The Cincinnati Reds will look to rebound from Friday night’s loss that saw the Yankees beat up on the bullpen in the latter stages of the game after a strong start from Ben Lively. Maybe an afternoon game will get things heading in the right direction. First pitch today is set for 4:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
New York Yankees
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Gleyber Torres – 2B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Aaron Judge – DH | Matt McLain – SS |
| Anthony Rizzo – 1B | Jake Fraley – LF |
| DJ LeMahieu – 3B | Spencer Steer – 1B |
| Harrison Bader – CF | Tyler Stephenson – DH |
| Jake Bauers – RF | Nick Senzel – 3B |
| Anthony Volpe – SS | Wil Myers – RF |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa – LF | Jose Barrero – CF |
| Ben Rortvedt – C | Luke Maile – C |
| Jhony Brito – RHP | Luke Weaver – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Luke Weaver | 27.1 | 6.26 | 1.46 | 8 | 27 |
| Jhony Brito | 36.1 | 5.20 | 1.43 | 14 | 24 |
| Links: Luke Weaver’s Stats | Jhony Brito’s Stats |
|||||
Luke Weaver
Coming off of a 1-run, 5.1 inning start with just one walk, Luke Weaver will look to build off of his start in Miami. It was just his second outing of the season (of five) without allowing multiple home runs.
The splits for Luke Weaver this year have been interesting so far. Right-handed hitters aren’t making much contact and they aren’t walking, but they are also absolutely killing the ball against him. They’re hitting .328 and slugging .656 against him – making it count when they do get the bat on the ball. Left-handed hitters are making plenty of contact against him, but they aren’t find as many hits and while they are hitting for some power, it’s not at the level that righties are hitting. For his career left-handed hitters have been better against him than righties have.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 65 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 18 | .328 | .369 | .656 |
| LHH | 55 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | .240 | .309 | .480 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Cutter | Curve | Change | |
| Velo | 93.8 | 93.6 | 86.4 | 82.0 | 85.8 |
| Usage | 46% | 1% | 14% | 14% | 26% |
Jhony Brito
The rookie has had an inconsistent season so far. He’s coming off of a 4-run (but just one earned run) outing against Toronto where he walked no one and struck out two batters. The two starts before that saw him give up multiple home runs in each outing.
The splits for Jhony Brito are interesting. Right-handed hitters have done a lot of damage against him, slugging .577 and hitting .282, but they aren’t walking much. Left-handed hitters are walking a lot more often, but they are not doing much damage against him. Both lefties and righties are making plenty of contact. Small sample size alert here, but he has pitched better on the road than he has at home (ERA is 1.78 lower on the road, and his OPS against is 181 points lower on the road).
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 85 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 13 | .282 | .329 | .577 |
| LHH | 74 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 11 | .258 | .351 | .387 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.8 | 95.7 | 86.6 | 80.3 | 88.4 |
| Usage | 19% | 29% | 1% | 19% | 32% |
When and Where
- Game time: 4:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 69°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Update on Derek Law
Yesterday the Reds announced that Derek Law was placed on the injured list with a sprain in his pitching elbow. Today the news was a little bit different from manager David Bell, who said Law had a strain in his flexor mass.
Bell said that reliever Derek Law had a minor right flexor mass strain. He will rest for 10 days before resuming activity.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) May 20, 2023
Reds starters stepping up this week
This week, Reds have had starts from 3 pitchers who weren't in the rotation when the season started:
Luke Weaver – 5.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 6 K, 1 BB
Brandon Williamson – 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 6 K, 2 BB
Ben Lively – 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 8 K, 1 BBThat's stepping up.
— Joel Luckhaupt (@jluckhaupt) May 20, 2023
Prospect homers twice last night
Noelvi Marte, one of the prospects that came over last summer in the Seattle trade for Luis Castillo, homered twice last night for Double-A Chattanooga.
Two-homer night for @MarteNoelvi and his scorching month of May continues:
? .339/.391/.746
? 7 HR
? 17 RBI
? 1.136 OPS pic.twitter.com/m28nYf3TDL— Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) May 20, 2023
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 24 | 20 | 0.0 | 64.8% |
| Pirates | 24 | 20 | 0.0 | 17.4% |
| Cubs | 20 | 24 | 4.0 | 18.2% |
| Reds | 19 | 25 | 5.0 | 1.6% |
| Cardinals | 19 | 27 | 6.0 | 38.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Question that probably no reporter will ever ask: “Why do you have a guy hitting sixth who’s better in every offensive category than the guy hitting fifth? What’s the logic?”
Most likely response: “Mumble mumble… expect him to get going soon… mumble mumble… had some good swings lately… mumble mumble… feel like it’s best.”
Are you referring to Stephenson hitting ahead of Senzel?
If yes, of course no reporter will ask that question. Versus righties, Stephenson has a .680 OPS while Senzel has a .593 OPS.
Now, versus a lefty, you would have a valid complaint.
I was referring to overall stats. But if we want to play the “splits” game, we can talk about the last 15 games, in which the #6 hitter’s OPS is over a hundred points higher than the #5 hitter’s OPS. Or we could talk about the last 7 games, in which it’s more than 200 points higher. Also, the #6 hitter is faster, which matters.
But the point applies to almost every game Stephenson is hitting fourth or fifth: there’s someone hitting behind him (or on the bench) who makes more sense in that spot. And nobody ever dares ask why.
Watching the pre-game. Jim D. did a carpool interview with Fraley. Massive turbo diesel truck (go figure). It’s a great piece. Fraley looks like he’s quite the family guy.
Annie going out on a limb and predicting a 5-3 win for the boys.
I predict a Reds victory every single game. If I were a gambling man, I would of lost a lot of money last year. 🙂
No real complaints about today’s lineup or batting order. The defense is likely better by swapping McLain and Barrero.
Honestly LDS I really like Barrero in CF. He looks really good out there tracking the ball and stuff. I would keep him there and play him every day. Like his defense and if his offense comes around , they might finally find their CF.
I think Barrero’s time in the infield is likely done (short of giving someone a day off or injury). I’d like to see him start in CF as much as possible until Friedl returns.
Barrero is better defensively at SS than McLain. And McLain has played more CF than Barrero. And when Friedl comes back, if Myers hasn’t come around, bench/trade him.
I agree with you. It seems that the McLain promotion and installation at shortstop was the indication that they don’t view Barrero (or Newman 😉 )as the answer at shortstop.
I have to admit Barrero looks better and better all the time in CF.
Barrero has better physical tools not a better shortstop in any category. Once again another k from Barrero. He’s just not that good. Everytime he does get extended time he just proves more and more that he’s not the answer. Just my opinion.
Randoxu. I keep hoping he improves to become a useful utility guy but right now he is not that, he’s a liability. That being said, I want Bell to keep giving him OF reps and occasionally back at SS. I think he’s a possible trade candidate in the offseason but needs to get more PT to be sure whether he has a future with the club or not.
As I pointed out yesterday, McLain struck 5 of his first 9 ABs. You can’t pass judgment on a few 100 ABs. Most young guys take time to succeed in the majors. As for defense, most reports indicate that Barrero was the best defensive SS in the system, excepting possibly Arroyo. As for McLain, supposedly a better 2nd than SS, certainly better than India, No, thus far, Barrero hasn’t lived up to his 2021 performances. He may never. However, he and Stephenson for that matter, are coming back from injuries. Give them time before writing them off.
WLW audio feed is just a tiny bit ahead of the video feed again this afternoon. These are the first two games I recall that happening.
Not a good start on the left side of the infield
They were two rockets.
True. Senzel looked a little tentative, though.
All forgotten with the GIDP and the 3rd out.
Great two-strike pitch, great recovery after two-on, nobody out.
Way to go Fraley! Just went with the pitch and racked up another RBI.
Cowboy and Thrall saying he’ll be out. I’m not so sure.
Is that Rose in the house today?
Yes. Nice seat too.
Didn’t realize Ramos hit the IL. Let’s hope whenever Benson plays he stays as hot as he has been a L’ville.
Benson faces the same issue now as at the beginning of the season, his ultra high BB rate just doesn’t happen in MLB unless a guy is Barry Bonds. It was pushing 19% last year in AAA which ballooned his OPS. It has been over 25% at AAA in this just ended stint with Louisville.
What he does with that 10-15% which almost come off his BB rare at MLB will decide his fate.
This said, to my eye, he has looked better hitting the ball the last week to 10 days ago at AAA but what that means given who can say given the way many guys on Bats have been pummeling the ball over the same period.
Good point Jim. His BB% would be much much lower if he had to deal with last night’s chumpire on a regular basis.
@Mario, Votto’s career BB% is 15.7; Barry Bonds is 20.3. Bonds is 2nd all time to Ted Williams (20.6). Votto comes in at 42 on the all time list. Juan Soto led 2022 at 20.3% Judge was 2nd at 15.9% (Fangraphs)
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=1871&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=1871-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=9,d&page=1_30
I’ve never understood how Benson can walk so much considering he hasn’t proven to be able to hit much. Doesn’t make sense pitchers are walking him. Kind of like walking Bill Hamilton. lol
Nifty tag by Weaver.
Sorry, friends. But my eye test says TySteve looks lost. I’m not saying I’m giving up on him, but something is still lingering. I realize that was a significant injury compounded by surgery. And I’ve got no idea how to “fix” it. But something has to given at some point.
I’m with you. He’s not the same as he was in 2021.
Tyler Stephenson still hasn’t fully recovered. It will be next year before he is back to form. The Reds need to be patient with him.
Agree completely, but I have confidence he will get back to where he was.
However, until he does, he’s our fulltime catcher only (no more 1B or DH).
He’s quick. I think we can all agree on that point.
Judge is a scary man
Very, very scary. I was really hoping he’s thumb his nose at the Yankees and go somewhere else.
Bell can’t continue to bat Stephenson 5th or even play him at Dh. At this point Newman is a better bat, can’t believe I just typed that.
Mark, I just took a screenshot of that post 🙂
The 2 seam movement for this Brito is impressive.
Big, big moment here — three straight walks to load the bases.
At this point, I think Stephenson would benefit from normalcy and so would the Reds. 2 catchers with him having bulk of time and batting down in order until he gets going again.
Stephenson…why is he still batting 5th ahead of Senzel??? Over and over and over
He’s absolutely lost at the plate. He needs a few days off.
I guess the good part of him 5th is it separates him and Myers. Both are auto outs at this point.
Luke still very much wants to play.
Maybe Maile should be DH’ing for this team?
Umm is Maile our best catcher right now? Defensively I would say yes. Offensively he is.
For now the Reds need to either catch Maile or Dh him. Tomorrow catch Caselli and Dh Maile, Stephenson needs a few days off to get his head together.
I would like to see TySteve get more rest days. I know the pickings are slim at DH (since they are stubborn to call up CES) but he needs time off to recover physically and mentally.
Stephenson is optionable. Too bad they moved Chuckie Robinson off the 40 man in the off season and signed two catching guys directly onto it. If CR was on the 40 man it would only take an option and call up to get TS down to Louisville to work on stuff.
Or of course, they could end the 3 catcher charade, option TS, and bring up somebody to plug into the DH spot if they had such a guy 😉
Cassali slowly losing his hold on the #2 catcher role.
I still understand the logic of carrying three catchers.
Watching the game, Maile looked to be chewing iut Young on the mound visit before last out of 5th. I like the passion from him.
Kinda funny some on here say Barrero is better than McClain defensively. Let’s see, McClain has had probably less than ten chances with no errors. Pretty small sample size to make such a statement.
I also think two catchers, Stephenson and Maile. Caselli may make a great manager some day but we need another bat.
Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it seems that innings after the Reds score runs are almost guaranteed to be runs for the opponents, and it doesn’t make any difference who’s hitting or how the starter has been pitching.
It would sure be nice for Weaver to at least go five or six innings. Sure don’t want to go too deep into the bullpen with who is there now.
Sadak’s Aaron Judge worship is sickening.
I can’t listen to him for more than a minute or two regardless of the circumstances. “Staggered strides, makes the glove, furious windmill, pull power, generous strike, narrow lead at first…” Almost everyone movement everyone makes must be commented on, and he’s got his own little name for every one of them. I just can’t take it.
” I just can’t take it.”
haha 😀
This is first game I’ve watched in a while. He is so hard to listen to. Even my wife (a non sports fan) makes fun of sadaks over excitement on everything. I dislike that him and larkin never talk strategy or fundamentals of the game. Only pop culture references and larkins playing days or Larkina opinions.
Yeah, he’s very annoying to listen to, but it’s made worse by the fact that I never actually learn ANYTHING about baseball by listening to these two guys.
I like Judge as a player. Rizzo is also a “good guy”. All despite them being in the hateful Pinstripes.
But you’ve again reminded me why I avoid the Bally audio like the plague. Sadak just loves the sound of his own voice. I’d prefer to watch with no sound if it came to that.
Errors don’t tell the story of a shortstop. There are a ton of factors that go into it. I played my whole career at ss in high school, college and 1 year in the minors. McClain was a SS at a pac 12 school which is equal to about aa ball. You can have better physical tools doesn’t make you a better ss. If the reds thought that he would be at SS he’s not.
How long you going to wait Bell?
Batting practice?
The Yankees are crushing the ball.
I’m feeling sorry for the ball
Maile has made the decision easier: DFA Casali and Myers, option Benson, call up CES and EDLC, activate Friedl. Big question about Stephenson, is it a slump or there’s something more going on?
As long as we’re fantasizing about things the Reds won’t do, how about trading Casali for a #1 starter and trading Newman for a couple good relief pitchers…
Find an “injury” and send him to the IL. Then some time on rehab to regain some mechanics and rhythm. I think ST was just too short for him. But I’m just guessing.
For what it’s worth, he has two minor-league options remaining.
+1000. just suggested this in a reply above. Can the 2 catcher routine and get CES up.
Nice, nice inning by Farmer.
Myers almost got that one. Kiner-Falafel made quite the play to snag it.
Not going to win many games with four hits. Offense needs to do something to win this game
More impressive managing from the Reds’ skipper. Stephenson manages to reach base to lead off. You’ve got fast guys sitting on the bench who are hitting at LEAST as well as he is, so of course you don’t use a pinch runner and try to manufacture anything in that situation. I guess because it would be too much of a bother and/or might hurt someone’s feelings.
No one on Reds bench hitting as well as or better than Stephenson versus righties
Over the past couple weeks? You sure about that?
Nope, but I also wouldn’t make decisions based on only 2 weeks of stats
Did they call up Benson because he’s been hitting lefties really well?
If you’re not paying attention to what’s actually been happening on the field for the last two weeks, then you’re a bad manager. According to stats over the last few years, Stephenson and Myers are really good hitters, and Maile isn’t.
Two weeks of stats is a very small sample size.
If you look only at 2023, everything I said above is true.
Two random weeks is a small sample size, but what has been happening over the LAST two weeks is a pretty good predictor of what’s going to happen TODAY. If a guy has been struggling badly for two weeks, odds are he’s not turning it around in his next at-bat. More importantly, the issue wasn’t what would happen in his next at-bat. The issue was the urgency of scoring a run in that situation, and the “loss” of Stephenson’s bat is hardly something to be concerned about the way he’s been hitting LATELY.
I hope TS reaches base in the bottom of the 8th. Maybe he’ll hit a home run that turns out to be the game-winner. And then it will be worth not pinch running for him when Bell had the opportunity to try to manufacture a run.
Well, maybe when he hits in the 11th inning he’ll get that game-winner instead of looking terrible again. But I kinda doubt it. (And I’m fairly certain that Bell would have pinch run for him if he’d reached base in the 8th.)
Pinch running for him in the 8th makes way more sense vs earlier in the game.
No, it doesn’t. In the 6th he was the leadoff hitter. A steal, bunt, and fly ball scores a run. In the 8th there was an out, and scoring from first would almost certainly have required at least one hit hit. Also, the reason not to pinch run is the fear of losing his bat, and that shouldn’t be a factor right now because — as I’ve mentioned — he’s not been hitting very well lately.
Love how hard India works. He’s not the best 2B glove, but his hustle and work ethic do make up for it at times.
Agree, and I bet that hustle and work ethic could translate to a solid left fielder
Yep. And if/when he continues to hit like that, it could be a fun few years
I’m not normally a Bell second-guesser, but this one …. Farmer has retired five in a row with little effort, and Sims has been getting hammered his past few appearances. I hope this works out.
It’s not necessary to second-guess Bell. It’s easy to first-guess him. He’s not very bright.
I can’t find any logic either. Oh, Farmer has thrown 13 pitches…well, some people…
Credit to Bell. That one worked out. 🙂
Barely … and in a rather “weird way” 😛
Six innings and 9 K’s against the Reds. Round up the usual suspects. Five walks by the Yankees and multiple run scoring opportunities. Fraley (almost) walks alone.
McLain, we have enough Reds watching strike 3. Don’t you start.
Yep. Wasted opportunity there.
If I had a dollar for every runner the Reds have left in scoring position during Bell’s tenure I would be a rich man! And, yes, I know Bell does not bat! Very few sacrifice bunts and rarely does a Reds batter even attempt to hit behind the runner(s). More often than not it’s a called strike 3 or SO looking!
SO “swinging” NOT “looking”! That falls under the Department of Redundancy Department!
I remember this version of Sims.
So, who pitches the 9th?
Diaz I hope
Flex-o-Zone on full display again today.
How long until the tech is ready for the bigs?
Yep. Looks very, very lost to me.
That check-swing strike three (which I’ve been complaining about for a few weeks) is the reason why Bell didn’t pinch run for TS when he reached to lead off the 6th.
Right now Stephenson is Aquino without the occasional tantalizing rocket shot HRs, routine rifle armed throws, or dazzling dashes around the bases.
Hopefully not another Mesoraco scenario where an injury ruins a potential great career.
Mezz was more of a degenerative condition in his hips. But I hear what you are saying and hope that isn’t the case.
I have hope that Stephenson will come around. Zero hope for Aquino.
What did I miss? Why is Fairchild in the game?
Best I can figure it was a defensive switch. Perhaps even “planned”.
Announcers said straight defensive replacement. Seemed odd.
Well, on a hotter more humid day, he would have just hit a walk off winner. ( and if wishes were horses, beggars would ride) 😉
Really, Really, REALLY need to just walk it off somehow here in the 9th. Don’t want to go extras for a bunch of reasons.
Bell needs to sit him down awhile for his own good. He isn’t even making contact.
I see I’m getting cheated out of the Sunday game tomorrow unless I want to fork over cash. These little side deals MLB has made are very frustrating. Maybe I’ll do audio only, or maybe I’ll skip it. But it still angers me that they pull this crap.
So the game is not on Bally tomorrow? Not even on replay?
I’m sure I can see the replay on MLB.tv if it warrants watching some of it. But the live feed is on Peacock.
I’m in Raleigh, NC, so I don’t even get Bally.
I don’t get these games against the Yankees on MLB tv. Blacked out. I stream it through my NHLHD TV package.
My workaround for blackouts has been to “go to Canada”. The adds are interesting.
+10000. I have multiple Apple accounts but it isn’t even worth the hassle of trying to hustle them out of another free trial.
It’s Peacock tomorrow.
Peacock huh?!? Thanks for saying that Mark. I think I thot Apple again. I have a paid level peacock account for Premier League Football (aka soccer in these parts).
Apple is only on Friday nights from what I understand. We get one more game on June 9th.
Sadak- ” This could spill into extras.” Umm John, it is extras.
He’s really a complete anathema in my book. I was going to say “idiot” but that wouldn’t be very nice … 😉
Hoping India didn’t do any damage to that knee. Now I’m wondering who gets to start as the “ghost runner” in our half of the 10th. They were questioning if Benson was even there yet. Newman will go in an play 2B. Makes that defensive replacement with the 14-year-old look a little silly.
He will be day to day for two weeks and then Cincy will IL him.
I think it will be Casali, because he is in India’s spot in the batting order.
Bell has really outdone himself today. First, he had a chance to pinch run for TS when he led off the 6th inning with a walk. He ignored that opportunity, I guess because runs in the 6th inning don’t really count. Then he subs in Fairchild for no apparent reason.
Another Bell special . Meaningless substitutions and short relief stints. I like the Yankees chances here. Hope I’m wrong.
So, Diaz is restricted to one (1) inning?
So IBB to Judge never crossed anybody’s mind in the dugout, eh? Cowboy said he’d have done that.
Why are you pitching to Judge?
Exactly! A walk would have been better, obviously!
If it’s me, I start this inning with my best relief pitcher who strikes out a lot of guys and has only thrown 15 pitches in this game. Maybe let’s see what he can do with his 16th-20th pitches before replacing him.
That’s another Clete for me, friends. Back at it on Monday given the Peacock fiasco, unless I do WLW only.
I’d like to say it’s been fun, but Mom said not to lie … 😀
Just put it on a tee for Rizzo.
Why did Bell takes Diaz out?
Because he’d thrown 15 pitches and was obviously exhausted. You could tell he was exhausted because he appeared to be pitching very well.
Rizzo was a Reds Killer when he was with the Cubs! Nothing’s changed I see!
Pinch running for TS in the 6th inning and trying to score that go-ahead run is now seeming like it might have been a pretty good idea. If only someone had thought of it.
Rules question … if you PR for the DH, did you just switch DH player or lose it?
Switch
You’ve still got a DH. The pinch runner would become the DH. So, worst case scenario, Fairchild would have been the DH and hitting 5th, which is hard to imagine would be worse than TS hitting 5th.
Guessing and it is a guess. You do not lose the DH unless the pinch runner plays in the field or a player who replaces the PR plays in the field.
Casali is in the game. See everyone, carrying a third catcher is beneficial.
That’s sarcasm, right?
If it wasn’t I’d be crying. Well heck I am crying.
Bell’s decisions, or lack thereof, are all over this extra inning loss!
!9 and 26, the clock has to be ticking for Bell. He just doesn’t have a clue. They really needed this win, that’s why you go back to Diaz.
Thank you!
Sadly, I don’t believe that’s the case. He’s too well connected in the organization and is actually doing about what the BobPhil Monster publicly stated would happen … maybe even a little better than that.
I know it’s easy to pile on Handy DT Bell and the FO … but this is not how to operate and/or manage a winning baseball club. I realize we can’t eat contracts like the Yankees (thinking of Hicks), but then again, we don’t have any that large either.
I said they would be in last place by Memorial day and Bell will make sure of it.Show of hands how many here would have walked Rizzo knowing his history against Reds pitching .Apparently Bell doesn’t.
If Bell was serious about winning he would have used Diaz for another inning IMO! He only threw 15 pitches in the 9th! What is he “saving” him for? Tomorrow’s game?
I am ready for the NCAA football season to start!
Could at LEAST have let him face the first batter and go for a K, which he’s been getting a ton of. If he’s pitching well, you leave in the game for another hitter or two. But Bell is too smart to do anything as obvious as that.
Bell uses Diaz in the 9th. inning with the score 4-4. Then the Reds do not get a walk off run, so at least give him another inning in the 10th. Bell is a tough manager to figure out.
Quite honestly I think Gibaut is whipped. He has pitched a ton so far. Really needs to rest for a few. This bullpen has been used way to much.
I don’t care what anyone says, win or loss, you don’t pull Farmer in that situation, and you don’t pull Diaz in that situation.
I have yet to have been able to figure out Bell philosophy on bullpen management. Maybe he’s using “The Force”.
+5,000
When you do figure out Bell’s philosophy please share it for all of the befuddled masses who love their Reds and are tired of losing!
Once Farmer is up he is up. He threw what 13pitches? Plus more warming up? Keep him in there and rest somebody else who has pitched a lot? Who , oh I don’t know …. GIBAUT! Bell is killing this bullpen
The pattern of McLain chasing low and away pitches is starting.
About a 50% SO rate. So are folks here going to be patient or is it time to dump him for EDLC? The Reds coaching staff just isn’t good at developing young players.
Final comment of the day! Good teams find ways to win, bad teams do not!
Participation trophies all around. Wins don’t matter. Once again, it’s up to the Dodgers to keep the Reds out of last place.
I could see a 0 and 7 or 1 and 6 home stand very easily. If India is hurt who will they call up? Who knows or cares is the answer.
Move McLain to 2B, start Barrero at SS, and Fairchild in CF. If you lose, you lose, but at least, the young guys are getting the chance.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankee pitchers had something going on today. I mean, it seemed like one reliever was either all over the place or right down the middle to me.
In one McLain’s Ks they were working him down and away with off speed pitches and then back to hard sinkers.
It’s an obvious strategy with these young guys.
McLain and Steer are good hitters, but they have their work cut out for them.
The tone on this site has really started to change in the last 4-5 games. From “this division is up for grabs” to “we better watch out as the Cards are going to pass us up next week.” May very well happen as you have a couple different organizations at play here. One who fully expects to begin to win and climb out of a hole. Another who accepts losing as part of the long game and isn’t going to do much to change course. I very much think this season is at a crossroads. We are home playing 2 teams who are a combined 500 ….not titans. We are banged up with starting pitching who has let us down and caused exhaustion to a top 5-10 bullpen. We are powerless and not built to score runs in bunches. If left in this condition, we could find ourselves 10-15 games under in short order. Then we will start hearing the same comments as last year of play the young guys and see what they got. Don’t we already know this and are hoping to be shown we are wrong. When we have better players at AAA, we should not be playing Fairchild, Myers, Newman, Lively, Herget, Ramos, etc. I can’t justify in my mind why we continue this farce. That won’t get us into first place but it will probably get us into the middle of the pack and identify for us the free agents or trades that will get us toward first place. I don’t think this team has the vision or resources to dig ourselves out of a 15 game hole like the Cardinals. We need our best players from Louisville playing and a couple additional trades or free agents. Hope my assessment or prediction is way off and we are back sniffing 500 by mid June.