After completing a series victory against the Cardinals Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds (31-35) head across the state of Missouri for a three game inter league series with the Kansas City Royals (18-47) on Monday night.
The Royals have the second-worst record in baseball behind only the Oakland A’s, and they rank near the bottom of the league in both OPS and team ERA. In a word, they are terrible, both at the plate and on the mound, and the Reds need to take advantage of it in this series.
First pitch from Kauffman Stadium will be at 8:10 EDT.
Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Kansas City Royals |
| CF TJ Friedl | 1B Nick Pratto |
| SS Matt McLain | C Salvador Perez |
| 2B Jonathan India | RF MJ Melendez |
| 3B Elly De La Cruz | SS Bobby Witt Jr. |
| 1B Spencer Steer | 2B Michael Massey |
| DH Tyler Stephenson | DH Edward Olivares |
| RF Will Benson | 3B Maikel Garcia |
| LF Stuart Fairchild | CF Drew Waters |
| C Luke Maile | LF Dairon Blanco |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Luke Weaver | 47.1 | 6.27 | 1.42 | 11 | 46 |
| Zack Greinke | 66.2 | 4.59 | 1.13 | 9 | 50 |
| Links: Luke Weaver’s Stats | Zack Greinke’s Stats |
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Luke Weaver
Luke Weaver is coming off his worst start of the season on Tuesday when he allowed seven runs on six hits in just 3.2 innings against the Dodgers. Of his nine starts in 2023, he’s given up three or more runs in five of them.
An interesting tidbit about Weaver is that he’s been using his curve ball more this season than in recent years. His curve ball usage is currently at 13.7%. This is the highest it’s been since 2018, and it’s also significantly higher than two years ago when he only threw it 1.9% of the time. Weaver is also throwing his cutter at record levels (17.4%) this season, compared to 4.4% in 2022 and 6.1% in 2021.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 112 | 34 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 4% | 27% | .324 | .357 | .610 |
| LHH | 94 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 7% | 17% | .253 | .309 | .494 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Curve | Change | |
| Velo | 94.1 | 93.9 | 86.6 | 82.2 | 85.9 |
| Usage | 43.2% | 0.5% | 17.4% | 13.7% | 25.2% |
Zack Greinke
Thirty-nine year old Zack Greinke returned to the place it all started for him when he signed with the Royals before the 2022 season, but so far it hasn’t been the same as it was from 2004-2010 when he made a name for himself. Greinke didn’t pitching terribly in 2022, as he had a 3.68 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 137.0 innings. But this season has been somewhat of a disaster. He has an ERA of almost five (4.59) and has only struck out 50 batters in 66.2 innings.
One thing Greinke has always done well throughout his career is limiting walks. The last time his walk percentage was above six percent was in 2016 when it was 6.1%. This number is already so low, and to think he has gotten it even lower than that is impressive. He currently sits at a 3.3% walk rate for the season, and his career walk rate is 5.5%. He doesn’t walk batters, and that hasn’t changed even as he’s struggled in other areas of his game.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 155 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3% | 20% | .212 | .239 | .315 |
| LHH | 118 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3% | 16% | .307 | .331 | .544 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 89.7 | 90.0 | 85.9 | 73.5 | 79.5 | 86.8 |
| Usage | 22.6% | 18.2% | 10.3% | 16.9% | 18.3% | 13.6% |
Details:
- Time: 8:10 pm EDT
- Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Weather: 72 degrees, mostly sunny, 0% chance of rain
- TV: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB Network (out-of-market only), ESPN+
- Radio: 700 WLW
News and Notes
All-Star Update
The first All-Star vote update was released today and one Red is among the leaders at his position.
Is Will Benson Turning a Corner?
Reds Minor League Update
A familiar player was named International League Player of the Week.
Greinke has a 3.00 era at home, but maybe seeing Wainwrights slop yesterday will help? Weaver has faced really good lineups and has given up a ridiculous amount of HRs. Surely he’s not this bad? Tonight is a good barometer.
Lastly KC wants to move Chapman/Barlow together? Man that would give the Reds the new nasty boys. They’d have to be the best pen in baseball, but how much would they want?
Give them Fraley and Senzel…or less. 🙂 Chapman alone would make this team very much better.
I don’t think it makes much sense for the Reds to trade for bullpen help at this time. The Reds’ bullpen is not really an issue for the team. Both Chapman and Barlow are on 1-year deals. I’d hate to see them trade away prospects for bullpen rental arms.
+5,000
It’s going to take winning the NL Central to get in and (I know I’m being pessimistic) that first round will be the end of the line. Let’s not mortgage the future for just a taste in 2023.
I think it makes all the sense in the world. If you take both of them, which is what the Royals are asking teams to do, you wouldn’t have to give much of anything, maybe a medium level prospect or two. The Royals are dumping salary by including Barlow in the deal. It would not be mortgaging the future at all. Also, I believe Barlow is locked in for next year too; not 100% on that though.
Barlow is controlled in 2024 but Ive seen articles saying the Royals think they can extract the most value by separating them. Amir Garrett was having a strong season until…..elbow issues. It’s not just the Reds.
Royals have a great lefty first baseman who just went on the IL too. Good time to win a series.
Stating the obvious, but the Reds should be favored in every game of this series. Anything less than 2 wins would be disappointing.
It’s nice to see Bell has stopped tinkering with the lineup. Not surprisingly, the Reds have been playing well as a result.
I think paraphrasing a quote from Winston Churchill describes Bell pretty accurately: “DAVID BELL WILL ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING…AFTER HE HAS EXHAUSTED ALL THE ALTERNATIVES.”
The infamous town of Kansas City.
Lived there 6 years and probably made it there 6 times. So far from the city. But back then they had Greinke too.
Potentially need a sweep considering the next 12 or so.
Looking ahead to the end of this current road trip, it is imperative that the Reds keep the winning momentum going in the 3-game series with KC. Starting a 3-game series with the Astros on Friday is going to be a challenge! Winning at least 2 of 3 against KC and maybe stealing one (1) win in Houston would yield a 5-4 road trip!
That being said, let’s start of with a win tonight!
Reds get the first one tonight, But what a nail biter ! 5-4 in xtra innings… and I saw my first automatic strike call with Karcher on the mound and a 3-0 count … he got him to pop out after going full. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out, it was looking in KC’s favor… We’ll take the win, but it was hardly a victory.
Hoping TJ gets his swing groove back tonight. Getting on ahead of that part of the line-up can set the tone tonight. Hoping Greinke has bupkus tonight and the guys are patient enough to take advantage of him.
If we see Chapman and/or AG, I’m hoping it’s the headcase versions we suffered through when they pitched for us.
One more comment before tonight’s game begins! Once again the Reds will be facing a crafty veteran pitcher in Zach Greinke. Reds batters need to be patient, work the count and NOT swing at pitches outside of the strike zone! Greinke is not the power pitcher he was earlier in his career, but he is smart and will move his pitches around, change speeds and let his defense work behind him!
Note he also gets wretched run support from his team. Patience should pay off. He is not the ZG of old by a long shot.
Greinke has always had that serial killer look and persona.
I hope the Reds Young Turks lay off that down and away garbage.
EDLC and K-child especially.
Ella had 5 PA yesterday with 0 Ks.
I hope that continues tonight against Zach ‘Wayne’ Greineke.
For anyone interested, Elly will be the main interview on Intentional Talk tomorrow.
Reds are the talk of baseball. ESPN +, The athletic. NY POST all had articles. The ESPN article was particularly good. Basically baseball needs diverse faces to grow and attract an audience and the Reds are that. Kinda like the BRM.
Has Elly popped up yet? Keep the popups to a minimum like Wade Boggs or vintage Joey and his numbers will add up fast.
Isn’t KC where Thom got himself fired? I’d take him back over Sadak any day of the week
Was it? For some reason I thought it was Washington.
He was talking about KC, don’t know where he was at the time.
I like Sadak better than THOM!
I looked it up and Indy was right. It was a doubleheader and they were between games .
Amen
I’ll take Thom any day of the week.
Oh boy … Buckner behind the plate as the Chumpire. He’ll give Greinke “respect” which won’t benefit us.
Kind of ironic that The Royals celebrated Andy Reid and Mahomes before the game and Kelce threw out first pitch. Could have done that any time and they picked the first game against the Reds. Are the Bengals living rent free in their heads?
I’m OK with MattyMc trying for 3rd. Took a perfect throw from a converted catcher.
It was close. Real close. I thought he made it but I could see why Bell didn’t challenge. Way to close to overturn.
terrible slide, he slides to the outside of the bag he is safe
Does he wear the oven mitt? That extra couple inches might have done it.
He does not Mark
Needed to slide to the outside.
House needed to to direct him there.
EDLC is going to be seeing plenty of that from here on out.
Junk balls down and away.
Lay off or foul off.
About took Steer’s glove off with that throw. Runner beat him anyway, but … 😀
Weaver stinks.
Had two outs on 6 pitches and then the wheels fell off. Again we are in a hole in the first.
I was wrong on Weaver. He sucks. 0-2 to the garbage 3 hitter and 0-2 to the garbage 5 hitter and hangs floaters to both. Very frustrating
Throws 96 but throws the guy a 87 mph cookie down the middle.
Some bad ABs there.
Lack of concentration?
Lack of execution?
Both?
Well, we’ve dug the hole now. That makes it a comeback opportunity. So that’s good, right? 😛
And, we are behind early! Where have we seen that before?
2 outs on 3 pitches and throwing 96 and he gets beat on breaking balls for 2 runs. Dumb pitch call and worse execution. Someone said he’s bad 1st inning so maybe try an opener for him
Walk by Weaver with 2 outs extends the inning and then BOOM! All too familiar!
Weaver throws ball 5 and the guys still hitting
Weaver looks awful, walks a costing him runs.
So the walk to a .184 hitter scores. Hmmm What do you think about that Dennis? 🙂
Hehehe looking for his nitro glycerin
Drives me nuts! 2 walks by Weaver both score and contributed to all 3 runs scored! Gets old Melvin!
For some reason I didn’t think you’d like that. 😀
Wow, down 3-0 to KC already. That’s pretty pathetic. I think I’ll go back to replacing the garbage disposal.
Funny you mentioned replacing your garbage disposal. I just replaced mine last week and was shocked at how much they cost these days!
Jeff Brantley, always tellin it like it is.
Wish they’d just let he and Welsh handle all commentary.
I like Welsh.
I like Thrall and the way they trade off on WLW. Both Welsh and Cowboy are easy to listen to in that mix. I won’t tune in Sadak unless forced to do so (and nobody is forcing me).
hahaha As in nobody’s got a gun to your head?
Sadak has a fine voice, but that dude goes off on tangents light years away from the actual baseball game taking place in front of him. Even Brantley and Welsh sometimes give short reactions to nonsense. He’s also gets a little too excited sometimes, like, in an unprofessional way.
Welch and Brantley are the best. Take those 2 in a heartbeat.
That could have been WAY worse … and it’s still bad enough.
Oooh. Good job Fairchild with the homer. 🙂
That’s the way to start the inning. I guess since Jr High let out for the summer, he’s spent some time in the cage. 😉
Walk to a 184 hitter and your 2nd basement sitting on 2nd,one heck of an opening between 1st and 2nd
Stu was due.
Looks like bullpen night assuming Weaver can make it thru 5 without giving up a ton of runs!
12 out of 13 starts for Greinke this year, the Royals have scored 0 or 1 run per game. Weaver says ” Hold my Beer.” Gives up three. So far.
Exactly … and a Genesee Cream Ale at that 😀
Screamers
If the guys keep hitting Greinke, things will work out. But Weaver has to stop giving up walks and runs to keep us in it.
Ya think? Walks by Reds pitchers, more often than not, turn into cheap runs!
I have a feeling Freidl will end up the 9th hitter. Too much of a flyball swing for a smaller guy
As I mentioned earlier, Reds hitters need to be patient with Greinke! They have not been patient enough! He is not known for walking batters so, if they are patient, they will get a pitch to hit! C’mon guys! Baseball 101
Fairchild with that viking helmet and cape looks like a little kid playing dress up. 🙂
+10,000
Fouled back into the WLW booth. Thrall got the ball and gave it to a fan.
Better 3rd inning by Weaver! But his pitch count is getting up there at 55 pitches!
Time for a crooked number guys!
Weaver is all flyballs too. Terrible fit for GABP. Melendez ball there was deep in the bullpen Gabp
Someone is making the Royals look like the best American League team right now.
Every team needs a soft throwing Rick Mahler vet.
1.) DFA Weaver
2.) Trade Austin Hedrick for Greinke
3.) Joey Votto fellow class of 2002 negotiates the right of trade refusal.
No thanks.
He would never survive at GABP.
Sadak- Steer hasn’t struck out in 29 at bats.
Steer strikes out on next pitch. It’s like Sadak can’t help himself. You just don’t say things like that.
Sadak does. Cause he is an amateur level hack.
C Trent took a paragraph today in his weekly Reds report to say Sadak was a friend and spent too much time defending him on a paywall site the day The athletic fired a bunch of writers because they were losing money. Marty brennamen did an interview after Vin Scully died basically said the days of credible independent commentators are over. ITs paid marketing guys and Sadak isnt a baseball announcer. Hes a Phil Castellini marketing intern.
Interesting. Money is temporary, but integrity (or the lack of it) lasts forever.
When Sadak opens his mouth, it’s the kiss of death.
Every. Time.
Too many strikeouts by the good guys! Have to put the ball in play! Let’s go!
Same pitch to guy hitting .184 that he got beat on last time. Weaver has the baseball IQ of Slingblade. I like hanging 0-2 pitches….uh huh
Massey? Yeah you wonder why Weaver has been around the league
I just had an idea: how bout we have Abbott throw with his right arm too? So we’ve got Abbott, Abbott, Greene, Lively, and I guess Williamson for now?
Wonder if we could make that happen … 😮
We can sign Blandino and have him start over Weaver
This game is moving at a snail’s pace. I was up a little early and I have a book to finish in the next couple days. Not sure how much longer I’ll stick this one out.
Another walk by Weaver! Imagine that!
He has become the Reds new Nibbler.
Yep! Mahle 2.0
Yeah let’s throw every heater outside so he can reach for it and doesn’t have to worry about getting busted inside
Good play by Steer. Saved a run.
Welsh commenting he probably saved 2 runs. I tend to agree.
Could be.
Steer with the highlight reel play of the game so far for us. Need to keep him playing 1B and not disrupt that mojo.
Nice play by Steer. That’s ballgame if that gets down the line
This team is going to have a hard time competing with guys like Luke Weaver and Ben Lively in the rotation. Failing to address the rotation last off season was pure baseball malpractice by the Reds.
But JBs convinced the Reds will win the division with 1.5 starting pitchers
Indy Indy Indy. Your convinced the Brewers have the best pitching. The ones Oakland Swept. Hahaha
Not giving up on Lively yet. Let’s see how he does on his next start. Weaver? There is no room on my playoff bandwagon for him. Ship him out .
They weren’t supposed to be competing for anything in 2023. So why waste resources? And in reality, they aren’t being 5-7 below .500 all year. Just because the division is so bad, it makes them seem as if they are in it.
Weaver was lucky to escape a jam of his own doing! One more inning for him I \”m guessing!
Votto’s matador ole there and it’s 5-1. I’m so excited to get him back. He’ll fit in so well with our speed/youthfulness
Senzel coming back Friday.
Wow. That’s a bummer. Good hard hit snagged by the pitcher turns into a double play. yuk
Gotta feel for Salvador Perez..Brutal shots tonight.
….and another walk.
Another walk by Weaver to start the 5th! I’ve seen enough! What say you Bell?
Benson looks comfortable in there. It’s going to be an interesting off-season. They have to trade offense for pitching I think
This is trouble
It’s absolutely crazy to me how Reds fans on this site talk about a future HOF player and potential top 3 hitter in franchise history. Just brutal.
Mike Tyson was correct when he said “Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not what you deserve for it.” (edited for site rules)
Joey Votto has earned the right to play his last season if he’s healthy.
Why not Eric Davis then? He actually did something in the playoffs. Votto deserves nothing except a nice send off
Yikes
Joey is due an opportunity if he’s able to play competitively. He’s stated that himself. If he can’t play at the MLB level anymore and compete, he’s repeatedly said he’ll hang ’em up.
It will make for some difficult decisions. And I’m of the opinion he should DH 95% of the time given what we’ve seen from Steer at 1B.
Votto might be able to go deep vs rhp and we need that, but what irks me is being penciled in 3rd every day when he was 580 ops vs lefties
That’s fair. I don’t think JV would want to do something to hurt the team.
I just don’t get all of the terrible comments about a guy who has represented the team and the city with class and pride.
He deserves better from the “fans”.
@ Brian…You never comment on Reds baseball. you rant on other comments. this is the USA. Freedom of speech. Why do you have zero tolerance for other peoples right to speak their own mind??????? You hate other people’s right to speak their free opinions. Many of them are stupid. Thats ok. Why are you so intolerant of other peoples right to speak? We are allowed to disagree on our opinions.
@Old-School that only seems to be true for other commenters not for me I guess? I comment on baseball all the time. I watch the game with my 83 year old father most nights when I can.
If someone comments here I have just as much right to disagree with their takes. Regardless if if suits you or not. This isn’t the first time you have felt the need to defend free speech for other commenters when I disagree. Where is my right to free speech?
I am a fan of Joey Votto and don’t care for some of the comments. When is it okay for me to exercise my rights and disagree? Just let me know, okay?
Simple Brian.
You arent the comment police.
You dont comment on Reds baseball on the field in real time on what you see.
You whine about others right to comment on what they see.
Big difference
Simple Old-School you also aren’t the comment police. You whine about someone in disagreement about the role of a player on the baseball team. Which is what this site is specifically about.
No difference.
Young coming in. The only question remaining is if it’s just for the one batter (assuming he gets that out).
Nice job by Young. Gives us a chance if our hitters will step up and take it.
You got your answer
Good hit by Friedl there to drive in Maile. What do you think about that guy JB?
He is shaking off the rust. Legitville here here comes
😀
Good job by Young. We could use another lefty. Can anyone say Chapman? 🙂
Weaver is the odd man out…. we got any more of those prosepects in AAA
There are a lot of odd men out on the current staff.
He’s a fly ball pitcher which doesn’t bode well for his starts in GABP!
Good hit by Maile. Most anyone else would have a triple but we’ll take it. 🙂
This Royals team has some speed! Taking extra bases on our OFs. I know they are not strong armed but I did think they were a little better than this.
Maile still wants to play more 😀
Friedl picks him up.
Just when we maybe figured Greinke out tonight …
Time for the Crooked Number Hit Parade to kick it into high gear!
2 pitches in the 6th and the Royals pull him. They must have knew this was coming to have a guy already warmed up.
MattyMc gives up a productive out thanks to Friedl. Time for India … and he makes it happen!
Can ELDC handle this sidewinder?
Thank you very much for bringing the infield in. Tie game. 🙂
They seriously thought they were going to double up EDLC?
Really dumb move that could have been disastrous.
He’s still over-sliding just a bit … good thing he’s got that leg/foot hook technique down.
Reverse TOOTBLAN there on Young.
And all is forgiven 😀
A little trouble getting around 2nd. Really good relay throw.
Benson with the great hit bt thrown out trying for a triple with no outs. Hmmm
Little hesitation at 2nd might have cost Benson
Benson was limping coming around 2nd.
One question, why? A leadoff double works, even for this team which struggles with RISP
I don’t blame Benson at all going for the triple. But, as soon as he stuttered before 2nd base, he should have held. That’s simply inexperience. Hopefully he will learn quick.
I like Benson’s aggression, but old-time baseball wisdom should usually prevail. Never make the first or third out at 3rd base. Works for little league through the Majors.
Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
Yep – ball don’t lie – Friedl says so.
“Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor”
Dang Soto.
Very weird bloop double for TJ.
Legit double. See what I did there Melvin?
😀
Wow. Can’t believe that ball fell in. We’ll take it. 🙂
Hope that run doesn’t come back to haunt us.
Somebody please inform Benson he is not Elly.
EDLC can turn that 2B into a 3B with ease. Benson, not so much…
He stumbled around 2b. that was a triple. I think he just messed up his footwork around 2b
Benson’s TOOTBLAN cost the Reds at least one, maybe 2 runs! Nuts!
That was not a good AB for McClain
Clarke pounded the same location…down and away…with 5 pitches until he got McLain.
Well, Benson would’ve scored…
And there is another illustration of why I am not big on him. He appears uncoordinated and makes poor reads on fly balls. I think he’s the Jose Barerro of the outfield–albeit a bit better at hitting.
There’s no way of knowing what transpires if he stays at 2nd….everything changes….butterfly effect.
Hope Cruz gets is done. This is where we could us a Chapman right now.
The Jury is still out on Benson. Time will tell. His swing looks pretty good and his pitch recognition seems to be improving.
Calling it…Elly goes deep next AB.
Off Chapman maybe?
I believe I need to shut down the computer and switch to the TV in the other room for a little bit.
Let’s see if we can seal the deal.
Never know. Might help. 🙂
I can’t believe the 2nd guessing of Benson. When you have a team that pushes for the extra base, you risk the throw out. Benson is FAST, not EDLC, but as fast as anyone else on the team.
correct.
But because of the misstep, it cost him
Sounds like we are about to get to see the wrong side of Chapman. I have some great memories of taking my girls to a couple of games where Chapman came in, Threw 102/103, and my little girls going nuts when he got the “pizza” strikeout and we won the game. Was definitely the best part of the game experience for my girls. They loved that free pizza on the way home the next day. Chapman was their favorite player.
Lets make this a big inning!
Guess Chapman thought differently!!
Having Chapman and Diaz in the pen would be pretty cool not to mention a certain starter who happens to throw 100 mph +.
Kansas City tv guys telling Fernando Cruz’s story about finally making it to the bi leagues. I’m still really rooting for this guy to stick. He’s got a great story.
Nice job in that inning.
Fernando Cruz with three up and three down! He’s coming back strong.
Cruz is a nice story but has struggled of late. Big addition to the bullpen if he can string together some good innings. Need this win.
MBS, baseball wisdom is baseball wisdom. It’s called wisdom for a reason. We ran laps for that exact type of mental mistake on my little league team in 1980.
Good call. All the physical tools in the world don’t mean jack squat if you’re a dummy and don’t know how to use them.
Meanwhile, intelligent athletes with only average or even sub-par attributes make long careers by making good decisions and getting the most out of what they’ve got.
I hear you SJ!
Chapman can still pitch. He would make us a lot better. Trade rumors says he’s available. Let’s get him. Probably won’t cost that much.
Austin Hendrick and a bunch of Skyline, who say no?
Pass…dude assaulted his GF. The Reds don’t need that type of “help”.
Don’t know what exactly happened but that was a long time ago and he’s been behaving himself since as far as I know. If so got to forgive and let go. We could use him.
Votto, forgot all about the assault charges. I just remembered the speeding ticket on 71. Was that when he was with the Yanks?
Votto, I wasn’t trying to make light of assault on a woman. I have two daughters. I just didn’t remember that about Chapman. Your thinking is the exact reason why I have never been a Joe Mixon fan. If you clock a woman, I never want you to play on a team that I root for. I would have to see the details on the Chapman case before I would make a judgement.
I would love to see it! Hopefully his girlfriend doesn’t still live in Columbus. Lol!
Really Soto?
Thanks Soto!
Wow that was a bad call on strike 3.
Yep, is that CB behind the plate?
Yep
C.B. Bucknor in the flesh.
Came in late to the game. That explains a lot. He’s been one of the worst umps for a very long time.
@ Soto Angel Hernandez is the worst but CB is right up there.
BR, I think you are right. They are both really bad.
The guy is 7 foot 3,….that pitch was low.
Chapman still at 101 mph.
Greinke and Chapman could help the reds if its prospects 10-30
Diaz available for 3 days in a row if needed?
If Farmer walks this guy have to use Diaz. Need to win this game.
K is A LOT BETTER! 🙂
Farmdog!
Need to SCORE here. 🙂
Tie game, bottom of the 8th, 4-5-6 hitters due up, and Bell thinks “I’ll start the inning with a guy who should probably be in the minors right now, then bring in a legit major leaguer to clean up the mess.” Worked perfectly.
If Stephenson gets on got to use a pinch runner here.
There it is. Come on Mr. Bell.
Good job. 🙂
We have Diaz,Sims and Gibaut left. Are they available. We really do not want Ricky Karcher anywhere near the pitchers mound. Need to score now. Bring Farmer back out or Diaz
All 3 pitched 2 days in a row
That’s what I thought and Vosler is in AAA. Can Newman pitch? Bell likes him.
I say stay with Buck, (if Diaz is sheved)
Agree
Sac bunt here is good call in my view.
Good job Fairchild. 2nd and 3rd with one out.
Sac fly by Newman. Good job. Just think if we could have played this way in the 2020 playoffs. 🙂
Good job Newmy.
Only watching on ESPN Gamecast, but looks very professional. Well done.
Awesome! Great execution! Great AB by Newman!
Outstanding execution by the Reds to get a run. Win this !
Kevin Freaking Newman!!!!!
Wait a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly ball?? In the same inning? Am I dreaming? Is this Heaven?
It’s Iowa….almost
This team is fun to watch!
It’s Buck, nobody is warming.
If Diaz can go I’d use him. Guess he can’t.
Kevin Newman, aka Bret Hart, aka “The Excellence of Execution”
Where would this team be without Buck Farmer? The guy always answers the bell and gives you good work.
Another good signing by Krall.
That comment did not age well.
hahaha Well, it was still true.
Lol he’s still having a great year man.
Well, that almost worked out.
You just can’t do that with Perez.
Well. It was almost a perfect inning for Farmer. He was pitching well. Tie game.
No No No ! Ricky Karcher!
Let’s get ’em in the 10th. Go Reds!
Only guy in the lineup to fear….you can’t pitch him like that.
No change up in that situation!!!!!!! Terrible call.
Ricky Karcher is now on the clock
That was a tough inning
Not unless my bandwagon runs him over first.
On the bright side K.C. has the second worst bullpen.
Ugh. That was the right call to stay with Farmer. Just cannot let Perez get anything to hit in that situation though.
We cannot lose Diaz for any period. What happened? He just went 1 the other day with a big lead because he was rusty
Two days in a row.
Meat of the order coming up!
Don’t so that!!! Why would you call for a change up in that situation? That was not smart,….an absolutely terrible call. I blame that one on Casali.
Ricky Karcher..lol. We better get 3-4 runs
Why would you put Karcher into his first game in this situation? Surely not?
Mclain hasn’t seen a strike and its 3-2
2 high pitches called strikes…MMC is like 5’5
Got the runner over anyway.
Ground ball right side India. Come on buddy.
What has gotten into the A’s?
This ump? Missed 20 ball strikes minimum
Typical Bucknor.
I like that guy in the Hubbard jersey representin’ !
See him
indeed
I was thinking the same thing. Who Dey!
This gets overturned.
He was safe.
Reds win this..
My goodness Bucknor is a bad umpire!
Friedl is fortunate he didn’t get hurt on that play.
How can there be no blocking the plate? He is sitting on the plate. Umpiring is just bad everywhere. Thank God he lost the ball
It’s a difficult rule to officiate. In MLB if the ball goes into the OF the the rule changes and the the catcher has to position himself differently. If the ball stays on the infield the catcher can block the plate just like he did there.
Is that Kenny Powers warming up in the pen??
As a former umpire I have to ask how Bucknor expects to see that play standing 6 feet behind the play?
Terrible. Glad they got it right in the end.
Absolutely, I was thinking the exact same thing. Pure laziness in his positioning.
Come on Kid!
Get your seatbelts on people. This is going to get rough
Crash helmet just in case. 🙂
You called it JB!
Hope we pull this one out…
You can’t bring in a marginal reliever in his first big league appearance into this situation. You just can’t? I’ll feel better w Lively or Abbott for 1 inning
Nice hook!
Karch is just setting up the DP!
hahaha Foul ball coming at his face.
This guy? Bell has to know better. Duarte atleast had a cup of coffee before. Horrible loss
Karcher has no command of anything. Not even remotely close
You’ve got to be kidding putting in Karcher!!
This kid letting his nerves get him
Wow. Can’t believe he didn’t advance there. Good for us. 🙂
Come Nuke Laloosh. If only the Royals had a mascot that he could hit.
Reminds of the movie Major League..
Only chance is 3 hitters and bases loaded and next pitcher.
I might just intentionally walk to get to 3 batters and get Karcher out
Lol they brought this guy up because they didn’t want to drop him off the 40. Lovely
Man. Karcher is too fired up. He’s going to put one in the backstop.
They gave us a strike on a timer violation on a 3-0 count. lol
I’ll take it.
Omg is KC really this bad?
Well, we got out of that one. One more.
Actually the first pitch on the double steal was a strike and of course Ray Charles missed it
This guy is amusing though. Holy crap.
hahaha He’s cracking me up. Poor guy can’t throw a strike but he’s still got two. One more strike.
Hubbard did not like that call.
Karcher! We win! lol
Unbelievable . How crazy is this. I’m worn out.
Unbelievable
Cowboy says he needs a drink
I don’t drink and I need one.
Had it all the way…save of the year!
“Nuke Laloosh” Karcher!!! Never a doubt. Had them all the way!
That have to call him Laloosh. It’s to obvious
Came here to say the exact same thing — and Casali had to be full power Crash Davis to talk that one through
Never a doubt!
Ricky Karcher – your star of the game!
Casali is going to need an ice bath for that inning.
That was a miracle
I can understand bringing in Karcher, bring up Karcher, etc. But, I would send him back down. He’s going to get someone killed.
Heh. 🙂 I concur.
Ricky Karcher, you should probably find a safe house or a relative nearby. Lay low for awhile, because you’re probably wanted for murder…
Karcher is in a daze right now. Can’t believe what happened. lol
Karcher just said Holy Shi$ on live TV
Ricky Vaughn/Karcher with the save..
Hillbilly
I see a little Ricky Vaughn in him, but Vaughn had a cool, BA factor. Karcher seems more like Nuke Laloosh to me. Goofy, wild, and bringing the heat.
Nuke just dropped a S-bomb. Crash needs to give him so more interview tips.
Curt Casali gets the interview with Nuxy for the “Star of the Game Show”. H must have save a dozen wild pitches there. What a great team win.
How can you not love this team? Get on the bandwagon people!!! Playoffs baby!! Indy you’re going to have to find another way to the game. To negative for my bandwagon
Let’s not do that again!
Win yes! Karcher no!
hahahaha!!!!
What’s the standings Dennis? 🙂
I concur, Dennis!
Is this a movie????
LMAO
No, a Twilight Zone episode!
Too much fun!!! This is why I love baseball. Come on Front office, get this team a little more help. CES at DH and at least one more arm.
Horrible call by Bell to go to Karcher in that situation. Just horrible. I would have rather Bell pitched himself. Who woulda thunk it? All I’ll say is,..somebody must be living right. But,..we’ll take it. Now send him down to the minors ASAP. Please!!! That’s the wildest pitcher I’ve ever seen. Go Reds!!!
4 comes early but what a game…
Funny or Die on YouTube.
That one batter was Bunt Or Die…lol
Catcher was on pogo sticks every other fastball snagging balls over the hitters head and somehow we won. Never saw anything close to it in my life
Just think of all of this excitement we would miss if our starters could go 6+ consistently, lol.
That was unexpected. He no idea what was going on in that interview, LOL.
The 10th inning deserves its own separate recap. Start with Friedl scoring and discuss every pitch that followed. How many wild pitches did Casali save? How many borderline pitches were called balls? How did the Royals possibly not score? I watched it and still don’t quite understand what I saw.
Only saw the Friedl replay on twitter – good thing he didn’t break his leg. So there’s that . . .
Wonder who gets to write the recap for this one – probably fighting over it at RLN world HQ.
After the Reds didn’t wrap it up with two outs in the 9th., I said to myself, ‘what will be, will be’, and didn’t want to lose a good night’s sleep . It made for a pleasant surprise in the morning over coffee.
That game sums up 2023 Reds . Holy Moses
Reds up 5 games on Cards
Im still laiughing,
Bell’s poor managerial decision of bringing in Karcher almost cost him the game. What is he thinking? The won in spite of him. Bonehead move like that, and others during the season are the reason they are still under .500 for the year. Luckily they were playing the Royals.