Last night the Brewers outlasted the Reds in a 1-0 win. That victory put the two teams in a tie atop the National League Central division at 50-42. If the weather cooperates, the two clubs get back in action this evening for a contest that will determine who sits in first place all by themselves. First pitch is tentatively scheduled for 7:10pm ET. Tonight’s game has been delayed by weather.
Starting Lineups
Milwaukee Brewers |
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Christian Yelich – DH | TJ Friedl – CF |
| William Contreras – C | Matt McLain – SS |
| Willy Adames – SS | Jake Fraley – RF |
| Owen Miller – 1B | Elly De La Cruz – 3B |
| Tyrone Taylor – RF | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Blake Perkins – LF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Andruw Monasterio – 3B | Spencer Steer – LF |
| Brice Turang – 2B | Will Benson – DH |
| Joey Wiemer – CF | Luke Maile – C |
| Freddy Peralta – RHP | Andrew Abbott – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Andrew Abbott | 41.2 | 2.38 | 1.03 | 14 | 48 |
| Freddy Peralta | 92.0 | 4.70 | 1.30 | 38 | 107 |
| Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats | Freddy Peralta’s Stats |
|||||
Andrew Abbott
In his final start before the All-Star break Andrew Abbott faced off against the Brewers and it wound up being, by far, the worst start of his career. He allowed six runs – more than he had allowed in his other six career starts combined – in just 4.1 innings. The lefty will be looking for a bit of redemption
Left-handed hitters have not been able to do much of anything against Abbott this season. They are 5-31 against him with no walks and no extra-base hits. Right-handed hitters have found more success, but not a whole lot. They are hitting .200 against him, but are hitting for good power when they do pick up hits.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 135 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 36 | .200 | .282 | .400 |
| LHH | 31 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .161 | .161 | .161 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.9 | 80.6 | 83.0 | 86.7 |
| Usage | 51% | 18% | 15% | 16% |
Freddy Peralta
After a good start to the season where he posted a 3.32 ERA in his first seven starts of the year, Freddy Peralta has run into some struggles since then. His final three starts in May resulted in 19 runs – 13 of which were earned – in just 13.2 innings. Things have been better since June began, but his 4.78 ERA in those seven starts aren’t much to write home about, either.
Teams have stacked their lineups with lefties against Peralta this season, but it hasn’t been a good plan as they’ve hit worse against him than righties have. It’s a strange tactic given that the only season in which lefties hit better against him than righties have was in 2018 when he was a rookie. Not shown in the splits below is that Peralta is much worse on the road. His ERA away from Milwaukee is nearly two full runs higher (5.82 to 3.88) and the OPS against him is 138 points higher.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 181 | 40 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 55 | .245 | .317 | .454 |
| LHH | 215 | 42 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 25 | 52 | .223 | .318 | .426 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.6 | 76.3 | 82.1 | 89.1 |
| Usage | 53% | 13% | 22% | 12% |
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: 77°, cloudy, 40% chance of rain
News and Notes
Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo updates
David Bell provided an update of sorts on starting pitchers Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo. Bell noted that Greene was throwing off of a mound out in Goodyear at the team’s complex (this is where players go to rehab for most injuries) and that he was expected to return “sometime in August”. That leaves a pretty wide open range of possibilities given that it’s an entire month. But he also noted that Lodolo was a bit behind him, was also throwing, and could also return in August.
Bally Sports Ohio to retain the Reds broadcasts
Today was the deadline for the network to pay the Reds in order to keep the broadcasting right, and it was reported that they had plans to make that payment on time. While no official word has come that it went through, if it did, it seems it would cover the relationship for the remainder of the season.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Reds | 50 | 42 | 0.0 | 29.2% |
| Brewers | 50 | 42 | 0.0 | 65.8% |
| Cubs | 42 | 48 | 7.0 | 8.0% |
| Pirates | 41 | 50 | 8.5 | 1.1% |
| Cardinals | 38 | 52 | 11.0 | 5.4% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Let’s make things happen. Let’s win. 🙂
I checked the box score for last night’s game and did not see where Cy Young or Nolan Ryan or even Johnny Vander Meer pitched for the Brewers. My point is, the 18 strikeouts were inexcusable! Maybe a new strategy for tonight is have every Reds batter bunt! That will surely reduce the strikeouts!
In all seriousness, this team needs to get back to hitting the ball like we all know they are capable of doing!
The Reds pitching staff did their job last night! It’s now time for the offense to do their part! Go Reds! Beat the Stupid Beers!
No guarantees. A foul bunt with two strikes is a strikeout!
I think it feels worse too because that gap from the last shutout to the next was almost a week. So they didn’t score a run in about a week. They will get through this. I was kind of down on them yesterday but feel better today. Hopefully Benson will eventually rise up to the top of the lineup where he belongs (not necessarily leadoff but I see him as a good 2nd or 3rd place hitter when he’s facing righties. Still don’t know what’s wrong with India. Is he having health issues?
I was wondering about that with India myself.
Undisclosed nagging injury?
He strikes me as the type you’d have to drag off the field.
Brings to mind the Dieter Dietrich crash and burn from a few years back.
Peralta was up to 98 vs the Cubs right before they played us, but that doesn’t usually bother the Reds. Its good offspeed stuff like Burnes had last night that puts them in a funk. Hopefully they can make him work and do some damage. I feel like its almost mandatory to get atleast 1 this weekend.
Baseball Reference has the Reds to make the playoffs at 41%. I still like our chances
Same with Miley! Not overpowering but locates, changes speed and uses all of his pitches effectively! The young Reds pitchers would be advised to watch & learn!
I believe the younger players typically take more time to figure out the pitchers and the pitches they use. Hopefully by this time next year, a lot of the swings and misses will be diminished. Seems like De La Cruz has the curveball/off-speed bugaboo but most young guys do.
Game will not start on time.
Thank you for the update, Doug. Any news on the trade front?
So far this season, the Reds have played their main rival in the NL Central Division, the Milwaukee Brewers, 8 times! The Reds have lost 6 of those 8 games, 2 of those games by a 1-0 score! If they have any hope of winning the NL Central this year they need to figure out a way to beat the Brewers in the remaining 5 games!
Yes, the Brewers have veteran starting pitching which may require some “small ball” to win, especially in low scoring games like last night! Good teams “find a way” and make adjustments!
Since they are tied, that means the Reds are six games better than the rest of baseball than are the Brewers. I’d be happy with those splits the rest of the year. Let the Brewers have the head to head and let the Reds have a 10 game plus spread against everybody else. Good trade off.
I wouldn’t say they would need to beat the Brewers. It would definitely help. But, just consider where each team was before the series before the AS break.
I mean, just consider right now. We are tied for the lead. Then, if we are 4 games down to them, then we must be 4 games up on every one else in the league “in comparison to” the Brewers.
It’s how they stand at the end of 162 games, not how they stand against each other. Again, it would definitely help, but not required.
Think it through.
If the Reds and Brewers are tied for first at the end of 162 games, their head to head record definitely counts.
Beating up on sub .500 teams, or Alvarez/Altuve-less Astros isn’t enough.
Except it might be for you.
Thank you! If Reds win tonight and tomorrow, what is the narrative Monday? Is the sky still falling? It is The Big 162.
No need to scream Chicken Little. This offense is still in the top 6 in the league in every important offensive stat I believe. See me about the offense when we drop to 12th or even 10th.
I mean, seriously, it’s like some people believe we wouldn’t ever get shutout. Good teams, even the best teams, will get shut out during the season.
Someone mentioned, “Where’s those 5, 6, 7 runs we’ve been scoring each game?” You really think any teach would score that many runs each game? Even the best “average” is 5.86. And, that is “average”, which means they will score higher and lower than that, surprisingly.
I can take losses. No problem. I can’t take mistakes. For example but not the only one, Elly, he looked horrible in his AB’s last night. “But, he hit a 450 ft HR.” One AB. “But he hit for the cycle.” One game. “But he stole 3 bases on 2 pitches.” Has nothing to do with his AB’s.
I don’t just measure a batter by what his highlight reel is. I will also measure him by how he does when he is getting his outs. Did Elly put good swings on the ball? Did he have a good eye when he put good swings on the ball (as in, doesn’t make much of a difference if he puts a good swing on it if the ball is 3 feet outside)?
You hit line drives, fly balls, solid ground balls, all for outs, I have no problem with that. Get up there flailing around, almost looking like a 3 year old in the pee wee league, not even connecting with the ball, then I have a problem with that.
But also, people need to remember, this is a young team. Like, I’m sure, when people read my paragraph above, they were thinking, “Of course. We all know Elly has a lot to learn.” Most of this team, if not everyone, including managers, coaches, and FO, has a lot to learn about baseball. But, people talk like they expect perfection every game. Take a clue, perfection doesn’t exist, including with this team.
I really don’t have a problem with mistakes, either, as long as people learn from them, don’t make them again. You don’t learn from them, then the mistakes aren’t just the problem. You are.
Your last paragraph says it all! We are all human and make mistakes! It’s what we learn from those mistakes that defines us! Plus, doing the same ineffective thing over and over again is a sign that failure is acceptable! Players, managers and coaches should all be in a learning mode, striving to do better every game!
For the record, I have not given up on this team, just extremely frustrated by all the strikeouts in 3 of the last 4 games, all against the Brewers unfortunately!
I’m at the game tarp is out
I assume it’s TBD at this point when the game will start?
8:25
Phillips pitching tonight in Louisville. If he has two or three good starts it may save us some prospects in trades. Lots of things going on.
Fairchild not playing tonight looks like?
I’m interested in seeing how Williamson and Lively do in their next starts.
If they continue to improve maybe the expensive innings nibbler may not be the primary need.
I really think they may have something in Williamson. He seems like he is gaining in confidence and has pretty good stuff.
The entire team has that kind of swagger and it’s rubbing off on some guys who really need it.
Watching Braves and White Sox right now. Lance Lynn, one or the guys rumored to be a Reds trade target, is pitching for the Sox. He looks pretty good. Only two innings in but he is pitching well.
He’s been pitching much better lately. Maybe he wants a new team that will win. 🙂
Rhett Lowder is officially a Cincinnati Red:
https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-2023-draft-signings-tracker?t=mlb-draft-coverage
Hoping he learns quickly.
Starting tomorow?….Just kidding. 🙂
Under slot too which is a good thing
Like seeing that. Two other lower picks have signed as well as of today.
Interesting situation surrounding a prominent prospect. I only bring it up because it is relevant when discussing whether or not to trade prospects now.
The Rangers drafted Jack Leiter 2nd overall in 2021. He had a 5.54 ERA in AA last year and it’s going so bad this year they took him off the AA roster yesterday and moved him to the “development list” (whatever that is).
It’s the other side of the coin for highly rated guys that might not ever pan out. You just never know and that has to be part of the equation when considering trading for someone to upgrade the roster for this year.
Yep. It’s a complete crapshoot. Injury, the pressure of pro ball … you name it. Absolutely no guarantees. A move like you described is kind of a last-ditch effort to save the investment.
Glad they delayed the game instead of stopping it after Abbott was already warmed up.
*insert Crash Davis “I can get us a rainout” gif
+500
Is it Postponed or delayed? Any idea when they are going to start it if it’s delayed.
8:25 P.M.
That’s not the start we wanted to see. Cement mixer cookie right down Broadway.
Hmmm. Can we start over?
Don’t we wish
Bike Helmets! That was a nice turn by India and MattyMc.
Nice job by Steer. Looks to me like he took time during the break to continue his learning of LF.
I think he can play anywhere and given practice he’ll play it well.
I agree. Either corner in the IF or LF. RF would take more work, but he’d be capable if that was his offseason task.
Just barely clipped him.
The Brewers are only better between the ears right now, and just by a little.
What did Yogi say? 90% of the game is 50% mental (or something like that).
We’re at that fork in the road. We better take it.
They only had 1 strike out that inning. Small victories?
I’m tired of seeing Elly not hit in the first inning. And I guarantee other teams prefer it that way.
Steer tracked that one nicely as well.
Abbott needs to adjust. The Bernies are swinging early. Take advantage of that. And don’t nibble.
Much better that inning. Time for Elly and Jobu to wake up bats.
Adames is literally the best SS in baseball when we play them. Not to mention it feels like our pitching has to be spotless because 3-4 runs (or 1) and we’re beat. The Cubs scored on them? They split 4 before they played us, but either team could’ve swept
Their fielders need to get out of our way. 🙂
Amen to that
Three liners, three outs. That’s a big ol’ hang-with-em. (Quoting a voice familiar to all of us.) 😉
105.4 mph and right at Turang. And neither India or Votto can break the jinx on the bats. Lasers right at Bernies gloves. Talk about your “unlucky” crap.
ESPN shows all 3 line outs for us in the bottom of the second and if so we truly are in a bad place right now
All they have to do is keep hitting liners and they will eventually fall in.
Elly’s was over 105 and a laser to Turang’s gut. A little bit of launch angle and that’s well into the Moon Deck.
The more I watch EDLC play 3B, the more I want him to stay there. I think a left side of him at 3B and MattyMc at SS is about the best combo we can possibly have. And that repeat play by him confirms that opinion.
I’m beginning to come around to your point of view. I see McLain’s arm as not as strong and maybe not as accurate, and maybe not the range of a great shortstop, but he plays terrific all the time. I want to see De La Cruz on some very tough plays before making a judgement on third base.
Move McLain to 2nd. EDLC is unequivocally a better SS than McLain. And McLain is better at 2nd than India.
Nice pitch to K Yelich. Had him guessing the whole time and he was dead wrong.
1-0. It seems to me that I see this score before… Go Reds breakout!
21 straight scoreless innings.
Nice AB by Benson. Need those to get into Peralta’s melon and wreak havoc.
Like that.
Can’t believe they didn’t rub last night on their few opportunities.
Take note Bell. Your most feared hitter is batting 8th.
Peralta fans the side.
We’ve all seen sequences of games over the years where seemingly nobody can get a big hit. Everybody starts pressing, and that makes the opposing pitchers even better than they are. They need someone to make it happen with runners on base and I think the stress will break a bit on this very, very inexperienced team.
Freddie “Perfect” Peralta. Red’s offense seemed to go in a funk all at once.
Add Contreras to the list of Bernies I really, really, REALLY don’t like. Not a bit. Him and Adames.
Yep. Abbot is struggling to throw the curveball for strikes
I agree Tom but who will it be?Looks like the plan is to just swing and swing some more and harder.Some pitcher will pay but the script is the same for the Brewers pitcher until the Reds adjust.Benson on second and we don’t even put a ball in play.
Right now it looks to me like many of the guys, particularly McLain, are just watching as hangers high in zone float in as strikes. It’s like Stephenson was doing earlier in the year. They’re not playing loose and confidently.
Don’t know if this has been answered but, could Benson replace Steer in LF and neither change places in the lineup? Why isn’t Benson on defense – thought he’s the best OF defense on the team?
As I understand the DH rule, if your DH comes into play a position, you lose the DH and your pitcher is now in the batting line-up.
This is a good lineup. That said, if they do not hit again tonight, allow Senzel and Newman to come off the bench. One or both of them will hit. I hope no one becomes too confident that they are going to start everyday, if you do not hit.
Tyler and Maile. That’s all we need which is just like everyone else in the history of baseball
Yep. It’s time to stop the 3-catcher bingo game.
I used to buy into the logic that “Umpires are right most of the time”. I think that is true when the it comes to routine plays,, but I think on close calls, they get it wrong as much as they get it right.
Fraley should have been struck out on that curveball. No complaining from me. We re taking any help/luck we can get at this point
The speed and complexity of the game has accelerated so much that I don’t believe the umpires (especially the Chumpires) can keep up with it. The strike zone vs. increased speed and spin are some primary examples that I see as applicable.
I see the Reds are surrendering to the Brewers yet again. Bell needs to light a fire under their rear ends. And if he doesn’t know how, find someone that does. And where’s Votto’s veteran presence. He’s not some young guy who caves under pressure.
This is, quite honestly, where I see HDTBell as lacking. He may well be very “book smart” and guys may “love playing for him”. But at some point, I think you have to show some emotion and put a charge into them. I just don’t think enough emphasis is placed on it anymore. Gone are the days of the old kangaroo court fines.
All speculation on my part, but I’d wager I’m more right than wrong.
I agree. You are right
Reds haven’t scored since last Saturday. Let’s go!
Was that when De La Cruz stole home?
Had enough of this torture. Like watching futbol now
Probably more scoring 🙂
Lol
I do not like how this game is going. If I were Bell, Stephenson would would pinch hit for the catcher and Senzel would go to third. Move De La Cruz to shortstop, and McClain to 2B. India could see some time on the bench. Newman would see action as well later in the game. Do not like the hitting the last three games.
I’m beginning to think this team needs a dramatic shuffle of the batting order based on production. Moving India to 5th is a start, but I think more needs to be done.
How about this batting order:
CF Friedl
SS McLain
3B EDLC
DH Steer
RF Fraley
C Stephenson
1B Votto
2B India
LF Benson
Although honestly, I’d hit Benson leadoff with everyone else moved down. However, I know Bell would never consider that, so I neither will I.
A significant shake-up might help. They need something to get them off the collective schneid. Some unlucky hard hits tonight, but nothing to back that up. Abbott on his way to another quality start and still in a position to take the loss.
We used to watch with a bottle of tums and glass of alka-seltzer when the bullpen gate opened. That’s pretty much handled at this point. But Jobu hasn’t or won’t wake up the bats. I think he stayed in DC.
Meanwhile down on the farm CES 2-3 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI, and a run.
Phillips 4 innings 1ER.
Marte and Barrero also with two hits a piece.
Bell needs to go out there and make noise and get tossed. That call to Steer wasn’t close.
Throwing 1B might be nice. 😉
I miss Lou.
Why does Sadak tell us Brewer life stories and bore us with every Brewer player’s greatness and boring stats. His philosophical diatribe about baseball is equally as bad. It grinds, especially when we’re struggling.
I’m officially on radio now even though it’s about two pitches behind. Have caption on tv.
He’s got a major man-crush on the Bernies in general and several in particular (like Burnes). Seems he forgets who signs his paycheck and the colors he’s wearing.
Good AB by Benson. Now TAKE OFF.
Maile shouldn’t be batting here
If you’re listening to the TV audio, they mentioned that Corbin Burnes said last night that the scouting report on the Reds is that they are vulnerable on off-speed pitches low. We’re seeing a ton of swings and misses on those pitches.
Less of a scouting report and more of a nationally published headline.
Not Benson, which backs up my earlier comments that the Brewers are smarter to fear Benson the most, meaning he should be batting #2, not in front of Maile!!
Well, I wouldn’t say vulnerable , much than that.. if Burnes is right then they are unable to hit because just batted 2 singles yesterday and 1 infield-hit today already. It’s incredibly…
This movie is getting very painful to watch. I keep thinking we’ll see the more exciting endings like we did a month ago. But we don’t. We see unlucky hits, less aggressiveness on the basepaths (when we get there), and weak hits. Not to mention the whiff-fest last night.
I’m at a loss. The Bernies just absolutely have our number this year.
This is way too much like the playoffs against the Braves.
Don’t give up on these guys. They’re in a team slump and they’re pressing, but I’m sure they are still battling, at least mentally.
+50,000 Tom
Not giving up. Just getting a headache. 🙂
Peralta is not giving anything for Reds hitters to hit. He’s hitting all 4 corners and the sidewalks. Nothing down the middle. Gotta give home credit.
Absolutely true. I think he’s pitching a bit more comfortably and confidently now because right now it looks like this team can’t hit its way out of a paper bag.
When was the last time the Reds were shut out in three straight games?
This team looks beat, how long this lasts is going to define the year. Teams must find a way to win some even when things are not going their way and right now they are failing miserably at that. This can’t last to long, good teams won’t let it.
I think Bell’s managerial limitations are being exposed.
You say “limitations” and I say “inadequacies” … 😀
I still maintain he wouldn’t manage for any of the other 29 clubs out there. Not. One.
Nice defense tonight. I think the bats will show up before the end of the game, gotta keep it close.
How long this slump lasts is on Bell. Essentially the same lineup. No pinch hitting. No aggressive base running. Just keep swinging and hope for a different outcome. They’ll play their way out of the slump eventually, right? Make some moves Tinker. Quit standing around flat footed and letting the game run on autopilot.
+100,000
He’s the only guy who makes and submits the line-up and engineers any changes within the game to said line-up. This is where I see his lack of any tangible passion.
He genuinely doesn’t know how. He’s as incompetent a manager as I’ve ever seen, and he has all the fire of a soggy slice of white bread. He’s basically what you’d get with ChatGPT managing a club, except he’s probably less passionate.
I agree in this situation your manager has to help the team fight it’s way out and Bell doesn’t have the ability to do that. He basically leaves them out there to fight for themselves and with a young team that is bad.
It’s a much better outing for Abbot. Silver lining.
I am remembering the big offense down in April when Pirates swept Reds in a 4-game series where the offense got cold off suddenly just scoring 3 or 4 runs in that series. However , they swept the Rangers on his own in the next 3-game series surprisingly…
24 straight scoreless innings. My prediction is 5-0.
I disagree that Bell is the reason they are in a slump. If so he is also the reason they won 12 in a row and are tied for first place.
Young players pressing. They aren’t getting blown out. They are fighting.
I believe in them and what got them to this point.
Great team that loves playing together but it’s the first time under this kind of pressure. They will learn and get better. I believe in them.
I haven’t read a comment saying HDTBell is responsible for the slump. I know I haven’t said that.
What I and many have said is that he needs to take some major action to help them break this collective funk and fog. And we really aren’t seeing that. IMO, that goes to his pattern and style of being a cerebral manager and not a passionate one.
This is not on Bell cause he doesn’t hit.I just have to wonder though if he even feels the need to do anything.
I was disagreeing with LDS’s previous comment that said the slump is on David Bell.
I’m not being argumentative. I just believe David Bell has done a good job. I’m not sure what major action can help someone hit that is having trouble.
They just set a club record for consecutive hr’s in a row. I think he has done a good job.
@Brian, no Bell isn’t hitting. But, he makes the lineup. He sets the batting order, etc. Third straight shutout against a team they have to be able to beat to win the division. They are heading to 2-7 after tonight. They haven’t scored in about 25 innings. Previously, the complaint was Bell didn’t have the players, not his fault, what could he do. Now he has the players, some even site numbers, “demonstrating” they are as good as the BRM, and yet they are on their third straight shutout. What’s the common factor?
If they are pressing that’s on him. It’s the manager’s job to equip the team with the tools to succeed. Bell looks good sometimes, only when things are going well. That’s when he makes unnecessary and inexplicable moves. When things aren’t going well, he just keeps doubling down on the things that aren’t working. Personally, I’d cut Casali, bench Votto, call up CES, and stick him at first. Is Votto hitting any worse than the rest? Nope. But he is a veteran with more MLB experience than the rest combined. He should be showing some leadership, hitting the ball, etc. Playing like one of the young guys is inexcusable.
I haven’t seen anyone saying Bell is solely responsible for the slump. Of course he isn’t. But he’s also doing nothing to shake things up and try to break them out of the funk. It took him 3 weeks to move India out of the 3 hole. Why is he batting 5th? Why is Benson still batting 8th (or 9th, on most nights). This lineup needs a shakeup in a bad way, and it needs the jolt that will come from CES. Even if he’s a *gasp* minor leaguer and it will mean a bit less playing time for some of the others.
Speaking of CES tonight lol
2-3 – two doubles – one run – three RBI – two BB 🙂
.331/.405/.637 – 20 HR – 62 RBI
Embarrassing.
Look at it this way this team is not as good as they were playing about 10 days ago and hopefully they aren’t as bad as they look now.
Miller only LOOKS like a guy who should be telling you about the new ales on draft at a large pub. He is actually quite good.
I’m on the verge of a Clete, friends. I know we’ve come back from a worse deficit, but of late that’s not the team I’m seeing play. I may just have to shut down my laptop and continue to watch until I can’t take it anymore.
Very happy with Abbott’s performance tonight, especially with the delay.
+5,000
Another strange and bad decision by Bell. Pitchers have to learn to go more than 6 innings.
I disagree with Abbott on that front. He’s on a pretty strict limit.
As for pitchers going more than 6 or 100 pitches, that ship sailed a long time ago.
Three runs look like 30 so we look to tomorrow.Maybe we try Senzel,Newman and Casail and lets see what happens.
Starting to think it is not good to the Reds facing the Brewers in two series in row at the All-Star break… fuc…
Buck Farmer is sliding lower on my bullpen depth chart. He’s gotten into a habit of giving up homers and other runs, and that won’t cut it in close games.
+500
Yes, he is reaching Gibaut
Don’t be trading the prospects yet for starters. May not be a reason to.
+5,000
They may be 2 years away after all. A couple of starting pitchers are not going to solve scoring runs against the Brewers.
I been saying this for a long time. Why is CES still at Louisville? Bell weaknesses clearly exposed. He’s never able to see the game in front of him. India is struggling and pressing, it happens. Needs to sit and rest. Lineup needs a shuffle, primarily with EDLC batting in the first inning, etc.
Where is Votto’s veteran leadership? It’s cool when he wants to be young again, but there comes a time when his value isn’t being one of the guys.
I’m generally supportive of David Bell, but I will say it is ridiculous to have Benson, a lefthanded batter with an .885 OPS, hitting eighth in the order against a tough righthander. My perception is that he believes if players are moved in the order it will be perceived as a negative, and therefore he doesn’t want to rock the boat.
Good point Tom and maybe he doesn’t want to rock the boat but what will make him do it? Thats the part that concerns me.I mean there will be more of this down the road.
I felt that he is trying to keep as much pressure off of him as possible. The story that circulated when they were in Boston that Votto said some things that helped his sagging confidence.
That said, I think you and everyone else who suggested he move up in the lineup are right. A shake up is needed. I would like to see Votto up in the lineup to put his experience to work.
I know what you mean Tom. hahaha ….but it’s his job to rock the boat when needed.
Rocking the boat is exactly what is needed at this time but
D. Bell is not by nature a boat rocker. Action is needed to break the Bernies hex.
Yeah we don’t CES and his 2-3 with 2 walks and 3 rbis. Big crowds are a hassle anyway let’s get back to our customary 14k a game
How about we actually blow up the lineup for at least one day and see what happens??
Benson (LF)
De La Cruz (SS)
Votto (DH)
Stephenson (C)
Steer (1B)
Fraley (RF)
Newman (2B)
Senzel (3B)
Friedl (CF)
Stop the presses: Rookie-laden team faced with much hype on importance of playing six straight games against division favorite is on the verge of a 3-game losing streak. It is frustrating, and it is painful to see good pitching go to waste because of slumping offense, but I’m not ready to call it a disaster. Young Reds will learn from this and only need a couple of things to go their way to get offense going again.
Absolutely.
Yep.
Brewers are beating us with elite starting pitching and shut down bullpen. I am not sure how we can blame Bell on this. Elite pitching will beat good offense, yes Reds offense is good, any time.
One of the comments above also makes me wonder how good the advanced scouting are for these teams. Brewers have seemingly played over their talent level for a few years now. Definitely seem to have this lineup figured out so far.
But they’re not elite? Burnes was 3.96 or whatever and he’s their best
Burnes won the cy young. He has elite stuff when he’s on, commanding of 4 pitches and hitting corners at will. We’re catching him at the wrong time.
Well the rest of the league doesn’t have much of a problem with the Brewer’s “Elite” pitching. Maybe they should bring CES up from Louisville and see if he might help because it certainly couldn’t be worse and I don’t know what else he can do down there to get a call up. If you aren’t going to call him up after tonight and 3 straight shutouts, 3 total hits last 2 games, then you’re just not really serious about trying to win. How in the world are you not bringing him up ASAP.
” Maybe they should bring CES up from Louisville and see if he might help”. “How in the world are you not bringing him up ASAP.”
The biggest question known to mankind right now. 😀
.331/.405/.637 – 20 HR – 62 RBI – 2-3 tonight.
We all kind of saw this coming, didn’t we? We’re Cincinnati fans, after all.
Hopefully we get Vegas-era Elvis tonight.
I think that’s too easy to blame it on Bell. They’re just not hitting. He could ask Freidl to lay one down, but I’m guessing they’re pinched in pretty tight. India swinging at sliders a foot wide. Truly ugly stretch
Shutting down for the night. Computer first and then (most likely) the TV after this inning. I’ve seen enough for tonight.
The Brewers bullpen — at least now — is like the Nasty Boys of 1990. They bring in three shut-down guys in the seventh, eighth and ninth. You’d better be ahead of them before that begins.
Yep. Going to get Peguero, Payamps, Williams three games in a row due to the AS break.
Can not agree with you more. They shorten the game like no one elsez
Amazing fall, in their way to 27 consecutive scoreless innings with +40 Ks, totally unexpected.
Alright. Let’s get something going here Steer and set it up for Benson.
Keep in mind that for this Reds young team/rookies too, that these mlb teams/pitchers are GOING TO ADJUST….and so the Reds are going to have to learn to adjust back if they are going to keep up their great record in June/July. Its a game of adjustments. This is great experience for these Reds rookies.
As bad as it seems, we will only be 1 game back after tonight. That’s something. What a great waste of starting pitching. Funny how we were having games where it was like 12-10 and 8-5 and now they forgot how to hit all at once. Goodnight boys and girls.
Maybe Votto needs to go knock down the pitcher for obviously throwing at him. That might do it.
I was thinking the same thing Melvin. That would shake things up.
Maybe throw one behind someone next inning.
The other teams manager has done his homework better. Bell needs to figure this out. He is the manager.
Reds with one lousy hit and, if you take Benson out of the equation, only 2 base runners for the whole night.
That’s not going to get it done.
And now Bell is taking Young out after only 12 pitches, when Young seems to have his good stuff tonight.
Why not let him finish the inning?
Some of the swings by India in this stretch are just atrocious….it’s like he decides to swing before the pitch is even thrown…no matter where the pitch is at
Under the Mendoza Line since May and half his hits in July are HRs. I think moving him out of the leadoff spot changed his approach and he hasn’t been the same.
Yeah I’m not much of a fan of India any longer. I really would like the Reds to deal him…he’s an average hitter who’s poor defensively and he’s presence at 2nd is blocking what is probably their best lineup…CES coming up from AAA.
I wander how the Brewers are doing tonight. Oh yeah. They’re playing us…and beating us…for the third game in a row. Got to score some runs. BUNT…do something!!
Reds have done absolutely nothing against Payamps this year. Just mowing them down every time.
These are Growing Pains for these Reds. What about the fans of the Mets or Padres? They have to be livid and very depressed. Mets lost last night, and are losing now in the 9th inning. Padres lost a double header today. St Looie Cardinals very disappointing this year.
Well unless you think Maihle is a better hitter than Stephenson or even Senzel and Newman he should not have been hitting there. We have THREE catchers for crying out loud. If we had CES whoever had a turn at sitting out would be making our bench stronger right now in that situation.
Frankly against a righty, Maile probably was the best option there. The problem with the platoon roster.
Best option over Stephenson?
I don’t see them as drastically different hitters at the moment. Stephenson is having a pretty poor season at the plate.
Over the last 30 games he’s .282/.359/.447. The point is if Maihle is the best option you have there with your entire bench available then something needs to change.
Even Friedl just doesn’t bunt anymore….
The way this team is getting beat by Milwaukee is demoralizing. Score some runs. Wow
29 consecutive scoreless innings and a broken bat dribbler away from getting no-hit. It figures that as soon as the pitching starts looking somewhat reliable, the offense would go to absolute zero. The one bit of optimism is that this season was always a fantasy, because this team is not ready, despite the roller coaster ride of the last month. Better for them to go through this now and hopefully be more seasoned next year.
No doubt. We will see how they adjust. I totally agree.
When you only have 6 outs left in a game & you’re down by 3 ….why would you let a catcher batting .218 hit ?
Wouldn’t ya know…the weakness of the Reds most of this year was starting pitching….we get 3 quality starts & most likely 3 straight losses because we can’t hit our way out of a wet paper bag….big home crowds with nothing to cheer for…maddening
Good outing from Duarte. Saved some of the better bullpen arms, though he’s been pretty solid overall.
Not over until someone sings. C’on
Take two fastball strikes then whiff on the low offspeed pitch. Not a good at bat from McLain
First place no more.
Well, on the bright side, they were lucky to not get no-hit. And maybe those three bullpen arms for the Brewers won’t all be available tomorrow.
Absolutely pathetic.
Well maybe tomorrow they can find another hit, at least avoiding the no-no or a perfect game… What a shame…
Three games.
Three different Brewer pitchers.
No runs.
Seven hits.
Forty three strikeouts, give or take one or two.
That Brewers pitching staff must be incredible.
Back to back strong pitching performances by Reds starters. At present, it is not the fault of the starting pitchers.
Nope. just a FEW runs per game and we’d have a FIVE game lead.
A team gives up on 5 runs in 3 games usually wins all 3.
Larkin keeps saying…give credit to brewers pitching…OK-but I have seen more horrible at-bats then I card to see lately….swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone is on the hitters
Anyone else getting a bit weary of Larkin’s lack of saying anything very meaningful? I mean he just stated twice that the Reds offensive woes are solely due to the amazing Brewer’s pitching staff. Okay. They’re good. But going into tonight they had the same record. They’ve got ERA’s that aren’t that shiny. Reds offense has just gone ice cold. Sometimes it’s okay to offer some constructive criticism, even if they’re a young team.
I agree…Larkin was a great player….he’s a terrible color guy on broadcasts….
+100
Shut out 3 straight games. A grand total of 7 hits. Not even a pinch hitter the last two games. Craig Counsell prepared his team far better than Bell. Krall needs to step to the plate and make changes. Fire Bell and make a statement – demonstrate that lackluster mediocrity will no longer be tolerated. His fault? We can debate that all night. What we can’t debate is the Reds need to move in a new direction.
Yep, going to hear it again. “CES is the answer. Look what the young players have done. Go young.”
And, these people simply don’t even listen to themselves. This is a young team. And, your answer is to put another young player out there? I have an idea. Let’s go ahead and put in some of the high school draftees we just drafted. They are even younger, so they must be really good.
Ummm, wait a minute. How old is Burnes? 28. How old is Miley? 36. How old is Yelich? 31. Hmmm, these players don’t see so young, and they are beating us. And, your answer is we need even younger players? Alright. . .
Geez, it’s like you people are still stuck on the BRM of the 70’s, when more than half of you probably weren’t even around back then. This isn’t the BRM; that will never happen again. This is a young team. Do you have any idea what you get with a young team? It is a roller coaster of a ride! Did you really think we were going to have 12 game wins streaks from here on out through the rest of the season?
I, myself, I have no problem with losses. I have no problem being shut out. Hey, sh** will happen.
I have a problem with mistakes. Well, not really, because people will make mistakes. As long as you learn from them and don’t do them again, no problem. And, at times, it can be tough to learn not to make the mistakes any longer.
“But we lost.” Did you think we were really going to win every one of the last 72 games of the season after the break? Did you think we would never get shut out again? Get Real! This is a young team.
What’s been the trend of this young team? I saw it last year and this year. Quite simple. After a winning streak, they will go on a losing streak. Winning streak, losing streak, winning streak, losing streak. Quite common with veteran teams much less young teams.
With all of those losing streaks that all of the teams in the past have had, has their answer been to call up another young person from the minor leagues? Seriously?! A minor leaguer is going to keep the major league team from ever losing again? Get Real!
What has broken teams out of slumps like this before? Even with this team, they simply wake up. Whatever they are doing, they simply do something different. If they are pressing too hard, they look to have some more fun. If they are having too much fun, they press a little harder, pay attention to the details more. If they aren’t identifying their mistakes, they identify them and work on preventing them.
For, I’ve also said before, I don’t worry so much about a player’s highlight reel. I will also look at how he’s doing during the other times at bat, in the field, etc. Is he putting good swings on the ball? Does he have a good eye? Are they simply concentrating on making contact? As long as they are simply trying, as long as they are looking good, then I really wouldn’t care that much if they get no-hit 5 times in a row. But, if they aren’t looking good, vastly more than likely a minor leaguer isn’t going to help these major leaguers out of their slump. Just like one batter who’s in a slump, they simply need to work through it.
I could even see CES even being what this team needs. But, again, more than likely, he isn’t. And, if he isn’t, then we just made a major move to get this team out of its funk, so now, we brought up a minor leaguer to take time from major leaguers who never did anything to deserve having their time cut?
Every player on this team has been in a slump. Was their answer calling up a new player? No. They have to work through it. I wouldn’t doubt something needs to change. A new lineup? Move a player to a new position? Have a player sit for a couple of games? And so on. But, a major move like moving up a minor leaguer to take playing time from players who have done nothing to deserve it? Sorry, we aren’t there yet. See me when we lose like 20 in a row. Then, that might be the time.
Not gonna take the time to read all of the incoherent ramblings. Just gonna assume you used the phrase “minor leaguer” a dozen times. But I did read long enough to see you argue that a dude raking in triple A is no better than a high schooler, and the only reason people want him to be called up is because he’s young. Because it’s this is a team that’s gone scoreless for 29 innings and was a broken bat dribbler away from being on the wrong side of a no-no. It’s not like he’s an up and coming superstar and we’ve got 2 dead weight roster spots, and another couple that are inferior to guys in AAA, Or, they would be if they weren’t *major leaguers* while those kids are *minor leaguers*, right Steve?
But credit where it’s due, you did put a fresh spin on your insanity, even if it’s ultimately the same tired argument.
You obviously don’t have the education of one of those high schoolers we just drafted. Quite apparent you believe we should win every 162 games by 10 runs or more, and if we don’t, something must be wrong.
Sticks and stones, Stevie boy. It takes a lot more than an insult from someone that can’t string together a coherent argument to get at me. And yeah, I believe we should at least *try* to win every game by fielding the best possible roster we can on any given day. That seems to be where you disagree with… Well, everyone. You’re happy to get no-hit as long as it means none of your precious big leaguers sit out a game, or “get benched”, as you’d call it.
I should thank you, though. Watching everyone dunk on you for the past couple of weeks has been great fun. Much more entertaining than the last 3 games.
Give it a rest….over and over and over. Three straight shutouts with a total of seven hits and you don’t think the guy who’s been tearing up AAA pitching all year shouldn’t get a shot… we should just give up on the season? When exactly would be the right time to bring him up? You keep talking about him replacing someone who doesn’t deserve to be demoted. What exactly are any of the guys on the team doing right now where it wouldn’t make sense to try to shake things up and bring up a potential Powerhouse from AAA who might ignite the offense…just like McClain did…like Elly did. When exactly would the “right time” to bring him up be? Maybe everybody on the team is doing things “okay” but maybe CES is just better than some. So they should just sit tight until the other guys fall on their face? It’s called improving the team… if there’s somebody else might be more talented and more productive then you try to improve the team to win this year since that is still very possible.