The Cincinnati Reds have lost six games in a row after dropping a pair of them last night to San Francisco. The Giants will look to keep their winning going, but Cincinnati’s going to try and get things going in the right direction again with a resurgent Graham Ashcraft on the mound. First pitch tonight is set for 7:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
San Francisco Giants
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Joc Pederson – DH | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Mike Yastrzemski – RF | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Wilmer Flores – 1B | Matt McLain – 2B |
| Michael Conforto – LF | Jake Fraley – RF |
| Luis Matos – CF | Spencer Steer – 3B |
| Blake Sabol – C | Joey Votto – DH |
| David Villar – 3B | Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 1B |
| Brett Wisely – 2B | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Casey Schmitt – SS | Will Benson – LF |
| Ross Stripling – RHP | Graham Ashcraft – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 87.2 | 5.95 | 1.56 | 37 | 63 |
| Ross Stripling | 45.2 | 6.11 | 1.42 | 11 | 40 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Ross Stripling’s Stats |
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Graham Ashcraft
In each of his last three starts, Graham Ashcraft has allowed one run. He’s thrown 18.2 innings in that stretch and seems to have gotten out of the funk that he was in for the previous two months.
Up until the second week of May, Ashcraft had dominated left-handed hitters. But then for the next two months they crushed him like he was telling them what was coming. Over the last three starts he’s gone back to dominating them, holding them to an OPS of .528. Right-handed hitters have done a little better than that, hitting .281/.361/.344 against him in that same period of time.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 214 | 56 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 22 | 30 | .303 | .385 | .487 |
| LHH | 181 | 44 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 33 | .270 | .339 | .442 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 96.7 | 96.4 | 88.3 |
| Usage | 10% | 52% | 38% |
Ross Stripling
After missing five weeks on the injured list, Ross Stripling has been handled with extreme caution over the last three weeks, throwing 72 pitches in his last outing – the most he’s had since his return. His last outing saw him strike out a season high six batters and walk no one in 4.2 innings against the Pirates.
The splits for Stripling this season are interesting. Left-handed hitters are hitting for a high average, walking at a solid rate, and hitting for a moderate amount of power. Right-handed hitters are not walking at all and have a sub .300 on-base percentage against Stripling. But they are also hitting for a good average and a bunch of power, while making plenty of contact.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 122 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 22 | .274 | .295 | .539 |
| LHH | 76 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 18 | .324 | .395 | .485 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.0 | 89.9 | 75.9 | 87.1 | 84.1 |
| Usage | 28% | 7% | 11% | 30% | 25% |
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: 82°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Levi Stoudt up, Daniel Duarte down
The Reds called up Levi Stoudt from Triple-A Louisville prior to the game today. He’s taking the spot on the roster of Daniel Duarte, who was optioned back to the minors. With the club using the entire bullpen yesterday, a fresh arm was likely needed. You can read more about the moves here if you’d like.
Blake Dunn is crushing it in Double-A
Over at RedsMinorLeagues.com we took a look at how outfielder Blake Dunn has been raking for Chattanooga. After a big night last night he’s hitting .349 for the Lookouts, and between his two stops this season (Dayton and Chattanooga) he’s already stolen 37 bases.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 52 | 43 | 0.0 | 71.3% |
| Reds | 50 | 46 | 2.5 | 16.3% |
| Cubs | 44 | 50 | 7.5 | 7.9% |
| Cardinals | 42 | 53 | 10.0 | 10.6% |
| Pirates | 42 | 54 | 10.5 | 0.5% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
So, pretty much the same batting order. Just giving India a rest. Yep, something different has to happen tonight.
They scored 10 runs last night. What is it you are looking for?
11 runs?
And CES optioned
It’s nice to be able to give India a day (or two) off to clear his head and replace him with a guy who might just be the best hitter on either team, don’t you think?
Actually, don’t mind this lineup, maybe swap Votto & CES but not critical. It has the players in the positions that make the most sense. Need a win tonight. This might get it.
Looks like India is the one getting a night off from starting tonight. Not a bad choice. Steer moved up in his place. With Stephenson catching this lineup is awesome. Just have to get it going. Hopefully it starts tonight.
It started last night, didn’t it?
Yep. I guess it did. Potential to be a lot better. 🙂
Wander how long it will take for Blake Dunn to get to AAA. Lots of young talent still in the minors.
This guy is looking like he could actually be a very big deal. Just keeps getting better.
There is no such thing as a must game in July but this one is big.
This in my opinion is the strongest lineup the team can offer at the moment. If Ashcraft continues with his very, very good pitching tonight it could be a start of something very beautiful. Hate to say it but I’m actually counting on it. Fingers crossed.
So, I went to bed in the top of the 7th inning with Astronaut Farmer on the mound. After Farmer gave up a single with two (2) outs, Bell The Brilliant removes Farmer and calls on Santillan. Yes, that Santillan who just got off the bus from Louisville! So, what does Santillan do? He walks the first 2 batters he faces, the second walk forcing in the go-ahead run. He then compounds that by giving up a 2-run single, again with 2 outs!
Not blaming Bell for Santillan’s ineffectiveness, but, why not let Farmer finish the inning?
Anyway, Done is Done! Since the AS break this 2023 edition of the Reds has found about every way to lose games including EDLC’s TOOTBLAN, other base-running errors as well as horrible, inaccurate and ill-advised throws from the outfield. And, if it’s not the defense, it’s the offense failing to advance and drive in runners! If you score ten (10) runs in a game like last night, you should be able to win barring a complete BP meltdown.
One final comment while I’m venting! In my opinion, Bell is not a motivator, disciplinarian or a baseball strategist! That being said, I expect more of the same resulting in the Reds failing to win the NL Central Division nor claiming one of the three (3) NL Wild Card spots!
Still love my Reds, now and forever, but things need to change including holding players responsible for fielding, throwing and base-running mistakes as well as pitchers who consistently walk batters and give up hits on 0-2 counts and fail to close out innings with 2 outs, often with no one on base!
Hoping for a win tonight to break this funk the Reds are in and put an end to the 6-game losing streak!
I don’t think Bell has any idea why he took Farmer out. I think he uses “the Force”.
Farmer was at 26 pitches if the ESPN stats are correct! Pretty sure he could have faced one more batter! Not a fan of Farmer but bringing a pitcher in the middle of an inning is always risky!
@DW>> Bell was brought in to manage a group of mid to late career players when the Reds were spending money for guys like Castellanos, Moose, Sonny Gray et al to match up with the likes of Votto, Suarez, Winker on the position side and Castillo, Raisel Iglesias et et al on the pitching side. The plan is different now; and, maybe the skill set that got him the job isn’t the one for the job at hand.
In recent years the Reds have clearly favored keeping and moving raw “stuff” pitchers through the minors to more accomplished lower ceiling guys.
That’s how things got to where they are in regard to your complaints which for the most part I share.
Thank you, Jim! I’m sure I was not alone in not being happy about the Bell hiring decision!
Bell was brought in well before that. It was Senzel’s rookie year. It was after we just had 4 straight seasons in last place in the division, followed by a 3rd and 4th place. No competent manager wanted to have anything to do with the Reds. So, we had to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Bell was there.
Don’t look now the Cards just won their 5th game in a row! The Dirty Birds did the Reds a favor by beating the Fish earlier today! The Marlins are one of the 5 teams currently battling for one of the 3 NL Wild card spots! The other teams are the Giants, the Snakes and the Phillies!
Reds need to take care of business in the next 8 games, including 2 left with the Giants, then 3 more home games against the Snakes before travelling to Milwaukee for 3 games with the division leader!
Very much agree. Shut up and put time for the guys.
Love your dog photo, Jim! A Papillon?
Charlie thanks you. He is long hair Chihuahua. When he is in short warm weather trim, the Chi look and temperament come through in his posture.
We need the very good version of Ashcraft so we limit use of the bullpen. I’d like to be in a position to see a win before I have to tap out and head for bed. That’s a 3-hour window in all reality.
Pigs, Kicking, Giant Crushing, and all that Jazz.
Feel like a must win game, right? Do whatever it takes to win. What’s baseball version of Hail Mary? Do that.
Squeeze bunt? Lol
Yeah, CES power grade is truly 80 now.
Flores …
Nice job by Benson to get it back in quickly
Good play by Benson to save a base, keep the guy out of scoring position.
13 pitches is a good start.
Ashcraft may not win this one…but he’s pitching pretty well last few starts. I will watch hi pitch every 5th start.
Hard hit hard luck again
Sinkers & changeups to EDLC, the last two pitches inside. Couldn’t hit them.
Well, maybe that is why he grounded out. They pitched him inside.
Batters aren’t taught to move up in the box anymore that I know of (at least Reds hitters). It would benefit him vs. guys that are soft tossers IMO.
Giants have had the best fielder positioning, some of which is luck, but not all.
Yes they did…especially against Steer on his last AB. Thought that was a single for sure.
Rather unwise throw, Graham. It didn’t go too far awry, but still.
I hope Ashcraft is not hurt again.
Ash had time to set and fire…just rushed it.
K helps. Now for Bike Helmets to end it.
Request approved!!!
+100
Not how I would have drawn it up, but Bike Helmets it is!!
Great throw from TySteve.
Again, it’s something different every game! Now a hurried/bad throw on a come-backer to Ashcraft!
Cool double play. 🙂
Beautiful throw and tag there, especially from where Tyler had to throw it.
Strike ’em out, throw ’em out! Dodged a big bullet there! Now for a crooked number!
That “crooked number” is like a billionaire.
Asked how much is enough he replies “one dollar more!”
If they score 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 I want one more run so that it is even.
Dang it!
Zero (runs) does not figure into this equation.
That’s more like it, way to get out of that jam Ashcraft!
Now score about 4 or 5 runs Reds!
So far the Reds are making some hard contact lol.
Six straight groundouts.
Votto hit some hard before grounding out. We’ll get em.
Brewers up 4 to 1 on the Phillies.
Whew! Feels a little lucky and a lot good on that one.
When I win the Powerball tonight, I will pledge it to the Reds to buy Ohtani for the next 10 years.
Who’s on board?
I’ll throw in a couple of dollars to help. 🙂
I’d buy a bunch of season tickets in the really good seats (or maybe a corporate box) and rotate the use through members in this group.
Stephenson taking one off the mask. It’s like taking a hard punch.
Thrall and Welsh talking about his change of masks to help avoid the most severe of those outcomes.
That’s a good thing.
Barreled that up nicely.
108 mph
Okay CES with the hit. 🙂
He took an opportunity away from somebody else to get that hit.
Hahaha!!! Now I’m TRYING to be good tonight. lol You’re not helping. 😀
Hahahahahahaha…now that is funny
108.4 mph
There we go Benson! Three run shot!
This lineup is not one a pitcher wants to face top to bottom.
Willie BB!
103.2 for Will.
110 for the Elly lineout.
Oh he MASHED that one!!! A bit opposite to boot. Always better with men on base.
Another hard luck hard hit from EDLC. Just plain lucky on Stripling’s part.
110 mph
I think he was looking for off speed or breaking pitch.
Nailed it but unfortunately right at the pitcher.
He may just have avoided the tag on that move. If it gets overturned, it’s a great slide from TJ.
I read an old book where Ted Williams says there was science to hitting. I’m sure all great hitters learned “ the science.” I wonder how difficult it is to tutor EDLC considering his age and the language situation. As opposed to McClain, Steer and Benson who have plan for their at bats and scouting reports, he relies more on his talent alone. Not a criticism, just an opinion.
It’s a fair point. It’s definitely a different game from the days where Williams played (in multiple ways). But you have to wonder how much of a barrier it might present at times.
I’d say he’s an eager learner. Judging by seeing him in the dugout on the bench with Votto reviewing video. I have no doubt he will figure it out.
Yep, the batter who has more than 3 starts this season leading the Reds in every offensive important offensive category for over the last 30 days is still batting 9th. Brilliant.
Move the guy up.
He’s gotta pay his dues for 7 or 8 years, no matter what the performance is.
Unwritten rules and all….
And the reasoning for all the others?
There is no reason or logic to it
3 is a nice crooked number. I do believe we’ll take that.
I’ve been preaching it for weeks, but I’m gonna continue to be a broken record. How has Benson not been given a shot in the 2/3/5/6 spot in the order? Based on his track record with India, in another month or 2 Bell will move him up to 7 at least.
Maybe Bell doesn’t know how well Benson is doing.
Maybe Bell knows stuff. Like he doesn’t want too much pressure on Benson if he is higher in the lineup.
Or maybe he hadn’t thought about it.
Or maybe Benson’s name got printed permanently in the 9 spot at the printers and Castellini says use ’em until you run out.
Sadak would never be in the booth if it wasn’t for stats. Like Scully said, stats are like the drunk using a lampost , good for support but not so much for illumination. But I gets insane to even mention the two in the same breath.
Dallas Keuchel can opt out of his ML deal with the Twins soon. He has a 0.90 era in the minors. Maybe worth a look?
I believe his last shot in MLB was close to disastrous. But others will certainly know those stats.
Don’t like Ashcraft’s pitch count. But, he seems to still be able to get the outs.
They called up Stoudt. Is he with the team? If so, he could theoretically pitch 2-3 innings if necessary. I say theoretically, because Bell would pull him after 10 pitches or the first left hander he faces.
Phillies and Brewers now tied at 3
I don’t want either of them to win, but go Phillies I guess.
I like Benson hitting where he is.
Yes, it may confound purists and he was recently a ‘minor leaguer’ who took ABs…and a job…away from Myers.
Having a stretched out lineup, as Votto calls it, is a refreshing change.
If Benson has found his power stroke, hitting behind CES and TS is even better. Plus he can be on base for EDLC and even McLain.
Now Harry, that just makes too much sense!
+5,000
I agree….he’s doing well batting 9th. This lineup is long. Danger at every spot.
Ashcraft is losing it. Be careful here.
Sloppy start to the 5th.
Dunn starting the game off with a HR on back to back nights. That kid is a player!
How is his glove and arm in CF?
I only scoreboard watch AA, but I asked @Doug today, and he said he’d stick in CF, so pretty good I’m assuming. I know he’s also 37 for 41 in SB’s this season.
Thanks, MBS. I’m thinking quality OF prospects have the best chance of advancing right now.
So now the wheels fall off! A HBP followed by a 4-pitch walk! How does that happen?
And another … SMH Very Hard 😮
Bottom third no less.
7-8-9 hitters all with free passes.
Not sharp.
Make that 2 walks! Now the bases loaded and no outs! Need a Houdini act again!
Give up a run for the Bike Helmets. Nice 3-6-1 play all the way around.
Good DP there with CES starting it.
Limited damage after loading them up. Everybody exhale now.
Great rebound from Ashcraft and Reds
Wow
Don’t like how this game is going if Ashcraft comes back out for the 6th. Giants will chip away
Bullpen is beat up. He probably needs to come back out and get thru the 6th.
Will have to do some scoring, then.
3 runs are rarely going to be enough for the Reds.
Agree. Offense is not posing any threat at all. It seems the desire to score run vanishes when we have the lead
We’ll take that! Could have been a lot worse than one (1) run allowed! My guess is we won’t see GA for the 6th inning! Bell is loving it as he will spin the RP roulette wheel and use at least 4 relief pitchers now!
Heart of Giants’ order for third time around with GA.
Not a lot of confidence here once Bell starts ‘managing’.
Ashcraft maneuvered out of the trajectory of the lead projectile there
Nice recovery from Ashcraft. Another pretty solid start from him, which is encouraging.
Ty Steve has GOT to improve his pitch framing skills. He doesn’t even attempt to frame. Contreras stole a boatload of strikes against the Reds. If anybody is paying attention, the eyeball test will not fail you.
Contreras ranked 8th of 59
Stephenson ranked 53 of 59
Giants rookie Bailey 7 of 59
This is sobering, but seems also teachable with Maile and Casals on hand.
Bell likely oblivious to the situation.
How much of that is due to the Chumpire Flex-o-Zone/Bizzarro Zone effect we’ve seen this season?
They are obviously being fooled by the skills of these catchers…which is why Ty should be trying too.
Tyler doesn’t have a long term future as a C in my opinion. He’s 45 out of 54 in Deserved Runs Prevented according to Baseball Prospectus. He’s just not good defensively.
To me, it’s coach-able.
Everbody has weaknesses that they need to work on.
This is his.
Maile is 30th
Casali 38th
Love how Benson gets down the line every ground ball. Guy loves to play ball.
I’m hoping WB turns out to be another BPhillips type pickup from Cleveland.
BP could be a show off but he loved to play and backed it up.
Not a bad inning there by Ashcraft. 🙂
I’d send Ashcraft out for at least 1 more out. We need to conserve the bullpen as much as possible.
Now I’d pull him. Always after 6 innings, on a short leash.
Imploring the offense to wake up. 2 run lead is not enough.
TJ tried … just fell a little short.
Ashcraft might have bought himself another inning. Either way a nice 6 IP from the bulldog.
This hp ump is buying those frame jobs by Bailey. Or, he’s just blind on his own.
Probably a little of both. I continue to be underwhelmed by the majority of the HP Chumpires and their moronic zones. If you see a catcher framing that much, then you have to know they are not strikes. Failing to recognize that is a failure to do your job.
Anyone on here use express v p n? I can’t take a trip like normal to watch the game tonight…
I’ve used Surf Shark, some time it helped to close everything and reopen a few minutes after the VPN was on.
Not I. When I travel, it’s always on my Norton account.
How bout they go with the robo zone then catchers don’t have to try to trick lazy umpires. It’s ridiculous the corners nearly every pitcher gets on us and it seems worse at home?
+100,000
Seems true. We get hosed.
I think we all agree about automation, but in the meantime our catchers need to do it too, and they aren’t.
This is my concern. The Brewers and now the Giants both seem to do a much better job with pitch framing than the Reds. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it always feels like we are the ones getting hosed.
I cannot take this anymore. Threw 5 straight cutters and gave up a HR.
Former Red getting that HR against us
Sabol? His player info site shows he was a Pie-Rat.
We drafted him in the Rule 5 this year, and turned around and sold him to SF for a bag of $$$.
Yes. My bad.
Now to make a 1-run lead stand up (by finishing the 7th) and not squandering another quality start by a pitcher.
Slider and cutter and get killed in the 7th inning? Sounds familiar? Yes, that was what happened against the Brewesrs
CES is looking rock-solid at first tonight. I’m not so sure Votto gets to that ball he just caught.
McLain would have had it also. But CES did make a nice pick at 3B last night too.
Barrero extended his hitting streak to 13 games tonight. smh Good for him. 🙂 Who is that hitting instructor down there again? 🙂
I get it, but do keep in mind AAA pitching is for crap this season for the most part.
Yes but do keep in mind it’s the same pitching that McLain, EDLC, and CES has been seeing this year.
@M & MM>> I agree everybody seems to hit a AAA this year but also that Barrero is also putting up numbers starting to approach what EDLC, MMcL, and CES did at AAA.
As I stated here just yesterday, I think the robo ump system may be playing a significant role in it. Half the time it is directly making the calls; and, the other half it is available on challenge which is getting the umps on board with it.
I believe that consistency in the zone is working to the hitters’ advantage. No more free strikes at 3/0 counts; and the edge stuff has to really touch the zone and not just look so impressive in just missing it can influence the ump or be framed into the zone for the call.
Good point Jim.
I think it’s Andrew Abbott’s dad.
Unless Ashcraft adds a 3rd pitch, he cannot go more than 6. It’s not bad. But cannot send him out to start the 7th just to give up runs and then pull him out.
Exactly. He needs a Rhett Lowder change.
I write off Gibaut 1 day then he comes out and does that, nice inning by the most confusing relief pitcher on the Reds.
He is. I keep telling myself that with 8-2 record, he must have some secret weapons. I just don’t know what it is yet.
Reds don’t have that dominant guy prior to Diaz. Even Sims has control issues at times.
4 hits through 6 innings w/o any BBs aren’t going to win many games. Only 1 hit from the first 6. They need to wake up. And I disagree with the theory that the Cards winning is doing the Reds a favor. Playing for the wildcard is a foolish strategy. Play to win the division. If StL gets too close, they’ll take the division, assuming they do t tear down at the trade deadline
Wild Card this season is a pipe dream. To play in October, we have to win the NLC.
Top to bottom we’re not working the count in our favor lately. Elly in particular is a guy that needs to start working the count better and laying off the dirty, pitcher’s pitches. Until he starts doing that, he’s not gonna see any fat pitches in the zone that he can crush with regularity.
14 in a row, sad to say 3 runs better win this game or it’s 7 losses in a row.
Offense is depressing. No hit since the HR right? We’re waiting for Giants to come back and beat us.
CES out and Senzel in. Hope we don’t need his bat later.
Agreed.
CES done for the night? Porque??? 😮
Bell ‘managing’.
What was even the purpose? To get CES off 3B or Steer off 3B (or both). If it was only for Steer (since CES has looked good at 1B) why not just straight sub Senzel for Steer? I guess maybe because Steer’s spot would bat 2 spots sooner than CES’s???
Yep, reeks of Bell’s micromanagement and maybe just wanting to get Senzel an appearance to make him feel more a part of things.
Please refrain from using the words “manage” and “Bell” in the same sentence! Bell couldn’t spell the word “manage” if you spotted him the letters m-a-n-a-g
Defensively, the numbers show the moves were a wash at worst, actually. If anything, it improved the offense. And, I am not a Bell fan. But, I am a numbers fan.
My concern was offensively. The offense doesn’t improve. In a close game, I have to wonder, also.
Sims always gives me the willies.
He’s not happy unless he’s giving at least one free pass.
Me too. As a reliever, a guy with his fastball, regardless of how good his breaking stuff is should be shelving the breaking stuff to only use as his put away pitch. That’s where my angst comes from.
Could never get a job in a dynamite factory!
Can’t watch the game but following on Gamecast. Seems like a lot of line drive outs tonight. Are they getting good swings in but just right at guys?
Pretty much. Some rocket shots. EDLC roped one right back through the box that Stripling caught out of sheer self defense.
Thanks!
That late inning substitution of Senzel is a great example of Bell wanting to inject himself into the game by making a move that wasn’t needed and may hurt.
I understand it’s a one run game but I’m not sure it helps our defense all that much and potentially weakens our offense.
He lives in the moment it seems.
5 run lead, ok. 1, not good.
Reminds me of my HS baseball coach who would scream, yes, scream at players who made bad or ill-advised throws! He would call them “an unnecessary throw that wasn’t necessary”!
Probably wasn’t necessary. But, at worst, going by the numbers, defensively, it was a wash. If anything, it improved the defense.
Good job there. I have to say Benson always makes me nervous. He never looks like he really is confident he’s going to catch it.
My wife says the same thing.
I agree. Benson hustles but he doesn’t look like a natural OF at this point in his career.
He doesn’t have the skill of being able to take his eye off the ball to check his surroundings and then look immediately to the spot where the ball has traveled while he was looking away.
Probably for the same or related reasons, he seems slow to break on balls in the air and to take less than optimal routes. As a result, he seems to often end up chasing from behind balls and needing to out run them to make the catch.
The run scoring extra inning double by the Giants in the completion of the suspended game was an example of all these factors. It would have been a very tough catch, but I thought he should at least been able to make a strong attempt at catching it on the fly since it did a top spin looping dive and landed about in the middle of the warning track before it bounded to the wall. But his route let the ball get behind him early; and, that was all she wrote.
Jon and Lark (especially Jon) keep talking about how the Giants are getting the pitch on the outside corner and the Reds aren’t. It looks pretty obvious to me that Sabol does a much better job at pitch framing then Stephenson. It looks like Stephenson doesn’t even make the effort most of the time to pitch frame.
To me, it still goes back to lazy/moronic Chumpires who won’t take the time to improve their only job. And it seems to be getting worse as the season progresses. HT to Sabol for exploiting that. Boo to whoever should be coaching TySteve to do the same.
Tyler has been biting on those sliders off the plate this season.
Hourly forecast for Cincy doesn’t look favorable from about Noon forward tomorrow. Obviously a lot of stuff can change, but …
Flores again! Just can’t catch a break.
EDLC definitely hitting into some hard luck tonight.
EDlC has hit the ball hard tonight and has nothing to show for it.
Can’t watchel the game tonight, but elly has exit velos of 97,98,102, and 110. Tough 0-4 Night on paper.
Glass half full….
Elly did hit a 4 balls at 97 mph+ tonight
No strikeouts.
Elly De La Cruz hit four balls in play with exit velocities ranging from 97 mph to 110 mph. Two were line drives. Nothing to show for it.
At least has gotten some much needed rest with the losing streak. Silver linings.
Diaz has gotten much needed rest*
Our closer was hauling it tonight. A big win to get this young crew back on track with Abbott going for the split tomorrow.
Good point. He needed it.
Whew. Much needed win.
Feels pretty good after that long run of Stink.Fish.Pot!!
The VERY good Diaz showed up tonight.
??
Amen
Classic Diaz.
Needed that.
A lot of understandable angst in RLN, but that was a bonafide win.
Ashcraft and the bullpen.
Maybe he is ‘rejuvenated’.
Ashcraft looking at least like a guy that can give them a chance to win. The runs will come with all of this talent.
A win’s a win, but 4 hits isn’t going to win many. OTOH, pitching was well above expectations
Yeah, I am not convinced the batting slump is over
Sometimes those top pitchers (Burnes) seem to get into guy’s heads and they get slightly out of whack mentally and I think it carried into other games. Lots of hard hit balls, 3 by EDLC, the Tyler flyout to the deepest part, few others right at semi-shift at 2nd.
Finally, a W. The box score would trick you with all of the hard-hit at’em balls not showing up as hits.
A lot of very hard hit outs. Elly himself had three absolute Rockets right at people.
Exactly. Like I’ve said before, I can take losses. I can’t take mistakes. Those line drives I had no problem with. They were just unfortunate. I have no problem seeing 20 of those a game. Because at some point in time, they aren’t going to be hit directly at the defense.
But, weak hits? K-outs? Putting pitiful swings on the ball? Those are mistakes.
Hey. We won! Time to start a winning streak again. 🙂
Beers just beat the Phillies. Got to keep the pressure on now.
Not ideal, but we did pick up a game on 2 of the wildcard teams tonight. Let’s get some more W’s and reclaim 1st in the Central.
Thank goodness for Diaz. Another nice outing for Ashcraft. No reason to pull CES for Senzel but didn’t hurt. This time. Sorely needed win!
Probably not necessary, but a little managerial nod to a guy not getting to play much, who has looked good at 3rd. Another rhp starts tomorrow, so probably gotta go with the usual lefty lineup tomorrow.
If they rotate McLain out for a game tomorrow rather than CES, that might be the time to slide Benson up near the top for a start.
Alex Cobb projected starter, good veteran. I remember the Rays gave him a qualifying offer back in the day, Orioles gave him 3 years, 50 mil or so. Had his worst years with Baltimore. Compensation pick for him turned out to be Shane McClanahan. Their own 1st pick was Liberatore who they flipped for Arozarena. That’s why they call them the Devil Rays because they must be consorting with the man-goat to pull off those kind of victories.
With the way Bell subbed, the numbers show Senzel is much better at 3rd than CES.
Keep CES at first? Now, that can be questioned, but just barely. Steer and CES have similar fielding %’s at 1st.
Now, if you kept CES in at first, bring in Senzel for Steer? The numbers show Senzel is just a bit better at 3rd than Steer.
In short, at worst, the moves look like a wash. If anything, it was an improvement in defense.
Going by fielding %s to determine defensive ability? Oh my. You’re a stats guy alright.
Just pick another number. I will look it up.
What do you propose, the “eye” test? Yeah, that’s a real good way to judge defensive talent.
And, trust me, I am not a Bell fan. But, I am a numbers guy. Numbers don’t lie. You could consider other numbers, but numbers don’t lie.
CES has impressed to this point. A lot of good at bats and he looks pretty good defensively so far.
Someone needs to check the record books and find out how many teams have won a game by scoring three runs with a total of four guys reaching base. There can’t have been many.
Finally! A post AS break win! Couldn’t follow the last inning! Too nervous!
No help from the Phillies tonight!
I had confidence in Ashcraft last season and this season. It’s the learning process. Like what I saw tonight and his last outing, I didn’t see his best stuff out there. But, good pitchers, when they don’t have their best stuff, they still learn how to get outs. And, Ashcraft is doing that.
The only thing I would like to see Ashcraft do now is get his good stuff back. Or, if this is his good stuff, then the other teams have obviously learned it. So, then, he needs to adjust back on them.