After a low-scoring game in the opener that the Reds won 3-2, the two teams get back on the field this morning. Cincinnati will be looking for another win that would guarantee at least a series split, while the Washington Nationals will be looking to even the series up. First pitch is set for 11:05am ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Washington Nationals
|
| Kevin Newman – 1B | Lane Thomas – RF |
| Matt McLain – SS | Luis Garcia – 2B |
| Jonathan India – 2B | Jeimer Candelario – 3B |
| Elly De La Cruz – 3B | Dominic Smith – 1B |
| Spencer Steer – LF | Joey Meneses – DH |
| Tyler Stephenson – DH | Corey Dickerson – LF |
| Nick Senzel – RF | Riley Adams – C |
| TJ Friedl – CF | CJ Abrams – SS |
| Curt Casali – C | Derek Hill – CF |
| Brett Kennedy – RHP | Patrick Corbin – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brett Kennedy (AAA) | 43.2 | 3.71 | 1.35 | 12 | 37 |
| Patrick Corbin | 96.2 | 4.84 | 1.54 | 29 | 66 |
| Links: Brett Kennedy’s Stats | Patrick Corbin’s Stats |
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Brett Kennedy
When 2023 began, Brett Kennedy was pitching for the Long Island Ducks. He signed with Cincinnati in mid-May and then made eight starts and posted a 3.71 ERA for Louisville. Today when he takes the mound he’ll be making his first big league start since September 7th of 2018. He made six starts for San Diego that year and posted a 6.75 ERA.
This season in Triple-A he’s had more success against righties than lefties. Both groups walk about the same, but he’s striking out righties more and they are hitting for slightly less power. With that said, it’s a limited sample size for both groups, and of course it’s also Triple-A.
Splits (AAA)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 97 | 23 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 23 | .258 | .320 | .416 |
| LHH | 90 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | .293 | .333 | .463 |
Pitch Usage (AAA)
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.0 | 91.5 | 85.2 | 82.9 |
| Usage | 56% | 5% | 11% | 28% |
Patrick Corbin
For the last two seasons Patrick Corbin has led the league in losses. He’s doing the same thing again this year, though he is pitching better overall. Two starts ago he allowed seven runs in 5.0 innings to San Diego. But the last time he took the mound he fired 7.0 shutout innings with nine strikeouts against Seattle in what has to be one of the best starts he has had in years.
Even with all of his struggles, teams don’t send many left-handed hitters out to face him. Ones that do get that chance are making contact and drawing some walks, but they aren’t doing much with that contact in either the average or slugging department. Right-handed hitters are doing a lot more, hitting for a .313 average and showing a solid amount of power. He’s pitched better at home (4.38 ERA, .765 OPS against) than on the road (5.36 ERA, .849 OPS against).
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 361 | 105 | 15 | 0 | 14 | 22 | 56 | .313 | .352 | .484 |
| LHH | 71 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 10 | .238 | .324 | .318 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.9 | 92.2 | 79.8 | 81.3 |
| Usage | 14% | 45% | 33% | 8% |
When and Where
- Game time: 11:05am ET
- Where: Nationals Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (Free Game of the Day)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 83°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Stuart Fairchild optioned to Triple-A
To make room on the roster for Brett Kennedy the team optioned Stuart Fairchild to Triple-A Louisville.
Ricardo Cabrera is killing the ball
The Reds 2022 top international signing had a huge night last night in the minor leagues and is now hitting .400/.533/.614 on the season with more walks than strikeouts. He’s not the only prospect that is absolutely crushing the ball right now, either. We’ve got all kinds of notes and information over at RedsMinorLeagues.com if you wanted to check in on how some guys are doing right now.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Reds | 46 | 39 | 0.0 | 28.1% |
| Brewers | 46 | 39 | 0.0 | 63.2% |
| Pirates | 39 | 45 | 6.5 | 3.1% |
| Cubs | 38 | 45 | 7.0 | 7.9% |
| Cardinals | 35 | 49 | 10.5 | 7.7% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Whoever is responsible for an 11am start time should spend the next year in prison.
It works well for me on this trip:D
I’m still sleeping on a normal day. This better be the most viewed game thread in history and I better make like $15,000 on this for having to wake up so early.
Let me dream (both in terms of sleeping later than 10am – I was working until like 230am last night, and in making $15,000 today, somehow).
You got $10K from me, Doug.
Since today is Independance Day, the reason for the early time is evident. The early start time allow for traffic to thin out (as much as Washington traffic can thin out, that is) before the July 4 celebration traffic starts coming in to town. Not that difficult to figure out and for those of us who have lived/worked in the greater DC area it works pretty well this way.
I’m very selfish.
And they could have easily had a 12:35 start time and accomplished the same goal.
I lived in Northern VIrginia and have been to the 4th on the Mall several times. Great fun but it is a madhouse. You are right…best to get the game out of the way before the big crowds show up for the 4th celebration!
Yeah. This is a weekday matinee even I took a pass on. The dogs get me up early but not early enough for this one 😉
Feels like travel ball again. Lol
Jeff Brantley feels your pain. (He was posing the same question on the air.)
Settled in. Watched Williamson do his bullpen session. Gonna be a warm one.
thank you for your hard work Doug
If a manager were betting against his own team but wanted to maintain some plausible deniability, I think this is more or less the lineup he’d come up with.
This is the normal lineup against a left handed pitcher. Minus the Padres game. LOL
I am disappointed Fairchild got sent back down and isn’t in the outfield today.
Other than that and Casali it’s a good lineup
@J, I’ve had similar thoughts myself but at the end of the day, I settled on the fact that Bell’s biases and innumeracy underly those decisions.
Yes thank you Doug.
Breakfast baseball! You bet!
Breakfast right across from the park for me. Perfectly planned.
I am in the west coast, just woke up, and this is the first thing checked. Instead of the normal breakfast at Wimbledon, it’s breakfast with the Reds this year. Happy 4th all.
Is acting like a baffoon part of being a former Reds star? Bench went through it and thankfully he has moved past it. Now it seems as though Votto has picked up the role.
How so?
What?
Get off my lawn.
Let’s hope Brett Kennedy has an awesome start!
And, let’s hope we get the Patrick Corbin who pitched against San Diego!
Finally, maybe the Stupid Cubs won’t blow a 6-0 lead today if they get ahead of the Brewers!
Senzel’s numbers against LH’ers are better than Newman’s, If Bell is going for OBP in the lead off slot, Senzel is better. Would Newman is that as a slight? Possibly, which brings us back to the discussion of India in the #3 slot.
Agreed, no idea why Bell hasn’t thought of this or maybe looked at his analytics. After all, he is supposed to be some analytics expert
Doug you don’t deserve this start time, and we ALL appreciate how hard you work to make this our online Reds fans’ home. On this all American holiday, I thank you!
On a pessimistic note, I think the Reds need three of four in DC, and this lineup is not encouraging. EDLC (especially batting right) and India have been struggling, Newman doesn’t scare anybody, and Stephenson is still not hitting his best. Add in Casali and the Reds are leaning hard on McLain, Steer, Senzel and snubbed all star TJ Friedl. Then throw in an unfavorable pitching matchup and this game makes me nervous. Here’s hoping Corbin isn’t at his best today. Go Reds!
Different guys every night do something for this team.
Joey, Elly (recently), and Weaver did it last night.
I don’t understand something here.
I mean, I can understand sending Fairchild down to bring Kennedy up.
I can understand the club having to do this, what I will call “smoke and mirrors” to keep fresh arms up here.
But, surely there was someone else they could have optioned down. The club has Senzel playing RF. And, I hope I’m not remiss to say for all that, as a Senzel fan (I believe he’s been misused since day 1 in the bigs), that he can’t play RF. He could barely play LF, much better in CF.
I truly believe his best position is 3rd base. He hustles in the outfield which I like, however as you mentioned he struggles playing the outfield.
Actually, he was better at 3rd. Playing the OF is a ticking timebomb before he’s injured once again. They really need to look for a trade partner that wants a reasonably “young” utility guy. That’s all he is these days.
Agree 3rd is his best position, but look at our infield most nights – he’s not going to play there often. We have at least three third basemen better than Senzel.
Outfield platoon is the only spot for Senzel currently. If he gets hurt, then he gets hurt, We will just bring up Fairchild to take his place.
Agree WKU – although he could have got a spot start at 3rd to let Elly have a breather from batting right handed today. At least until a pitcher change.
For wku, if he gets hurt playing RF today, you can’t bring up Fairchild in midgame to play RF.
I mean, it would make more sense to have him play LF and Steer RF probably. Or even play Senzel in CF and Friedl in RF.
Of course he’s better at 3rd. That’s the position he played in college, when he was possibly the best bat in the nation in college. And, I believe he played mostly 2nd and 3rd in the minors for us.
It’s just, we tried to pull a Hamilton again by switching him to CF once he got up here, just so we could keep Suarez at 3rd and we needed a CF. I said back then we should have traded Suarez off.
Just play Benson every day. Senzel and Newman basically have no role on this team any longer as starters. If CES was up like he should be Newman wouldn’t be playing today.
Good morning Doug and happy Independence Day my fellow Reds fans
Love this time. Wish it could be earlier. When I lived on the Yukon in Galena Alaska Sunday Football would start at 9 A.M. Heaven I say.
I agree. One of the hidden delights I have discovered when visiting with my wife’s family on the left coast is waking up to sports events in full swing. It is hard to beat streaming the Reds poolside side at brunch.
Here we go
McLain keeps on rolling with a hustle double.
McLain serves one into LF and hustles out the double.
India hit and run and drills one to RF.
More of this.
Hustle double and an RBI knock. That works.
MM is back at it after an off day yes. Not sure what the record for consecutive xtra base hits is, but I guess MM is making a run at it. All his hits of late have been double or Hr, right?
Cruz soft liner and reds running circles around the nats.
Good to See De La Cruz get a hit batting right handed.
Good to see India drive in a run with a single
No man’s land. Nobody took charge.
Breakfast and baseball. Good start, nice to see Elly hit a breaking ball.
Looks like one team went to bed early last night and ate a good breakfast and came ready to play baseball. the other did not.
Senzel hit it hard, hopefully next ab it finds a gap
It found more than a gap!
Let’s go Kennedy
Kennedy wearing Bronson’s old number. Let’s hope something wears off 🙂
I thought Arroyo wore 61? Unless my eyes are playing tricks (always possible) or Kennedy has switched jerseys, he is wearing 66 on my stream.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arroybr01.shtml
Was Kennedy put on the 40 man roster today? 1 inning I know so not overreacting here but a question
If Kennedy does well would you let him have another start?
Brett Kennedy – Ace!
16 pitch first for Kennedy? I think we will take that.
Solid first inning from where I’m sitting
Wait…Reds brought this guy up as a (2) pitch pitcher because he throws strikes? Fast efficient inning with 2 k’s. Thats against the rules. You cant do that.
Mid 90 fastball, riser and sinker, and a decent change up. The Reds have found their 2nd ace 🙂 anyone that can throw the ball over the plate will be 3rd ace.
Left the bases loaded, Again! Hope that doesn’t come back to haunt later in the game!
It was 2nd and 3rd Dennis, I don’t think they left the bases loaded.
I see our old friend Archie Bradley has been outrighted by the Fish. Might be worth a minor league contract if he chooses free agency.
Sure, why not at this point?
Santillan in the dugout. I suspect he gets activated after this game and Kennedy goes down.
Kennedy not pitching like he wants to go down.
Love the early game times. Gives me enough time to take the boat out to the sandbar with friends for the cookout. Happy 4th everyone and God Bless America!
Happy 4th!
That got it done. Play some addon now.
This guy has better stuff then Lively
Through two innings, this is not what I expected from Kennedy. I expected another guy who is all over the place with his pitches. Washington is not a good hitting team, but it’s still interesting to see the effects of being able to throw a strike when needed. I also noted his fastball at 95 MPH at least once, which I also wasn’t expecting.
1000% agree
Interesting. Scorecard’s pre game write ip says the Nats have the third best average in the NL.
De La Cruz with another base hit. Has to give him confidence one would think batting from right side.
I know what you mean but I doubt De La Cruz is lacking confidence.
Well very good point. LOL 😛
Hope you all are having a happy fourth
Ty Steve hammered that ball. thats a 3 run bomb at GABP
It was tailing to the seats. Gave the RF fits.
SENZEL!
SENZEL!!!!! 3 run blast!!
Unexpected but appreciate early fireworks by Senzel.
Senzel hits left handed pitching very well.
I actually called that to the guy behind me 😀
Senzel coming through today anyway. 🙂
Nick senzel just going to town
5 run lead, let’s rest the bullpen today.
Probably won’t be able to, since Kennedy is unlikely to go more than three or four innings.
No worries, no worries. Only 1 run.
It seems the truth about Brett Kennedy is being revealed. 😉
Why does EDLC make sure he poses for everyone’s home run?
He’s fun-loving!
Because he’s a kid
He’s having fun and enjoying his teammates
Enjoys life.
Nothing wrong with having fun.
In fact I encourage it.
*shakes fist at cloud
Kennedy just to pitch for contact starting from now with a 5-0 lead…shouldn’t give walks
He followed your advice precisely.
Senzel says “Don’t bury me, I’m not dead yet.”
Senzel no defense?
Big Boy Blast
Is it hot there today?
India
Good bunt by McLain. If we’d challenged it and won that would have been a two run homer by India.
Two times now the Reds have bunted absolutely no reason. Neither the modern analytic or the old school philosophy would support the bunts today. If anything back in the day bunting with a 5 run lead might get you ear holed.
I disagree, just because you have a lead doesn’t mean you stop playing the game. Newman’s bunt put a runner in scoring position. I think that is what you want, and it shows this team can bunt and beat you several ways.
Agree. 5 run lead is nothing in today’s game.
I disagree … now if we had scored 3-4 runs off fluke plays or weak contact and Corbin really started to turn the corner and start pitching better I’d get your point. However that’s simply not the case and speaks to Bells inability or unwillingness to understand the flow of the game which to date is my single biggest issue with him.
McLains bunt was on his own. Had nothing to do with Bell
Guarantee you Bell didn’t ask Newman to bunt there.
I remember when I was younger that the “unwritten rule” was that you don’t bunt or steal with a lead of six runs or more.
That’s why I said “might” lol
Again my view has nothing to do with being against bunting or small ball to the contrary I’m all for it when the situation makes sense. Todays game and how many hard hit balls all of the Reds have hit it just doesn’t make sense.
My thinking is the speed game constantly puts pressure on their defense. I thought it interesting that India homers the very next at bat. It takes some big time endurance on Corbin’s part to hang with this lineup. I think they took something out of his legs on that bunt.
Trying to bunt for hits is different than sacrifices.
I’m with Kevin H.
Did you question it when TJ got 10 hits on bunts?
TJ is struggling at the plate and I simply don’t subscribe to the idea bunting is his way to getting back to hitting the ball hard. Again situationally I’m all for bunting for a hit and TJ does it well but all things considered I’d rather he try and get right swinging the bat today
What in the Homer Bailey of bad contracts is going on with the Nats?
Corbin owed $24 mil this year and $35 mil next year.
Strasburg still owed 4 more years and $128 million.
Yikes.
I knew the Strasburg one was bad when signed. Don’t give that contract to a picture with arm problems. Looking at you as well Texas Rangers.
Homer is making wine and raising cattle with all that dinero.
I hope the big Greene contract plays out better for the Reds.
Rather than follow-through, it looks like Corbin ducks … 🙂
Reds are rolling today!!
Anyone see a Dan Straily resemblance with Kennedy? Can we flip him for Castillo?
Wow, that’s a name I haven’t thought about for awhile!
Lol as bad as starting pitching is league wise, they might. Teams are dying for starters.
Could help stave off an expensive trade.
Straily was a treat for the Reds, and the Castillo trade was genius.
Now the Reds have some great prospects for LC.
Ties back to the Straily move.
The Nats are terrible. At least fundamental wise.
Here’s big news Reds fans. Reds are not only tied for first place in the NL central but also tied for the third WC with Brewers and Giants. Reds now have (2) credible paths to the post-season. Win the NL Central OR be a wild card.
The next 4 series is crucial schedule wise though … Brewcrew x 2, Giants and D-backs. I’d consider it a success we come out of that .500 anything better is just a bonus
My bandwagon is looking pretty good. They win the division I collect a cool $2600
We are all pulling for you!
May I please join your bandwagon….Sir?
Taking a break in the shade. Kennedy seems to be holding together well.
McLain to my eye is way better at short than EDLC.
Wow…defense is super tight today.
Two by MMC, Elly and Nick with some nice plays
I don’t know how you could be much better than McLain at short. Except may be taller.
He is a Redhead. That trumps all
Yeah. He needs to work on that. 😉
Settle down. Get the out. Still have cushion.
Good job. He seems to have good temperament. Maybe he should go out for the 6th.
Presuming that’s it for Kennedy today, he certainly earned another start (or at least to stay around as a long reliever). The Nats’ contact was almost all soft. The Reds HAVE to give him another look.
India goes deep again!!!
I think he likes July better than June!
Why don’t we just leave India at the 3 spot.
India again?!!! Cool 🙂
India… with a blast
Slump? What slump?
EDLC has got to do something with his over slide.
Was he safe other than the over slide?
easily
Yes. Beat the throw. Went to the outside and past the vag.
eDLC has 4 singles and India has 2 HRs. Shouldn’t EDLC hit for power and India single? But will take it
EDLC needs to come right at the bag. Pat it by a foot.
It was jus a matter of time for the overslide caught up to Elly.
Fixable.
Slide earlier.
Yep. But he took an RBI away from Steer
I’ve never had that problem. I would only be half way there with my speed.
Going head-first is going to eventually backfire, I fear.
Yeah just tuned in and I thought both could use a day off to recharge some batteries.Course I am an old man and keep plugged up all the time and well they are young guys and I do remember being 21 or so and recharging well just never was important.GO YOUNG REDS
OK…enough Cruz
Cruz has to get some outs right here.Can’t let them back in this game.
Cruz not sharp at all today
Don’t like the way this is heading.
Cruz was doing really well but he hasn’t got it today.
Cruz has nothing
Got to get him out right now.
Kennedy pitched better than “allowing 4 runs” sometimes the inherited runner rule stinks ll
for sure
What was a good stat line today by Kennedy was just trashed by Cruz.
6-4-3 would be nice.
The Ks are okay too!
Would be nice to get Mark a couple of bike helmets here. But I’ll take the K
Whew, great comeback by Cruz
I really didn’t expect him to keep them off the board further with no outs and bases loaded. Great job.
Steer getting better and better in Left. The guy is a ballplayer and team player. Sign him to an extension
He’d be first on my list for that.
Even ahead of Matty Mac?
Tyler Hawk – I would have a line outside my office of guys to sign.
Yes. Steer does everything well that he’s been asked to do. I’d also be very interested in locking down McLain, Abbott, Diaz, De La Cruz and several others, but we’ll just have to wait and see how this team’s ownership is going to approach the issue.
When you think of the Reds’ rookies, you don’t automatically think of Steer. He seems like a vet whose been here for years. Great ballplayer and the underrated straw that is stirring this drink.
I agree 100 precent just was curious why Steer was at the front of the line in your view. I have Steer, Matty Mac, AA as my top 3 priorities followed closely by EDLC, and Diaz. We might have a good debate for who’s expendable moving forward possibly though.
I like em all.
Cruz finally realized he needed to pitch to get hitters out. The mound visit woke him up.
Yeeeesh. What an inning that was.
Reds need to keep scoring.
No reason to be complacent with the team offense given the shaky pitching.
3 more innings with the BP is no guarantee.
Why Bell hasn’t made the switch off Senzel to Benson or Fraley is beyond me.
“In Newman He Trusts”
Votto for Newman was an obvious move IMO
2 men on, chance to extend the lead. Now they have to use bigger bullpen names.
Newman hitting against a righty again….and a double play.
Newman all the way. SMH. On a different note, does The Athletic ever publish substantive pieces or is it always Enquirer like puff pieces like Bowdon’s today?
C. Trent is usually pretty good.
Newman.
No reason not to PH Votto there.
Only thought is maybe Votto isnt best defensive alignment late inning. Steer is at first now and votto is still available to pinch hit when Senzel comes up against a righty. But yeah, Votto would have been logical move there.
A perfect spot to pinch hit Votto, But no, not with his favorite up,
Or even Benson and put Steer on first.
or Benson…with Steer moving to 1st.
My guess is that, as the TV commentators said, since the Reds were ahead, it seemed appropriate to save Votto for a possibly more critical point later in the game.
What would that ‘more critical point’ be?
Runners on…your fast guy at second…for a second time?
Bell had LH Benson as well.
Unfathomable.
How about Benson or Fraley? I mean come on. He pulls Newman anyways.
Scratch Fraley. But you get my point.
This is why people seem to dislike Newman. It’s not true. Just the way David Bell uses him. It’s for that reason I’ll be glad after he’s traded…to the Angels.
Now he pulls Newman from the field after allowing him to hit with 2 on vs a righty.
Seriously! Newman is out of the game? Bell let’s him hit. SMH I usually don’t yell about Bell but that move is absolutely stupid.
smh
So Bell pulls Newman defensively after the GIDP?
Instead of
PHing for him?
Melvin- Freidl with the white spikes today.
What do you think of that Friedl guy?
I like the white but the black ones are -legit. Gray not good.
😀
Elly and Matty Mac looking good on the left side.
How good has Alex young been this season? Not blowing guys away but pitching.
I’m with Indy and they need to go get Suter to help Young.
Suter is on the IL with an oblique
Seriously? Dang it.
Hadn’t seen too much of Elly charging the slow hopper at 3rd.
2 dandies today.
Just a guess, but it’s possible Diaz isn’t available today. I’m expecting Sims if there is a ninth-inning save situation.
Reds need about 3-5 more runs then, in this case.
That snag an flip by EDLC was so fluid
So, Bell still had Newman hit, not bringing up Benson, even though he was still moving Steer to 1st?
Saving Votto for a possibly more crucial situation later in the game.
Saving Benson too?
How many late inning things are there going to be?
David Bell has never been one to “save” guys before emptying his bench early many times.
There must have been a good reason.
“Bell knows things that we don’t know.”
I think its Duarte then sims.
Nice manufactured run there by McLain. Love the aggressiveness.
McLain steal of 3B w 1 out.
Seriously heads up ball.
I hope Senzel was watching.
Super “baseball plays” by Matty Mac, on the steals.
Elly gets robbed, but gets the SAC Fly
Did I say sign Steer to an extension?
I co-sign
Wasn’t it like 2 or 3 years ago the Reds offense was trying to set the all time record for futility?
Why doesn’t Bell put in Benson?
Senzel and Newman should never hit against righties. Is Benson unavailable?
Hitters 2 through 5 today: 12-for-17, 5 runs scored, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 2 homers.
Is that good? Sounds good.
A measly 6 outs, boys. Just 6.
Nice start. Maybe some addon.
Young and Duarte saying we are nailing this thing down.
Solid inning by Duarte. Wouldn’t mind seeing him go back out for the 9th.
It sure would be nice to swap Newman and Senzel for CES and Fairchild.
Got my vote.
It might be sacrilege, but I would also swap Maile and Casali out for Chuckie Robinson. I’ve seen enough for Robinson this year to think he is the real deal. Don’t care that he’s 28. Finally found his swing.
That would ensure the best offensive team that I’ve seen since the 75-76 teams. Especially as far as depth goes.
I’d keep Senzel for the exact reason he played today.
Kills lefties….and Fraley doesn’t.
And for this very reason, I think Nick Senzel might be underrated as a nice trade piece.
Agree.
I’m fine keeping one or the other. I think Newman might have a bit more trade value since he can play SS, but neither will probably bring back much either way.
Even if we take it as a given that Senzel and Fairchild arebasically equals as hitters, I don’t think it’s arguable that Nick is anywhere near the base runner that Fairchild is. Love to have that pitch runner available on the bench late in games. Also, I believe the Fairchild can play all three spots in the outfield at a plus level, and perhaps our best outfielder defensively.
Pinch runner….
No drama Duarte.
We like boring from here on out.
Nobody warming up. Maybe Duarte gets the 9th.
Counting on you to pull us through Mark since you’re there.
Is Mark also accountable if things go south?
Well….:)
I need someone to get on so Mighty Mac gets up.
Not understanding why some are upset. Bell is doing a fine job and has this team playing well. 8 runs today on 16 hits.
Because he makes obvious strategic mistake regularly? People can talk strategy and enjoy the way the team is playing simultaneously.
I would credit those 16 hits exclusively to Bell’s mysterious “clubhouse vibe”. 😉
^^THIS^^
One could argue that in a game in which you’re leading, you’d rather have your best defensive first baseman (Steer) at that position than someone who has not played that position very well in recent years.
Sorry, I don’t see “obvious strategic mistakes regularly”
It was outlined above …thoroughly.
+10000.
Happy for that. 🙂
@VA, yes I saw the discussion, thanks
If the Reds win today, that’s 17 of the last 20 on the road. That has to be close to an all-time record for this team over the span of 20 road games?
Walk the leadoff guy in the 9th with a 8-4 lead. Dennis is reaching for his BP meds right about now.
Now 2 walks. Ugh lol
Now back to back walks. That’s just stupid on Duarte’s part.
Now Sims doesn’t get a break.
C’mon now Tom
Make that two…smh
Well Bell tried to give some relief pitchers a day off. Unfortunately Duarte is showing why he is going back to AAA soon. Just throw it over the plate for crying out loud.
Perhaps this is evidence to support why Bell doesn’t send relievers back for a second inning even if they cruise through their first. It doesn’t always translate.
Strongly doubt they get a starter by the deadline, but they can get 2 relievers. They may need 3.
Bullpen is fine
Oh my no. The need for a 3rd is in case of more IL time. They need 2 more right now.
Actually that is a good point. I didn’t give it thought.
Getting another stronger bullpen option could indeed help, or 2. My bad. Lol
I appreciate all the WINNING the Reds have been doing — but just out of curiosity, can anyone find the last time the Reds won a game by retiring the first three batters of the final inning?
I can’t regard since I’m blinded by the Reds record in this ‘sorting’ season.
Stick a fork in the nats.
Reds keep first place.
Another win! 🙂
8 games over 500 and first place. Bell has this team playing great baseball.
Put the pressure on the Brewers. Heading to a really interesting weekend. Hopefully, the Reds can sweep the Nats and Chicago get at least 2 of the next 3.
I want to be in 1st place by ourselves at the all star break.
Perhaps 18-4 over the last 22 games suggests Bell’s strategy has some positive benefit. Benson, Votto get a full day of rest. That horrible performance by India in the 3 slot and EDLC batting RH where he can’t hit, dang, did Bell actually manage looking at the long haul knowing that there are ups and downs, rather than managing by small sample sizes of what did you do yesterday and so far today.
EDLC was hitting ~.100 vs RH over his last 30 abs.
India in a protracted slump over a similar number of abs.
Folks here were identifying those issues over the last couple days.
One day of respite and the RLN know-it-alls start swarming in with their typical “Bell knew it all along!” 20/20 hindsight.
Still trying to determine what is “Bell’s strategy” is that’s making such a profound difference vs what a talented group of players are doing.
But of course you know it alls know.
Lmao…
Winning continues. Can’t wait to see Ashcraft pitch tomorrow, see if he can build on his last start.
Just watching the Brewers Cubs game, starting watching in the 10th.
Bottom of the 10th, one out, Brewers get a hit. The runner from second is coming home. but gets thrown out. BUT ALSO, the batter is trying to stretch it into a double. He gets thrown out, also. Double play, end of the 10th.
I do not believe it. The Cubs, in the 10th and 11th, got 3 outs off 2 batters to win the game.
I told you about the 10th. In the 11th, the first batter was out at first on a FC, runner went to 3rd. Then, with the second batter, flyout to LF (second out), thrown out at home (third out).
I mean, doing that once is weird enough. But, twice? Wild.
That’s why you want to pay attention to the close things. The nit-picky things. Those are what can easily win/lose close games. Things like substitute wrong, misuse your pitchers, etc.