After finishing up the first half with the Reds and Brewers facing off in Milwaukee, the two teams will begin the second half in Cincinnati taking on one another. The Reds have a 1-game lead over the Brewers as the 3-game series at Great American Ball Park begins. First pitch tonight is set for 7:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Milwaukee Brewers |
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Christian Yelich – LF | TJ Friedl – CF |
| William Contreras – DH | Matt McLain – SS |
| Willy Adames – SS | Jake Fraley – DH |
| Owen Miller – 1B | Elly De La Cruz – 3B |
| Victor Caratini – C | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Andruw Monasterio – 3B | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Brice Turang – 2B | Spencer Steer – LF |
| Tyrone Taylor – RF | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Joey Wiemer – CF | Will Benson – RF |
| Corbin Burnes – RHP | Graham Ashcraft – RHP |
Andruw Monasterio was not originally in the lineup, but Brian Anderson was a late scratch for the Brewers and Monasterio is taking over at third base.
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 81.2 | 6.28 | 1.59 | 35 | 61 |
| Corbin Burnes | 107.1 | 3.94 | 1.14 | 39 | 102 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Corbin Burnes’s Stats |
|||||
Graham Ashcraft
After a dominant five weeks to begin the season, Graham Ashcraft’s season spiraled and he got hammered for the next month and a half. He spent a short period of time on the injured list before returning and struggling against Atlanta. But in his two starts since he’s allowed just two earned runs total in 12.2 innings.
Both lefties and righties have found success this season against Ashcraft – something that was not true for his career through the first week of May, but since then lefties have absolutely crushed him to the tune of .402/.450/.630 after hitting just .201/.270/.251 against him in his career up to that point. Right-handed hitters have always hit well against him in the big leagues and that’s still holding true this year. Not shown below are the splits for his home and road numbers. He’s been much better on the road, with a 152 point disadvantage in OPS against at Great American Ball Park.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 199 | 51 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 29 | .298 | .384 | .485 |
| LHH | 174 | 44 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 32 | .280 | .347 | .459 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 96.7 | 96.4 | 88.3 |
| Usage | 10% | 52% | 38% |
Corbin Burnes
It hasn’t quite been the same for Burnes in 2023 as it has been the previous three seasons when he was one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. He’s still pitched well, but not the Cy Young caliber pitcher he’s shown to be in the past. In his final start before the break he allowed two runs in 6.0 innings against the Reds in Milwaukee while walking four and striking out six.
The splits against Burnes don’t paint a good picture. He’s been quite good against both lefties and righties, but right-handed hitters have found more success across the board. They make more contact, hit for a higher average, and hit for a lot more power. They still aren’t hitting well, but they do hit much better. Left-handed hitters walk more, but they don’t do much else – hitting for a sub .200 average and slugging .301 against him.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 217 | 45 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 46 | .227 | .290 | .394 |
| LHH | 224 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 56 | .194 | .281 | .301 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.4 | 94.4 | 79.8 | 88.1 | 89.3 |
| Usage | 9% | 54% | 17% | 7% | 13% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 87°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Reds have called around about starting pitching
Jon Morosi reported that the Cincinnati Reds have been calling teams asking about starting pitching and he specifically mentioned the Chicago White Sox as one of the teams they contacted. They have several options that could be available in the next two weeks.
Jonathan India moves down the lineup
You probably took notice above that India has moved out of the #3 spot in the lineup – a spot he’s been in for the last seven weeks. At least for tonight’s game he’s down in the #5 spot. Since moving into the #3 spot he’s had hit .196/.288/.372 – showing off a little bit of power, but struggling to do much else at the plate.
The Reds had the best draft of anyone
Or at least that’s what MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis believes. Cincinnati’s 21 picks stand out above the crowd according to Callis, led by 1st round pitchers Rhett Lowder and Ty Floyd.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Reds | 50 | 41 | 0.0 | 34.5% |
| Brewers | 49 | 42 | 1.0 | 58.2% |
| Cubs | 42 | 47 | 7.0 | 9.5% |
| Pirates | 41 | 49 | 8.5 | 1.3% |
| Cardinals | 38 | 52 | 11.5 | 5.9% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
I fully expect the Reds to come out “swinging” to start the unofficial second half.
That’s what I was expecting as well..
I truly believe it is time to bring up CES. This offense needs a jolt. In a game that is a pitching dual it’s as if everyone is looking for someone else to step it up, by the end we loose 1-0.. On the other side of the coin if they know they have to score they come alive. It will be interesting to see how they finish the rest of Brewers series. I really believe this team needs to win both games going forward. It would be good for their confidence. We have some capable bats on the bench that was a big part of the win streak, turning things around ECT, but the last couple weeks rarely play. If they are not going to get opportunity to contribute we should trade them. The better our starting pitchers are doing, it’s as if the guys have relaxed on offense. We need to stay aggressive and play as if we are 3 runs down all the time. That is why I truly believe there would be no better time than now if we are planning on bringing CES up at any point this year, now is the time. The lineup needs a jolt and I truly believe once he is called up regardless of the situation he will bring a welcoming energy to the club and right now I believe is that time.
I realize it is somewhat of a knee jerk reaction, but at the same time if we are going to be serious contenders let’s at atleast take whatever steps we can to become the new nl central team that everyone will fear and respect moving forward.. right now the Brewers own us, it’s time we either quit pretending or fight and take what should be ours and that’s the NL Central
Regardless I love the Reds always have and always will, it’s time to bring championship baseball back to the Queen City
At the game tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully we can bring home two wins at least this weekend.
Go get em! 🙂
Goodnonya, Mate!!
Enjoy and bring us a win to start the weekend.
It will be tough to top the last 2 Friday games.
We’ll settle for a win though.
I’m optimistic that our boys will get to Burnes tonight and will Kick this Bernie Pig to the Ohio River. I like the line-up as posted, though as others have noted I’d probably switch a couple of them. Looking for the “good” Ashcraft and a fully rested and re-energized team wearing that City Connect Black.
Bring it!!
Let’s hope this officially ends the India disastrous experiment hitting 3… those numbers for a three-hitter over 7 weeks are horrendous. He destroyed a lot of very promising Innings.
He’s halfway to 7th where he should be. Baby steps
Interested to see a Rested reds bullpen and rested lineup and Ashcraft who should be 100% ready to pitch the 2nd half
Glad bb is back. Which version of Ashcraft will we see? Can Votto stay hot? These are my key questions for the game 🙂 let’s go get ‘em
I swear this was the longest week in season I’ve experienced. No baseball since our last Titanic Contest (the ASG etc. held no interest to me) has made it a tedious week to say the least.
Wasn’t that big of a deal when we had a lousy team and losing all the time was it? 🙂
Me too. I wandered around my backyard the whole week around this time of the day not knowing what to do to kill 3 hrs. As I said, glad bb is back 🙂
True that, Melvin. Way easier to pull a Clete. Way less angst over West Coast games past my bedtime and gaps in the schedule.
That darned HOPE again, eh? 😛
Ruh-roh, Shaggy … 😮
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/shane-bieber-headed-for-mri-due-to-forearm-irritation.html
That’s why it’s often wise in my view for teams who are “sellers” to do so BEFORE the deadline.
And Guardians fans wanted Jonathan India for him. Glad we didn’t go down that road.
Gotta be a strong home field advantage now with the boys in first. I’m feelin the energy. Go Reds!!!!
Buckle up Ladies & Gents! The 2nd half of the 2023 MLB season officially is on!
If the Reds want to move to the next level from pretenders to contenders they can take that first step tonight by winning the first game and then the series against their main NL Central Division rival, the Milwaukee Brewers!
Areas for improvement include: 1) SPs need to go deeper into games, 2) improved base running by eliminating the TOOTBLANS, 3) more productive ABs with RISP and 4) cutting down on the strikeouts (in case anyone forgot, 12 SOs in Game 1 of the last series against the Bernies AND 14 in Game 2).
Let’s give the Brewers a warm Queen City welcome without the Skyline chili!
“Buckle up Ladies & Gents! The 2nd half of the 2023 MLB season officially is on!”
Hope you got your BP meds refilled. 🙂
I would also block them from getting any Graeter’s ice cream And Montgomery ribs. None of the good stuff for the Brewers:)
Easiest fix is the baserunning. Aggressive but borderline dumb at times. Bell has to stay on them
+100
This is one of those metrics that can stand as a legitimate test of Bell’s leadership versus just being able now to write at least 8 strong names on the lineup card every night.
I am not at all impressed with the Milwaukee Brewers everyday lineup but they have had our number for a while. They’ve been the best team in the division consistently more than anyone else over the last six or seven years and they just have a confidence about them in these types of series, so it’s up for the young kids to break that mentality
Can we all agree to NOT pitch to Adames tonight … please? Throw at him if necessary, but quit offering up cement mixers and cookies on a tee.
I’ve said my piece. Nothing more on that particular topic from me tonight.
I’m riding with Indy Red Man on the Adames “solution”.
For the last 2 seasons, India has had his most success at leadoff.
This season, Bell has been trying to make India a 3 hole hitter. It failed, royally.
It’s been obvious, if you aren’t going to move India back to leadoff, where it would open up the right side for Friedl, then move India to the 9 hole.
But, what does Bell do? Moves India to the 5 hole. Only one thing wrong with that. The batter in that hole has to be able to hit with men on. India has proven he can’t do that. He’s proven he’s better leading off and being driven in.
Benson is the one who should be moved up anyhow. After all, he is leading the Reds in most offensive categories ever since he got back.
I wouldn’t mess with success with Benson. He’s a perfect bottom order cleanup hitter, middle inning lead off hitter. India would fit nicely a spot or two before him.
Yeah, I’d prefer EDLC moved to 3rd, Steer 4th, leave Fraley & Votto at 5&6, India at 7. Run with that a while.
Yep..way better
With the exception of HRs and RBIs, but how much are they worth?
Man, that is some lineup for the brewers. How in the world did they spend 120$M on that?
That’s a good way to start the game.
Need a fine balance of patience and aggressive AB’s to chase Burnes early tonight. I’m thinking the boys are up for it.
Ashcraft with a nice inning. Let’s get some runs on Cy young
10 Pitches – Three outs – Alright! 🙂
He looked sharp!
FWIW Ashcraft said once last year that he pitches for ground outs and only goes for the K when he needs one.
He needed one there and got it.
HT to our least favorite Bernie for timing that jump perfectly.
A couple of things on that “ball” that looked like a strike:
1) The batter was wearing his pants leg up. Someone suggested Elly to do that. That it could help him get some more “balls” called down there and get the pitches up. Simply because the ump may be “measuring” their kneecap via the pants leg, then, when worn that high.
2) I worry about 2 things with the electronic K zone. One, maintenance. Tech always needs maintenance. It may even break down during a game. You still have to have umps there and ready, I believe.
But, 2, at least going by definition of the K zone, it varies per batter. What we see on TV and online doesn’t seem to vary per batter. I just wonder how they would adjust for that?
Keep in mind it isn’t just a single point of tech failure. It’s multi-camera and would likely be very redundant once it comes to MLB. It’s still going to get us far more consistency than we see with the Chumpire crew.
Well … not completely disappointed with that inning. Burnes doesn’t look quite as sharp as his start against us before the break.
Think how fast Elly would be if he weren’t carrying that 20 pounds of chains around his neck.
+1,000
😀
4-6-3
Need a big start from Ashcraft.
Kind of looked to me Ashcraft lost focus on Caratini for a bit.
Bike helmets makes up for that, though.
4-6-3
Need a big start from Ashcraft.
2 innings 21pitches will work
Man, if Ashcraft has really turned the corner back to being a serviceable to solid starter, that would go a long way to help stabilize the rotation for the 2nd half.
This just in.
Corbin Burnes is still Cy young
Nothing new. Curveball is fooling our hitters bad.
WLW booth is saying the brightness of the batters’ eye right now isn’t helping their pitch recognition right now either.
TV crew…Jim Day reported the same thing.
He’s a .212 hitter … go after him!
If you’ll notice, if Burns gets behind, he will float a get me over curve for a strike.
Guys need to be ready and jump on that pitch.
Got it. Thanks. He has one of the best curveballs in the game does not help.
Good choice by Joey to take the out at first.
Now back to Ashcraft to FOCUS!!!
Spencer Steer LF!!!
The kid is a “ball player” plain and simple.
Boy, still a good pitch count by Ashcraft, 33 pitches after 3 innings. But, not a good strike out, 18 out of 33 pitches.
It’s as if his mind is wandering a bit …
Nice throw from Steer and a good sweep tag from TySteve. Rally attempt quashed.
He put some mustard on that Wiemer.
He’s just a good player period.
+500
Good job Steer to throw him out at the plate. He’d better get him out on a play like that. Dumb base running to send him. We’ll take it. 🙂
5 strikeouts by Reds batters already! Not good!
Mclain on…didn’t attempt to steal
TJ on…..not stealing yet???
Can’t play tight. That’s not what got us here.
Make that 6 strikeouts! Good grief!
Bright spot on the batters’ eye no longer an excuse.
Stink. Fish. Pot!!!
2 strike out of ELDC are like instant replay of each other 🙁
Update! 7 of the 9 outs thru 3 innings have been strikeouts by Burnes! Hit the friggin’ ball please!
I don’t know why Bell hasn’t let our runners loose. I’ve seen that recently. We get the first batter on, a batter who can run, then no attempt to steal.
We’ve got more weapons than the Beers do. They’re called base stealers. That could be the difference in a game like this. We’re not using them so far. Pressure Pressure Presssure Use it.
Burne’s curveball coming in 15mph off his 95mph fastball.
EDLC (and Reds) overmatched.
Keep it close until this guy’s outta here.
It’s also breaking very late.
Just won’t swing at that pitch down the middle but swings away at breaking ball in dirt
The only positive thing is that the Reds have made the Burnes’ pitching count gets high thru the 3 innings, maybe a shorter outing tonight. Hopefully Ashcraft keeps Brewers out of the board thru the next frames…
No chance unless we run and put the ball in play.Station to station is not what we do.Got to run and maybe we find some holes.
Anyone have concerns with McLain at SS?
I do not.
That kid is a baseball player.
No way. He can stay there as far as I’m concerned.
At least Burnes’ pitch count is averaging about 20 pitches per inning!
This ump seems to be calling a pretty tight K zone tonight.
So far, so good from what I’m seeing. Relatively consistent.
Nice inning from Ashcraft.
Time to make some noise!!!
This might be the most pitch-efficient four innings by a Reds starter in years.
8 pitch inning for Ashcraft…I hope a sign that he’s regaining his savvy.
Brewers and Reds pitching like they are 2 top 10 teams in baseball.
Ashcraft great.
Need this one.
India “leading off” for the 2nd time. Still no mas … 🙁
What is this? Is that Henry Roengardner out there?
Come on guys.
+500 😀
Have to find a way to manufacture some runs. This is what it will take in the playoffs. Remember 2020?
It’s call Small Ball and Bell needs to put his i-Pad down, stop playing Candy Crush and help this team manufacture a run or two!
Hahaha Need to google “small ball”. 🙂 Can’t forget how to do that in the second half. Aggressive Agressive Agressive! 🙂
54 pitches through five innings. 🙂
Boy, Ashcraft isn’t getting many strikes, but he’s getting the job done.
Whatever works! Now the offense needs to do their part!
I’ll take this pitch-efficient version every single time. I don’t need to see a lot of K’s and I’m not in the position to get a free pizza. Keep at it, Graham!
I’d like to see Benson lay down a bunt every now and then like Friedl. It would help his already good game.
Good hit there. Time to take off!!!
Hey there, hi there, ho there
hey yourself
Hey Deb. What’s on the grill?
Still no go on steals so far.
Question to those listening to Sadak (for whatever reason). How’s his man-crush on Burnes tonight?
haha No comment.
Just wait til Elly does something good…
Sadak gets so giddy, it ruins the moment.
Burns looks dizzy. He’s out of the game for sure. Hope he’s okay.
Wow … looks like Burnes is having a little heat frustration here.
They seriously need to take him out for his own good.
Looking at him with the trainers, he’s not seeing well all of the sudden. I’m thinking he’s done for tonight.
My guess as well, something heat related.
MLB Gameday certainly has many limitations. This injury delay is one of them.
The frustrations of an out of town fan …
Tell me about it. That’s most of the reason why I jump on here to read the comments.
A lot of Ks in last 2 games, 14 on sunday and 10 tonight so far…. No runs during 13.2 frames
Possibly some vision issues.
I’m going with dizziness, that would affect his vision. The going to one knee seemed to indicate maybe a balance issue. I’m not a doctor
That’s what it looked like to me. Blurry or double. His pitches to MattyMc right now kind of look that way.
I’m thinking Mr. Burnes is done for the night. I really doubt Counsel will risk another incident in the 6th like that.
Agreed. He’s at 87 pitches.
Never know what’s going on. Could be dangerous.
Can’t believe in this day and age that they’d leave him in.
We’re those guys DOCTORS or just “athletic trainers?”
Why take the risk of something terrible happening?
Hope he’s okay.
Yes. If he goes, I only see one more inning. He would be up to 100 pitch count.
Props to Burnes. It’s not easy to do, pitch in the temp, with that big of a uniform on. Those things aren’t lightweight.
At least they aren’t wearing black in the hot summer. lol
+1000
Burnes with 10 K’s but nearly 90 pitches thru 5 innings! Reds need to score in innings 6, 7 or 8 and not wait for Brewers closer!
65 pitches through six innings. 🙂
BIKE HELMETS AGAIN!!!
Ashcraft really relying on the boys to get it done. Now they need to back him with Crooked Numbers.
Ashcraft is pitching his tail off!!!
What a performance when it matters.
Nice double play. This is why Ascraft might eventually be the “ace” of the staff simply because he can pitch to contact and last longer on average than the other guys although Abbott might give him a run for his money in that department. 🙂
We have to believe we are going to score so lets put up a crooked number and set back and watch Ashcraft do his thing.Got to run and put that ball in play.GO REDS
Surprised to see Burns for the 6th. I’m sure Counsel is keeping a close eye on him. Time to strike.
Of course, if he keeps whiffing us, he’ll easily finish the 6th.
65 pitches vs third time through for middle of the order?
I think Bell will send him back out.
Disappointing from EDLC tonight. All on junk pitches.
He’s doing his best Jose Barrero–which is the worst Jose Barrero… which was, the only, Jose Barrero…
Sombrero makers getting out the gold for EDLC.
I hope they don’t need it.
I heard that!!!
I love Jon India but he is in free fall
I put that K on the ump, he expanded the zone big time, It forced India’s hand on that AB.
Burnes is making them look bad again tonight. But, luckily Ashcraft is doing well. This is a must win game IMO. It sets the tone for the second half and they don’t drop yet another game to the Brewers, dropping to 2-6.
I tend to agree. Win tonight and at least split the weekend and we’re still up on them.
Reds struck out 14 times Sunday and 13 times today already.
And 12 the first game of the series when Burnes pitched. Brewers must have some good scouting reports on the Reds’.
I heard that. I’m sorry. That is called choking. The Brewers (and their pitching) are just not that good.
Back to Ashcraft to hold them down again. I do think we’ve seen the last of Burnes for the night. We score and win, all is forgotten anyway.
I tell you, the Brewers may not pull Burnes after 6. The dude is on fire tonight.
Hopefully that’s it for Burnes. Could have gotten to 20 if he could pitch 9 innings.
18 outs, 13 on Ks.
Grim.
This is crazy. So many strikeouts. You would think the guy was a CY Young winner or something.
Such a disappointment.
I heard that. Somebody (Reds batters) needs to grow a pair. I’m not talking about Friedl or Benson either. Well,..it was fun while it lasted. Reds are too wimpy to even attempt to steal a base. Something has changed. I concur. This guy they are facing is NOT Cy Young!!!
Right? Good thing the trading deadline is coming up. I winder what kind of prospects they could get in return? Just keep T.J and Benson and start over.
Stick to commenting on baseball.
You cant help your self can you?
you comment on commenters. Who anointed you the o\comment police?
Go away.
You cant stomach dissent.. shut up.
I did comment on baseball! What did I say? I said they were striking out too much!
I didn’t realize you were the gate keeper for what good comments are.
Quit striking out!
Yes. I concur.
Right on the money, old-school.
Yep. Like you say, old-school,..it seems we have a troll. Somebody needs to get a life.
You did nothing wrong, Brian. I have no clue what’s wrong with Old School.
Embarrassing! Choke city. That’s two games in a row. At least go back to the dugout and break a bat or something. Perfectly content to whiff over and over and over and over and over,…. and then go back and wait for the next batter to whiff. Ashcraft (just like Lively) deserved better. The Big Red Machine are embarrassed. I gues they’ve just quit. Benson and Friedl compete. The rest need batting practice.
Yeah! They aren’t even trying out there! What a bunch of quitters. I wish they had a habit of coming back in games like other good teams do!
Troll!
Can’t lose Miller here.
Adames again.
Left it up a bit. Miller is a good hitter.
A little surprised by Captain Hook, Jr. here … wonder who is coming in.
How long has it been since the Reds have scored a run?
When you are throwing the ball as well as Ashcraft is today how in the world are you anywhere near waist high in the middle of the plate 0-2… just mind boggling. He’s had a really great slider today so how are you not throwing two sliders there on the outer edge of the plate? How in the heck is that the pitch selection when you’re ahead 0-2 on the one guy who has killed you all year? I sure hope Elly starts laying off the breaking balls in the dirt cuz he’s look really, really bad in three straight at bats swinging at Strike threes that were all in the dirt… not anywhere near the strike zone
Two 2 strike hits.
The 2nd one was worse, because Miller was obviously trying to go right side.
Up and away…needed inside stuff.
Elly De La Barrero taken to school((
I heard that!!!
So dumb to let them steal.
The 2 batters in the Brewers lineup that just kill the Reds are Adames & Yelich!
Well, CRAP!!!!
The balls to start that AB didn’t help one bit, Mr. Sims. Not a bit.
Reds offense is gone 1 and 2/3 games…15 straight Innings without scoring a run versus Milwaukee. They look like a young team that knows these are big games and they’re just not ready for it yet. Just part of the learning process
100% agree. Playing in front of 40k fans with expectations is a lot different than playing free and easy in AAA while you are trying to get up here.
This is my observation. It’s amazing that Ashcraft made it through 6 innings on 2 pitches: cutter and slider. Conventional wisdom says that starting pitcher needs 3-4 pitches to go deep in the game. Going through the line up the 3rd time is not easy with 2 pitches. I think that’s what we’re seeing with Ashcraft in the 7th inning.
Points well taken about 3rd time through.
On the other hand Burnes relies on cutter and curve but he also featured change up and slide from time to time to fool hitter.
I don’t think so. I think he made a horrendous pitch selection and execution 0-2 versus Adames and another bad pitch 2-2 versus the cleanup hitter
That’s exactly point Ted. When you only have 2 pitches hitters will sit on it and any mistake you make hitters will make you pay. You have more wiggle room for making mistakes if hitters don’t guess the pitch correctly. Not all mistakes are the same.
And, it all falls apart! Sims needs to hold the fort!
Bell should have pulled Ashcraft out after 6. He should have seen that Ashcraft was using smoke and mirrors. Now the Reds will lose. No runs in two straight games.
Sims looking good. Keep it up. DO NOT let Winker get a hit here.
Not a good outcome. Pressure is on.
CANNOT walk Winker here.
And yet he did … 😮
But he got out of it.
Alright. Only one run. This offense can more than handle that. Let’s go.
It’s not over yet. We’ve come back from worse.
Why does it feel like they scored 10 that inning?
OK, we’re behind, so we play better now, right? (asking for a friend)
Can we now dispense with the BRM comparisons? There’s a lot of talent and even more potential on this team. But, the BRM never rolled over and played dead. Bell just doesn’t know how to prep a team for a critical game, kind of like the Atlanta playoff series a couple of years ago. Still time but they’ve scored nothing against Mil for a while now.
Yep. The BRM never wimped out. No comparison.
It’s amazing what Winker has become … essentially a pinch-hitter only.
VERY HAPPY we didn’t extend him.
It would really be something if you lose two straight games 1-0 to the Brewers where you literally can’t score one run in two tight playoff type atmosphere games. The young kids need to loosen up and just play the game these last three Innings….cuz they look really tight at the plate.
Again, good teams find ways to win close games! If we can’t score 2 runs we don’t deserve to win!
Young teams have to “learn” how to win close games.
Corbin Burns is quite the pitcher. He is going to make some serious coin in 6-12 months.
Agreed. He was pitching like a #1 ace tonight.
Have we hit 1 ball hard the entire game?? For those who don’t want CES up here… these last two games are why he should be up here.
Yep. Need all the help we can get. This lineup is pretty good tonight but still….
CES will do what Elly, McLain, and Steer cannot??
Maybe. In a one run game he could make a difference. He has 20 HR.
We’ll never know.
What we do know is that this current lineup of Reds has scored zero runs in the last two games against Milwaukee and has basically looked overwhelmed offensively. We also know that CES has completely tore up AAA pitching. He can’t do you any good down in Louisville.
It’s possible CES will hit even better up here. Lots of guys to protect him that he doesn’t have down there. Never know until we try. 🙂
I predict we will do damage in the 8th. These boys don’t quit. I haven’t seen much of the game but it sounds like we are just too anxious. Oh and Burnes is pretty good. The oldest rule in baseball is that good pitching usually beats good hitting. I believe.
Brewers pitchers have been ahead in the count the vast majority of the time tonight. Hitting gets more difficult when that is the case.
That’s not a good look for us. Not at all.
On the bright side, How long since we’ve been this invested in our Reds this deep into the season? That magical run we had that turned to poop when we practically went oh-for-September comes to mind. But this still feels different to me.
Burnes is pitching like a Cy young Winner. Why a lineup of righties doesnt work against power righties. India and Stephenson are scuffling big time.
Of the 21 outs thru 7 innings, 14 have been strikeouts by Reds batters! Ridiculous!
Time to lay down the Law to these Stupid Bernies.
Reds never threatened late Sunday and won’t today.Just trying too hard I guess cause you have no chance unless you can put the ball in play and 14 of 21 outs have been punch outs so far.Had chances early to put guys in motion on the bases and didn’t.Reds are here because they run and should run.
Reds 2-23 with 14 k’s
Yikes
Embarrassing.
Seems like the Brewers have the Reds number again. Are the Brewers trying to become as hated as the Cardinals. I’m not feeling a comeback tonight. Flip.
Very simply the reds are playing very tight. I realize it’s a process for young guys to play games that are more important…to this point they’re just not up to the challenge. I’m not impressed at all with Milwaukee, but I’m very underwhelmed by the Reds play in these last 2 games. You can talk all you want about trading for starting pictures Etc but when you got a kid down in Triple A tearing the ball off the cover for 3 months and you won’t bring him up then you deserve what’s happening to the offense.
Interesting. I’d like to hear from others. Take out Ashcraft or leave him in. Not sure if it was something else, like he was feeling hot, also. So, we won’t count that.
Ashcraft was low on pitch count, but he didn’t seem in control all that much. Do you take him out?
I would tend towards taking him out; our pen just came off a good break. However, I would also hesitate going to the pen anywhere near earlier than we need to. For instance, if this was “before the break”, I may consider leaving Ashcraft in, for we need to save the relievers all we can.
I think it was mentioned earlier but 3rd time through the lineup was the main thing. I think I would have pulled him too.
This offense has been on fire. I think they can come back here.
Having more time to think about it, I say taking him out was the right move. 3rd time through on a hot night where his stuff wasn’t dominant (great play behind him) makes me lean that direction.
The only reason to take him out is because of the fact we haven’t scored any runs for him. So it was probably the correct move this time. He pitched a GREAT game though.
Bell is basically going to pull any starter that gives up a baserunner once they get to the 3rd time through the lineup. Been pretty much the most consistent part of his managing. Reds have 5 complete games in the 4 1/2 years Bell has managed, 2 of which were Bauer in 2020.
Red need to show some patients here. Make them throw strikes.
EDLC neeeds to get in base and then steals home. Probably only way Reds can score 🙂
Where is CES? Still at Louisville. Close games are usually won when you have someone that can come off the bench and deliver. At the moment that’s sorely lacking…
He’s 2-3 tonight by the way.
Brewers bullpen is filthy
It truly is.
Another waste of good pitching. Why are we making trades again for starters? If we can’t beat the team who is our main contender, then why waste prospects this year?
Brewers struck out 16 and walked 2
they are better unless reds hitters step up.
So much for that prediction. That was a nasty pitch that McClain struck out on. 97 on the hands. It doesn’t get any easier in the 9th. Williams is a problem.
Bell tempting fate sending Cruz out there after the Lawman.
Not sure I like Cruz here. We shall see. At least the Bernies have a thin bench at this point after they burned 2 players with the Winker and PR switch.
Cruz delivers…
In spades. Can’t ask for more.
Cant win if you dont score.
Yep. And you can’t score if you have a hole in your bat. I would be satisfied if some of these whiffers would at least get mad when they are bidding for a golden sombrero. Two great ptched games. 17 (soon to be 18) gooseeggs against your rivals. Embarrassing.
That’s right! Get the ball in the hoop!…Ooops. Wrong sport. 🙂
Hopefully the Reds can pull it off in the 9th.
We will get back to scoring! But Good Pitching Stops Good Hitting. That is why the Refs need a Veteran Leading Pitcher, if we want to make a run and be able to beat the better teams with Veteran Leading Pitching. We do have some coming up in a few years but need one Now.
Rally time
Okay guys. One more shot. Give it your BEST AB.
I really don’t want to go extras tonight. Need Fraley and Elly to step up and finish this one for us. Against their closer. Tall order, I know.
Great inning by Cruz. He did his job. Now the Reds hitters need to stay off that cutter and slider in the dirt. Make Williams throw strikes. We need a baserunner.
Definitely feels like the Brewers are in the Reds’ heads a bit. Need a strong finish here and then the next two games.
Ball 4.
I don’t play MLB, but you have to take in that situation. Even I know he was throwing a change-up.
My thoughts as well.
Fraley swings at ball 4…then of course India swings at ball 4…thats a given…game over. So instead of 1st and 2nd with 1 out and Votto up it’s game over. Let’s just leave CES down in Louisville until September because he probably wouldn’t have made a difference….we’ll never know will we? I do know he can’t help to maybe win two straight 1-0 losses down there.
19 strikeouts
Embarrassing.
Something should be wrong in the offense. Two 1-0 losses in a streak with 32 Ks is absurd. I think it could be pressure.
Jon India is in free fall
Hate to say it.
The time to sell India is now. It opens up the infield so you can move McClai and Elly over, bring CES up who can be the DH most of the time wgile playing a little 1st and 3rd and get something for India while he’s still got good trade value
Night all. I’ll need to sleep this one off.
Oooh, that was rugged.
3 Ks each for 3-4-5. Two straight 1-0 losses is a tough pill to swallow.
Milwaukee’s pitching is next-level. Reds are going to have to figure out how to deal with they way they are being pitched.
Milwaukee’s pitching is not next level except vs the Reds. Pretty sure Burnes ERA was over 4 before he git to face us twice.
Never had a chance from the get go.NO base runners the last 3 innings and 19 punch outs for the game.Brewers just are better.
Really positive to see another strong start by Ashcraft. Looks like he’s completely back to his old self.
The bullpen was good, even if Sims walked a tightrope.
Other than that… Not much positive to say about this one.
Reds fear the Brewers. Until they get over that fear they will continue to lose to them. Reds are the better team overall but the Brewers have better pitching and the mental edge. The truth ain’t always pretty but it’s still the truth.
It’s not fear. It’s just that they struggle against really good pitching. Burnes is excellent. Williams might have the nastiest stuff of any closer in baseball. The key is jump on the Brewers early. The next two games will be big.
Here tonight and the energy in the clubhouse just was not there. Only spark was the 4-6-3 DP. Our boys seem asleep at the wheel.
Saw this story about a week ago. Wouldn’t have thought this team would lose back to back 1-0 games. Bright side is another excellent outing by Ashcraft. He just got beat by the other team’s ace. Probably didn’t help that 18 of the Reds 27 outs were strike outs!
Meanwhile CES with his second double of the game 2-3 so far. 😉
I wonder if the Reds will wait until its too late or bring him up now. Put it this way, he could only add to this offense, he certainly can’t be worse than what they are versus the Brewers and they still have five games versus the Brewers in the next two weeks. If it doesn’t change the writing is in the wall. What in the world do you have to lose. We were all waiting for a while for McClain to come up before he did… and he jump started the offense. Then we were all waiting for Elly to come up before he did…and then he jump started the offense more. Now we’ve all been waiting for CES to come up for awhile…and who’s to say he won’t do the exact same thing.
The strength of the Brewers is their pitching. Burnes is a top of the line starter. Williams is a top of the line closer. That’s baseball. They got beat by good pitching tonight. On to tomorrow. Burnes isn’t pitching the next two games. If you have a lead late in the game, Williams is a non-factor. Just take 2 out of 3… But this team does need another power bat in the middle of the lineup. Someone that has even splits vs right and left-hand pitching. If only we could find someone like that.
Reds need to learn how to hit against top of the line pitchers. It can be done.
How bout trying a few bunts to shake things up?
If it could be done then those guys wouldn’t be top of the line pitchers. That’s literally what makes them the top of the line guys.
Yep, sure can, but it is not easy. It’s why top of the line starters make gigantic salaries. Patience is the key. From what I saw, the Reds looked anxious tonight.
If only we could trade for a guy like that…hmmmm
18 consecutive scoreless innings. 2-6 against the Brewers. That’s not how you win the division. And the most frustrating thing is that Bell, in all his time in Cincinnati, has yet to show he knows how to win when it matters. Platitudes, like “some things to work on”, etc isn’t management. And where’s the “veteran presence “ showing the young guys the way? Nope, save the prospects for next season. This team isn’t ready for the spotlight. Fun? Yes. But, where’s the killer instinct?
3-11 combined against the Braves and Brewers with 8 of those losses by 1 run. Got to find a way to start winning some of those games.
Absolutely. Bell, who quick to swap players when they are winning, didn’t bother to PH when the team is flailing. Probably would not have mattered but he needed to shake things up a little. The “it’s my best lineup against RH’ers” is a loser’s mantra.
CES??????????? 3-4 waisting away in Louisville. Good grief! Krall, what else does he have to do have to get the call…..
Agreed, but who drops off the roster and where does he play?
Casali. DH
Casali drops off the roster ASAP and CES is immediately the starting DH 4-5 games a week and playing a little first and third here and there
I don’t disagree but the Reds FO/Bell seem committed to three catchers. Stephenson will hopefully bounce back next year. Votto retires hopefully. Maybe CES gets here sooner, but I’m betting September after the roster expansion – he and a pitcher probably.
CES??????????? 3-4 waisting away in Louisville. Good grief! Krall, what else does he have to do to get the call up….
Yes!!!
Two back to back 1-0 losses. Pitching is obviously not the problem.
44 strikeouts by Reds batters in the 3 recent losses to the Brewers! Time to fire the batting coach, hitting “instructor” or whoever is coaching the hitters? NY Yankees just recently fired their batting coach due to lack offense!
Agreed… you can’t have the same approach against top level pitching like Burnes. Also the fact there was no in game adjustments to try and hit his fastball vs cutter/off speed earlier in the count or the few times we did get on base rather by hit or walks we didn’t steal, H&R, nothing. Hope that changes today because the Bernie’s have our number it seems.
Not going to do “hit and run” with that kind of strike out rate. Bunt and run might be a better choice to move the runner over.
That was hard to watch. They looked helpless pretty much every AB. I’m jumping on the CES bandwagon after that.
By the way, the Reds pitching staff did their job tonight!
Ashcraft pitched very well.
That’s the GA we’ve been waiting to see again.
Sorely needed.
Abbott bounces back.
Williamson continues to improve.
Lively keeps it going.
Dream Weaver’s lucky roll continues.
Sure.
One thing that burns me up is the amount of 0-2 pitches the Reds pitchers throw for strikes! Both Ashcraft and Sims got burned last night!