The Reds picked up an 8-5 win on Saturday to guarantee a series win in Chicago. But Cincinnati will take the field at Wrigley this afternoon looking for a sweep of the Cubs before an off day on Monday. This afternoon’s first pitch is set for 2:20pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Chicago Cubs
|
| Jonathan India – DH | Nico Hoerner – 2B |
| Matt McLain – SS | Dansby Swanson – SS |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Ian Happ – LF |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Seiya Suzuki – RF |
| Stuart Fairchild – LF | Christopher Morel – DH |
| Nick Senzel – 3B | Trey Mancini – 1B |
| Kevin Newman – 2B | Mike Tauchman – CF |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Patrick Wisdom – 3B |
| Jose Barrero – CF | Yan Gomes – C |
| Graham Ashcraft – RHP | Drew Smyly – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 53.1 | 5.57 | 1.48 | 21 | 41 |
| Drew Smyly | 55.1 | 2.93 | 0.98 | 12 | 51 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Drew Smyly’s Stats |
|||||
Graham Ashcraft
After his first six starts of the season, Graham Ashcraft had an ERA of 2.00. But over his next four (and most recent) starts he’s allowed 25 earned runs in 17.1 innings (12.98 ERA) and his season ERA has ballooned up to 5.57. He’s given up 32 hits in that span and struggled to get hitters out.
As it has been for his career, right-handed hitters have found plenty of success against Graham Ashcraft. They are hitting .321 this season, making plenty of contact, walking at a solid clip, and hitting for a good amount of power against him. Lefties aren’t hitting nearly as well, though managers still put plenty of them in the lineup against him despite overwhelming evidence that he’s got reverse platoon splits.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 126 | 35 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 18 | .321 | .392 | .523 |
| LHH | 110 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 23 | .228 | .291 | .376 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 97.0 | 96.6 | 88.7 |
| Usage | 5% | 58% | 37% |
Drew Smyly
Through 10 starts this season, Drew Smyly leads the league with a 0.98 WHIP. His 2.93 ERA isn’t bad either. The lefty has been very good in the first two months of the year in his second season with the Cubs.
This season his splits are crazy. Left-handed hitters are hitting .320 and slugging .540 against him while also striking out a bunch and not walking at all. Right-handed hitters are walking more, making much more contact, and just haven’t been able to turn any of that into any sort of production. Since his return to the big leagues in 2019 (he missed all of 2017 and made one rehab appearance in 2018 in the minor leagues), his platoon splits have been all over the place – so it’s tough to say how against the grain this season as been in regards to how it’s played out so far.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 167 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 36 | .170 | .228 | .294 |
| LHH | 52 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 15 | .320 | .346 | .540 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Curve | |
| Velo | 91.7 | 88.6 | 78.1 |
| Usage | 43% | 8% | 49% |
When and Where
- Game time: 2:20pm ET
- Where: Wrigley Field
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 67°, partly cloudy, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
The Tyler Naquin trade is paying off early
Earlier this morning we took a look at how the two prospects that the Reds acquired in the trade last July with the New York Mets that sent them outfielder Tyler Naquin. And let’s just say that the results have been good so far – with both players being among the best performers in the leagues they are playing in this year.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 27 | 25 | 0.0 | 51.3% |
| Pirates | 26 | 25 | 0.5 | 13.8% |
| Cardinals | 24 | 30 | 4.0 | 44.8% |
| Reds | 23 | 29 | 4.0 | 2.0% |
| Cubs | 22 | 29 | 4.5 | 13.9% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Here’s hoping Ashcraft can get off the schneid and Smyly goes on it this afternoon. Our lineup is capable, but breaking Smyly has been a pretty tall order for anybody this season.
Let’s kick the Stupid Cubbies whilst we have them down and head off to Boston.
I don’t see this as a likely playoffs year but 2% is both good (better than where it started at essentially zero) and low – Ashcraft has struggled, Lodolo is out, and several prospects plus Votto may arrive to upgrade the roster. I’m enjoying watching the Reds this year. My playoff odds are 25%. Totally unbiased of course. Go Reds!
Absolutely unbiased … aren’t we all on this forum?
Mark did you use to live in Ocala, florida? Hope we can get out the broom!
Interesting / jake Fraley in right field for a game with a good left handed starter. And at the bottom of the order.
Fairchild in left field instead of right. Isn’t he the better fielder compared to Fraley?
Let’s go graham!
Yep. But perhaps LF in Wrigley is harder to play than RF. I believe we’ve seen it eat up a few players over the years. One Yonder Alonso comes quickly to mind.
LH pitcher for Cubbies, Fraley plays ahead of Friedl. Wondering if this is an indication Friedl is feeling his meeting with the wall last night. Haven’t found anything about it. Has anyone else?
David mentioned Friedl coming back from injury would play every other game. Not sure how long that will last.
I thought he played last two games. So
.
Fraley is 3 for his last 19. Bell rarely lets Fraley play against lefties, as we all know. Unless Friedl is hurting, this almost looks like setting up a struggling Fraley for failure. Given Bell’s penchant for giving days off to regular starters, especially on a flyaway day,this would have appeared to be a good one for Fraley. Given the success Friday of cincy against another strong lefty, I would have used the same line up except Maile catching.
I’ll chalk it up to some caution. Plus the need to get Barrero some reps in CF.
Too bad. The offense seems to “click” and run a lot better when India, Friedl, McLain, and Steer are all in the lineup together.
It does, but making sure that Friedl doesn’t aggravate the oblique problem seems reasonable. The lineups against lefties have been really getting it done lately.
Lets get the brooms out
HDTBell is “not real concerned” with Ashcraft. Didn’t give anything specific he’s looking for to say he’s turned the corner.
Another monotone interview from where I’m sitting.
And, just in case anybody is interested, crab cakes and scallops are on the menu for dinner … 😀
That works for me. Make Smyly throw LOTS of pitches.
OK, Jake. Just lift one to moderate depth and rack up another RBI.
Nice heads up by Newman. Keeps the DP off the table.
Good start for the Redlegs
That did not age well
Why is Ashcraft not throwing a sinker anymore?
Thrall and Cowboy saying maybe he’s “hunting strikeouts”. That could explain the erratic outcomes and lack of certain pitches.
The old saying is you should dance with the girl that brought you to the dance. That is his sinker and early contact.
That seems like a DJ strategy. Reds pitchers rarely pitch to try to induce weak contact. Trying to strike everyone out and end up with high pitch counts and too many walks.
Good way to up your pitch count.
That’s the Ashcraft we’ve seen … sadly. Complete cookie after breaking stuff that didn’t fool anyone.
Graham Ashcraft is broken.
Little bit …
started strong…. and then fell apart…. really making the play for a relief job
Ashcrafts problem is everything is up.
And his breaking stuff is never headed over the plate, so it’s an easy take.
I think that’s right; he used to mostly keep everything down.
Offense needs to chase Smyly. That will take care of a multitude of sins from Ashcraft.
India and McLain agree
McLain — wow, wow, wow, wow
He and Steer and battle it out for ROY. 🙂
Yeah, this McLain did MIGHT work out. Maybe … 😛
Krall was quoted a few weeks back that they have specific criteria and plateaus for each player to achieve before they advance to the next level. I don’t know what McLain’s were, but wow, he sure seems like he was more than ready to be here. I want the front office to continue whatever they are doing in that regard.
Tom – you going to see any of the upcoming games at Miller against the Bernies?
Not this trip, but probably the next trip, which is July, I think.
Right idea. Wrong execution.
McLain stats now at .362/.444/.596 hahaha 🙂
Yeah some individual said minor league hitting usually doesn’t translate to the major leagues. You know, when your sticking up for your boy and don’t want him replaced.
In the case of McLain I don’t think it matters who’s pitching. Can’t wait for EDLC and CES.
McLain really hasn’t missed a beat since being called up. If anything, he has stepped it up a notch.
I think he likes it here. 🙂
Lucky that throw didn’t find the seats or the tarp. Nice job by Steer to come off the bag and grab it.
To my untrained eye, all of Ashcraft’s stuff is hard…fastball…cutter…slider…(88-96 mph)
He needs a spinning curve ball (80-82 mph) or something that keeps the hitter off balance of all the hard stuff he throws.
All are moving the same direction too. That is not a good thing at the mlb level.
I agree about speed changes. He also needs to use that sinker to show some vertical movement in the zone. This guy pitched to ground ball contact his entire career. Either somebody is monkeying with his pitch mix and location, or he is monkeying with it in desperation. Either way, he needs to go back to a three pitch approach and pitch to contact. No ground ball outs in three innings.
Zone is terrible again today. Consistency no matter who is batting helps, but still. I don’t think the continuous appearance of the Flex-o-Zone is good for the game in any way.
I think Flex-o-zone has been a thing since the beginning of the game, but not magnified so much as it has been since the strike zone outline has been visible during telecasts.
Very likely the case. To me, that emphasizes that the technology is quickly catching up and needs to be leveraged. It’s a much faster pace today than in the 70’s (thinking primarily of the pitch speed and spin rate). Adaptation is necessary.
Always, always, always a walk before a Reds pitcher gives up a HR! D. Johnson must have been a teacher in the Department of Redundancy Department! Ashcraft following the script of 20+ pitches per inning!
Does anyone know which direction the wind is blowing at Wrigley Field today?
I’m thinking it’s generally “in” again today.
I agree about speed changes. He also needs to use that sinker to show some vertical movement in the zone. This guy pitched to ground ball contact his entire career. Either somebody is monkeying with his pitch mix and location, or he is monkeying with it in desperation. Either way, he needs to go back to a three pitch approach and pitch to contact. No ground ball outs in three innings.
If I were to hazard a guess, it would be “monkeying” 😮
Don’t look now, but Kevin Newman’s stats against lefties: .326/.380/.522. He definitely belongs in the lineup every day against lefties.
(Actually you can look now. That was just a figure of speech.) 😉
If he gets another hit today it will be four games in a row with two hits. He’s upping his trade value. 🙂
Went with the pitch, but not quite enough on it to get it past the infield.
I’d like to see Barrero sent back to AAA as a CF/SS with the mandate to hit the ball the opposite way. He is way to pull happy which causes his hard contact to be foul and be very susceptible to off speed pitches. He needs everyday ABs to work it out.
+500
His days at SS are over from what I can see. That’s just how things played out.
I think they are with the Reds. But I’d keep him playing some there. Either for future utility or trade value.
And Ashcraft isn’t fooling anyone now. Will need a couple rabbits out of multiple hats to avoid a big inning.
You should try rabbit! I hear it tastes like chicken!
OK, so he fooled Wisdom there.
No walking Gomes, please.
And Gomes. Filthy stuff against him.
VERY nice recovery!
Interesting that Ashcraft threw a sinker away against a lefty who likes to slap it to opposite field. His pitch choices/sequences seems odd to me this year.
Top of the order coming up. Can we end Smyly’s day with a frowny face, please?
🙁
Do Reds catchers call the pitches during the game, or is it coming from the dugout coaching ? Do pitchers shake their catchers off anymore?
As I understand it, mostly from the coaches according to “the book”. I rarely see them shaking it off anymore. All just my uneducated opinion and observation.
MaMc again!!
And then THAT happens!!
Thrall says his first MLB swipe.
Hitting machine
Nice job by Ashcraft to escape 2 on, no out situation in the bottom of the 4th inning!
Gomes has got to be PU’d at the fielders.
Wow, if the Reds score this run from third, that’s a complete gift from the Cubs defense!
With whipped cream and sprinkles from Smyly
That popup by Steer should have been the third out.
As bad as Cubs fundamental defense has played you wonder how long David Ross is going to be around.
Would have liked to see McLain try to force that one. But that’s just me.
Tough outcome for Steer, but that was av ery gritty AB for him. Hope tysteve can pick him up.
I’d hit Friedl for Fairchild here.
It would be a good time to do that. We shall see.
I agree Tom. Especially with a right handed reliever coming in to face Fairchild.
Good call Tom. You have my vote for manager. 🙂 I mean a lot of us did during the Strato season. 🙂
I always like to see Friedl hit but to be fair to Fairchild he’s hitting .391/.462/.565 in his last 7 games with 9 hits and two BB. (25 PA)
Smyly did that to himself. Our fate this inning rests on a 14-year-old and the Stupid Cubs relief core.
+11783 for the 14 year old reference lol
Getting Smyly out in less than 5 is a good thing considering how he has been pitching.
Good to get into the Cubs bullpen as early as possible.
Friedl!!!
+10,000 for telepathetically getting HDTBell to make that switch.
See???
Good call.
You have private line to the dugout?
Tom called it … and it worked perfectly.
TJ bangs it….big hit
Let’s all agree we’re Newman fans today … especially right at this moment.
Wow, one heck of an at-bat!
it WAS good.
Good job by TySteve to hold tight there.
Stupid brick walls…(even though it hit the ad sign)
awesome AB by Newman….paycheck earning right there
Nice job, Newman! Chased Estrada and have completely wrecked Smyly’s day.
Contrary To what many have said, Newman has got a place on this team.
Absolutely. He’s had some shaky moments on defense, but he’s swinging the bat much better than I expected.
True enough. Not as an everyday starter, but he’s capable at 2B, SS, and 3B. He’s showing some great plate discipline. So maybe he’s an IF bench piece or finds himself traded to somebody who very much needs one of those positions as the season progresses.
And he’s 29, so not old.
I suspect Mr. Ross will find himself in Mr. Hoyer’s office before long if this trend continues.
Neither of those runs score that inning if Gomes catches that foul popup.
I say that’s more on Mancini than Gomes.
True.
Tommy thrall a few innings ago noted the Reds are 16-14 since april 24 and have the best record in the NL Central.
This is a great game so far. Lead off walks kill. Get the bullpen in yesterday. Day off tomorrow. Need this sweep.
Ashcraft needs a pitchers best friend pair of bike helmets.
Ask and you shall receive.
You were saying? 🙂
Got a lead in top. Leadoff walk from pitcher in bottom. Completely unacceptable.
Just too many walks by Ashcraft and most of the Reds pitchers! Almost impossible to maintain a low pitch count!
There it is. Pitchers best friend. Hit the showers Ashcraft and bullpen needs 12 outs. This team is fun to watch play baseball.
Ashcraft battling today it appears. Looks like 1 mistake pitch for a 3 run homer?
Late to the party lol
Right on both counts.
Ashcraft probably through for the day, but I’d say this counts as a bounce-back performance.
Ashcraft needs to buy a Lottery ticket! Worked his way out of several jams today, most of them self-inflicted! Nice job by the defense so far today!
Cards lose cards lose!
Bravo! Guardians got to Helsley in the ninth!
Did the Cards lose today? 😉
Swanson is a pretty fair SS, you know. Taller than MaMc as well 😀
McLain should be in running for player of the week in Mlb this week.
Viking Time!!!
it’s “Steer Season”…again. 🙂
Who would believe that two of the first three in the batting order for a team consistently hitting and scoring well are rookies?
Probably a few posting here. I have read many comments indicating that Bell would ruin the youngsters
Krall has a real unexpected problem with these young guys playing very well much sooner than expected. 🙂
But it’s a perfectly fine problem to have.
It’s okay with you then? 🙂
How about these Reds!!
Who do we have rested that can give us 2 innings?
Herget
Really impressed with Herget as well. He has been a good pick up for this team.
The Dirty Birds lost to the Indians (I refuse to call them the Guardians)! Chance to move up to 3rd in the NL Central today!
For once a walk preceding a HR worked in the Reds favor!
should of been strike three call
Oh most definitely. That’s what we’ve been watching all game long.
Ball 3 … take your base
Wolcott has been REALLY bad this game. Thrall and Cowboy can barely contain themselves.
I know calling balls and strikes is difficult, however its become almost unbearable to watch/follow and or listen as these calls affect outcomes of the games.
Absolutely, Kevin. It was never easy and with the speed and spin it’s only getting harder. The inconsistency seems to be on the rise from what I’m observing. The tech is about ready and it’s way past time to use it.
Calling balls and strikes in the majors must be an extremely difficult thing to do.
Nibble, nibble like a mouse …
McLain with the major league SS play to end the threat. This is a fun team to watch. Sims buckled down. WOW
Sims gets out of his own jam
MMC made a smooth play to end it.
Good play by McLain there…and a big one.
Major escape action there. No thanks to Chumpire Wolcott for his work. And the fluky play from Sims on the dribbler is the kind of thing that happens.
May need some add-on against this masterful Stupid Cubs pen 😛
So much for TJ’s day off 😀
Senzel piles on!
Injuries only happen if you’re starting I guess. haha
How about the way Bell gave Friedl a rest after running into the wall against a tough lefty but still had him in the game in a high leverage at bat,
+1,000 to HDTBell for that move. TJ has earned the day off tomorrow, that’s for sure.
It was a good call on the pinch hit call.
But the real dividends are going to be the 4 innings of rest he got.
And we think our pen has problems
Don’t look now (well, you can if you want) — Reds are sixth in the majors in stolen bases.
Bell pushing all the right buttons. Coach of the year? 🙂
Well … probably not. Definitely ahead of David Ross at the moment though.
You have to give him and Krall (I’m guessing that’s who to credit) for the idea to prioritize aggressive base running with a team full of good athletes. It has made a definite difference.
You’re confusing me today as to whether to look or not. 🙂
Look, Melvin … don’t look … 😛
😀
They did flash a stat the other day, that they were 28th in success rate though.
It’s likely improved over the weekend
The Reds are scoring more runs playing small ball then they did playing the “three outcomes”. It’s a lot more fun. Add some power to this lineup (coming up) it will be smoking.
Double digit hit again. Amazing!
And 6 out of 12 hits were for extra bases!
Really pulling for Barrero to figure things out at the plate. Not seeing it yet.
Time at AAA to focus only on CF and revising his hitting stroke perhaps?
Why not Herget? Gibault has been working A LOT of late (or so it seems).
Tough part of the lineup? I agree Herget, or Salazar might have been my choice. Maybe we’ll see 1 or both of them over the next 2 innings.
It’s been a good Newman kind of day today
Bareerofor4 is the only one not hitting these days.
I see what you did there. +500
Hey LDS and others. Still think Barrero should be the starting shortstop? Newman should be DFAd? Your may be right about one thing, McClain may end up oin the outfield, but it will be EDLC not Barrero
This version of Newman as a bench piece works on any team. Given the glut of middle infield talent, Barrero’s future lies in the grass or in another organization. MaMc may end up in the OF as you note. Or he may go to 3B, giving way to ELDC in a few weeks.
Regardless, I think we’re all very happy with what we’ve seen here on Clark this weekend.
As I said earlier Newman is upping his trade value. Some team in need might want him for an every day SS at least for a while.
Couldn’t agree more. I said McClain was a better shortstop then Barrero any day of the week. Just cause you have the physical tools does not make you a better player.
McLain isn’t the long term SS under any scenario. He’s off to a tremendous start. But let’s not forget that guy, Aquino. How’d that work out. Once again, small sample size, big inferences. Hope he keeps it up, but don’t bet the farm. As for Barrero? No problem sending him down to Louisville to play everyday. He still has a high ceiling and playing daily may bring the hitting back around. As for Newman, yes, he’s had a good week. Assuming he’s something other than what he is, based on this week, would be a mistake. So, trade him while he’s “hot”. Reversion to the mean will occur. So enjoy a good week, but don’t get ahead of yourself. The Reds still aren’t competitive. Neither are the Cubs.
Newman is batting over 300 his last 30 games. That is more than a good week. His career batting average is over 260. I mean you can say all you want. Newman isn’t a bad player. He is a solid player. A veteran who can help the clubhouse. Barrero has struggled and when will you stop with “regular abs” he has played just as much as Newman.
“The reds still aren’t competitive ” then why do you follow this team?
They are 24-29 in a so so division. They have a chance and actually are competitive.
Kudos to Bell and management for getting this team on the right track
Dribbling bunt IF hit. Rucker should have just stuck that in his back pocket.
Yep, could have been 2 if it was a bad throw, so no point throwing at all.
We pulled that trick earlier. Steer had to leap for it.
This McLain kid hits, and hustles!
You knew they didn’t have a chance against McLain on that one. He’s fun to watch.
Steer again. Rookies getting it done. Cool.
I believe the call up of McClain has been the primary catalyst for the entire offense.
Agreed
Some very nice comments relayed by Welsh concerning the benefit of Newman’s presence in the club house.When you have so many young players as the reds it’s very nice to have a veteran with a good attitude to teach them how to be professional players
+1000
McLain is going after Rose’s hit record.
Mclain is 15-31 this week with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Player of the week!
If he doesn’t get that, it’s grand theft.
Steer has really, really opened my eyes. He doesn’t strike out much at all and hits to all fields. He looks like a keeper and a starter for awhile.
Yeah. Somebody(s) have to go. As much as I’m happy for Senzel the logical thing to do is to trade him knowing his history. He does have some trade value now hitting LH pitching so well.
Not necessarily. Keep all of your best players on your major league roster. It would be nice to have a strong bench, huh?
Yes for sure. As long as they’re able to accept those roles. If Senzel doesn’t mind that then maybe yes. I don’t think he should play over Steer, McLain, EDLC, CES, India, Friedl. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marte is up by the end of the year. If he (Senzel) and Fraley are both on the team, which I’m not sure either will be, they can platoon as some have suggested.
These young players all are showing a very mature hitting approach. Kudos to the Reds farm system for helping them develop.
It’s a wild thought to think tysteve should hit 7-9 once EDLC or CES get called up, but that is probably thr casewith McClain and steer hitting like they are.
TS is still struggling. Took a step forward yesterday and 2 back today. When his bat wakes up, I can’t wait to see 20-hit games from Thai reddddd hot team.
Credit Steer for that out. Timing of the stretch was perfect.
Great stretch by Steer there. Saved an error.
twice this series he’s saved Nick.
Nick takes his time and has short armed 2 throws.
Cut it loose young man….don’t think.
I think TS will eventually be fine but I don’t ever see him developing much power. He is best when going to the opposite field. I think he will eventually be the Reds 8 hole hitter once EDLC and CES join the party.
Recovering from the collar bone injury has to take away some of his power I bet. We’ll see.
Now we’ll see Diaz in the ninth after that homer.
Bit of a cookie. Glad we got that one out to keep it a 3-run lead.
May be time for Diaz in the 9th.
In all seriousness guys. I hope everyone takes a second to remember the soldiers, sailors and airmen who let us enjoy this wonderful game and great country. Served 24 years and brought back way too many heroes to their loved ones. Today isn’t for veterans, but for those that made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless America and Go New Red Machine.
+1
Thank you BR!!!
+50,000
I’ve visited Arlington twice. Been at the Tomb of the Unknowns both times. Somehow it felt “wrong” to take a picture as opposed to just stand there and observe. All in my family who served came home. But so many more didn’t. 🙁
Been there many times. It’s an awesome thing.
“God Bless America”
For sure.
God Bless all that have served in our world. I have friends from Canada who lost loved ones.
@Beaufort Red, couldn’t agree more. Served 21 years in AF. Best years of my life.
???
The Roku froze and rebooted. I see Gomes whiffed.
darn roku 😀
Just can’t have an east win! Bell is back to his one inning per RP nonsense again! Gibaut only threw 13 pitches, but, NO, you can’t go back out because everybody has to play! Why not use Benson as a RP because he has demonstrated he can’t hit ML pitching!
Signed,
Frustrated old Reds fan!
Gibault has pitched a lot of late. I can’t fault HDTBell in this case for only letting him go one inning.
Gibaut pitched yesterday too
I disagree and here is why, that is what got the Reds in my opinion into a over used bullpen. He was using his relievers two innings. The 4 who pitched yesterday hadn’t pitched in 5 days. You want to stagger guys and not over extend guys.
44 hits in this series (and counting).
Make that 45
An insurance run or two would be nice!
Would be nice to recover those 2 runs the Stupid Cubbies scored with 2 outs last inning!
Gomes was on top of that mess. I’d call that a TOOTBLAN by Senzel.
On Senzel for sure
Ouch! Hope that doesn’t come back to haunt us.
Correct call there. Got to know the rules.
What happend, and a 3 run lead should be enough!! lol
A little mess up there with two runners on 3B. It was on Senzel.
Thanks guys for the answers.
Exactly. Gomes did. Senzel did not.
Sounds like Senzel thought it was a force play?
No, it was “procedural”. Gomes tagged the runner from 2nd and then Senzel stepped off. Umpire had called him safe until he stepped off when the play was still live.
I’m beginning to get the feeling when Diaz comes in that I had when Aroldis Chapman would come in — lights out.
I think Diaz is ultimately better than Chapman. Way less of a “headcase”. My opinion, we ruined Chapman and Iggy by filling their heads with “visions of closers”. Pretty much my only reference point is how TB used David Price when they brought him up from Durham late that first season. Then again, I’m not a huge fan of the super-closer role anyway.
Happ hasn’t owned us this series. 1 for 11 at the plate.
Miracles do happen!
Sweet!
Diaz is a weapon!
Big sweep! Let’s go reds! Happy memorial day RLN!
It seems a bit strange with no Reds game on Memorial Day. In the old days it was usually a doubleheader.
Almost 10 years since we broomed the Stupid Cubs at Wrigley. Got to be the Viking gear.
Great game, RLN friends. Everybody take the day off tomorrow.
Big NBA game tomorrow: Heat at Celtics.
A great win a good sweep
Love the Win and the Sweep! But, should never have had to use Diaz!
Bottom line, Reds are in 3rd place in the NL Central!
Off day tomorrow. Rest for Diaz.
Beginning to love this team. On to Beantown!!!!!!!!
He has earned a day of rest! He is money and a big reason for the Reds winning close games!