defender, even if he’s been a little bit sloppy this year – but it seems clear that the Reds don’t have him in their plans right now). Edwin Arroyo’s the best defender, but he’s not hitting his body weight right now in Dayton, and he’s just 19-years-old. He’s years away and has plenty of development to do. Worry about that when you have to. Marte is a distant third at shortstop, defensively among the “close” guys (EDLC > McLain >> Marte when it comes to defense).
How the Reds handle Marte/Steer/CES when it comes to 3B/1B/DH…. I don’t know. Maybe they never have to. Someone could be traded. Someone could establish themselves as the guy somewhere before Marte’s ready. He’s got a cannon, so maybe they’ll eventually try him in right field if needed. That’s probably down the road, though. Right now no one has really taken third base as theirs. Maybe it’s Senzel if he keeps hitting. But you can’t plan on that if you are the Reds as of today. Too many options is a good problem to have.
Doug absolutely agree . McCain to CF makes a lot of sense. Really wish they would have played him there more this year in Louisville. I have to imagine the reasoning was because they thought Farley, Friedl and Myers would be the outfield and they didn’t know what they were going to get from Barrero. Either way I hope it is McCain in CF and EDLC at SS sometime soon.
My only issue with McLain to CF is McLain to 2B seems like the right call, and EDLC to SS. For all of the people afraid to move India to the OF, maybe let him play his “natural position” 3B to finish the year.
BTW I’m officially on the EDLC is ready to be called up train, along with CES, and Hopkins. Let’s get this team over .500 by the end of the month. It’s very doable.
Doug, what do you see happening to Nick Senzel? I’ve always liked him, felt he sort of got shafted, and then the injuries happened. Is he part of the future at third?
Oops, didn’t see that last paragraph concerning Senzel.
@Doug…Thanks…i appreciate the insight.
I’m constantly surprised how many people here want to bring up the best hitting prospect and then have him worry about learning a new position on the fly in the big leagues. When Elly gets here I just want him comfortable and have him only have to worry about mashing.
I like Friedl in center and Elly’s big arm in right. Steer is a better defensive player than CES so I would flip flop them defensively in your line-up.
There is some crow being served for breakfast over the Williamson comments yesterday.
If you saw Williamson’s last two AAA starts, especially the second, his outing yesterday should not be too much of a surprise. I’ll say it again, he just looked the part. He was spotting his pitches really well. So this is now three straight good outings. Maybe something has clicked.
Williamson!!! I’m obviously surprised by his performance, but very happy. Maybe the former top 100 prospect will be here to stay. Weaver also surprised me last time out, and Lively has done well in the long man role. This pitching staff is unconventional, but producing.
McLain adding an insurance RBI in a tight game was also huge.
Looks like I picked the wrong night to go to the movies to see Guardians of the Galaxy Part 3. 😉
If many of the “reviews” I’ve seen from others, any night was the wrong night….
My quick, unsolicited review. First half of the movie — terrible. Second half — much better. It was my least-favorite of the three.
#2 was just okay to me. I liked #3 much better.
….and you call yourself a Reds fan. 😉
(My wife bought the tickets last week.) 😉
Now if Captain America was showing….that would be different. 🙂
I saw Super Mario Brothers en español. Flying back to the USA tomorrow.
Had the game on my tablet at the couch while the last several episodes of “The Diplomat” played on Netflix. It turns out I should have been watching the game closer for a good ending as Diplomat ended with a teasing cliffhanger and promise of a season 2 to come in the future.
Jim – I was surprised the British Home Secretary and the American Ambassador were able to dine so casually in Paris without an apparent security detail or recognition 🙂
Little things can be big things. Fairchild played that double off the walk perfectly and got it back in quickly to keep a run from scoring. Would have been 2-0 Rocks and a different vibe late.
Yep, Bell got bailed out on his lousy decision to pull Williamson when he did…. he got lucky.
Noted without comment: the great Bob Gibson had uncharacteristically gotten into a jam, so his catcher, Tim McCarver, approached the mound to settle him down. Before he even got there, Gibson snarled: “get the “bleep” back behind the plate. The only thing you know about good pitching is that you can’t hit it.”
I confess I’m a bit confused about the performance from both starters. Is it possible the Reds as an organization have pitchers work on specific pitches with greater frequency during game play in order to perfect specific pitches while recognizing that other pitches said pitcher has are already major league ready? …and then call them up when that particular pitch is solid?…and then more practically throw a more rounded pitch varied game in the majors? Its hard to imagine a AAA pitcher not giving their absolute best to win in the minors, but results like this really have me confused.
I wo0nder the same thing, Kevin. A less optimistic explanation did cross my mind: the Rockies hadn’t seen Williamson before, so maybe that accounts for it. But I have no idea how many of the guys he’s pitched against in AAA have seen enough of him to figure him out. He looked good to me, but I’m mindful of my Bob Gibson paraphrase above.
I think that falls under the “that’s baseball” catch phrase as there’s so many things that happen for no good reason. One thought I had was maybe Hunter Greene the day before had the Rockies dialed in on 98 mph heat and hard sliders and a righty power arm and then the next day they see a new big lefty, off-speed, deception, different arm angle no scouting report and a pitch to contact mentality and aggressive hitters getting them selves out. Interesting to see what happens today as the Rockies adjust back to another power righty in ashcraft with his 99mph cutter and nasty slider. One of the reasons I’m optimistic about Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Abbott, Williamson ,Conner Phillips is the contrast from pitcher to pitcher even intra-series opposing hitters have to adjust game to game. And that doesn’t even address the nasty stuff and arm angle from closer Diaz.
Good thoughts, Old-school.
Going to be interesting to see tomorrow’s lineup vs the lefty. We know he’ll keep Fraley’s hot bat out of the lineup but how does he handle the 4 middle infielders? I hope he isn’t planning on moving Senzel out there or sticking an inexperienced part time outfielder in Barrero (who hasn’t played since Saturday and doesn’t hit left handed pitching well anyway) in Coors outfield
I’d go with
1 – India – DH
2 – McLain – 2B
3 – Senzel – 3B
4 – Steer – 1B
5 – Stephenson – C
6 – Ramos – LF
7 – Myers – RF
8 – Newman – SS
9 – Fairchild – CF
I would literally never play Newman ahead of Barrero (barring injury). Why? I’m fine with the rest but Newman needs to sit instead of Barrero.
Why?
Because Newman has a .805 OPS vs lefties this year. This is the only time he should be starting.
Barrero has a .357 OPS (that’s extremely bad by the way) versus lefties this year, which is worse than his .498 OPS versus lefties last year.
I just did the Wednesday preview. Both Ashcraft and Gomber have reverse handedness splits. Leftie OPS vs Gomber is >1.000 but righties are at >.800 against him so maybe it doesn’t make much difference?
“I would literally never play Newman ahead of Barrero (barring injury). Why? I’m fine with the rest but Newman needs to sit instead of Barrero.”
How about playing Newman over McLain?
BDH, you say “we know he’ll keep Fraley’s hot bat out of the lineup …” and then you propose to do the same. Griping for gripings sake?
Cheers from Thailand. Just your typical 07:40 first pitch. Getting married on Sunday!
Nice win! Seemed like a AAA lineup for them so it would’ve been a bad loss. What happened to Daza? Wasn’t that the kids name in their OF last year?
EDLC at SS all day. 6’5 vs 5’8? That’s 25 extra hits a year you’re giving up at a minimum. McLain to OF once EDLC arrives and DH India once a week
Congrats on your wedding!
I’m not giving up on Barrero – seems way too early for that. And if EDLC is truly the SS of the future then Barrero, India, and McLain are all going to have to learn to play the outfield because the Reds will need them there at times to find at bats for them all.
Congrats, Indy!
Congrats Indy!
Congratulations Indy!
Congratulations Indy!!!
Congrats Indy. Thailand? We aren’t going to be seeing you on one of those 90 Day Fiancé shows, are we??? 😉
Congrats Indy.
Sending Jose back to AAA isn’t giving up on him though.
I think Nick Senzel has been the feel good story of the year. Not just for the Reds but really all of baseball. He has been through many injuries and surgeries it is amazing he is doing so well. Wouldn’t it be amazing if the reds can hang around and Joey comes back for the last couple of months of the season for a pennant race?
i still think the Cardinals are the team to beat in this division (albeit a slow start) but really the divisIon right now is up for grabs!
The Cardinals need to go 64-55 just to finish .500 now which means they’ll need another 8-10 wins minimum to likely win the Central. Splitting the difference I don’t see them playing 73-46 (.613 win%) from here on out to win the Central with 90 wins. Not with their pitching this year
It is up for grabs for sure. Cards are my second choice because of their management history. But I personally lean to the Cubs. I really like some of their rebuild guys and with an added piece or two at the deadline, think they are the ones. I am just hesitant to think the Pirates or Reds would add major pieces at the deadline. Reds badly need a thumper. Can be a one year guy but must have Avg., speed, OF, and 30 HRs. Cost is inconsequential if we are talking 3 months only.
DH India every time Ashcraft the groundball machine pitches in favor of McLain at 2B, let Barrero have a bone at SS in those games! Until EDLC arrives that is…
Doug, you’re the best but if I’m the editor, we highlight Williamson’s gem as the headline. For a major league debut…IN COORS FIELD no less, he was brilliant.
That is all. Keep up the good work.
Here’s the issue…. We’ve got zero pictures of Williamson, which makes it a tad bit tougher to headline. Sometimes that’s just how it works out.
Haha. That makes sense Doug.
So we going to see Abbott too?
This Brandon Williamson’s kind of outing was really unexpected , at least , to me. I was begging for maybe 4 or 5 IP of a 3-run ball and it would was good. But he did was outstanding. Now, he should face the NYY at GABP so it would be a very huge challenge to him. Let us see what he is able to do in that next game…I still wonder why he threw a bunch of cutters last night since he didn’t it in any game at AAA according to the comments I have read…
I’ll tell you what. When I saw the starting pitchers for last night’s game, 2 hour pitchers duel was the last thing I was expecting. Kudos to Williamson for coming up and balling out in his first game . Hope he can continue to be an asset in the rotation for a while.
Fun to watch. I kept it on through the last play and was glad I did. My afternoon schedule should allow me to start the game out in the office.
Same Mark. I always love afternoon baseball for that reason.
Williamson was the story last night. Impressive and unexpected. Nice boost from Senzel of course, but looking at the Reds offense, they still need help. Newman, Barrero, Myers, Casali, Maile are not contributing and only Barrero from that group might improve enough to change that. And even though Fairchild and Steer have been decent, both should be looking over their shoulders at EDLC and CES. Of those seven, I’m hoping the Reds will be able to upgrade four soon, with Friedl / McClain (take tour pick as to who is the upgrade), EDLC, CES and Votto (yes, a bit of a longer shot I know), and Chucky Robinson. The current lineup doesn’t have much to worry an opposing pitcher. Let’s hope that McClain’s call-up is the first step in changing that.
Casali is contributing behind the plate. Heard yesterday from Lance McCalister when he is behind the plate, reds are 8-5,now 9-5. Something to be said having a good catcher calling the game.
That’s a very interesting point. And something that can’t be measured in OPS or some other statistic. I would be interested in seeing what the team “ERA” and WHIP was in games Casali has caught versus Maile and Stephenson.
I heard the Lance stat in the pregame. Casali after the Game said Williamson threw more cutters than fastballs and he was feeling that pitch so they kept going to it. Got ahead in the zone and then started hitting corners and getting chase
Luis Castillo had big splits when casali v barnhart
Nice debut for Williamson. Like McClain, he was ready for the moment and didn’t let it get the best of him. I like his 3 pitch mix, especially the changeup. Not the biggest fan of his lower body mechanics and just overall you can see where the strike throwing issues could come from on days where he has his lesser stuff. Still, he might be the best option for the back of the rotation. Kinda crazy to think by next month the Reds could have 3 lefties in their rotation:
Greene
Lodolo
Ashcraft
Abbott
Williamson
Gotta say, I am impressed considering the payroll.
Especially considering the payroll of ONLY the active players.
The Reds have their eight main position starters (once Friedl returns), listed below with their current OPS:
.839 – Fraley
.819 – Friedl
.805 – India
.792 – Senzel
.759 – Steer
.708 – McLain (1.184 in the minors)
.686 – Stephenson
.573 – Myers
One of these things are like the others. Myers is no longer in small sample size territory. If this continues, the Reds really need to move one of our many, many infielders to the outfield.
Stephenson is still not himself, but I’m not worried about him. He will improve. However, he’s my fulltime catcher going forward (except when he needs a day off, no more DH).
We have a DH spot and no one at the major league level worth of it. Now is a good time to call up one more of our prospects – either De La Cruz or Encarnacion-Strand, whichever the Reds think is the most ready. If De La Cruz, then he, Mclain, and India can rotate the DH spot so they never need a day off. Or if CES, then he, Senzel, and Steer can rotate the DH spot.
Well, should have said “one of these things are NOT like the others”
I would say Fraley needs a platoon partner. He is definitely valuable as a late game sub when we face a LH starter as well. Maybe Fairchild or Newman who hits lefties fills that roll. Hopkins in AAA seems to hit LHs well too. I like CES being called up sometime in early June if Votto is not back, which I anticipate him still being out. Overall though, you don’t have to squint too hard to see a decent team. Still a few pieces away though.
100% agree on Fraley. I almost put Fraley/Fairchild. But Fraley will get the majority of the starts.
If the Reds are going to be in the hunt for the NLC crown, it’s important Bell places his hottest hitter in the DH spot with the potential to
clear the bases. Right now that calls for Encarnacion-Strand.
This bullpen has been VERY good in comparison to what was expected of them. You have 4 guys who can be somewhat counted on to routinely bridge the gap from a starter to Diaz with Young, Law, Sims, and Gibaut. The long guys of Lively, Legumina, and Hergert have done a decent job of keeping us close in games to allow the offense a chance to comeback as well. Whether it DJ, Bell, Krall, or the actual guys, all deserve some credit. My only concern from here is that Bell over uses them due to lack of starting pitching and the bullpen collapses the second half of the year.
I’ll add that my worry is that they trade relievers too early. It might be tempting to try to pick up some youth thinking you are selling high…only to have a terrible second half.
Last night, newly acquired right hander Brett Kennedy (28) pitched 5- inning 1-run baseball for the Riverbats.
Kennedy came from the Red Sox, who had optioned him to AAA last year, and then his contract was purchased about 3 days ago by the Reds.
I only mention this because if he continues to pitch well for the Riverbats, he could be another “pick-up” pitcher to be called up by the Reds at some future date (if someone else gets hurt).
I still think Abbot is maybe 3 weeks to a month before he gets called up.
EDLC should get his shot at SS, because he is the Red’s #1 prospect. He does want to play SS.
I would play McClain (eventually) at 2nd base. Who plays 3rd going forward is kind of up for grabs, although Nick Senzel is doing a great job right now, and I hope he continues to hit, like many thought he always would.
Jon India is a question mark as to where he ends up. A great guy and really the team leader. Left field? 1st base?
CES should be up my Memorial Day weekend, or the 1st of June, to be the team’s DH/ 1st baseman.
I think it is about time to end the Wil Myers experiment. He is just not hitting to justify his position on the team. He gets waived to make room for CES.
Any update on the status of TJ Friedl? Where’s Joey Votto?
Carry on!
Rather than imagining the Reds waiving a guy they still owe millions of dollars to, with about 75% of the season yet to be played, can we please imagine they’ll trade him for someone’s top pitching prospect? I like that fantasy better.
Line up is out Barerro and Newman are playing but no McLain.
Same thoughts. Looks a little more like a getaway day line-up today. Wondering why McLain isn’t in there.
Here we go. smh
Yes, I hate to see a lineup that gives the team a lower chance to win a game especially when one of our best starters of the season so far is going. If Bell’s mind that is probably why he has this lineup. Thinking…. Oh I don’t need to have my best hitters out there today Ashcraft will keep us in the game.
Not good enough and just confusing as all sin.
Oh my god, has anybody seen today’s line up? Fairchild batting 4th, Newman 5th, no Mclain. How can anybody defend Bell? I almost hope CES and EDLC don’t get called up as long as this clown is the manager. How is Mclain not starting with a day off tomorrow and Fairchild and Newman should’t even be on the team let alone batting 4th and 5th. What is this man thinking? I hope for a win today but what kind of line up is this. Sorry for my rant.
Makes me want to boycott watching today’s game. I won’t, but I’ll be salty watching it.
This lineup, along with Bell’s absurd handling of the top of the 8th last night, could be “Exhibit A” and “Exhibit B” whenever anyone tries to claim managers don’t really make any difference. It’s true the Reds won last night despite Bell’s ridiculous decisions, and it’s true a new manager wouldn’t turn Fairchild or Newman into a superstar, but when you make as many bad strategic decisions as Bell makes, it simply MUST have an effect on many games the team wins or loses over the course of a season. Nobody’s going to be able to calculate a specific number, but Bell’s WAR certainly must be negative.
*must have an effect on HOW many games a team wins or loses…
You forgot to mention Frailey, one of our best hitters, is batting 8th. I was ok with 1,2, and 3 in the order but after that. What the Heck! Oh, and one of our worst hitters on the season is batting 6th as well. Like someone else mentioned I don’t know what Bell is thinking. Fairchild should be batting like 8th or 9th, Maybe 2nd behind India, Big Maybe!
McClain isn’t going to play every day so I can see that. This will be 2 or 3 games he has played in hopefully the rest of the week he plays every day.
I just don’t get the thought process. Does he want to win games? I know the manager doesn’t usually have say in if a game is won or lost but why not give yourself a good chance to win especially with Ashcraft going today.
Sitting McLain is on brand for Bell.
Not to defend not starting McLain today, but my guess is that Bell wants to give McLain a chance to catch his breath after the whirlwind of getting called up.
McLain will almost certainly play today if the game is close at all. I could see, for example, his hitting or running for Newman or Myers, before Fraley is due to face a RH pitcher later in the game. It would give them a chance to have their best base-runner to be driven in by their best RBI man, with the top of the order to follow.
But I’d just play McLain over Newman.
Newman should be in there. Have you seen the rest of our team versus lefties (minus Senzel)?
However, I’d certainly have McLain in there too.
Looking at the box score, though, Fairchild had a decent game. Barrero had a decent game. Maile had a great game. Even Newman got a hit.
Tell me this isn’t exactly what we should be doing with CES:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37668660/mets-call-slugging-prospect-mark-vientos-sources-say
Interesting
India. 2B
ELDC. SS
Friedl. RF
McCain CF
Farley/Myers. LF
Stephenson. C/DH
Senzel. 3B
Steer. 1b
CES. DH/1B
Not the batting order I would use but the players I would utilize to make a line up.
Boyle has 5 IP 3K 0ER 3H today. Also has 9 WALKS. Dude is all over the place for another year. It makes you wonder how a pitching coach at some level hasn’t taught him how to dial it in just a bit and throw strikes consistently. His stuff is legit.
India to left field, McClain to 2b and EDLC to ss. Pete Rose made the jump from 2b to left for the good of the team. India can do it, and we need his leadership, he’s too important to trade. Barrero for infield back up, trade Newman and a couple of outfielders for pitching. The injuries were Senzel’s main problem but the move to CF was hard on him for some reason. Keep him at third, and give him a long term contract. The Reds have the makings of a really good team here, let’s don’t blow it.
Where did all this India to LF talk come from? Has he ever played LF?
I understand that new metrics show he is subpar at 2b. But he was a 3b in college. If we are going to force our “team leader” and our leader in OPS to move position for “prospects” maybe we should move him back to his natural position rather than making that a place for a guy who has never completed an entire season.
Also, as a note, I love our prospects and think they will pan out, but most of us thought the same of Barrero a couple years ago as well. Long before I forced India to move positions, I would try to trade him because he is a Scott Boras client which means he likely won’t sign a team friendly long term deal. While I would prefer that not to happen, that is the exact type of move the Rays would make sitting in this position right now.
@LP
I think its just himan nature to fast forward this rebuild and out with old abd in with the new. Reds fans are impatient and understandably so. Im a huge India fan and hes turning into quite a leadoff hitter and in my view a core piece. India isnt going anywhere during season but Reds will need to figure things out in the off-season as McLain and EDLC and CES graduate to the Mlb roster
Its a long season, injuries happen, so impatiently we will have to let things play out. A lot of baseball to be played.
This lineup today….
Did Bell get Fairchild and Fraley confused when he made out the lineup card or what?
No. He knew that Fraley doesn’t hit lefties, and Fraley didn’t. Fairchild hit well and, unexpectedly, misplayed a couple of fly balls. Baseball is a funny game, but not always in a funny way.