After being swept by the New York Yankees over the weekend, the Cincinnati Reds welcome in one of the hottest teams in baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals have gone 11-3 over their last 14 games to climb out of last place in the National League Central. Both teams will be running out left-handed starters this evening with the first pitch set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
St. Louis Cardinals
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Tommy Edman – RF | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Paul Goldschmidt – 1B | Matt McLain – SS |
| Willson Contreras – DH | Spencer Steer – 1B |
| Nolan Arenado – 3B | Tyler Stephenson – DH |
| Juan Yepez – LF | Nick Senzel – 3B |
| Nolan Gorman – 2B | Stuart Fairchild – LF |
| Paul DeJong – SS | Wil Myers – RF |
| Oscar Mercado – CF | Jose Barrero – CF |
| Andrew Knizner – C | Curt Casali – C |
| Jordan Montgomery – LHP | Brandon Williamson – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brandon Williamson | 5.2 | 1.59 | 0.71 | 2 | 6 |
| Jordon Montgomery | 51.1 | 4.21 | 1.34 | 13 | 48 |
| Links: Brandon Williamson’s Stats | Jordan Montgomery’s Stats |
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Brandon Williamson
It was just one start, but Brandon Williamson looked good in his big league debut after battling inconsistency in Triple-A this season. The lefty pitched into the 6th inning in Colorado and allowed just one run while striking out six batters.
Even in the minor leagues this season teams tried to avoid sending too many lefties to the plate against Williamson. Left-handed hitters have had some success in picking up singles, but they aren’t walking much and they aren’t hitting for any power against him. Right-handed hitters are hitting for a lower average than lefties, but they are walking significantly more and hitting for way more power.
Splits (AAA & MLB)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 135 | 33 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 19 | 26 | .255 | .340 | .479 |
| LHH | 50 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | .277 | .320 | .362 |
Pitch Usage (AAA & MLB)
| 4-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.8 | 87.2 | 73.9 | 81.5 | 84.3 |
| Usage | 51% | 6% | 13% | 20% | 11% |
Jordan Montgomery
For the most part, Jordan Montgomery has pitched quite well this season. But a 7-run outing on April 18th and a 6-run outing on May 10th have made up for 13 or his 24 earned runs this season. In his other seven starts this season he’s given up 11 runs in 42.1 innings pitched – that’s an ERA of 2.34.
This season teams have tried to avoid lefty-on-lefty match ups with Jordan Montgomery. The few left-handed hitters that have gotten the opportunity to face him have picked up hits at a solid rate, but they’ve all been singles and they haven’t drawn a single walk in 40 plate appearances against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 185 | 45 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 41 | .266 | .324 | .485 |
| LHH | 40 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .275 | .275 | .275 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Curve | Change | |
| Velo | 93.7 | 93.4 | 89.0 | 80.9 | 84.2 |
| Usage | 13% | 42% | 1% | 24% | 19% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 75°, partly cloudy, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Joey Votto and Connor Overton updates
There were some good updates and some not-so-good updates out of Great American Ball Park today. Joey Votto’s progressing with his recovery from his shoulder and biceps surgery and is doing better, but not quite ready for games yet. On the flip side of that good news is the bad news that Connor Overton had a setback while rehabbing in Arizona and is undergoing elbow surgery. We’ve got more information on both from our piece this afternoon if you’re looking for that.
Spencer Steer: Super Sub?
Earlier today Jason Linden took a look into the future and argued that the best role for Spencer Steer may very well be that of a super sub for the Cincinnati Reds. With the positions he can play and the guys that are coming up, it may push him into such a role and it’s possible he could fill that role out better than anyone has in quite a while for the club.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 25 | 21 | 0.0 | 62.2% |
| Pirates | 24 | 22 | 1.0 | 12.4% |
| Cardinals | 21 | 27 | 5.0 | 45.3% |
| Cubs | 20 | 26 | 5.0 | 12.9% |
| Reds | 19 | 27 | 6.0 | 0.7% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
“Hey I know, let’s bat Stephenson 4th!”
Said no one ever.
He’s a power hitter, don’t you know! Count your blessings, it could have been Myers! Sometimes I think Bell just puts 8 names in a hat and draws them out one-by-one to determine the batting order!
It might actually be better if he did. Pham wouldn’t have hit third every day. Stephenson wouldn’t be in the middle of the order every day. Guys who are left handed wouldn’t automatically go to the bottom of the order when a lefty starts. Guys who’ve been really hot lately might show up at the top of the order even if Bell sees them as bottom of the order kinds of guys. etc.
He’s good enough to be the DH and hit 4th today, but yesterday there was no reason to have him hit with the game on the line. Instead, it was a guy who shouldn’t even be on the major league roster. Bell is living in a world where 2+2 = 4 on Sunday, 2+2 = 5 on Monday, and on Tuesday it could equal anywhere from 3 to 6. There is simply no logic to any of it.
Polite correction there, friend.
WE are living in HIS world. 2 + 2 = Hotdog. “These pretzels are makin’ me THIRSTY!”
J is getting upset!
Who instead?
Some of the complaints on here are silly. He’s currently 5th best on the team versus lefties this year.
If you look at prior years, even higher.
4th only one spot different than 5th. Chill.
Clarification, 5th best of the current starters this game.
Regardless of the batting order du jour, this is an important start of a 3-games series against The Dirty Birds! Need to start with a win and hopefully win the series! Don’t like being in last place but still only 6 games out of 1st in the NL Central. Long way to go but need to start scoring more than 2 runs a game and win series, especially at GABP!
It is actually a 4-game series. Hoping the Reds can at least split with the Cardinals, but not very confident. Reds pitching is just too weak right now.
Thanks for the correction! At my age I don’t plan too far in advance!
A split would be OK but to escape the NL Central will need to win 3 of 4!
What should the order be?
Players have been given enough at-bats that we’re no longer in small sample size territory. You have to think guys like Casali, Fairchild, Senzel, Newman are feeling the pressure to justify their presence on the roster. To that I say good.
I’ll add Myers to that list and note that both Senzel and Newman are both outperforming him.
I’m ready for Myers to step up or step up to the plate or step closer to the plate or whatever to start making a contribution.
Some RLN folks have been using the tired “he’ll be fine….” tagline.
Myers must not have got the word yet.
If the plan is to trade him at the August deadline, if this keeps up I doubt they could get Strickland back for him.
A trade requires two teams to meet on value. Right now, Wil Myers has no value. Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season so far. Nobody in their right mind in professional baseball would give you anything for him, and likely the Reds would have to pay someone to take him off their roster. The Mike Minor of 2023.
Maybe he turns it all around tonight and goes on a big hitting tear!
Who should be on the roster instead?
Elly sure but i reeallly dont get what you’d expect a bunch of AAA guys and rookies to do any better.
With a left handed pitcher tonight, don’t think it matters who bats where. The inability of this team to not be able to score runs off of pitchers who give up 5 or 6 runs a game to the rest of the MLB is astounding. Let’s see if senzel breaks out of his power dive with a lefty going tonight.
I cannot express how much I want to see us dismantle the Dirty Birds tonight. Here’s to Williamson settling in to a good routine tonight.
I REALLY, REALLY hope you are right, but I just don’t see it. Hey, at least we don’t have to watch Molina’s classless act anymore, so that is something, right?
Or at least he can start Edman off with some chin music.
Could be a rough series the way the Cardinals are hitting. The point about Stephenson not being good enough to pinch hit for Benson, with the game on the line Sunday, and yet good enough to hit clean up on Monday tells the story of David Bell as a manager. What a joke this guy is as a so called manager. I really don’t see much progress this year so far. I realize the record is better but the big 3 has digressed and the best prospects are still stuck, for some reason, in Louisville.
They might be better than last year, but win wise , they are tied with Colorado as the worst in the National League.
Another sweep and Bell should be gone.
Time to compete or possibly get buried in last place.
Win wise they are the third worse team in baseball. Thank God for the Royals and A’s.
The odds are getting buried in last place.
I expect Williamson will not be able to repeat his excellent start last week against the Rockies, which was a very pleasant surprise. And the last game the Reds have won.
I hope he pitches great, but I would not put odds on that. The Cardinals are hot! hot! hot!
The Reds are not, not not….
Larks right, its starting to look like these trades are starting to sort themselves out
When about 6 of the 9 guys in the lineup either need “extended” rest days or worse, I can’t get too concerned about the order except where it was already noted how someone is hitting fourth today while being bypassed for Benson yesterday.
I guess it is Casali’s turn to catch but hope that Maile gets more playing time [Yes, he does lead the team in OPS]. And, what about that guy Fraley? Even though he gets lifted for lefties almost every time, he still has 32 RBIs while the next highest is 18. Fairchild isn’t exactly burning the cover off the ball, is Fraley really that bad or not given much of a chance? Maybe it’s time to call up the Giants and see if they can return a favor and send us the fat guy who can drive a few over the wall: Joc Pederson.
That was ugly … and he knew it. Glad he recovered and caught it.
Glad he’s an good athlete. He could have never recovered otherwise.
A work in progress … 😉 but he DID recover.
One pitch – one double.
But my wife says it isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish.
Hustle double by MMaC as well!
McLain is awesome. I like he and Steer both.
Two rookies batting 2nd and 3rd. Hold on to your seats friends but I’m going to pay David Bell a compliment for doing that. 🙂
Backward K … those are really getting annoying.
Good hit by Stephenson and an RBI. Wouldn’t that have been nice yesterday? Oh well. Time to move on.
Lotta complaining and zero suggestion for what would be better in this thread.
Aside from the “look at a 3rd strike” pattern I keep seeing, I’m not complaining tonight … yet 😀
The lineup mostly. LDS is the only one I saw offer up anything other than to whine about Bell and then come up with an insult after that.
Thanks 2020, though I’d love to see Bell gone. IMO, though the Reds aren’t great, Bell really isn’t maximizing what he does have. Too much emphasis on handedness, regardless of the numbers, and too much little league “everyone plays”.
I don’t mind TS hitting 4th tonight. We don’t exactly have a lot of choices. Now if De La Cruz and CES were up that would be different.
The top 5 guys are the guys I want getting the most ABs, thats all I care about. Waaaay too much is made of the batting order, just another excuse to complain. My only complaint is why we have two catchers batting every other night.
Well if you have poor hitters in the bottom four of your lineup it doesn’t matter as much. Otherwise….
A reduction in walks by Reds pitchers would be helpful in reducing runs allowed and lowering SP pitch count! Just sayin’!
I’m happy with that start.
It has my stamp of approval.
That’s the modus operandi on this board.
A 60′ 6″ curve to chase Arenado. I’ll take that all day long.
Keep an eye out to see if that’s a strike in other AB’s.
Cement mixer cookie there.
Oooought Ooooh. Three run dinger.
Every ball put in play by the Reds in the 1st inning had an EV>91. The 2 outs to end the inning were both hit harder than Stephenson’s single (lowest EV of the inning) and had xBA’s of .640 (Senzel) and .310 (Fairchild)
Dejong kills the Reds
Seems like there are quite a few players that “kill the Reds”.
The club has a rather large venue for meetings.
haha
And Rizzo and Happ and seemingly at least 1 guy from every team that regularly played the Reds in the previous scheduling schemes.
Robo umps please
missed 3rd strike call then a HR, so dumb
+10,000
Its way past time to get there. The Flex-o-Zone is getting ridiculous.
Second that! Is it just me or does it seem like every time a HP umpire misses an obvious strike call, especially on a potential strike 3, it comes back to haunt the Reds?
Wow, this could get ugly in a hurry.
Need a couple bike helmets from Kizner here to give Williamson a chance to go collect himself.
Good to see Myers benefitted from that day off yesterday.
It’s getting to the point that they are just wasting his roster spot. We could use a hitter or two don’t you think?
Sit right on that line and blow the call … glad it went our way.
I like Casali … but I’m thinking it’s time. Maile is the better #2 guy all the way around.
They still like the way he handles the pitching staff.
I get that … but giving up an AB every time around gets very old.
Right now Maile is the best catcher on the team, period, exclamation point, case closed.
+500
Williamson has thrown five curveballs at an average of 71 mph.
Looks like McLain’s “slump” didn’t last too long. 🙂
Steer with a two run HR. Two rookies getting it done. 🙂
Too bad we don’t have more rookies to call up that could possibly help us out. 😉
McLain 2-2.
Steer with the GABP special
I want:
India 2b
Friedl CF
McLain SS
Fraley LF
Steer 1b
Stephenson C
Every day . Against lefties Fairchild is fine in LF. Senzel 3b against lefties. Maile is fine.
Fairchild has to make contact there and get a run in. Ks don’t help.
Reds HR leader is Spencer Steer
Raise your hand if you called that.
I had Steer at 16 HR’s, 3 behind India and Stephenson. But I had Votto at 25. Doh. He had a lot of warning track fly balls last year playing with 1 good arm. I am still in the belief that he is going to come back strong. Maybe not 2021 strong but he’ll hit some HR’s.
Fairchild and Myers batting 6th and 7th. How weak can a line up be? I am sorry, but how can Hopkins not be better?
Another orphan abandoned at 3rd! Those opportunities have a way of coming back to haunt a team later in a game, especially in close (one run ) games!
Fairchild is sun .200 vs righties and now after the 0-2 start he’s under .240 vs lefties this year too.
1 out runners on 2nd+ 3rd and Myers pathetic bat on deck He had to get something done and crapped the bed.
Including today the Reds face 6 lefties in their next 10. Hopkins needs to be up immediately! He and Friedl (when healthy) should replace Myers (just cut your ties and accept the loss) and Fairchild (has options)
plus 1000
Williamson holding his own through four.
The Reds top 5 hitters are average but the drop after that is awful.
Two good ABs by barrero working walks.
What’s up with Barrero?
Laying off pitches….
Wisdom? 🙂
I know people hate the bunt. But when you have people under 200 and with no power a bunt to move the runners or get a run in is way better than a dang strikeout or ground into a double play.
Fairchild could have bunted the runner in and Casali could have bunted a runner into scoring position for India twice now.
Yep
I’m glad Casali calls a good game because he sure can’t hit anymore.
Wow, you couldn’t miss a call any worse than the umpire did on the 0-2 pitch to McLain.
Have you been watching the “challenge system” in AAA? It’s a lot like tennis.
I like the challenge system a lot.
I was out on my walk and listening. Thrall and Cowboy expressed their disbelief.
McLain battling like crazy. Good job.
13 pitch at bat. Even with K, he hung tough and protected
Not bad by Williamson. One bad pitch.
Good outing by him. I think they are watching his pitch count very carefully to protect him. But it sucks to pull him this early and go to the over worked pen.
This batter reminds me, I need a snack in a bit. Perhaps a Nootbaar 😛
With creamy nougat
Reminds me how chewy and nougat-y the Reds’ bullpen is.
Jinx! 😉
I wrote that after the game tying double, Tom.
Maybe ‘marshmallow fluffy’ bullpen is more appropriate.
Nootbaar loves the high heat. Casali calls for the high heat.
Another one of Bell’s decisions to pull his starter early works like a charm.
I think this was more of a pitch count than bells decision. They kept him under 85 in the minors too. (If I recall correctly)
You really don’t think it was time to pull him. I certainly would have.
Battle of the bullpens now.
One run games haven’t been all that kind to us.
Stephenson with three good ABs tonight with a hit, RBI, and two BB.
Another walk by a Reds SP ultimately scores! Wash, rinse, repeat!
Time for a crooked number by the Reds please!
Late to the party, Lets go Reds
We’re fashionably late.
Yes!! LOL
Glad you’re here. Now we expect to win. 🙂
Senzel Rocking 😛
Late to the party, but I just want to revisit the decision to let Casali swing away with a fast runner on first and nobody out. Casali isn’t a good hitter in general and is literally hitting like a pitcher this season. If he were a pitcher, there’s a 99.9% chance Bell would be asking him to bunt. But Casali isn’t asked to bunt because… why? Because it might hurt his feelings? Again and again and again Bell’s behavior suggests his top priority isn’t winning games.
Not sure why people think Casali is manager material. He is not that great when it comes to situational baseball.
Was it up to Bell?
I guess he could have bunted on his own initiative.
I wasn’t referring to that particular play. In general, Casali seldom moves the runner up and doesn’t seem to have a plan when he steps in the batters box. Of course, being a .140 hitter doesn’t help.
At least Myers put the ball in play and got a run in.
He even hit it past the pitcher!
“Myers is getting close.”
Id rather watch Williamson than Cessa
Id rather watch McLain than Newman
Id rather watch Steer than Vosler
I would disagree with the anti Fairchild crowd only for this reason . Fraley Friedl and Myers are the outfielders against righties
Id have a competition with Fairchild and Barrero as the righty OF against lefties in the short to medium term . Barrero has the tools and clearly isn’t the future SS if McLain replaced him before Mothers Day and EDLC is #1 on the depth chart . @ BDH points out a big run of lefties. We all agree Myers isnt the Reds RF of the future but reality is he is here for 60 more days for $7.5 mil reasons .
Wishful thinking OS…
If there is a competition, there will be a loser or losers.
If there are losers, somebody will get their feelings hurt.
I like your way of settling it, and most teams award playing time like that….but it’s not the Red’s way
Looks like Friedl returns tomorrow and Benson back to AAA tomorrow.
Newman and Fairchild become #25/26 on the roster. Reds arent sending Barrero to AAA with his athleticism and potential in CF and a great back up SS. Fairchild is at most risk in the short term but that pendulum swings to Newman after the AS break
If they are indeed going to keep Barrero up there is no need of a Newman anymore. Several guys can play multiple positions besides him.
Disagree, once Benson gone, one of our backup catchers are the 26th man on the roster.
@WKU
You are obviously correct but which off-season contradiction lasts the longest???
1.) Kevin Newman at SS with 3 shortstops better right now in EDLC mcLain and Barrero.
2.) 3 catcher commitment
3.) Will myers $7.5 mil committment
I didnt think Casali would be this horrible
My guess is Casali gets buried on the bench awhile and Newman plays some and Reds double down on Myers.
Barrero looks like he’s having fun out there in CF.
He seems to have the speed and get good jumps. We’ll see how it works out.
Maybe Barrero can settle into a Super Sub type role, someone who can play good defense at multiple positions and won’t embarrass himself at the plate.
We already know he can play SS, 2B, and CF competently. Maybe they can get him some reps at 3B. I imagine he’s also capable of handling the other OF spots.
It’s an interesting idea.
Based on who’s coming to the Reds soon, I love the idea of this role for Barrero.
Young has really struggled lately
TySteve looks a little better to me tonight. Not as hesitant at the plate.
No reason to to take Sims out. Bell just can’t get out of his own way. Let’s face it he is a horrible manager.
He’s ‘managing’.
I’m sitting here saying to the screen: “You have a chance to get Young out of the game before he gives up the lead… you have a chance… you have a chance… nope, too late.”
Let’s win now.
+1.5
Benson for Barrero. Sigh
Not the right move.
Walking Myers not too smart but we’ll take it.
How on earth can you walk Myers?
Benson ph’ing for Barrero? Barrero hits RH’ers better than LH. And Benson doesn’t hit anyone. Mr. Clueless needs to be fired before the game ends.
This is the craziest move I can remember Bell making in a while. And that is saying something.
Gee that worked really well. Way to run up the pitch count, Will.
Benson?? Pitch hit Benson? What the heck?
Why not pinch run for Myers with Benson and pitch to Barrero? Hope Benson gets a hit here anyway.
+600. Who thought that move was gonna end well?
That would have been the best move.
Barrero had some nice at bats today, Benson is horrible.
Bell just used a guy hitting .042 as a pinch hitter. That must be some sort of major league record.
Benson for Barrero. Building Barrero’s confidence one game at a time
Let me just say I would seriously think about using Maile, who leads the team in OPS, as the pinch hitter here.
I thought the same. Says a lot about this team that Maile is the bat off the bench.
If it were a lefty pitcher, I might agree
Because Newman crushes right handers and has been hot lately?
Hits righties better than Casali, yes
Better than Maile? Who you have to use to catch after the substitution. Why burn three players there? Maile has hit well lately. He was the choice there over Newman. Keep Newman to hit later or run or hit instead of Benson.
Why bat Newman instead of Maile?
(writing this before the AB–please prove me wrong)
Why does Bell disrespect Barrero so much?
I really don’t get it.
We are all shocked that Benson struck out.
Bell, at his best: Pinch hitting with Benson for Barrero. Meanwhile, CES, EDLC, etc. slugging away in Louisville. The franchise and fan ‘s are being defrauded…
I would have batted the batboy before Benson.
Well, at least we got Newman in the game. 🙂
In all honesty, after that chicanery from David Bell, the Reds deserve to lose this game.
Goodbye Newman.
Great managing by Bell. Pitch hitting Benson and his boy Newman. Now let’s burn our closer in a non closing situation. This crap drives me nuts.
Wow. That was Bell at his most surreal.
Can we fire Bell now? Tie game and he’s cleared the bench – even went against handedness to get his buddy Newman in the game. When the Cards win, which seems likely, it’s on Bell.
Why would literally anyone complain about Newman hitting for Casali.
Benson pitch hitting complaints at least have merit, but really LDS?!
If he let Casali hit there, that would have been a very valid complaint.
I think the complaint is Maile has been hitting well recently so why not let him hit there instead of Newman.
That Newman & Benson even have roster spots is reason enough. But, seriously, had he not just used Benson, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But, his management in the 8th was flawed.
Because Maile has been terrible both this year and in his career versus righties. This was not the time to use him as a pinch hitter.
Newman and Benson’s roster spots have nothing to do with Bell
Again had Barrero batted then PH for Casali with Newman that would have been different. For his career, Newman hits RH 20 or so points better than Maile. But, as I said a couple of days ago, Benson isn’t ready. In fact, I’m not sure he shouldn’t spend time in Chattanooga before returning to Louisville. Barrero had been on base 2 of 3 ABs. Take the chance instead giving away the out.
Agree 100% about Benson. He should be in Louisville right now.
Sad. Just sad. Cannot take advantage of opportunities. This is how losses happen. We’ll see how it ends.
I quit lol
Pinch hitting Benson was basically giving an out away. I can’t believe he pinch hit somebody hitting .043. Where was Maile. Bell has to go.
Clete. I’ve seen enough to last me for awhile.
Benson now at .040 🙂 But hey. He was a lefty against a righty right? 🙂
Analytics has its advantages for sure. However common sense says you don’t use Benson to pitch hit. You just don’t. Sigh
Baseball games seem to move too quickly for Bell to process what’s happening. Apparently, all he knows is he’s got a lefty on the bench and a righty scheduled to hit, and his mind can’t work fast enough to realize why he should allow the righty to hit. I assume he does want to win games (even if it’s not his top priority), which makes me increasingly think he’s just not a very bright human being.
Sorting sorting sorting
Casali newman and Benson arent big leaguers. Fairchild is poor and Myers is poor too. We dont know on Barrero but give him reps in CF behind Friedl
Reds have literally 5 open roster spots positionally and maybe 6 with Barrero
How absurd – bringing in Benson and Newman as OFFENSIVE substitutions.
I’m not sure i’d even bring in Benson or Newman to pinch hit for a pitcher…
I’d actually like to see Hunter Greene hit sometime.
So would I. I would like to know if he still works on his hitting and has any desire to be a 2 way player. HG is a great athlete.
Newman was hitting about .240 with a couple home runs. He’s considerably better than a pitcher. If Bell had no other options, that decision would have made perfect sense. However, the obvious thing to do was to use Maile, who’s been hitting well and has to enter the game either way.
Newman is hitting 296 in his last 11 games.
This isn’t looking good for the home team at this point.
I think this has been a typical Bell game, mistake after mistake.
What were the mistakes besides pinch hitting Benson?
Removing Sims for no reason. Not asking Casali to bunt after Barrero had led off an inning with a walk. That’s two off the top of my head.
Stupid challenge clearly safe
Agreed, I guess Bell figured he had nothing to lose. Bad challenge though.
Worth a challenge, but he’s safe
This sort of strategy is not how you develop young talent. Barrero earned the right to get his chance in the eight. Bensons only hits this year have been belt high inside. The other 8 boxes of the nine box show NO hits this year. Zero.
Well bullpen will be short tomorrow. I assume Farmer and Diaz unavailable after today’s game.
With Law, Cruz and Sanmartin out. Bullpen is weaker
Bell has go to! Enough already!
You could not be more correct, we are all tired of this madness.
Win or lose Diaz will be done for awhile.
Diaz will be available Wednesday if needed
I’m glad Diaz is good. We’d better find a way to win this one.
Good block by Maile there.
Bracho waiting in the wings if we go to extra innings.
Diaz giving it everything he’s got. 32 pitches and counting.
Wow. Great job. We’d better win this one.
Great work by Diaz to wiggle out of it.
McLain is gonna win it with a homerun.
Calling it
Diaz: the loneliest Red.
Need to end it in our half of the 9th. Really don’t want to play the extra innings game tonight.
Nice job by Diaz to bear down and make it happen.
Absolutely right.
Diaz is best closer since?????!
Iglesias was pretty good
Chapman obviously
I’d say Chapman. I truly believe Diaz has a chance to get out of any jam.
Just checking in. Tie game but Bell needs to go? What happened? Did he pinch it Newman for Ronald Acuna?
Worse, pinch hit him for Casali
Were to start? Burned Diaz in a tie game! So, Diaz will definitely not be available tomorrow! And, pinch hit Barrero with a guy who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat! Left Young in one batter too long resulting in him giving up the tying run!
“And, pinch hit Barrero with a guy who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat!”
Cracking me up again. 😀
Just about every manager in the league uses his closer in a tie game in the top of the 9th. Every. Single. One.
The difference between Barrero’s hitting skills and whoevr he brought in instead is like “would you rather have the rotten catfish or there is some rotten tuna you might be interested in?”
Which one of the showstoppers should he have brought in for Young? Diaz?
I’m still thinking about the fact that Bell had a guy hitting .042 pinch hit for a guy hitting .231. A guy who’s reached base twice this season pinch hit for a guy who’d reached base twice in this game. There HAVE to be some major league records in there somewhere.
Pinch hitting Benson was nuts, but how about wasting 2 players when he pinch hit Newman for Casseli. Maile is a better hitter than Newman anyway.
Well … here it comes.
It’s going to be Gibaut.
Top of the order K K K. This team is just bad.
That was a pretty tough pitcher they faced.
At least Gibaut can’t face Rizzo tonight? 🙂
+500
He was bombed his last time out.
DeJong is a big out. Then that weak pop-up.
Then, of course, with 2 outs, he can’t find the plate.
One word BUNT.
Wow! Gibault makes quite the comeback after getting shelled the past few days.
On to something we excel at … scoring a guy from 2B with no outs 😮
This game could come down to a bases loaded, two outs, Benson at the plate situation.
Oh please no!!!
Steer on 2nd to start, right? TySteve needs to make it happen right here.
Nice heads-up by Steer.
Nice heads-up play by Steer!
Good job Steer there taking 3rd.
I was going to say bunt with Senzel, but not now with Steer at third.
Put the ball IN PLAY.
There ya go! 🙂
Glad we won but I gotta headache. Seriously. 🙂
Nick senzel wins it
WALKOFF
Senzel saves the day, just like Bell planned
Good job Senzel! So nice to see a guy put the ball in play when he needs to put the ball in play. Reds once again forced to overcome a certain person’s lunacy.
That really feels good. Cool off the Dirty Birds and start the series off right. Helps flush that taste of the Evil Empire out of our mouths, yes?
Never any doubt. Bell masterminded the whole thing.
Curds played right into his hands.
Senzel hilarious with Day. Day closes with, “Oh, live TV.”
That was an enjoyable interview. Easy kid to root for there!
After throwing the unhittable heat Helmsley went with the slow slider outside three times in a row.
Kind of strange after the 9th inning Ks.
Senzel rode with it.
Good hitting.
If Bell isn’t asked why he used Benson as a pitch hitter in this post-game press conference, every single journalist there should have their credentials pulled.
No reason to ask.
They have the answer on theit template.
“Got to get Benson going. He’s done it for us this season and we know he’ll be there for us. He’s close.”
I like Jim Day, but he doesn’t ask tough questions at all.
That’s not Jim’s job.
Now it should be someone’s job. But definitely not Jim’s.
You’re not from around here are you ?
Just kidding…
Not likely to happen.
This team somehow finds a way to win despite their manager who makes Mr. Magoo look like a genius!
I thought he managed a great game, besides the Benson pinch hit. To each their own.
Let’s be honest: the Reds “won” the game in spite of Bell, and the Cardinals help…. Send Benson, he couldn’t a bull ‘s behind with a bass fiddle…
9200 in attendance tonight. Likely half were cardinal fans too. Even with the win, sad reflection on the Cincy baseball legacy. You have to be pretty bad to lose the fan base in Cincinnati.
Are Curds’ fans second guessing La Russa sending Helmsley back out for the 10th?
The WP cost the game.
Correction: Let’s be honest, the Reds won the game, in spite of Bell, and the Cardinals help. Send Benson back to Louisville, he can’t hit a bull’s behind with a bass fiddle…
That’s not my definition of honest.
However, I do believe Benson beings in Louisville right now, which that decision is not on Bell.
Game recap article is live: https://www.redlegnation.com/2023/05/22/senzels-walk-off-sacrifice-fly-leads-reds-over-cardinals-6-5-in-10-innings/