There’s a lot of rain in Washington this afternoon, but it’s supposed to clear out by scheduled game time. We’ll have to see if the game will start on time because of the wet grounds, but with no rain expected past 6pm the game should be played. Cincinnati will be looking to guarantee a series win tonight with a victory after taking the first two games of the series. First pitch is set for 7:05pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Washington Nationals
|
| TJ Friedl – CF | Lane Thomas – RF |
| Matt McLain – SS | Luis Garcia – 2B |
| Jonathan India – 2B | Jeimer Candelario – 3B |
| Elly De La Cruz – 3B | Joey Meneses – DH |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Dominic Smith – 1B |
| Joey Votto – 1B | Keibert Ruiz – C |
| Spencer Steer – DH | Corey Dickerson – LF |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | CJ Abrams – SS |
| Will Benson – LF | Alex Call – CF |
| Graham Ashcraft – RHP | Josiah Gray – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 75.2 | 6.66 | 1.59 | 32 | 59 |
| Josiah Gray | 95.1 | 3.30 | 1.39 | 43 | 86 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Josiah Gray’s Stats |
|||||
Graham Ashcraft
It’s been quite a struggle for Graham Ashcraft since May 7th. In nine starts since then he’s posted an ERA of 10.89. His last outing, though, was arguably his best of the season as he allowed a run on three hits in 6.2 innings against the Padres.
The splits for Ashcraft against lefties and righties are pretty similar at this point. That, however, doesn’t tell the story. Lefties have absolutely crushed him since the start of May after he had been dominant against them in 2022 and in April of 2023. Righties have been pretty good against him for the entirety of his big league career.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 190 | 48 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 29 | .293 | .376 | .488 |
| LHH | 156 | 40 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 30 | .284 | .348 | .482 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 96.8 | 96.5 | 88.4 |
| Usage | 9% | 52% | 38% |
Josiah Gray
An All-Star, Josiah Gray will be looking to pick up a win against the team that drafted him back in 2018. It will be the second time he’s faced Cincinnati and he’ll hope to repeat that previous performance (6IP, 1ER, 2H, 3BB, 9K, and got the win). In his last two outings he’s given up just one run and struck out 14 batters in 11.1 innings pitched.
The splits in 2023 for Gray are of the reverse kind. Right-handed hitters are having a lot more success than left-handed hitters are. They don’t walk nearly as often, but they make more contact and hit for a much better average and a ton more power than lefties are.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 216 | 53 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 41 | .269 | .329 | .462 |
| LHH | 193 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 45 | .220 | .332 | .317 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | |
| Velo | 93.9 | 93.6 | 89.7 | 82.7 | 86.3 |
| Usage | 21% | 13% | 5% | 16% | 44% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:05pm ET
- Where: Nationals Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (Free Game of the Day)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 83°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Spencer Steer and Elly De La Cruz make history
Yesterday, @Reds Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer became the first pair of rookie teammates in MLB history to both go 4-for-4 or better and drive in a run in the same game. pic.twitter.com/ICf8WYWMRe
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 5, 2023
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Reds | 47 | 39 | 0.0 | 33.0% |
| Brewers | 46 | 40 | 1.0 | 57.1% |
| Pirates | 40 | 45 | 6.5 | 3.8% |
| Cubs | 39 | 45 | 7.0 | 10.4% |
| Cardinals | 35 | 50 | 11.5 | 6.3% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
If Bell was so into analytics, he would be having India at leadoff. India is a much better leadoff hitter. And, with Friedl in the 2 hole, with India on first, that would open up the right side for Friedl.
Steer, McLain, Fraley, and Elly in the 3-6 holes, in no certain order.
He might also consider the huge reverse splits from Gray. Will be interesting to see how it plays out with all the lefties in the lineup.
I gave Bell credit a few nights ago. As the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. Just tough to rationalize his lineup choices/order.
No thanks. India was NEVER a better leadoff hitter than Friedl is. Also, why would you want to move arguably the best hitter in McLain back a spot.
Are people really arguing about Friedl McLain and India hitting 1-2-3 the day after Kevin newman hit lead off and played first base and India hit 2 home runs?
Dude just hit 2 homers yesterday and a Grand Slam a coupe of days ago.
Yup the reason he is saying this is because India is hitting right around .200 since heading to the 3 hole. His approach just works better at leadoff. Friedl hits the same just about anywhere in the lineup. Seems like a legitimately simple fix. If you wanna platoon the leadoff spot with India and Friedl that’s fine. But it seems like a shakeup is needed
.217 to be exact…but OK I guess saying around .200 helps your case more.
Also he has 10 HR’s in the 3 spot vs 3 HR’s in the leadoff spot despite having 50 more AB’s in the leadoff. Also his slugging is .441 in the 3rd spot and .413 in the leadoff spot.
Couldn’t agree more about the need to move India back to the leadoff spot!
How bout india lead off against lefties and Newman Doesnt? A small ask.
The Reds are doing pretty well without couch potato advice.
Hey it seems to be working. Go Reds
At the same time, it’s items like this that can cause a team to lose a close game, especially in the playoffs.
Today and tomorrow are big games for the Reds. Championship level teams beat up an inferior competition. The Nats have decent pitching but they do not have a very good MLB lineup. A sweep of the Nats and a winning series against the Brews would go a long way toward gaining some separation from the Brew Crew. Today’s Reds lineup is probably the best that Bell can roll out there with the current Roster. Here’s to hoping Ashcraft pitches well!
Best nine but I would prefer this order
Friedl
EDLC
McClain
Fraley
Steer
Votto
India
Stevenson
Benson
I like Elly near the top and protected by McClain who I consider the Reds overall best hitter.
I would keep Benson in the 9 hole. I like that he gets on at a high clip for the top of the lineup.
Friedl is a better lead off man than India.
Good lineup. The cool thing is that they have so many good pieces now you can really make some interesting lineups. I think Steer would give McClain a run for best hitter on the team.
I agree, those two have definitely been the most consistent. Steer has been doing it a little longer than McClain. I love them both. They both have very similar approaches. Balanced, go the other way on outside pitches, turn on mistakes, keep their heads still, short compact swings. A lot to like!
India bats much better at leadoff than 3 hole. And, with India on first, that would open up the right side for Friedl.
Votto ahead of India?
Great lineup. The team is playing great with lots of determination. This kind of run is what makes sports fun to follow. It’s not just the performance. These guys seem to be excellent teammates and enjoy playing together.
Great job by the staff to keep this train rolling despite significant pitching injuries and integration of guys nobody expected to be pitching for the team this year. They have done an excellent job managing the bullpen through the injuries to the starters and the players they do have not pitching deep into games on most nights.
Thanks for both sites Doug. This is really fun to watch. Lots to be thankful for.
Love the lineup. Speed (mostly) and power potential from top to bottom. I’m trying to remember a legit deeper lineup 1-9 in recent Reds history?
I know right? so much fun to follow this group.
I heard a crazy stat yesterday, I think on the broadcast or maybe I read it. Either way, the Reds have more stolen bases this year than they had in 2021 and 2022 COMBINED!!
Bell said this spring that being aggressive on the bases and playing hard to the last out we’re going to define the 2023 Reds. Not sure I believed that at the time, but that’s exactly how they’ve played all year. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
I like today’s lineup too, Soto.
I hope Graham starts stacking well pitched games, back to his last start of course.
I liked Josiah Gray & hated to give him up.
I hope that we clobber him this time around!
I like our chances. He is a good pitcher, but not overpowering or dominant by any stretch. We will soon find out. Go Reds.
That was indeed a wild trade.with the Dodgers.
I think Jeter Downs is in the Nats organization, too, correct?
I’ll take your Downs team on that.
I thought it was Boston. But, I wouldn’t bet monolopy money on my guess. Lol
He was released by Boston and claimed by the Nats. I think he’s at their AAA affiliate.
Downs is hitting .132 for the Nationals minor leagues this season. Ouch.
You were correct.
Mario confirmed that.
I wonder if the team has the same focus now as they did then. If I remember the main reason was to dump Homer Bailey’s contract? seems like if they had to do it now they might consider it sunk cost and not lose the prospects
Kemp made more than Bailey. The trade wasn’t about Bailey’s contract whatsoever. They were just trying to add major league players and build excitement in the hopes they could speed up the rebuild.
Wasn’t Kemp at the end of his big contract at the time and Bailey in the midst of his?
The baseball reference.com site tracks contracts as well as stats.
@Harry Stoner, Bailey was also in the last year of his contract.
He played one summer in the Rookie league in minors. What made you like him so much?
Following this series the Reds have a string of very hard 19 games against top teams. Hopefully they’ll get some pitching help from returning players and/or via trades.
For sure, the July schedule is pretty tough. That’s why I think the remaining two games and the Brewers series are so important going into the break. That end of July stretch is brutal.
I do as well.
He’s no top end guy for sure.
I really always figured him to be an 8th inning type, pumping that heater velo that he had in our farm system.
I figured Santillan would have been called up and Kennedy sent down. I read Lively was going to be activated Sunday.
Would have been great to be there again tonight, but such isn’t the case. I’m still recovering, so I can’t begin to think how gassed I would be had I stayed up there for the entire series.
Almost time to Kick This Pig right to the river!!!
Reading the minor league report looks like there are a couple of guys that are near the top of the league in k’s. A reliever like this would be really nice in a close game with runners on base. If the trend continues of pitching from within the club rising up it would be awesome to meet the needs without trading off talent
Vote: who is the team MVP at the all star break?
Steer has probably been the best hitter (top 11 in MLB in OPS) and along with Diaz have been the best players for the full first half. But, I’d probably lean toward McLain as MVP because the team has really been transformed, which started with him coming up and then EDLC. Honorable mention to Friedl as well.
Yeh. Tough choice
Hard to say at this point.
In 1970, Perez ha 28 HR and 90 RBI at ASG break. He wound up with 40 HR and 125 RBI.
Bench wound up with 45 HR and 148 RBI (plus .293 BA) and won Reds MVP and NL MVP.
Steer gets my vote.
Love that guy.
1. Steer
2. McLain
Good point by Hanawi tho.
I’m splitting the awards 4 ways. Friedl should be an all star, Steer will be the team MVP, McLain should win ROY, and with 33 HRs and 42 SB after the break, EDLC is NL MVP.
That’s diversifying if I’ve ever seen it
I’m steering in the direction of Steer!
McLain. What a change this guy has made for this team. Top of the lineup with an OPS close to or above .900. Where would they be without him? Definitely a losing record. I called him a right handed Chase Utley but a pale Barry Larkin may be a better comp since Utley didn’t have much speed.
My takeaways from yesterday’s win: 1) First win by a Kennedy since 1960, excluding RFK & John Kennedy of Louisiana; 2) Diaz got some much needed rest and 3) EDLC & India one game slumps are over! All said in jest of course! Except for Diaz who, in my opinion, should not be used again in this series!
Law can spell Diaz ocassionally now in that role. I liked the Kennedy twist & my dude JK from La!
Diaz needs all the down time that we can give him.
Very sparse crowd there tonight, especially compared to the last two games.
Looked like TJ missed 1st, thus the ump grin.
Geez, our batters need to learn to give some kind of opportunity for our runners to steal bases.
Our runners have stolen more bases this year than they did in the previous two years combined. Apparently the batteries are giving them some opportunities or that wouldn’t happen.
Quick 1-2-3 top of the first! Hope this is a low-scoring game by both teams and the Reds score late to pull out the win!
If I could have a wish…10-1 Reds.
India… I love you man…but please learn how to check swing.
Bike helmets are always welcome.
There is no one at this game. Nations capital in the summer. Nats are a mess. Gotta win this series.
Here we go with the leadoff walks AGAIN!
And, let’s add a HPB why don’t we! Geez!
And a spinning wild pitch in the dirt to push across a run. You’re gonna need your meds before the 3rd inning at this rate.
Not looking sharp tonight, Graham. Way more “throwing” when you should be “pitching”.
2 BB, HBP, WP.
Rough 1st inning for GA.
1 run damage is lucky.
Agreed. Could have been a LOT worse.
I know, I know … TySteve should have blocked it. I say that’s on Ashcraft.
My only complaint about Ty Steve is that he’s NOT the best defensive catcher of the 3 catchers on the roster! Maybe we need to call up a 4th catcher? Just kidding!
Looks like it’s gonna be a long night and a short outing by the “bad” Ashcraft!
Really?
This post didn’t age well.
I love Ashcraft and wish him well tonight, but Sadak needs to stop saying “The rejuvenated Graham Ashcraft.” He had a good last game. That doesn’t mean he is rejuvenated. Let’s get a few in a row like 3 before we say he is back.
That’s the kind of stuff that keeps me from tuning into the Bally feed. It’s just senseless. Not to mention incorrect. He’s the “battling Aschraft who showed some good trends in his last start” and nothing more yet.
Umpires say “No hats for bats, Elly.” 😀
Jobu!
Miami already up 4-0 on the hapless Cards! Yikes!
Need some help from the Stupid Cubs if the Reds stumble tonight! That’s the only time I will root for the Cubs!
Bomb it Elly
Dave Martinez knows all about cheating, just ask Ryne Sandberg.
Joey!!!!
Let’s go
Joey bye bye
That’s our Votto!
But … but … but …
Age and experience meets young all-star rep. I like the outcome.
hey now
That you Howard?
Man, when are they going to bench that Joey Votto?! Lol
BUT BUT BUT…. let’s get a few more in before the break
2 out lightning!!!!
Candelario showing shades of Suarez for those that remember!
At least I’m close enough tonight to see the little white box. I missed that Monday and Tuesday.
Nice shot by TySteve. Bad judgement by the CF to dive.
And Wil helps play some add-on. 2-out magic again.
Man, Benson SMOKED that one!
Stephenson and benson in 8/9 hole.
What a line up.
Stephenson is back folks.
Yes & yes!
Will Benson is kind of like a crazy maniac in all aspects of his game and I absolutely love it.
Tracy Jones like, just a better upside.
Martinez leaves his starting pitcher out on the mound for the whole EDLC fiasco. Not looking good now.
Atta boy Ty Steve! Way to make up for the wild pitch!
Did he say Bootzilla? If so, Welsh is an honorary funkateer.
I really like this lineup, and I like the consistency that Bell uses. As in years past it was a different lineup everyday or so it seemed.
On my drive home last night, I listened to the TeamCoCo channel and he was chatting with Joe Maddon. Pretty entertaining. Joe started out as a QB in college and walked away from it.
TJ tried to make that play at 2B close. Too bad he wasn’t running on the pitch.
I was in the kitchen for the whole gig with EDLC.
Can someone summarize?
He’s got a device on the knob of the bat to measure swing speed, etc. Nats manager whined and the umps checked with NYC. No device allowed. Odd it has taken this long. And it doesn’t mean squat for any given AB.
ELDC had a knobby apparatus on the end of his bat and the managers and umps had to work out whether it was legal or not ELDC had to remove it to get back in the batter’s box
Thanks, fellas!
Wow! That certainly was an interesting inning by the good guys! All the damage done with 2 outs! Another reason I love this team! They play to the final out in every inning!
Need Ashcraft to settle down and throw strikes for some ground ball outs!
Way to mash Joey!
Martinez fired our boys up even more. Team chemistry is strong.
Not complaining, just an observation! It seems like the Reds young pitchers give up a lot of hits on 0-2 or 1-2 counts!
Ashcraft is all over the place. it’s not like hes just missing. He has great stuff but no command. this is a 15 out + bullpen game. Uggh.
Yes, he’s wild tonight! Just not effectively wild! Will be surprised if he lasts 3 innings at this rate!
Yeah unless somehow he figures it out.
The Nats fans in the park will tell you this is not a good hitting or fielding team. Ashcraft is looking to help out their offensive performance so far. Cowboy emphatically stated he “does not have it tonight” in comparison to the San Diego performance we watched.
Let’s hope he can hold on for at least 4 without giving up the lead. 5 would be great. But I’m thinking it’s gonna be challenging tonight.
Ashcraft’s control leaves a lot to be desired tonight. He has thriwn 4 pitches already that are not within 3-4 ft of a strike. And his pitching when ahead with two-strikes has been brutal so far
That one’s on India for not covering first.
Was India in a semi shift there or just didn’t get a jump on first? Seems like a routine cover from the 1st week of Spring Training there.
could crashcraft please pitch to the bottom of the zone
you don’t know his game do you?
Please … pretty please … 😮
It’s ugly and completely shocking that we escaped with no run damage.
2nd time thru the Nats order for Ashcraft and not even out of the 2nd inning!
Ashcraft owes beer and steaks to India, MattyMc, and Joey for that little gem.
Probably to TySteve as well for personally atoning for the wild pitch.
Gonna need a whole case of beer at the rate he’s going!
😀
What is Ashcrafts swing and miss percentage this year? My guess is pretty low. Having real trouble putting Nats away with 2 strikes
its like walking a tightrope over Niagara falls with this guy…. keep it up i guess
New nickname for Ashcraft tonight is Nuke Laloosh!
2 two strike hits…
He can’t finish them because all of his pitches are hard stuff.
Batters only have to gear up to 1 speed.
He needs a pitch in the low 80s.
To a lesser extent Hunter Greene is the same.
Off balance hitters are the greatest weapon for producing soft contact.
yep. If he’s not locating his slider, he’s usually in trouble, gonna be a lot of contact.
The key word is “pitching”, not simply throwing! And, ML hitters, even the Nats, can hit fastballs, assuming they are in the vicinity of the strike zone!
his cutter does have bite tonight, but if he can’t locate the slider and the cutter is all they need to defend, it ain’t gonna cut it (pun intended)
Unless you got a Mariano Rivera cutter of course,
he really needs a split or something that breaks down and away to LHH, opposite of the cutter, in the 80s.
A better team than the Nats would have 4 runs so far.
Reds need to build up a cushion tonight
And Elly can put the “condom” back on the end of the bat. DD#1 says that allows him to practice “safe baseball” … 😛
Funny
Votto 2-2
That would have been an out last year with the shift
Thanks JB, I wouldn’t of know that as I am following on Gameday.
Curious how many hits the shift took away from Votto the last 3-4 years. Probably doesn’t matter too much in the long run, but he’s a HOFer now on rate stats, but his counting stats leave some doubt.
Like the aggressive move. Let’s see if the challenge works. It’s a bang-bang. Thomas throw was almost a Dave Parker kind of laser.
Looked safe to me
Joey 2 for 2. Here comes all the Votto cheerleaders. Lol
Hotto Votto!
Goey Joey!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Sis Boom Bah!
Ever notice that most, if not all, of the challenges on outs at the bases go against the Reds!
took an absolutely laser perfect throw to get Fraley there.
As long as Votto keeps his head on straight, he can still hit. His highs and lows are constantly alternating because of his obsession of making adjustments, “burried his head in the sand” as Bench once said about him.
Can’t take much more of Ashcraft and his search for the strike zone tonight! Just hope the Nats mascot does not wander anywhere behind the plate while Ashcraft is on the mound attempting to emulate a ML pitcher!
Why does Sadek have to blurt out stats on everything that happens in the game…non-stop and it’s exasperating…..he’s probably waiting on info from the concessions on how long is the avg. time to get a hot dog
or wait time for urinals.
At GABP this weekend it was 14 mins. At Washington, its 23 secs.
Lemoyne only best Syracuse Once and that was in an exhibition about 10 years ago. He needs to stick to one sport
Just another absolutely brutal 0-2 pitch just hung up there to get clobbered. He’s lucky it didn’t leave the yard. If Ashcraft doesn’t start making better pitches when he’s ahead in the count with two strikes his second half isn’t going to be any better than the first half was
If there’s a casino in DC, Ashcraft may want to pay a visit! He has been extremely lucky so far!
5 hits, 2 walks and one HBP by Ashcraft, yet the Nats have managed only one run! Amazing! Effectively wild?
Nice 1st to 3rd by TySteve and then the swipe by Benson.
Stephenson and Benson best 8/9 hitters in MLb
Ha, didn’t see your comment when I wrote mine.
I beat ya to it! Lol
I don’t remember a lineup this long for the Reds. I missed the BRM, the 90 wire to wire was my team.
Yes it is Rob, you’re supposed to be one of the best in the world for a reason.
Opposing teams must hate to face this Reds lineup when you got Stephenson and Benson hitting 8-9. That’s two quality bats that are hot right now, and that’s the 8-9.
No breaks in this lineup for opposing teams, at all.
I sure would.
Martinez has his dudes out working on pick offs. Humm, What can I do to take something away from them. Lol
Let’s get these two guys home and breathe easier.
What’s the water temp in Seneca Lake, JB?
It’s never warm. 68
The reds stole 98 bases combined in last two years. They have I’ve a hundred already this year. That is the coaching staff changing the way we play the game.
1000% agree
yup. That’s why I couldn’t care less about the perfect throw that got Fraley at 3rd. Aggressiveness on the bases scores way more than it takes away.
Oh you’ve got to love this match-up … let’s see what Elly has learned so far about Gray.
The word on India must be “down and away”.
Nice to see him lay off that time.
Welp, so much for the reverse splits. Lefties doing most of the damage today.
TOOTBLAN from India to end the drama.
Was it that bad of a pick off? I mean not even close getting back to the bag?
Not even close
@VARedsFan
Thanks,
India hasn’t been attempting SB’s for a while, (wondering if his ankle is good) so there’s zero reason to be caught flatfooted like that.
India with 2 mental mistakes in game so far. Get your head in it.
TOOTBLAN of the year India 🙁
Epic TOOTBLAN.
India asleep at the wheel.
Would have loved to see Elly finish that AB.
India has got to be better then that. SMH!!!
I just heard India on the pregame show talking about always being ready to play and giving every game his best effort etc.
Earlier he was basically jogging to first base to cover a bunt and wasn’t within six feet of the bag when De La Cruz needed to throw it, then just now he gets picked off first base with two outs and the bases loaded with a chance to blow the game open…and he was out by a lot. What in the heck is he doing?
@Ted, why did you remind me of that failed attempt to cover 1B. I had already forgot that.
India if you’re going to be a leader, it can’t be just talking about how you’re going to be a leader.
Very bad India allowing to be surprised
Situational basics, India, my goodness:(
Shame on India for not being perfect. Geesh, If you ever played the game I am sure you all made bone headed plays. I know I did
Dude.
Get real.
I’m sure he’s a wonderful young man.
That was a major bonehead move that we hope isn’t repeated in a more crucial situation.
We know he hit 2 solo homers last night.
Now it’s another game.
Totally agree, and everyone can say what they want.
I am just saying if you played the sport or any sport you and I have made bone headed plays it happens.
I agree it can’t happen in that situation, however it does. India isn’t the first player and wont be the last. Thats all I am saying
Yes, I agree. Clean slate ever day.
Each game is it’s own intenty. Not perfect, situational smarts. Bases jammed, 2 outs, 2nd base occupied, cleanup hitter up.
I played bb(I wasn’t athletic), & coached it for 10 year 3 years 16-18 year old Sr. Babe Ruth league, 7 yrs Babe Ruth. Situations are equal in that regard.
Sorry but that is inexcusable. I don’t see how you can tolerate that as a manager. A couple days off should be in order.
Ashcraft doesn’t have his stuff but he is battling. I like that from him. He could get us a couple more innings.
Ashcraft’s cutter is such a good pitch when it has bite like tonight. But he just doesn’t have enough in the rest of his arsenal to make it as effective as it should or could be. If he just had an average changeup the moves down and right, oppo the cutter, he’d be much more effective.
Bases loaded two outs, 3 run lead EDLC up, India should have been standing on 1b.
Dude has power
Oh my what could have been if only … 😮
The young family I sat near Monday said EDLC hit the big MGM sign just left of center during batting practice. That’s about how far that one went.
And EDLC homers! Oh man, India…
OK, which one of tonight’s starting pitchers is a 2023 All Star selection? Here’s hoping we can get one more inning from Nuke Laloosh or Lucky! Pick a nickname!
Thrall says he’ll like the read out from the bat device on that swing. Cowboy says it will be “Strong like bull”
It was just a matter of time….If Gray kept pitching Elly up in the zone…Kapowww!
India owing EDLC a new bat end gizmo.
And 3 RBIs 🙂
That Elly ball said, Ouch
What was the exit velo of that HR? I just missed it.
111.6 mph
I think 114 mph and 455 ft
Yes to va…111.6 per baseball savant
Thrall said 115 mph … so fast as lightening.
What was it that Thrall said to Elly’s first HW. . .”That ball had a family”?
I’m glad Elly turned down the homerun derby. Even tho it Boras’s idea. Good for our team.
Same, very mature decision.
He spoke about it well, too.
Time for something new, anyhow, if you ask me.
Egg toss. Sack race. Dunking booth (with team owners in it)
He’s the one guy who I think it wouldn’t screw up his swing. But a very wise choice to skip it.
As much as I want to see it.
I’m glad he turned it down too.
He’s a pretty self aware, level headed kid so far in his young career, IMO.
Yes. His comments were nicely worded for his team first.
Next year we’ll see him there, & possibly starting.
Reds have homered in 19 straight games.
Not 1 or 2 guys either….EVERYBODY chipping in
Different guys every night. Love it!
That’s what I like about a deep lineup.
Let’s see how dialed in Benson is on Gray. This is his last batter regardless of the outcome.
Just saw Elly tapping the end of his bat after he HR’s then pointing into the 3B side dugout.
Tastefully. Hahaha
Yes….the Nats feed showed it a few times. Don’t know if the Reds feed did. He might want to be aware of the HBP in his next AB.
True, but they started it by questioning his bat in the 1st place. Hopefully he doesn’t have to get plunked for it.
Some chin music at least might be expected.
I hope the umps are on it.
Ours showed it too.
Yes, beaning will come next.
The picture Elly, the picture!
Love to watch EDLC field and throw. He did one yesterday that was so fluid it almost looked like a single motion. Just a treat to watch. Even the Nats fans were in awe of him.
Yeh, he looks special. Absolute cannon for an arm. I think 3rd might be his best infield position after all. It will be interesting to see how the positions of all of the young stars/prospects ends up. Who will be the eventual shortstop? Where does India end up? McClain? It’s going to fun watching the Reds figure it all out. Lots of options, and most of them are really good options.
Ashcraft 80 pitches after 5 innings. LOL Amazing after the way he started. What a way to battle through the early struggles.
I’m shocked, but we’ll take it. Get 6 from him at whatever count and it’s all good.
Absolute, I still have a short leash as vision’s of Colorado are still in my head. LOL
Ashcraft got through the heart of the Nats order in the 5th.
There’s some sense to sending him back for the 6th.
Would you have a short hook? He can lose it fast lol
Oh, and Monday night I got a “horns” hand sign from Buck Farmer. I was wearing my Reds polo shirt. Young lady beside me was keeping a score card, so I helped her out when I knew a pitching change was coming for the next inning.
That’s cool!
In 1992 my pretty wife got zRijo to stop his running and pose for a picture. Still have that old Kodak picture.
She got Hal Morris too.
Rijo of course.
That hand sign has many meanings….which do you think Farmer intended?
A traditional Sicilian one?… or maybe he’s into George Clinton / P-Funk, too?
I called out “Buck” and he glanced up obviously seeing it was a fan. Horns pointed down and wiggled. so my interpretation was it was all good.
see what happens when he stays at the bottom of the zone quick 1-2-3
Amazing! Truly amazing! Ashcraft was at 59 pitches thru 2 innings and now has survived 5 innings with 80 pitches!
We’re not out of the woods yet, amigo.
Maybe Ashcraft talked to Abbott’s dad before he went out for the 3rd inning! Some things can’t be explained!
LOL I literally busted out laughing at this
+10,000
On the broadcast, it was announced that the device on Elly’s bat was approved by MLB.
That could’ve been cleared up with a real-time call. Lol
I think they tried but the gear was malfunctioning.
Yes. WLW said the same. The debate was about the covering which is explicitly allowed. How the Nats and umpires didn’t know that is beyond me.
They are so disjointed, Umpiring & the Starship enterprise league office.
3 straight perfect sliders to start that inning. That a boy!
I didn’t realize this until I was at the games, but the bullpen guys all march out in unison after the Reds half of the first. I’m assuming that’s an away thing. Kind of cool to watch that.
That would be awesome to see. Good for you!
The more I watch McLain play SS, the more I think I’m watching a future GGer at that position.
One run for Ashcraft. He struggled but he has a bulldog mentality that will serve him well. It wasn’t pretty but he got it done.
I want Abbott’s dad as our director of pitching development.
Ashcraft theory #2 – He almost looked “too strong” early tonight. Overthrowing everything. As fatigue set in, his stuff appeared to start breaking more and working better.
Good point.
Remember Larkkn let slip that at something he’ll slide over to 2nd about 10ish days ago. He then said nothing else, John even said nothing.
Plans can change based on play on the field.
Geez me. Larkin!
Fraley. Against a left handed pitcher
and votto
Good 6 from Ashcraft. Still need 9 outs from the pen and, as Cowboy noted, Williamson is up tomorrow which likely means only 4-5 innings from him. If this holds up, another series win in the books is a good thing. Nats had won 3 series heading into this one, so we have already broken that streak.
And everybody remember Fraley can’t hit a LHP. Not one lick.
Fraley singles against a lefty after walking yesterday.
he hit it hard twice against LHP that last game against the Friars too
Left on left crime by Fraley
That was a classic Votto oppo single. Nice hit-and-run job by Fraley.
Look at Joey
I really like what I’m seeing from votto. That slap to left is vintage Votto. Keep it going young man.
Oh look Votto has yet another hit..is that three tonight?
Sincerely,
Votto Cheerleader
I’m right there with you. He’s not the 2021 Votto, but if he is reasonably healthy its going to pay off to have him on the team down the stretch. He just knows how to hit.
Now Votto. This team is special guys
Yes. In way different ways reminds me of the 90 team.
Hope it ends the same. I’ll get $8000 if they win it all
And a balk move … adding insult to injury.
why is this guy wasting pickoff attempts to Votto
hahahahahahahaha
Draft kings had huge payouts if Votto stole a base tonight. I didn’t bite but I’m sure draft kings about fell out of their chair there for a second
He was indeed picked off, but balked before the throw.
Nice focus by Dickerson. Votto kept his eyes on it the whole time.
Will we see a trifecta lefty-lefty?
Not quite. But he got good wood on it. Just under it a bit.
Votto crosses the Mendoza.
I’m feeling all the pathos and delusions swirling in my head.
LOL
+5,000
Matty McSpeed
MattyMc snuck one in on a bad choice by Candelario.
A little chance for add-on redemption for India.
In fairness … he needs a day off so he can get ready for the Bernies. And not even a day off as DH. Just a plain day off.
The off speed stuff has been torturing him.
Nice grab by India.
Reds about to win another series and stay in first place. This is unbelievable how fast this thing happened
Yep, these young cats are special.
It’s still got that fuzzy, dream-like quality for me. Proof will be the first Bernies series coming up. That’s a chance to really shine for these boys heading into the break.
IDK, LA, BAL, HOU, SD, and was in 1 run games with the best team in baseball ATL. I’m convinced.
Oh, I’m convinced. Just that the next two Bernie series provide the opportunity to put a major hurt on them.
Well yes then, these 2 series can create a separation for 1 of these 2 teams.
Position players and rookies. everything that could go right. mostly did so far. Pitching not so much. If all you knew was that Lodolo and Greene would miss significant time and nothing else, who’da thunk we’d be here? We get those guys back at some point, lol.
+10,000
Are you counting on them coming back from injury with serious time out and being the same good prospects? Injuries scare me with the very young pi
Elly 5-for-5 from the right side between yesterday and today.
After all my moaning, EDLC turning it on hitting RH.
Elly oppo-double off a lefty.
107 MPH
He had thoughts of 3rd … then swiped it anyway.
bat speed from RH, check.
I said give him time, however I too was thinking well maybe De La Cruz can’t hit from right side.
Teach me to complain. Lol
You motivated him
Fraley came in at .027 vs lefties.
LOL,
Something magical going on with this team. If math is correct 40-24 since 7-15 start?
Steer having an off night … after going 4-4 yesterday. And then he says “Nah … I’ll get a hit”
When your #9 batter hits for the 5th time …
And he gets a productive out anyway.
Maybe it’s because I catch most of his references, but Sadak is the best.
Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. Good that we have options that suit us.
When I give my opinion. I am told Ia full of hot Air. LOL
When I give my opinions, it should be assumed I’m full of hot air.
That’s what we’re all here for.
@Harry indeed.
Mostly my comments are intended to be sarcasm or fun. Not always easy to tell. I just try to have fun…
And yes I am full of hot air lOL
Not a big Sadak fan, It feels like Mr Rogers is calling the game to me, but he did do a ted Lasso reference that was perfect. A game vs KC, I think it was a strike out for a save, or something similar, and drops the “Barbecue Sauce” line. Perfect city, perfect timing. So I’ll give him props on some of those situations.
I want a commentator who is having as much fun watching the game as I am.
He just said “All your base are belong to Elly”, which is one of the most well known internet memes. I get that a lot of people watching wouldn’t have caught that, but it was amazing.
Got there early enough to see Williamson throwing his bullpen side yesterday. Interesting to watch DJ work him and talk him through stuff. That’s the kind of activity you take for granted unless you are seeing it for yourself.
Super interesting to hear.
Williamson has been making some slow progress.
Good to know he’s getting some attention.
Chris Welsh: “I believe when left handed batters face left handed pitchers it can makes them better against right handed pitchers”
Two outs later…
John Sadak : “Chris, many believe that when left handed batters, who would normally platoon, hit against left handed pitchers, they become more effective against Right Handed pitchers”
Sadak only hears himself talk. And so do we, unfortunatley.
😀 😛 😉 ;o 🙂
Same thought, had to repeat it, used almost 2x the words. That’s what I’m talking about.
Bike helmets courtesy of a quick feed by Young.
Decent game by Ashcraft though too many baserunners. Good to see Votto with a couple of singles. According to baseball-ref, that is his first oppo field hit this season. That’s good to see.
It was a classic Votto oppo to boot. Choked up and shot it that way. Candelaria had zero chance.
Hope he sticks with it and quits acting like Suarez. Then he really will be an asset again.
6 innings of 1 run baseball.
Finished stronger and more effective than he started.
“Decent” enough.
Some fuzzy details….but cards just blew a lead and lost in the bottom 9 to marlins. they go to 16 under .500.
Full blow collapse from a team who was expected to compete. Cost per win is staggering for the WLB Dirty Birds this year.
Couldn’t happen to a better team! The only MLB team I dislike more than the Yankees are the Dirty Birds!
Not sure why Bell isn’t emptying his bench. The game is essentially over. This is just needlessly risking injury with an important series coming up.
Sometimes, I think you’re a bot. Like, this can’t even be real.
Lol
Reds have a lousy 38 hits and 15 walks so far this series. They need to pick it up.
+10,000
And 68 in July is close to peak if I recall 😛
And a gazillion SBs seems like.
Reds pitchers have been playing with fire all night tonight! They must have asbestos uniforms on tonight because they haven’t been burned. Double plays and at ’em balls and they have escaped more jams than Houdini!
Elly 106.4 on that double.
His “slowest” base hit of the night.
Not sure whats going on with the Cards.Goldy and Arrenado are still very good players and Walker is going to be a star but they just look awful at times.Walker with a two out homer in the ninth to put them up by one and then HIcks throws a ball away and two runs score.Walker’s homer was with a man on.Got to feel they will blow things up but most of their money is tied up in the first two guys I mentioned
They need to snack on some Nootbaars to power up.
Bases juice AGAIN. I’m surprised anybody is still in the park watching.
Stupid Cubs are not cooperating tonight!
That’s why they are the Stupid Cubs.
Cubs have good starting pitching. Im of the belief let them lose now so they trade Stroman at the deadline and then its a 2 team race. Stroman carries the cards for the Cubs and looks like they want to trade him and if they do the Cubs are done … Then its Brewers and reds…bring it on…plus the wild card is still an option
They must have heard you and decided to be nice.
Should have pinch hit Newman in this spot. Bell left runs on the board.
Sarcasm?
Hey, man. It’s like my opinion, man.
Freedom of speech, man.
Sorry, yes that was sarcasm.
Although I do feel dumb for saying Steer was the best hitter on the team earlier. Elly is one of the best hitters in the league and definitely the best hitter on the team.
No need to feel dumb, we all have opinions and stuff. It’s all fun.
Newman and Senzel are starting tomorrow and playing the entire game. Remains to be seen where and who else sits. OF options are a little thin at this point if you want to rest guys.
Maile in lf? LoL
Really good idea. Keep Newman ready.
Okay Cruz 9th inning is all yours.
Nice job Fernando Cruz with two strikeouts.
Reds need to sign Elly to a 10-12 yr contract this offseason. Will be tough with Boras, but he will absolutely age well. He is a freak talent and as a fan I want to watch him for a decade or more in a Reds uni.
You can teach speed, you can’t teach exit velocity, you can’t teach arm. He’s got all the gifts you can’t teach.
can’t teach speed
Boras has to be salivating at the thought of what could be done. He’s still have a chance to sign somewhere else after that and continue to play at a high level.
If he is who we think he is, he will be selling short if he signs too soon. If Soto can get $440 mil, and ELDC is who we think he is, what can he expect? I wouldn’t trade him today for any player in the game.
Sorry, Soto turned DOWN that deal to take his chances, hence the trade to the Padres.
Soto had close to 4 yrs of service time when he got that offer, so no real comparison can be made with that one. More relevant comparables would be in terms of ability and service time would be Tatis, Franco, and Acuna.
can’t teach speed lol
Do not sign me up for a Josiah Gray trade. Unless the price is cheap.
Dude led the league in HR allowed last year and the Reds squared him up all night.
If he made half his starts in GABP it would not be pretty.
Don’t worry, he’s got too much control left and the rebuilding Nats won’t be making him available. They’ll be trying to build value there. He’s improved since last season no doubt.
100%… his line looked way better than it actually was because after the E at third Stephenson and Benson both ripped doubles which ended up scoring two more runs but they were unearned. We were hammering him all night. In his last inning even though he got out of it you could tell he was basically afraid to throw a strike because everything he was throwing in the strike zone was getting hit very hard
This is the longest 3+ hour game I’ve watched.
Diaz with two days off and can we make it 3 tomorrow.I think so.GO REDS
That’ll do, boys. Tomorrow will bring whatever it brings. Tonight we celebrate another series win. And the magic continues.
Reds bullpen has allowed only one (1) run in the last 2 games! Outstanding!
Fernando Cruz had as many strikeouts in one inning as Ashcraft did in six innings and we are all happy about Ashcraft going six.
Ashcraft 9 groundouts. That’s the stat from him I keep an eye on.
2 GIDP
Nice win. You have to beat up on the weaker competition if you want to make the playoffs. Don’t be satisfied. We need a sweep
Beat up the bad teams and split with the good ones. At the end of the day you will be in great shape.
One last comment before I sign off and roll this 70 year old body off to bed for another work day tomorrow! Yes, I am still working full time at a government job!
I want to wake up and find out the Stupid Cubs came back and beat the Bernies!
Good recap of Elly and the Blast Sensor cover here:
https://sports.yahoo.com/reds-star-elly-de-la-cruzs-bat-checked-by-umpires-over-tracking-sensor-cover-briefly-removed-vs-nationals-010620582.html
Check out the individual OPS for the starting line up for the Reds tonight. Amazing! Only India and Stevenson are below 800 and both are in the mid 700s. Absolutely lethal, and the guy that I think is the best hitter in the organization is still in AAA. Got to love it if you’re a Reds fan.
Yes. They are so exciting.
Lark said that they’ll draw from that farm depth as needed rather than acquiring them, except the pitching.
Scary good & deep!
I’m wearing my Elly shirt to my Dr. in Chattanooga in the morning.
Joey’s contributions in this series can’t be understated either.
No real fan wants him to fail.
I’ll admit that I thought he was done. I’m glad to admit that I was prematurely wrong.