For the second day in a row the Cincinnati Reds rally late in the game fell just short. The Atlanta Braves held on for a 7-6 win on Sunday afternoon in front of what the Reds are calling a sell out crowd of 40,140. The Braves took the final two games of the series to take the victory in the 3-game set.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves (50-27) |
7 | 9 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (41-37) |
6 | 11 | 1 |
| W: Morton (7-6) L: Wynne (0-1) SV: Iglesias (12) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Levi Stoudt got some early help from his defense as Nick Senzel made a nice sliding grab on a hard grounder from Ronald Acuna Jr. and fired across the diamond to record the out. But two batters later Senzel threw the ball by Spencer Steer at first to extend the inning, and give Austin Riley second base. Stoudt needed two pitches to get Matt Olson to pop up to end the inning.
TJ Friedl led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a walk and he then stole second base. Spencer Steer hit a flare into center, but Friedl had to hold and see if it would drop so he was only able to advance to third on the play. That set up runners on the corners for Elly De La Cruz with one out. He would take the second pitch and hit a chopper to first base and Matt Olson came up firing to the plate to nail Friedl who broke on the play. Cincinnati challenged the play but the call on the field stood as called. That call turned out to be big as Jake Fraley popped out to end the inning and strand two.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning Joey Votto led off with a walk and he moved up to second base on a 2-out single by Nick Senzel. Both would be stranded after a ground out ended the inning. That quickly came back to bite the Reds as Michael Harris II led off the 3rd inning with a triple and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Ozzie Albies. Austin Riley and Matt Olson both followed up with 2-out walks, resulting in a mound visit from pitching coach Derek Johnson. Whatever was said wasn’t executed as Sean Murphy and Marcell Ozuna both followed with RBI singles to make it 3-0. Stoudt then walked Eddie Rosario to load the bases. Orlando Arcia ended the inning on a soft liner into left field, stranding the bases loaded.
The Reds offense got going in the bottom of the inning. Matt McLain led off the inning with a double and then scored when Spencer Steer followed with a double of his own. Steer moved over to third on a ground out and Joey Votto walked with two outs to put runners on the corners for Will Benson, but he struck out to end the inning.
Randy Wynne, who was called up an hour prior to game time from Triple-A Louisville, took over in the top of the 4th. It was the big league debut for the 30-year-old right hander. He worked around a 1-out double by Ronald Acuna Jr. to get through his first inning unscathed.
Cincinnati got back to work at the plate in the bottom of the 4th when Tyler Stephenson and Nick Senzel both singled to lead off the inning. They moved up a base when TJ Friedl laid down a bunt. Matt McLain then doubled them both in to tie the game up at 3-3.
Wynne returned for the top of the 5th inning and worked around a single and a walk to toss another shutout inning. In the top of the 6th he would get Michael Harris II to line out before giving up a double. That would be his final batter faced and the call went to the bullpen to bring in Ian Gibaut. He’d strike out Ozzie Albies, but then walk Austin Riley. That set up Matt Olson to hit an 0-2 fastball that was up and out of the zone up and out of the park for a go-ahead 3-run homer.
Gibaut returned for the 7th inning and allowed two baserunners, while also recording two outs, before being replaced by Buck Farmer. He came in to face Ronald Acuna Jr. with runners on the corners and needed just two pitches to induce a weak grounder back to himself that he flipped over to first to end the inning.
Matt McLain led off the 7th inning with a 406-foot solo home run to cut the lead for Atlanta to 6-4. Spencer Steer walked, but the next two batters were retired. That led to a pitching change with the Braves bringing in lefty A.J. Minter to face Joey Votto with two outs. David Bell countered by bringing Jonathan India off of the bench to pinch hit. India would work a full count but he took a breaking ball on the outside corner for strike three to end the inning.
Farmer would return for the top of the 8th inning and he’d allow the first two runners of the inning to reach. David Bell then walked out to the mound and called on Alexis Diaz to come in and try to get out of the jam and keep the Reds within striking distance. He got Matt Olson to fly out, but then he walked back-to-back batters to bring in a run and make it 7-4. Diaz would come back and get a strikeout and a ground out to end the inning, but the Braves were able to tack on an insurance run.
Kevin Newman began the 8th inning by coming off of the bench to pinch hit for Will Benson and drew a walk. Tyler Stephenson hit the ball hard to follow, but it was caught on the warning track in right and Newman was unable to advance on the play. TJ Friedl would draw a 2-out walk and that led to a pitching change for Atlanta to bring in a righty to face Matt McLain and the move failed as McLain doubled off of the wall in left-center to bring in two runs and cut the Braves lead to 7-6. Spencer Steer just missed a go-ahead homer, flying out to the warning track in left field to end the inning.
Daniel Duarte was called on to pitch in the 9th inning for the Reds. The rookie got his job done as he sat Atlanta down in order. Raisel Iglesias took over in the bottom of the 9th for the Braves and had to face the middle of the Reds order. Elly De La Cruz struck out, ending his 7-game hitting streak. Jake Fraley followed and he lined a single into center to bring the winning run to the plate. Jonathan India stepped up as the designated hitter after taking over for Joey Votto in the 7th inning as a pinch hitter, and on a full count India flared a ball into shallow right field and Fraley moved over to third base. Kevin Newman battled with Iglesias for an 8-pitch at-bat, but he grounded into a double play to end the game.
Key Moment of the Game
Alexis Diaz walking back-to-back hitters in the 8th inning to bring in the Braves 7th run of the day, which turned out to be the deciding run in the game.
Notes Worth Noting
From Joel Luckhaupt on twitter – Matt McLain is only the second Reds rookie to have four extra-base hits in a game. The other was Chris Sabo on June 18th of 1988.
Matt McLain finished 4-5 on the day. The rookie infielder is now hitting .325/.380/.541 on the season through 37 games played.
Who knows how long it will last, but moving forward Randy Wynne will be referred to as a big leaguer. That’s awesome. He was undrafted and was 26-years-old before a big league team even signed him to a minor league contract (that team was the Reds).
Atlanta and Cincinnati won’t play again unless it’s in the postseason. Atlanta won five of the six games. All six games were decided by one run.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Baltimore Orioles
Monday June 26th, 7:05pm ET
Brandon Williamson (1-0, 5.40 ERA) vs Cole Irvin (1-3, 7.71 ERA)
I just can’t believe that India never tried to steal at all. I don’t think inhave ever been this frustrated with a Bell decision, and that is saying something. We went away from our always aggressive approach to a wait and see what Newman can do. It makes zero sense. That game was there to win and we changed or approach and went timid.
India not stealing was most likely NOT a Bell decision, but an India decision. India should have attempted, but if I had to wager a guess, he never got in a position where he felt good enough to go. The players are not robots.
The third base can give the steal sign. Baseball has been played that way for a long time. It’s not only up to the player.
Third base coach*
@Larkin, at that point in the game, NO manager is going to tell a guy to steal no matter what. The sign would have been steal if you can get a good jump. In other words go, but DO NOT get out. This isn’t little league.
At that point in the game is exactly when a manager should tell a guy to steal. If you gave the steal sign to India, he should have found a spot to steal at some point during that 8 pitch at bat.
He has a hurt ankle if you remember, that probably plays into this decision not to run and his slump
Agree Datdudejs, I think India is not 100%!
This team is good and nobody wants to sit for fear of losing their job.
Literally one pitch I either side away from winning this series against the best team in the league. Get some pitching and let this group win.
They have the pitching. The pitching is hurt. I team keeps an entire starting line up in reserve. Man, our expectations are crazy high. Just enjoy the this team and be encouraging.
No team*.
(Please get an edit button!). Thanks
I’m not sold on “See? The Reds can’t compete with the good teams.” Take a look at that series, and you’ll notice that they DID compete. Each run was decided by one run, and a few inches here or there could have made it a series win (just as a few inches here or there could have made it an Atlanta sweep). Point being, the Reds hung in against a very, VERY good ball team. That said, pitching is a bugaboo that can’t be overlooked. Whatever strategy the front office wants to take, they need to buckle down on it.
I don’t see or hear many people saying the Reds can’t compete with the good teams
based on this series, except for trolls who are usually Pirate fans. How could this series not be regarded as competitive ? Braves fans have tweeted about how exciting the Reds are to watch and how it’s good for baseball for the Reds to have a good team.
Was texting with friends in Atlanta during all three games. They were VERY impressed with the young talent on this team and unwillingness to ever give in or give up but battle all the way through to the end. From where this team was in April to now is something for Reds fans to be excited and proud of. Sadly, at least on this thread, I see a whole lot of complaining. I’m just enjoying the fact that this team is actually relevant and fun to watch for the first time in years. If Lodolo and Greene can come back healthy and effective, watch out.
May have lost 2 of 3 to the best team in the league, but battled to the last out every game, just falling short. Perhaps another half season of maturing as players and the results will be reversed.
Had nothing to do with maturity. Had everything to do with starting in a HUGE hole every game due to horrible starting pitching. Wouldn’t hurt to have another top notch reliever as well.
Weaknesses exposed: Timidity, when aggressiveness might have changed the course of the game, e.g. India and Fraley attempting a steal. Aggressiveness nullified. In dire need of a reliable starter. In the meantime, CES in Louisville, no hope of ever tying or pulling out a game late with a weak hitting bench…
You cannot look at one play and say that the Reds are playing timid. They have like double the steals of any team in baseball in June. Just plain silly.
Agreed. The Reds lead the NL in stolen bases and Fangraphs has them as the best base base runnning team in baseball.
Exactly my point. You keep doing in what you are excelling. As stated: The Reds, double the steals of any team in baseball in June. You keep the pressure on the defense, pitcher, catcher, etc. It’s a calculated risk by putting the runners in motion, with a hitter that will put the ball in play who doesn’t possess above average running speed to mitigate a game ending double play.
They have over half their wins coming from behind. I believe it is first or second in the league depending on the day. Seems to disprove your statement.
Good game. Would have been better if we’d won. 🙂
Great series by the Reds and until they can get the pitching to match the hitting they must continue to be aggressive on the bases in order to have a chance to stay in games and win games.Its what they do and must not stop.I didn’t like the game ending DP because I felt they should have ran India to try and stay out of it.Also didn’t care for the 3 run homer on a 0-2 pitch nor didn’t like Diaz in just to keep it close.Lots not to like as there always is when we lose but what not to like about this team and how they play the game each and every day.Could have swept the Braves or could have been swept.Three very hard fought one run games.GO REDS
The 3 run HR on an 0-2 count was on a fastball that was well above the strike zone and on the outside part of the plate. Olson is a beast.
Let’s get a starting pitching staff that isn’t best described as “incendiary” and we will looking good…
As much as I like this team, they play hard and have talent, but do have some short comings. The starting pitching is a major problem and Bell’s strange moves will continue to hols this team back. He is a great example of some one who has most likely reached his peak as a manager. I will give him a lot of credit for taking this young bunch to where they are but he doesn’t have the knowledge or the stones to take this bunch to the next level. There is no way sweet Lou in 1990 would not have sent India. Sometimes you have to push the button, and not sit and hope, which is what Bell did today.
People need to realize something. Just before Bell got here, the Reds had 4 straight 5th place finishes in the division, preceeded by a 3rd and 4th place. The Reds were a team that no competent manager would go to.
Also, Papa Bob didn’t want to pay for a competent manager. So, we got Bell on the cheap, someone who has never managed in the big leagues before.
And, people will get on here actually defending Bell and his decisions? He probably shouldn’t be in the league in the first place.
The only I will give Bell, the players seem to enjoy playing for him. But, that can also say something about the players as well.
@ Steve
As much crap as we all throw at David Bell, I think he is a low key guy, and the players respond to a guy who is not constantly riding them about stuff.
Some managers DO that, and it wears on the players. A manager can be demanding without demeaning his players. Bell is not a shouter, but I do think the players generally respect him, as he lets them play and tries to stay positive when things have been pretty bleak the last couple of years.
Because, of course, you know more about managing a team than a big league manager does. If you must assign blame, start with Diaz walking in what proved to be the winning run. Then move on to EDLC, 0-5 including situations with runners on base. I don’t see in any point in blaming them because it’s baseball and pretty much anything a player tries to do is directly opposed by a talented athlete on the other team doing everything he can to stop him.
Does anyone really have faith that Krall will be able to pull off a couple trades to strengthen the disaster of a rotation? Look at what he’s done the almost three years he’s been GM. He’s made many trades to dump salary and acquire minor league talent. But his track record of acquisitions for the Major League roster is horrendous. Off the top of my head, these have included names such as Strickland, Moran, Minor, Myers, Maile, Newman, and I’m sure others I’ve forgotten about. Virtually zero of his roster additions have been an improvement. Granted, he’s had a tiny budget, but still…
His trades brought in Steer, CES, and other prospects.
Krall gets handicapped from Castellini not giving any payroll.
He traded ace SP Luis Castillo, very good SP Sonny Gray, and good SP Tyler Mahle to get them.
(Quoting Bob Howsam in 1971) You can’t trade a bucket of ashes for a bucket of coal.
Maile and Newman have both contributed. You can’t trade for talented players unless you have players of equivalent value to offer and a GM on another team who likes the deal.
Wow…the sheer idiocy is astounding. I just can’t…
The consistent Bell-bashing is getting beyond old. Some would have us believe the Reds came into this season as overwhelming favorites to win WS title, and that David Bell is all that’s holding the team back.
So friggin true KYWHI
And I am not a Bell lover!!!
Same here. I’m no Bell lover, either, but I’m able to enjoy the unanticipated success of this team and what it holds for the future without blaming the manager for every thing that goes wrong.
Exactly, Kywhi. Bell and Nick Krall have re-engineered this franschise into one stocked with young talent that plays hard and plays together. None of us can do that. None of us would even come close. So it doesn’t matter that one of us might make one tactical decision better than Bell – we never get that chance because we can’t reengineer and empower an entire team. But what we can (and should) do is be positive and encouraging.
Bell had literally nothing to do with the re-engineering.
You give Bell way too much credit. You need to remember. . .
Before Bell got here, the Reds had 4 straight seasons finishing 5th in the division, preceeded by a 3rd and 4th place. In short, no competent manager worth their money would consider coming to the Reds.
So, the Reds went cheap and got a manager who has never managed a team before.
Before the Reds fired him, the Reds had one of the best MLB managers in Dusty Baker, They replaced him with Bryan Price, who had never managed at ANY level (and hasn’t since).
You and the other guys who can’t get beyond Bell-is-the-ruination-of-the-team are the ones giving him too much credit, You seem to imagine that the decisions you would make would succeed, and I know it’s great fun to think that All the more so because it’s safely unprovable. You were largely muted during the twelve game winning streak (something that Sparky, with all of the talent of the BRM didn’t achieve), but after two closely contested losses against the league’s best team, you’re right back at it. I guess fun is where you find it, huh?
Whine whine whine, and never a suggestion of who should be the replacement manager. They’ll do all the same things Bell does and the cycle will start anew. Glad i can at least enjoy a fun team without constantly holding on to old tired gripes. Someone said the bench is full of platoon players, but so is every other team, i guess their solution is to have no bench and zero depth.
Good luck changing the built-in narrative, “David Bell sucks” is literally 90% of this entire website traffic.
And ‘bring up CES’ is the other 90%.
With a healthy dose of “sanctimonious know-it-alls” mixed in.
*raises hand*
A brush, Harry, that can paint many.
McLain is awesome. As well as McLain, De La Cruz and others have done since being called up it’s really kind of unbelievable that CES hasn’t made it yet especially since he’s outhit all of them. I’m afraid he’s getting bored down there. He’s done everything they’ve asked of him and more. There are ways of getting him in the lineup. Make it happen. We lost by one run two nights in a row. It’s just quite possible he could have made the difference.
I am starting to think Casali is slipping some defensively and offensively he is a zero. Might make sense to finally go to two catchers soon to open up a roster spot for CES to come up as the semi full time DH.
Casali had, as of yesterday, a .364 OBP for the month of June. I was actually struck today by how much difficulty Stephenson has holding onto to pitches when a runner is stealing.
Its quite possible he doesnt too, yeah? Not your narrative so of course that holds no water. Just easy to say arguments with zero consideration that its actually a bit outlandish. Votto’s already contributed heavily to two wins, are you also subtracting his contributions too?
And if hes getting all mopey and bored because he isnt getting called up then trade him now, i dont want that kind of attitude on my team.
It’s not about attitude it’s about natural tendencies. Put yourself in his spot. He needs motivation to keep improving. He’s mostly proved everything he can prove in AAA.
What he needs to do is shut up and play ball while patiently waiting for a spot to open up if hes having these “natural tendencies”. FTR i dont think hes moping around at all.
2020ball – He’s not saying anything negative at all as far as I know. lol I’m just saying he should be up in the majors for his sake as well as the Reds. 🙂 There ARE spots if they want to use them.
Cut casali and im happy to have him, but there isnt playing time for him so if the Reds choose this route im fine with it. The offense isnt the problem.
He’d be up if it weren’t for Votto. So, they’ve got to keep playing Steer at third to make room for CES.
The Reds can finally score some runs. Unfortunately, just not as many as they give up. Are they better than they were in April? Without question. The Reds bench needs work. Too many platoon guys, Benson, Fraley. Newman against a RHer isn’t where you want to be. But, Maile & Casali were the other options. Down one run and playing cautiously isn’t optimal. Bell needed to be more aggressive. Until Castellini spends some money, this is where the Reds are. No, while they played well during this streak, they aren’t ready for the post season.
I think you’ve got Fraley switched on that, vato.
Fraley has been bashing RHs.
Same with Benson. Sort of.
LHs give those two problems.
Of course they’re ready for the post-season.
I realize that’s a rhetorical device, but with a healthy Greene and Lodolo who knows how this series would have went?
Are you prepared to say “Now they’re ready?” at some point?
Well, by then it would be self evident and you’re insight wouldn’t be needed.
The Reds didn’t score any runs in their last playoff appearance.
Was that team ‘ready’?
They were no-hit in Philadelphia in the playoffs.
Was that team ready?
Even in the incomplete state the team is in now, neither of those events will happen again should the current good play plus good fortune minus David Bell continue.
If you have trouble w Fraley hitting 24 hrs and driving in 100 while platooning, I have. CES that I’d like to sell you.
K-Child isn’t the alternative no matter how much his stats get cherry picked.
Yeah Harry I did. And said bad words once I hit submit. Regarding platoons, a team that only carries 13 batters, as most do, can’t organize around one sided batters, especially carrying 3 catchers. It leaves them vulnerable to alternating handedness by the opposing manager. As we have seen more than once, Bell blows out his bench and isn’t left with options. They need to focus more on players that bat regardless of the pitcher. They don’t have that. Friedl, Fairchild, McLean had good L/R splits. Even EDLC isn’t hitting LHers yet. India isn’t right now though has in the past. And they need pitching badly. I’m losing faith in Ashcraft. Hope he bounces but it’s shaky right now.
No, the bench isn’t the problem (if there is one–they ARE in first place at present). Some of their STARTERS are bench or platoon guys, that’s the issue (again, if there is one–they did just enjoy a 12-game win streak). Stephenson, CES, McLain, Marte, EDLC, and Freidl make up a GREAT core! (Benson is a good 4th outfielder.) But the outfield corners could be improved, could be more powerful. The Reds will probably wait on Hinds and Rodriguez to fill those slots, or maybe Collier and Hendrick. But can you imagine if Krall swung a deal for Adell (24) and Cabbage (26) from the Angels, two guys blocked from coming up, each with over 20 homers, both hitting over .280.
Bell stinks, Newman stinks, Senzel stinks , McLain stinks,India stinks, Fraley stinks, Benson stinks, The whole pitching staff stinks, Maile stinks, Casali stinks, Stephenson stinks, waterboy stinks , announcers stink, Batboy stinks, heck I stink. I need a break from this stink. I’m not sure anybody is liked.
What about Friedl? 😉
Friedl doesn’t stink.
OMG thats good. Everybody stinks. We should all just not watch another game, ever!
Who doesn’t like:
McLain?
India?
Benson?
Greene?
Diaz?
Stephenson?
Maile?
The Waterboy?
All this “everybody stinks!” hyperbole kinda stinks, though.
Your comment flat out stinks, JB! Lol
+1
Wow, quite a tantrum! Were you rolling around on the floor kicking your legs and flailing your arms before (or was it after) this post? What are you upset about exactly? The Reds losing 5 of 6 against the team many think will win the NL pennant, and losing those 5 games by only one run? I’d say we learned a lot about this Reds team by those one-run loses: they can already play with the big boys, even though their rotation is hobbled. That’s something to be very pleased with and excited about. NOBODY would have thought this team would be doing so well this early in the rebuilding process. But, yes, there is room for improvement.
By the way poor Diaz is getting worn out. Can anybody say Ch……? 😉
All three games were decided by one run against the league’s best team, that’s a lot to say considering Reds pitching and Bell’s own limitations.
Absolutely! That was a great match-up. The Braves have a heck of a team. The could be our arch-nemesis in the NL for the next several years. They have tremendous talent.
Our Reds played hard and fought every inning. Its such a far cry from the last several years where when we got down, the game was pretty much over. We are going to be fine. Thankfully we don’t play the Braves again. But we need more pitching to keep playing above .500 ball. The bullpen can’t sustain its pace of innings pitched. Hopefully Greene is fine and Lodolo gets healed. Ashcraft needs to be demoted to work on things.
Chapman. I hope the GM brings him to Cincinnati. The Reds can make the playoffs, but without pitching help, the Cubs will win this division. The Reds need to add a good starting pitcher in the next week. Do not wait until the end of July. This team can win this division if they bring in about three good pitchers. Atleast a starter and reliever, but I would like to see two starters and a reliever. The starters just need to be rentals. However, it would be better to see one that signs an extension like Gray.
Should’ve won that one, but Atlanta can obviously mash the ball. I’d just try not to let their hottest guys beat us like Olsen did all weekend.
Have to just move on hope our lefties can pitch good games. Hard to believe they’re sticking with Weaver, but don’t have many choices left. Stoudt ran out of gas quickly, but he’s got a live arm and an idea how to pitch. If we can HG back for the 9 Milwaukee games in July then I like our chances to get 5-6 and stay in this til the end.
Olsen has been impressive not only this weekend but all the season.
Well, today was the third game I’ve attended this season. The Reds are 0-3 in those games. Sorry everyone.
As much as I love the Reds and being at GABP, I’ll just watch at home from now on.
Reds lost season series vs Braves 5-1. All those games by 1 run difference.
I think the Braves is a legit WS contender with plenty of talent already matured, they were on our pitchers in every inning (they have done the same vs Mets, Phillies, etc despite these have better or more experienced personnel than Cinci) while Reds have a ton of talent.. still in development.
Hopefully, with some luck, we couldsee a new Reds vs Braves match in the playoffs…
Need to calm down a bit … and re-group as fast as it can be since the next series is also a challenge (Oriols)
The big hit in the game for the Braves was Matt Olson, hitting a 3 run homer the opposite way (to left field) on a fast ball that was actually up and out of the strike zone. That took a 3-3 tie and made it 6-3 Braves.
You have to give Olson some props (tied for league lead in HR) for basically hitting a bad ball out of the part. I saw Anthony Rizzo do that to the Reds once years ago when he was with the Cubs.
I think the ball that McLain hit for a HR was also up and out of the strike zone.
I’ll give him his props, but at the same time that was the fourth straight fastball in the sequence. *facepalm*
He got ahead with two pitches up and in, then tried to go up and away. Needed to be up and in again or down and away. Olson had already shown he can hit the up and away pitch out to LF.
CES not in the lineup today. Probably just a day off but we can hope. 🙂
Every contending team will be looking for pitching before the trade deadline. Teams that may be willing to trade some of their pitching will be looking for prospects in return. Here are a few pitchers that could be available.
STARTERS
1. RH Paul Blackburn (OAK) 25 IP, 30 K, 4.21 ERA
2. LH JP Sears (OAK) 83 IP, 80 K, 4.10 ERA
3. RH Dylan Cease (CWS) 85 IP, 100 K, 4.22 ERA
4. RH Michael Kopech (CWS) 82 IP, 94 K, 4.06 ERA
RELIEVERS
1. LH Aroldis Chapman (KC) 26 IP, 48 K, 2.73 ERA
2. LH Austin Cox (KC) 12 IP, 13 K, 0.00 ERA
3. LH Sam Long (OAK) 29 IP, 21 K, 3.03 ERA
4. LH Tyler Holton (DET) 40 IP, 33 K, 2.03 ERA
All of these pitchers are controllable beyond this year except Chapman.
Nice synopsis.
I think it’s important that if they acquire a guy that he has some control left.
They have to think about next year’s SPs too. Hopefully Krall can pick the correct guy and the correct prospect to swap.
The White Sox guys intrigue me the most, but they probably think they are still alive for the AL Central.
If you require they have more control left, that means more prospects.
Not necessarily more, but 1 of higher quality.
I wouldn’t trade a high quality prospect for a rental though.
I can’t help but notice CES is not in the louisville lineup. Hopefully, that means he is on the way to Baltimore.
So who gets sent out if that is the case?
We’re back to the “Benson or a catcher?” quandary..
I still think krall will stay with the overall plan for this year of building for an extended window, but I think he will sprinkle in a few moves aimed at helping us compete for a division this year. I say that to say, I think both Newman and senzel will be moved befire the deadline, if not sooner. I also could see Maile or casali being moved for a low level lottery ticket.
Until a move I don’t see CES up, but a guy can hope.
Newman and Senzel both have options remaining. Or a catcher could be DFAed or traded.
Benson is one of three OF on the Reds now. CES is INF.
Hard to imagine Newman or Senzel being optioned.
They are both somewhat productive and meet Bell’s “multi-positional mediocrity” criterion.
I agree, CES is going to have to twist in the wind until an injury or trade opens up some space.
Or until 2024.
Newman or Senzel won’t bring much in a trade, and I’d be amazed if either were at the deadline. Krall will have worked wonders.
Lucky to get a Rookie Davis or a Whoever-It-Was-For-Barnhart-Or-Iglesias.
But as the Myers and Moose unloads show, there’s addition by subtraction.
I’m not a Newman hater, any more than I was a K Farmer hater.
Both have been ‘fine’.
Neither will be missed.
Where would he play on this team?
Has to be mostly everyday DH with a little 1st base mixed in
I’d rather have CES in the lineup over Senzel, Benson, Newman, Maile, Casali. Stephenson is just going to have to catch more to give us our best chance and just sit when he doesn’t. If it was the only way I’d rather have CES in LF or RF. David Bell loves to mix and match. Now is the time to do it. Plenty of playing time if it’s done right. For example in today’s lineup without India getting a day off something like this would have worked.
India 2B
Friedl CF
McLain SS
EDLC 3B
CES 1B
Votto Dh
Fraley RF
Steer LF
Stephenson C
Senzel, Maile, Newman, Casali, Benson etc. Someone is going to have to go/traded. None of these guys are as good as CES and shouldn’t be blocking him from making our lineup better. Losing by one run both games is not cool considering CES could have possibly made the difference. He’s that good.
Wheres Benson?
Bench a guy with a 1.000+ OPS the past month, genius. So much smarter than Bell and Krall.
Blows my mind people will shout for a guy and then replace a guy who’s crushing it and think that new guy would win them two games vs one of baseballs best teams by himself. I truly dont understand it.
3B/DH When EDLC is playing SS, CES to 3B, otherwise DH
@Melvin, you got about the same vision for the lineup as I do. The only changes I’d make to that are flop Steer/Fraley in the batting order to maintain L/R alternation, and I’d juggle the 4-6 defensive spots to be 2B McLain, 3B India, and SS De La Cruz. Then next season, assuming Votto not back we have Benson, Fairchild, and perhaps Marte or Hopkins to work in the mix to back fill the open spot.
CES doesn’t need a platoon partner like Benson does 2020ball. Benson has had some good games and he’s a valuable bench piece on a good offensive team if he doesn’t get traded. He’s not however in the same league as CES.
How do you know? Just assumptions abound, now we are benching guys because they have to be easily platooned. Saying hes a platoon target doesnt mean anything to me, it sounds like youre saying he’s performing. Just scratching for stuff to complain about as usual.
A little voice in the back of my mind (well, not anymore, obviously) suggests caution before we get rid of players that CES could replace. He’s probably–hopefully–as good as everybody says, but he hasn’t played a single MLB game yet.
2020ball – Having a bad day per chance? 🙂 Just expressing my opinions like everyone else does on here and most certainly including you. This is a site that allows comments remember? ( I think I got that right lol). 😀
greenmtred – I wouldn’t say getting rid of. Just replacing in the starting lineup. Good teams have strong benches. Given the fact that CES has pretty much outhit or at least come close to outhitting McLain and EDLC, and considering the fact that they are both doing very well in the majors already, I’m very comfortable in saying saying CES will most likely be very good up with the big boys. He did have a great ST too. 🙂
My days fine thank you, just tired of poorly thought out comments about a good team is all. Same ol armchair managers, not willing to think deeper into what theyre arguing.
If its how theyre hitting youre so concerned about, Bensons nearly outhit all four this month. But ignore that if it fits your argument i guess.
Strike that he HAS outhit all four. Let that sink in for a second, you might be suppressing one of the teams best hitters just because hes been platooned. Sounds like Bell and the team are doing something right.
Frustrating loss! I’m a riverboat gambler by nature! I would have liked to seen a steal attempt by India to stay out of the double play! And I don’t understand Bell’s decision to use Diaz in a game that was not tied or the Reds were leading! Now, Diaz is not available for the first game of the Baltimore series! I hope that decision does not come back to haunt the Reds!
It’s not that hard: late in a close game, the top of the other team’s order due up. The Reds lead baseball in come-from-behind wins, but even the Reds have a hard time doing that if they’re 4 or 5 runs behind late in the game, so you bring in your best to face their best. Sometimes you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you.
I’m totally on board with what greenmtred said. Your best pitcher vs their best hitters at the most crucial part of the game. I do have one caveat to that though: is this something that the staff has made him aware of so he’s mentally prepared for it.
To this point he’s really been treated as that 9th inning guy. More than any other role that kind of closer relies on routine and mental preparedness. I feel like those guys start getting themselves psyched up in the fourth or fifth inning of a close game to do their thing. If this was sprung on him at the last minute it could have contributed to his struggles.
I felt this way a few days ago in the game where Legumina turned the 8-2 game into an 8-5 save situation. I was hoping they’d bring somebody else in to close that game out. The reason why is that Diaz was probably reading that game as a blowout, kind of checking out thinking he would have the day off, drinking pina coladas in the bullpen. When that turned out suddenly to not be the case I don’t think he had the time to get back in that mental mindset. Sure enough he struggles, threw a bunch of pitches and gave up some runs.
I get it. It’s his job and he needs to be ready to pitch whenever he’s needed. He’s so talented he can get away with it most of the time. But I just want to make sure that he’s at his most effective and if his role is going to be a little different he may have to change his approach and preparation a little bit.
Good point. Diaz has been used in non-closer, high leverage situations a few times earlier (to much scorn and disapproval from some corners), but not in a while.
I wonder if a team has ever been in 1st place at the halfway point with starting pitching as bad as ours? I highly doubt it.
They’re still streaking though…8 in a row on the road.
Here’s a dumb question, and I don’t care: Has anyone ever considered expanding the fences at GABP? By even ten lousy feet? I could hit a homer in that park. Some of the Braves were taking half swings and out it went. Geez.
It’s not dumb. Several of us have brought this up. 10-20 feet in right field would be nice. Take a look at Camden Yards tonight when they play the Orioles. That was a 35 foot move I believe.
Braves best team in NL and beat the Reds. But, it was a 12 round TKO, not a 2nd round knock out. Reds need to see what they have. The good news is Steer and Abbott and EDLC and bullpen is exceeding expectations. Starting pitching….I have no idea. Too many comments on one at bat or one base-running negative or one managerial move or one outfield play as if that decided the game. ITS STARTING PITCHING. It s not Jake Fraley diving for a ball that went for a triple. This just in…he hits righties at an elite level in all of MLB. It’s not Benson or another good young player taking strike 3 or swinging at a bad pitch.
Who is the reds Rookie of the year. Steer hits it hard. EDLC is a freak. Abbott is amazing. That said, Matt McLain is becoming the second iteration of Barry Larkin and thats big news. He does everything and plays in the middle of the infield. Biggest story of this rookie class.
MATT McLAIN!!!!!
170 + PA is starting to move out of the “small sample size” territory.
The day of sure seemed to help.
What a way to break out of a little slump.
Seeing teams and pitchers for a second time will be a future test.
+1000000, Old-school.
The thing is, when you play as a team, especially when one area like starting pitching is struggling so much, a “team” has to make sure they do all the little things right. Sure, not any single one of them would probably cost them the game. But, get several of them in combination, it could end up making the difference between winning and losing. Or, even just one of them could do that.
The players are obviously stepping up. The FO has to step up and find some pitching. The coaching has to step up. Like that case in the 9th, stay away from the double play.
It’s not always the big things that win games. At times, it’s the small things, also.
After an incredible win on Friday, it’s tough to lose the series to the Braves. Of the 13 games remaining before the All Star break, 9 are with good teams plus 4 against the Nationals who aren’t pushovers at home. Krall is not going to let the excitement fade. However he does it, I think Encarnacion-Strand will soon be called up. Losing one-run games cannot continue with only half the season in the books.
Headed to Baltimore then s week from Southern Illinois. Looks like tomorrow’s game might be iffy. Since all three are night games, a double header shouldn’t be too hard to get in. Going to bring home some winners.
Proud of the Reds….they played a tough series against the best team in the NL. Fought every step of the way down to the last out in each game and could have won all 3! I’m torn, I want them to improve the pitching. I don’t want them to abandon and start trading off some of the top prospects in the org. Is it possible to get REAL pitching help without doing that?
I keep wondering how much they’d have to give up to get Chapman. I’m not willing to give up any thing of real value in the minors for Chapman for 3 months, but if it’s basically paying his remaining salary and just an above average player down in A or AA I would be for that. No idea what KC would want or what the market for him would be.
Trade simulator says it’s exactly even value Chapman for Acosta and Siani. Have to say that’s intriguing.
That said, have to believe KC will want, and get, more. The money is not an issue since it’s minima; they’ll want better prospects.
It is intriguing. I remind myself, though, that Chapman wouldn’t pitch every game; more like one or two innings a few games a week. Still helpful, but if the starters continue to lose it after 4 or 5 innings, he, along with the rest of the pen, will get worn out.
Optimist, Acosta and Siani for Chap? That’s it? I’d do that deal yesterday!
I think it was with about 100 games left that I guessed the Reds would need 36+ starts from AA & HG combined and go atleast 25-11 in those starts. I think the Reds are 4-0 since then, but of course HG went back on the IL. Who knows with HG, but I’m penciling AA in for 15 more starts with the Reds winning 10 of those. That would put them 9 games over .500 which shouldn’t be too far away in the NL Central. 9 with Milwaukee in July and Bell needs to line up AA for 3 of those. He matches up well with them. I don’t see any scenario where they can lose AA or keep losing HG starts and hang around. Our offense and bullpen can only do so much
How many innings will Abbott be allowed to pitch this year?
Last year it was 118.
77.2 so far this year.
15 starts at 6 innings per would put him at 167.
Of course not all starts will be 6 innings, but you get the picture. He’s going to run out of innings (if they limit him, like every other MLB team does) before the season ends, not to mention any post season.
Cathartic. That’s how I’d describe the weekend. Save for 3 seasons a decade ago this franchise has been terrible for 2 generations. What a beautiful sight to see that Cincinnati is still a baseball town. Through no fault of their own the fans had that joy taken from them, but when given the opportunity to support a real team, they responded wholeheartedly.
Other thoughts:
—-stunned to say the least to see Votto being pinch hit for. Good on him for going along.
—-certainly India should have attempted a steal in the 9th, but for me to not squeeze home that tying run was malpractice. It smacked of managing for the player instead of the team.
—as I’ve said before, Senzel is the least instinctual player I’ve ever seen.
—buckle up, because the modus operandi until August will be two outslug opponents!
I was in favor of the safety squeeze with Newman in the 9th. I didn’t hear the post game show, so I don’t know if Bell was asked about it….and if he was asked did it cross his mind or not? Seemed like the perfect opportunity for it, assuming Newman is a decent bunter, get the run in and move the winning run to 2nd without much risk compared to hitting away.
And we don’t know that Newman is a decent bunter. Bunting has been a skill in decline since the advent of the analytics era. That might begin to change now that the rules make small ball relevant again.
What? You mean the manager actually having the players play to a stretegy other than just “Hit ball, go run. Hit ball, go run”? Of course, just another one of Bell’s inadequacies.
The Reds advance runners through steals and aggressive baserunning as well as any team in baseball. Sounds like strategy to me. Somebody pointed out above that India recently had an ankle injury and, take it to the bank, if India had been caught stealing, or a safety squeeze hadn’t worked, that would have added to the bill of grievances against Bell.
Votto has never gotten a hit off of AJ Minter, and looked awful against him on Saturday.
Newman has no hits off Minter, either.
India batted for Votto, not Newman.
The Reds might have been hesitant to try any sort of base running action, either the safety squeeze or India going down to 2nd, due to the guy on 3B, Fraley, not being a particularly good base running decision maker.
On a safety squeeze, the runner from 3B has to get a good secondary lead without tipping the play or getting caught off if the pitch is not bunted. If the ball is put in play, he then has to make a quick correct decision whether to come home or stay at 3B.
India represented the potential winning run. If he had taken off for 2nd, there is no guarantee Atlanta would not have tried to throw him out at 2B. This would have also put Fraley in the middle of a tough situation requiring a correct snap decision.
If my memory serves me right I believe Newman has laid down a good bunt previously this year. As has been pointed out even if the safety squeeze had not worked throwing out the runner at Home we’d still have a guy in scoring position on 2B. Got to learn and move forward. Not likely a bunt would have turned into a double play.
Maybe, Melvin. But one good bunt doth not a bunter make.
One good bunt means you try it again in that situation to stay out of a double play. 🙂
For your answer to have persuaded me, Melvin, it would have to have been rendered in Renaissance English. I only saw parts of the game (not why they lost), so didn’t witness the play in question.
This team is super-entertaining to watch. Not exactly breaking news, but it’s all going to come down to getting starting pitchers either back to health or from other teams in trades. We’ll know by mid- to late July just what this team’s chances are. There’s no doubt in my mind that this team, if all of the position players stay healthy, will win this division with even decent starting pitching. If it’s clear by the middle of next month that this team is near the top of the NL heap, I think you have to consider trading one of the top “prospects” (NOT CES, Phillips or Richardson) for a starting pitcher. Where are minor league position players going to play on this team as currently constructed, which is likely to stay intact for at least a couple more seasons?
I have to agree. Krall may be trying to wait till the AS break. I believe a lot of the execs meet there, making plans, etc.
If we pull the trigger, we have to assume we are going to give up some prospects. Decide which prospects you are willing to commit to, then “Fish and cut bait” with “some” of the others. Which ones to “fish and cut bait with”? Any of them who are blocked in front of them. I wouldn’t worry so much about that moving IFers to OF, moving OFers to the IF, etc. Just send them on. If we are going to worry about “now”, we don’t have to be worrying about “the future once our youngsters move on”.
I agree with you, Tom. To me the untouchable prospects are CES, Marte, Petty, Phillips and Hubbart. Arroyo and Collier are expendable because they are blocked at the major league level. Use them as trade bait to acquire starting pitching and a LH’ed reliver.
I would love to see them target Brent Suter and Aaron Civale. That is assuming they decide to try to stay competitive the rest of this season. Unfortunately the starting pitching is not going to improve any time soon, as the Reds have announced that Hunter Greene will be out until sometime in August.
Ultimately my guess is that the team will stand pat and hope for the best.
The offense is getting very close – still some fundamental boo-boos, and without seeing the games, the defense doesn’t seem air-tight. But, again, very close and well set for the off-season and next year.
The pitching, though . . . There’s talent as shown in Ron’s list above, and it should not cost much. But getting through this season, and the decisions to make over the winter will be demanding.
No one has mentioned this but the Braves tan with impunity on Stephenson. For the second time this series (or at least recently) he had a bad transfer from his mitt and didn’t even get a throw off. He had a pass ball today to on a throw that he could have easily blocked.
I’m very concerned about his long term future bc I don’t see it behind the dish. I think Vegas was a catcher, perhaps he can speak more to it.
Ran with …
Sorry
Yep, I’ve never been a fan of him defensively behind the plate and the passed ball today was on a very easy to catch curveball from Wynne that was just misjudged and hit his glove…not good. No faith at all in cutting base stealers down.
Personally I’m still willing to give Stephenson a pass, when it comes to being his best, for the entire year considering his injury last year.
Well! What a novel idea! Stephenson’s defensive difficulties are, as is everything else that goes wrong, Bell’s fault.
I believe with Stephenson, one thing that has hurt him defensively has been how much Bell has been having him DH. From what I remember, he came up more as a defensive catcher. But, this year, with the DH, he has played C in only half the games. So, he probably isn’t as use to playing it, I mean the nuances of the game.
Like with that transfer someone suggested on his throws, that’s something that needs to be kept up. You just can’t take a week off and it will still be there.
Now, I will agree that if we aren’t going to use him for most the games as a C, or have him switch to another position, like there was talk moving him to first base last year, after Votto left, then let him go. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the same as Senzel. Senzel came up as an IF. The Reds wanted him to play OF for the big club. Senzel agreed to learn it at that point. He’s gotten injured every year playing the OF. We should have set Senzel as an IF, like we were, and let him stay. “But, we had India turn up.” Then trade Senzel or India off.
Set a position for Tyler, C, 1st, or DH, and keep him there, so he can concentrate on those positions.
Please stop with the “Senzel only gets injured in the OF” talk.
Senzel missed the 2nd half of 2018 in AAA due to a fractured finger he got while diving for a grounder playing 2B. He then later missed most all of the 2021 season with the Reds recovering from a knee injury after being moved from CF to 2B and 3B and became a regular starter in the infield before his injury. So no, contrary to popular opinion, he does not just get injured playing in the OF.
For me the issue with Stephenson is two pronged; and, we don’t know the answers on either prong of the fork.
Is he not catching more because he is still recovering strength from his shoulder injury and more catching would wear him down too much? Or is he not catching more because his skill level is not what the team wants from an everyday catcher? Then again, is it some combination of both of these areas?
The Reds have done exactly as you suggested, Stephenson has only been used as a catcher or DH for over a month.
The lack of starting depth is glaring. Soon, if not already, the cracks will show in the pen. It’s a good time to be a non-competitive team with pitching that has trade value, and it’s a good time to be basically any pitcher in the Reds farm system above AA, because it looks like you’ll be getting a chance.
It would be nice if moral victories were noted in the standings, but alas…. I am a strong proponent of staying the course and not selling out valuable assets for this year, but I am coming around to the argument that there is real value in making some moves to improve the rotation. One more top shelf starter, and maybe a couple arms for the bullpen could get this team over the top.
One more prediction: Steer and McLain will author ROY worthy campaigns, but ultimately they’ll be overshadowed in the vote by either Corbin Carroll, if the Dbacks keep up their run, or EDLC if the Reds can keep the cinderella magic going. Great time to be a fan.
I really think the P they brought up today Wynneb could be a valuable asset in the bullpen. He apparently can go two or three Innings at a time, so if he could do that twice a week he could take a lot of the strain off the bullpen. Plus he throws with much lower velocity and looks like he throws all four of his pitches for a lot of strikes, so I don’t think it’s likely that he’ll get as worn out due to the way he pitches. Plus it’s a good contrast to how the rest of the other pitchers in the bullpen pitch, he seemed to have the Braves hitters a little off balance for the most part. And he’s 30, so maybe a little less likely to get flustered. I hope they keep him up for at least a couple of weeks to see what he can do
Wynne DFA’d today
Just like last year with the catchers, having to go with catcher #4, 5, and 6, you really can’t be prepared for what happened to the rotation. It was 100% (now 80%) of the opening day rotation is either injured, or gone. Then you have deal with the last man standing (Ashcraft) riding the struggle bus. Cessa gone. Weaver awful. Overton awful.
So hardly any club has that much depth to go what, 12 or 13 deep, and expect even mediocre results.
I’ve got tickets for tomorrow’s game in Baltimore, but the weather doesn’t look great. I’ll be there, hoping for the best and cheering on the Redlegs.
A real nice ballpark, not far from the Baltimore Inner Harbor and near the boyhood home of Babe Ruth. If you like baseball history, well worth a visit.
Camden Yards is a beautiful venue. I got to see a game there years ago.
If the game happens, I’ll have to make a quick trip to Canada in order to watch it (or the UK or Mexico).
Hoping the guys can pick themselves up after the two gut-wrenching losses.
I’m still watching the 10-day forecast for the week of the 4th to see if I want to take the trip to DC.
I’d like to see all the stamps on your passport! Maybe you could snap a pic and upload it? 😉
BTW, the Reds have apparently promoted Noelvi Marte and Connor Phillips to AAA Louisville.
https://www.redsminorleagues.com/2023/06/25/cincinnati-reds-promote-connor-phillips-noelvi-marte-to-triple-a-louisville/
We all saw that coming. But Richardson needs to move up too.
I’ve never watched or kept track of so many minor league games in my life even when the Reds had their AAA team in Indianapolis. 😀
Not often that the Reds can lose a series and my confidence in them grows. But that happened this weekend.
The Braves may be the best in the NL right now, and the Reds went toe-to-toe with them. Yeah, so they didn’t face Fried, Strider or Wright. But the Braves didn’t face Greene, Abbott or Lodolo either.
This stretch against the Braves, Orioles and the Padres will be a measuring stick for how the Reds match up with solid teams. So far, so good.
Question: Is there any way possible I can watch Reds games live in Charlotte, NC?> I have MLB.TV but blocked because I’m within a 500-mile radius. Tried VPN’s but the ones I’ve tried do not work. Thanks for your help.
https://v2.sportsurge.net/list-baseball
This is what I use, as I have the same problem that you have, being in the Nashville area. Too often out Bally’s Ohio gets preempted by some other sports event like WNBA, or UFC, etc.
When I try to follow this link, I get an error message. Thank you.
It’s probably for the best. Sites like that are illegal (they aren’t likely to come after you for using it, but they do tend to try and go after the people running the sites) and are often full of bad-faith ads and malware.
I use express vpn. It works in Johnson City TN. But it only works on my phone or ipad.
Thanks but I should have said I’m willing to pay…
Express VPN didn’t work for my TV…
I keep hoping Bally goes under so that the regional TV stuff goes under and I can actually watch the Reds on TV. I am a 6 hour drive from the stadium and 2 state lines away. How is that regional?? Also, How do they way they want to grow the game while also making it impossible to watch your local team.
That’s just crazy that you can’t watch them. smh
I used Surf Shark, but that was when I was out of the country trying to use the Bally app. I think the same principle applies, it masks your true location, and you select the location that you want your computer to use.
Lefty tonight, I wonder if Newman will bat first. Knowing Bell I bet he does. The team really needs Strand because the line up against lefties is not nearly as strong as it needs to be.
You know Bell from a former life?