Last night saw the Dodgers even up the series with a 3-2 victory. This afternoon’s contest will decide which team gets the series win. The Cincinnati Reds enter the day a half-game back of first place and will be looking to get out of Los Angeles atop of the division if they can take care of business and get some help from Atlanta. First pitch is set for 4:10pm ET today.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Los Angeles Dodgers
|
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | David Peralta – LF |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Freddie Freeman – 1B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Will Smith – C |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Max Muncy – 3B |
| Spencer Steer – 3B | J.D. Martinez – DH |
| Joey Votto – DH | James Outman – CF |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 1B | Jason Heyward – RF |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Enrique Hernandez – 2B |
| Will Benson – LF | Miguel Rojas – SS |
| Graham Ashcraft – RHP | Michael Grove – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Graham Ashcraft | 99.0 | 5.64 | 1.55 | 43 | 74 |
| Michael Grove | 56.2 | 6.19 | 1.55 | 17 | 53 |
| Links: Graham Ashcraft’s Stats | Michael Grove’s Stats |
|||||
Graham Ashcraft
After going through a real bad stretch from early May through late June where his ERA was 12.82 in eight starts, Graham Ashcraft has returned to how he had been pitching in the first six starts of the season. In his last five starts he’s posted a 2.10 ERA in 30.0 innings and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of those five starts.
When Ashcraft was really struggling earlier this season the big issue was how well lefties we’re hitting him. Righties have always hit well against him, but lefties hit .201/.270/.251 against him in his first 25 starts. From May 4th through June 25th they hit .484/.522/.766 against him. In his last five games they’ve hit .189/.283/.358 against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 239 | 62 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 25 | 36 | .301 | .387 | .476 |
| LHH | 203 | 48 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 38 | .264 | .337 | .451 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-seam | Cutter | Slider | |
| Velo | 96.6 | 96.2 | 88.3 |
| Usage | 10% | 52% | 38% |
Michael Grove
Inconsistency is probably the best word to use to describe Michael Grove’s season. He’s also spent time going back-and-forth between the rotation and bullpen over the last two months. In his last two starts he’s allowed three earned runs in 9.2 innings against Baltimore and Toronto while striking out 10 batters and walking just two.
Right-handed hitters have a good average and hit for a solid amount of power against Grove. What they don’t do is walk against him. Left-handed hitters have done it all against him this season. They are hitting .333, they draw plenty of walks against him, they make tons of contact against him, and they are hitting for a lot of power against him.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 127 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 32 | .285 | .307 | .463 |
| LHH | 123 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 21 | .333 | .415 | .556 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Slider | Curve | |
| Velo | 94.8 | 89.3 | 85.8 | 78.4 |
| Usage | 40% | 7% | 36% | 17% |
When and Where
- Game time: 4:10pm ET
- Where: Dodger Stadium
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 88°, partly cloudy, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Jonathan India placed on the injured list
About 90 minutes prior to the start of this afternoon’s game, the Reds placed Jonathan India on the 10-day injured list with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Outfielder Stuart Fairchild has been recalled from Triple-A to take his spot on the 26-man roster.
Reds interested in lefty starter Eduardo Rodriguez
It was reported this morning that Cincinnati was showing interest in Detroit Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez. His contract can be a bit complicated, which may make trading for him a little more difficult. We’ll see if anything here pans out, but with the trade deadline being on Tuesday at 6pm ET, there’s not much time left to get something done.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 57 | 48 | 0.0 | 68.8% |
| Reds | 57 | 49 | 0.5 | 30.4% |
| Cubs | 53 | 51 | 3.5 | 32.1% |
| Pirates | 46 | 58 | 10.5 | 0.2% |
| Cardinals | 46 | 60 | 11.5 | 1.8% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
This has been posted for several minutes with no comments. I can only assume we’re all too stunned by this creative and totally unpredictable new lineup.
+1,000 😀
I was out gassing up the U-Haul truck and then doing a couple “Dad things” upstairs for DD#1 as we prepare to move her out of this apartment in the morning.
That was going to be my next guess…
Man… I hadn’t checked the lineup and didn’t realize the sarcasm for a minute. My heart was happy until my eyes looked at the glorious lineup and then my brain computed it’s creativity.
So sorry for getting your hopes up. I’m just trying to find more interesting ways of saying “this continues to not be the best possible lineup.”
Really time to Kick the Trolley Dodgers Pig off the rails and get out of LA!!!
I’m declaring this a Stink. Fish. Pot!!! free zone today. 😮 😛
And I get to watch this on DD#1’s TV instead of my phone whilst lying in a hotel bed late at night. That’s a plus right there.
+1000
Guessing that #1 TV will be among the last things loaded to the truck
TV is likely traveling in one of two cars making the trek (hauling one, First Wife and DD#1 driving mine).
Finally got my power back on a few hours ago after about 38 hours. Was looking forward to watching the game today. Nope. Bally not showing game in Indy today. Indiana Fever instead. smh
Olson with a 2 run HR to put braves up 8-6 in bottom of the 8th. WLB up 3-0 in bottom of 7th over the cubs. It is a great day for the Reds to pull out a win over the dodgers. LETS GO REDS!
Just like we decided to pitch to Muncy last night, Brewers pitched to Olson with 1st base open, smh. We take it.
Bad decisions abound. Some by the #30 MLB manager, some by one presumed to be higher up that food chain.
Braves are feasting on all that “great” Milwaukee pitching again…
Olson just took the unhittable Piyamps deep for 8-6 lead.
Music to my ears.
First runs Payamps has given up in a month and a half! Happy to see it.
Stupid Cubs took Bellinger off the market and are declaring themselves buyers looking for pitching (along with EVERY OTHER TEAM). Here’s hoping they wickedly overpay for some arms that don’t work out and we blow into Wrigley and blow THEM into Lake Michigan.
I won’t be happy unless we take all 4 games from the Cubs starting Monday. Not 3-1, 4-0, just to show them that Hope is a danger Thing. Put an end to their hope.
I hear you, LT. I’d strongly prefer we sweep them in their house. And I know we’ve historically been pretty darned good there. But even 3 of 4 would make me smile. Especially if the WLB Dirty Birds hold on to their current lead over the Stupid Cubs.
And EDLC and TJ just made us shout and smile here.
Score early and score often. That’s our mantra today 🙂
In what amounts to ancient, bad dreams for RLN, I see 4M has moved to the declining LAA of Anaheim. Odd move, I’m sure, but it costs nothing given the Bob/Phill Monster is still paying that freight bill.
he’s been there several weeks.
Actually been pretty good so far.
Put the bat on the ball today guys. Hit fb’s in the zone.
With 2 strikes get the bat off your shoulder.
Ashcraft should keep the Reds in the game.
It’s up to the offense to win it.
C’mon RLN. We like to bellyache about Bell and lineups and bullpen management . But, this is fun. Reds are in a pennant race. We’re rooting against the Cubs and Brewers and scoreboard watching. We could be tied for first place in short order. Reds are mostly playing young guys and the trade deadline isn’t about trading away good guys. Its can we add good guys?
This is fun.
Did I mention the Cardinals suck?
The WLB Dirty Birds have agreed with all of MLB that they suck and are selling off assets (though not Arenado, I see). We, on the other hand, should be good for a few years coming. I try to remind myself of that little gem on bleak days.
Yes, ’tis!
Iggy popped the Bernies. I just saw the last AB (odd given I’m about 90 minutes from Atlanta with only the US Region VPN on). Win today, and we’re back on top.
I can’t watch Dunn struggle at AA any longer. His BA is a measly .383, and it wouldn’t even be that good if he didn’t pick up 3 hits today. Send him down to A+ or maybe even low A.
Cant draw it up better than that after 2 hitters
I mean 3 hitters
I mean 4 hitters
We need to pile it on today. We didn’t yesterday and paid for it.
Chaos crew off and running (literally). Keep it coming.
So far, not running up Grove’s pitch count … yet 🙂
True, a lot of first pitch swinging. Very aggressive early.
Like Tony Perez always said, “See de ball, hit de ball”.
Big series coming up with the Cubs. Will be interesting to see what the Reds do before the trade deadline.
Two relievers I think would help:
Carlos Hernandez (KC) 3.63 era, 0.98 whip
Brent Sutter (Col) 2.85 era, 1.12 whip
Good start in this game!
Keep it going. Everybody hits
How many innings of free rent did Grove give our boys to start the game?
This should show Graham we’re backing him today.
Nice job by Steer and MattyMc.
OK, Joey. You have ONE JOB here.
And that was NOT what we needed from Employee #19. Not at all.
I almost hesitate to bring it up again, but didn’t Joey make some sort of promise to all of us? Anyone recall? Anyone … Bueller …
He isn’t retiring during a pennant run. No one should ever think that he would do that. It’s on Bell to play him more sparingly.
Hanawi,
If HDTBell would play him much more sparingly, then that would at least take away some of the “pain” of watching this. I know he’s not going to retire in the middle of the season. I’m pointing out what he said and the contradiction of what we’re seeing.
Votto needs to get this run home
Votto is old
What was that Joey?
What more do we need to see from Votto… 5 for fhis last 50 and the debacle last year….why is he still in the everyday lineup?
although Strand is not impressing me either
That’s on Bell
What a poor AB by Votto. Tough to watch this struggle. If he faces the lefties in Chicago, Bell should get his extension canceled.
Same by CES. He has to stop trying to do so much and relax. It looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders to him.
Votto is 5 for his last 50. This is now ridiculous. There’s probably 5 minor leaguers that could hit better than that.
Bad AB by Votto followed by even worse one from CES
Is somebody not actively (aggressively) coaching CES about that plate approach? I know hitting at this level isn’t easy by any stretch. But flailing away at 3rd strikes 2 feet off the plate will never work.
Great start but Votto and CES hamstrung by the slider/off-speed stuff swinging at garbage out of the zone thats not even close.
Let’s go Ashcraft.
Good God….bitter taste in your mouth after Votto and CES there. Almost forgot the 3 spot
This news just came in. Votto and ECS are half brothers. They can’t hit sliders to save their life. My gosh it’s bad their swings looked against sliders.
Alright GA let’s put a zero on the board and let tysteve and Benson turn this order over.
Stupid Cubs get SHUT OUT!!!
Parting gift for all those guys named Jordan who are leaving the Birds today.
That was not the CES I saw watching night the Bats night after night on MiLB TV. I refuse to believe this pitcher’s stuff is that much better. What happens when these guys get called up.
So you saw him hit sliders in AAA? If that’s true, that’s hard to explain.
They told him he had to quit chasing and cut his K rate to get to MLB and that’s what he did. 21.8% K rate vs 10.4% BB rate at AAA this year.
Those numbers look fine. Thanks Jim. Do you happen to have it broken down by pitch type? If I were Dave Roberts, I would tell my pitcher throw CES nothing but sliders until he shows he can fouls off, not hit
I agree Jim. I watched a lot of CES in AAA and he didn’t give ABs away like that. He is pressing and not playing like himself at all.
How bout Votto self retired, CES either shapes up or ships back out with Steer to 1B and give Marte a spin
Again, Votto is not going to retire during a pennant chase. For multiple reasons. At best, they would put him on the IL with a mysterious injury, but mostly it’s on Bell to use him sparingly.
Graham with the extra days rest..hope he’s not to amped up.
I believe he is a better pitcher when he’s not trying to throw it through the backstop
A good 1st. inning, but the pitcher was on the rope and it ended swinging at bad pitches. Enough.
Ashcraft with the wicked slider. That looked like Jose Rijo.
Hard to believe CES’ at bat was worse than Jo-Jo’s.
Can’t let a good team loose when you got them on the ropes!
Somebody has to let Ashcraft know Freeman’s going. He had time to step off and throw to 2nd
I think teams have a read on him to steal. Maybe the deep breathe and then delivery or something, but several teams in a row have got jumps like that on him.
The someone was probably too busy replaying his 1st inning PA
Ashcraft’s velocity seems down. Slider is dropping a ton though
Easy 6-3 dbp by Elly. He looks so good out there.
Bike helmets baby!
Need a couple of Bike Helmets to atone for that HBP. But for the love of all that is good an holy, don’t throw a cookie to Max Muncy!
And as I was typing it … 😀
Weaver isn’t throwing today Muncy.
+500
Wheel and deal, Ashcraft! GIDP to save the inning
Big DP…that ball looked like it was destined for CF
Really impressed in how ashcraft has turned his season around….I remember thinking back on July 1st: How is this pitching going to get thru the month to get to August when some of the injured guys come back….and the last day of July is tomorrow…and the pitching has been doing just fine
Let’s hope Benson feels like swinging today
He will. Stu’s back and WB only edged him by a nose for the last spot when Votto came back, not that the choice should have even been either of them.
CRUSHED IT!!!
Wow that was a cookie
Cowboy said something about a high, hanging breaking ball with a “Hit Me!” sign hung on it.
Elly De La Crushed!!!
God is answering my prayers for EDLC
Yeah Elly needs to be dropped down alright. Bell is stubborn, but I don’t think he’s stupid
EDLC the past couple of games is what Bell is hoping for moving forward. Sure sets a tone.
Brewers hammered him down in the zone. Throwing elevated fastballs like that one is the way to get burned
If I was a Dodgers fan, I’d be pretty annoyed that Grove hasn’t thrown his slider more, especially to EDLC. As a Reds fan, I’m grateful.
Score early and score often. Stay true to the mantra. You go, EDLC.
Oh it’s good to have WLW audio over the TV feed again. I ended up watching the Dodger TV feed last night (good team). Especially good to have Cowboy back with Thrall. I like that team in the booth. I really do.
Same. It’s worth taking the time to sequence them up and avoid Sadak.
Throwing Elly a FB in the strike zone is a bad idea. He’ll chase above the zone on FBs and misses on low sliders. I’m guessing the pitcher wanted that pitch further up.
Yep. Made the same point above. Can’t throw that pitch to EDLC
Well, to be fair, you CAN throw it. Grove did. You just have to be willing and prepared to pay that kind of price.
It was a complete cookie and EDLC just hammered it.
Elly is heating up again folks….maybe he is adjusting. McLain has done that. Steer has done that. Would be amazing if 3 rookies figure it out on the fly.
Native Americans taught their kids how to swim by throwing them in a lake. That’s what leadoff is for Elly. You’re going to see more not less to figure it out
Philly had 2nd/3rd nobody out top of 10 with Trea Turner at the plate. I thought it was over and went to the Reds. Pitt just got 2 run walk off hr
Sadak and Welsh talking Roberts screwed up line up card and JD Martinez out.
Nope…injury
Hamstring tightness.
So no Betts and no Martinez. Thats ok.
Dodger feed say removed for hamstring tightness.
So no Martinez and likely no Mookie. Kind of playing really short-handed today.
I believe Thrall/Cowboy said something similar. Or maybe it was when the Roku TV flaked out and I had to reload the app and game and then switch back to the WLW audio overlay.
Bell is Casey Stengel compared to Roberts
I agree with that. Roberts is terrible
MattyMc with a Big Whack!!
I’m a Steer fan but McLain is going to be a stud. Best hitter on the team.
Love to see MMC pull the ball to compliment his oppo power.
Matt McLain new nickname.
THE MACHINE.
Matt Machine Mclain.
I like that. I like it quite a lot.
Hate to give the guy anything with 3M on it.
Oddly enough, Grove’s pitch count isn’t terribly high right now. Kind of like we’re jumping on early pitches or something … 😛
Montgomery to the rangers.
They’re not messing around. Hicks went to the Jays
So St. Louis is basically going to call up most of their AAA team then … 😮
I feel so bad for Wainwright to go out like this…….
Great start for the good guys. The bats are singing and Ashcraft is dealing. All is right in Redsland. Of course they can do better, keep it going!
As I type that, Matt Mclain goes yard. Hershiser said it was the wind. LOL.
Go Redlegs
Fraley is one dude that loves the shift ban. 1b on the line. 2b way over and SS in normal 2b and he’d never sneak one thru on the ground
But but but…. I guess shirts are optional today
Votto need that. Way to go JV.
Votto guessed right on that one!
Boom. Joey doing his Muncy impersonation.
Right down the middle and Votto didn’t miss it. If Joey can do what Muncy does and hit homers and draw walks , I’ll take it.
Agree with you. Maybe too much to ask but I would ask Votto drop all of his antics and adjustment talk, just accept that he’s here to walk and hit a bomb here and there when pitchers make a mistake like that.
I will say this is a very good start
Is Weaver pitching today? 🙂
111 mph for Joey.
Well, well, well … this would be the way to close up the year with the LA Trolley Dodgers. Maybe CES will imitate Votto again.
DD#1 says JV now needs a juice box and a cortisone patch … 😮 😀 😉
Nope. CES still chasing balls well out of the zone.
He’ll struggle but he’ll figure it out. He’s a good hitter. Just pressing.
Agreed, Melvin. And a 7-0 lead at the moment makes that easier to take today.
GO REDS GO!
Where are the Cards trading Goldy and at least two of their outfielders. I love it.
CES looks very pull happy. Not how hit in AAA
Benson went 1-21 with 14 K
Elly went 5-44 or something with 35% K
It’s part of the graduation to MLB.
Good news is McLain and Steer have navigated thru it and now Elly shows signs of a rebound. Other teams have data and a strategy.
No disagreement from me OS. I’m a fan of CES.
This guy isn’t fooling anybody.
Must be his day to take one for the team.
So, the Reds should make it hurt
Pour it on boys. Don’t relax. Need another 0 here GA.
I think CES will be an outstanding hitter. But AAA breaking balls and major league breaking balls are two different animals. Right now I’d rather see Senzel, Fairchild or even Newman at bat. At least they put the bat on the ball.
Fun fact: yesterday CES was one of two Reds who reached base twice.
Nahh…he needs a chance to play through it and learn from it. Playing every 3 days won’t help him with that.
Exactly.
Yeah let’s have 2 black holes in the middle of the lineup. It’s not like we’re in a pennant race or anything.
There was nothing left for CES to learn or accomplish at AAA except for putting in time. His OPS at AAA was at 1.000+ vs pitching from both sides when he was called up and had been at that level for weeks ahead of his callup.
The only place he is going to see the consistent step up in pitch quality he needs to see is at MLB getting batting reps like EDLC is.
I wonder if he would be better playing the field rather than DHing where he can stew on and ABs. That’s hard for a youngster.
This has all the signs for being a good day for a Reds fan. Breweres and Cubs both losing. That’s just TERRIBLE. sniff sniff
I’m weeping as I sit here. Harder now as Freeman (who I like and respect) flies out for a 1-2-3 inning for GA.
It’s an Everybody Hits; Everybody Scores!! kind of day brewing.
It’s a FIRST PLACE day….hopefully. 🙂
No tears from me, M & MM.
Pour it on Reds
one thing about Votto this year….coming into that last AB, he was batting .333 with 5 hr’s with runners in scoring position….that will do….now he needs to work on the other at bats
I also think people have an impression that there are a bunch of hitters out there mashing the ball. Votto’s slugging would be 7th best among qualified 1B in MLB and his OPS would be top 15. He shouldn’t be playing 6-7 times a week but he still has value.
Today Jo-Jo is 1 for 2 with risp, batting a cool 0.500.
Pour it on Votto. Pour it on Reds.
Roberts is in a pennant race of his own. I have to wonder at what point today he rolls over and concedes they won’t win this one (or the series or the season series). NLW is still a hard row to hoe and he’ll need all hands on deck over the next two months.
Looks like the Dodgers folding the tent. Will Smith subbed out.
No Mookie, no Martinez and now no starting catcher.
Hopefully this remains a comfortable win and key BP guys aren’t used. Will set us up well for Chicago, which has now become a big series.
Elly 3-3
Williamson’s cutter for him through 5 and 2/3. One would argue that Ashcraft cutter is better and therefore he would be able to get through 6. The 7-run lead helps, of course.
Just want to get some discussion around a very u see the radar pick up by the Brewers. They need more offense and picked up Santana, a veteran bat. I thought it’s a very smart pick up. What everyone thinks? Reds should be doing something similar.
I thought it was a very good move for them. Their lineup looked much longer with him in it today when I watched them play the braves. Reds need to make a couple under the radar adds of relievers to counter.
I saw they moved Adames down from 3 to 5 like we did with India
We need a high leverage reliever that’s better then Sims. That’s a need & not a desire
Grove has a nasty slider that no one has been able to hit, but he doesn’t throw it enough.
And on CES’s 2nd plate appearance, Grove showed him the slider away which he took for a ball then Grove came right back with a flat fastball right at the lower outside corner of the zone the slider was breaking just ahead of to lock CES up for called strike 2.
I think CES then chased the high heater on the next pitch just because he thought he had a chance which he wouldn’t on the slider if it came next.
I hope the Reds aren’t putting a stop sign on for Elly stealing while up 7-0.
Wayy to early in the game IMO.
Agree. This game is far from over.
Really no excuse for Elly to be standing at first after three outs. Gotta keep playing. Can’t assume everyone is getting an extra base hit.
Correckamungo, J.
Gotta pour it on until late innings, say, ninth with two outs and a 12 run lead
Come on Ashcraft, deal up another DP
Fly ball to left also acceptable
I think we can all live with the outcome.
Both the Reds & Brewers went 1-5 vs Atlanta. Cubs haven’t played them yet so there’s that
If my math is correct, Roberts has now burned 11 of his 13 position players. Betts probably isn’t an option again today, so he’s got one player left to get him through 5 more innings. I’m thinking that looks an awful lot like a white flag for today.
But I still want our guys to pour it on and keep scoring.
If he’s still got major league players on the field, they’re still capable of scoring runs.
Oh, I get it, J. But the wind does seem to be fading from their sails at this point. A quick inning for the 5th would really help GA. Kind of like that one.
Outman got an out, man!!
Quite the timed leap.
Votto robbed?
Orel Hershiser is the worst color guy ever. Just so annoying
I somehow had the feed on last night. I didn’t mind him at all. Nothing overly exciting, for sure.
I’m shocked that we don’t agree on it.
I disagree. I think their booth does a fantastic job.
I’ve heard stories about Reds players I’ve never heard before.
“I’ve heard stories about Reds players I’ve never heard before.”
How is that possible with Sadak around? 🙂
That’s one thing I always noticed about Vin Scully, good to see the tradition continued.
CES? MLB not PGA
Did CES never see a slider in AAA?
He showed a good improvement this year in laying off them. He is pressing very hard and trying to pull everything. Probably afraid he is going to be sent back down and told today isn’t his day like after her crushed spring training this year.
I can see Strand being sent down to figure out some things out…like how to stop swinging at the same (non-strike) pitch over and over
Maybe someone should ask him to take a pitch or two in the majors before sending him down. Just a thought.
My guess is he’s just afraid to strike out looking…..it’s not a crime
He’s trying to poke the ball to right. Which is good in theory, but someone needs to ask him to take one of those pitches at some point.
I guess it just that easy. Coach says don’t swing at a pitch and hitter does what he is told. That’s why all hitters are MVP candidates. Hitting coaches tell them to swing at strikes and that’s what they do.
Simple game.
GPod – He’s been quoted as saying he likes to protect the plate on a close third strike and not leave it up to the umpire. Smart. Just has to settle down.
Yes, giving a guy a “take” sign every now and then is actually quite easy. If you think he’s chasing too many pitches out of the zone, that’s a way you might help him out. Take the pressure off him for one pitch. If it’s a ball, he gets a better count. Maybe it’s a walk. If it’s a strike, you say “okay, that was my fault.”
I’m sure you’re right. It’s too bad he hasn’t tried coaching other guys like that too. Benson could have used that kind of coaching. Oh, wait….
At what age do y’all think CES developed permanent 5 o’clock shadow? My money is on around age 5 or 6 … 😛
CES is a perfect example of how AAA pitching is just horrific with the 6 day one team week. you see the same guys- who are in AAA for a reason after Memorial Day…… over and over and over. That doesnt translate to MLB. CES cant hit MLb righties with sliders. He is not seeing it or understanding what they are trying to do. Until he stops swinging at sliders that are balls by 6 inches…he will never see a FB. But, as Jim said, there’s nothing left for him to do in AAA.
+1,000
Bell needs to ignore his instincts and actually ask CES to change his approach instead of just hoping he figures it out.
There have been LOTS of times EDLC hasn’t looked good too. It’s just part of the process. McLain is the only one out of the rookies who really hasn’t gone into a slump. He has looked bad at times but he figures it out quicker than most. That’s why he’s the best hitter we’ve got.
I said that about mclain last night. He had 3 bad ABs then fourth Ab made an adjustment and got a hit to RF. He understands it so much more than most.
Agree. It’s about learning new things quickly. I think the mechanics of a player’s swing determines his ability to adjust. Players with A compact, simple swing will be able to adjust quicker.
Today has to be tough for CE mentally; but, it could also be a learning day because the Reds are continuing to turn over the lineup with a big lead which means CES can stay in the game and get multiple looks.
Hopefully they have video on the bench and someone to work with him.
Just as Jim is a Stu guy, I’m declaring myself a CES guy. I’ve watched him too much in AAA this year to believe what we are seeing right now is anything more than a young guy pressing. He can hit, he will show it.
Big strong kid and his swing isn’t that long. He’ll be fine
CES is not as lanky as Tony Perez was at a young age but there is something in his movements that remind me of Tony,
Perhaps that determination to drive in the runner in scoring position.
I’m with you.
He will figure it out with playing time.
+1000
Agree 100%. Definitely pressing.
Should change his name to Groove
Ouch. He resembles that remark.
STL Fire sale has started
Love the add on. Another 2 and I might start to feel comfortable with a lead.
Reds Offical Siite saying the team has interest in Eduardo Rodriguez but his contact is complicated.
You very rarely see a simplified contract by athletes.
Hope to get one more inning out of Ashcraft. 2 would be gravy but a great performance so far through 5. I would like to see him hit the showers with a strong showing. Not getting chased after allowing a few runs in the 6th or 7th.
Love me some Bike Helmets!!!
Reds hammering the Dodgers. Ashcraft solid start.
But to the handedness deniers who focus only on the lefties who cant lefties….Start-focusing on the righties who cant righties. BTW. Righties pitch 75 % ish of the time. You need lefties who hammer righties. today is exhibit A.
So far today.
Reds lefty hitters:
9-17 with 2 doubles and 2 home runs….They’ve scored 6 of the 8 runs. They’ve driven in 6 of the 8 runs.
Reds righty hitters:
1-11 with 1 HR and 2RBI and 6 K’s.
Dont be trading Elly or Friedl or Fraley or Benson. Votto can hit for power against righties as a DH….his only remaining skill set
You need 4-5 good righties every day and 4-5 good lefties every day depending upon the opposing pitcher.
Fraley makes it 10-18 for the lefties.
Votto is a left-handed version of Dave Kingman ….for all you old timers
Good comp.
We’d be lucky if he were:
Kingmans last 3 years
.268 – 35 HRs
.238 – 30 HRs
.210 – 35 HRs
wholeheartedly agree when it comes to platoons….especially with Jake
+500
Looks more like a white flag now. Freeman out. Nobody on the bench who isn’t hobbled. It’s the kind of game where you hope nothing happens to Barnes, for his own sake.
OK, Joey. It’s been a good day today. Keep it going.
Nope. Revert to what we’ve seen.
Time for CES to find some green space.
1-4 with a homer and 2k’s against a righty is a great day for joey who turns 40 next month. Interesting to see if JV plays against lefties but CES isnt taking his job either. I see an OF of Friedl , Senzel and Fairchild with Newman at 3b, Steer at 1b and Votto at DH. and as I type this, Newman goes to 3b and Steer to 2b.
He did hit two over the wall today. One was robbed.
Wonder if HDTBell is experimenting. Been a while since Steer has been at 2B. If he can at least match India there in his absence, that gives us a very nice infield with EDLCS back at 3B.
Can he lay down the Law in LA? Asking for a friend …
He really ought to be traded to the Dodgers. The nickname LA Law would be amazing.
Apparently, yes he can.
Stroman tomorrow. Lit up in July to the tune of a 7.99 era. Cubs haven’t seen Abbott. Advantage Reds
Oooooooh … that could be fun for us.
Cubs hottest hitter is a lefty as well. Let’s hope the wind is blowing in. Can’t wait to see Elly hitting there for the first time.
Apologies if I’m repeating something that’s already been said, but as of this moment the Reds have scored MORE runs than their opponents in 2023.
Thanks for the reminder, J. That little stat gets lost in the shuffle. It’s taken a LOOOOONG time this season, but we got there. Now to keep that advantage and keep winning.
Very good start by GA today. Heading into Chicago in first place after taking 2 of 3 from LA is a great place to be!
and we don’t play the Brewers again this year (except maybe in playoffs)
How about starting to discuss Cubs series? 4-game series deserves a head start does it not? Abbot starting off is just what the Doc orders right?
You’ll have to check in with “Doc” here, but I think he’d agree.
No more Stoudt holding onto a bid lead, right?
Every win needs to be nailed tight from here on out.
Yep. Cubs came crashing down today and we need to come in and give them 4 hard kicks on their rear end so that they give up any hope of making the playoffs 🙂
Yep…HARD kicks. 🙂
What are the pitching match ups? The way our starting staff is pitching, I like our chances.
Agree. I like our chances against any team not named Brewers. Atlanta will beat us in a series but on a game to game basis, I like our chances.
Get right day for Elly….4 knocks
I hope Stephenson gets himself straightened out. He just looks lost. Can a broken collarbone have that big of an effect on a guys career? I hope not.
I’m still feeling mine from 1985.
TS probably got better care and PT than I did, though.
Sorry to hear about your injury Harry. I don’t even know if it’s the injury at this point. He seems to be guessing every time at bat. Not at all like what we have seen before.
Umps have seen enough. They just want to get this one in the books and be on their way to LAX.
Dodgers don’t seem to mind.
Reds, just don’t open the door enough to get either back into this game.
Yes! Benson got that one right moving laterally and back.
Outstanding play
Just got my AC back up and running in TX so I’m in a good mood.
Somebody’s got to do it:
They fought The Law and The Law won.
I know the feeling. AC is wonderful again today. Especially in the hot summer while the power is out. 🙂
Installed a float kill switch for the unit in the condensate overflow pan.
Forgot about it.
“Baby, it’s getting kind of warm in here…”
Went up in the attic and had to sponge out the water and free up the main drain line.
Reset the system and cool air again.
Happy for you. 🙂 It’s a BIG deal.
That’s what I know.
We’ve got an old southern house, big overhangs, high ceilings, ceiling fans, metal roof to reflect the sun, big pecans for shade.
But it’s 101 out there.
Which is actually on the cool side of lately.
LOL
Stat cast said 47 mph curve to SF.
Is that possible?
EDLC ran faster than that on his 3B the other day.
Fairchild went to RF with it.
Not a bad out.
Not enough for Newman to advance…
Votto with two hits over the wall and a double. Not dead yet.
The Mendoza back in sight.
No..his double against a position player throwing 43 mph doesnt count in a 8-0 game.
Sure it does. He didn’t make an out and others did. 🙂
I think Joey can maybe hit 6 th as a DH agaisnt righties only and hit homers and help this team win. Other than that….i dont think he has any skill sets left.
Maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised him coming back from the dead though…again
When you’re playing the Dodgers, every run counts.
They could run Dann Bilardello out there to pitch and the runs would count.
Seriously! That’s funny. One home run and a double off a position player. Desperation by some. Good, he’s now like 7 for 55. But remember, he’s a historically slow starter.
haha You’re forgetting about the other one he hit over the wall too.
Was it a home run? It’s sad when you look at positives from an out. But I guess 7 for 55 will make some grasp at anything
JV is struggling for sure but 9 hrs and 25 rbis in ~100+ ABs is some production.
Let’s see how he fares at Wrigley.
Well Votto has shown me to never give up on him until he’s done (I don’t like crow)….and it would have been a HR if not for a spectacular play. At least that’s the way the guys on radio described it. 🙂 One hot streak by Votto and people will be talking about extending him again. lol
Extension? Now that funny.
Extension as in picking up his option for another year one way or another renegotiating or whatever. As always with Votto. We’ll see. 🙂 As Harry pointed out 9 HR and 25 RBI in 100 AB ain’t too bad. Of course projected in 400 AB it would be 36 HR and 100 RBI.
I think we can call this one. Dodgers bring in position player throwing 43 mph. No. Votto double doesnt count and Steer and Fairchild outs dont either. Whatever CES does, doesnt count either. Oh HBP
Reds win the season series and the beat the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. i will take it.
Is this the first time we’ve faced a position player this year?
We’re in so many close games, it might make sense.
One out away from a shut out
A little surprised we scored in that inning. Newman did his job well and Joey showed the kind of patience we would expect and then still went the other way with it.
And with those two Bike Helmets we’re nearing the end of this 2-hour 15-minute contest.
And we’re out of LA with a series win and a season win over the Trolley Dodgers. Feels pretty darned good to me.
Bring on the Stupid Cubs!!
absolute rout…. we are back in first place.
Reds have now outscored their opponents by 3 runs in 2023.
Day off helped and we played well. Missed their best pitchers and Mookie missed 2 games, but we still won the series and almost swept. Keep grinding boys
First place once again. 🙂
Great game overall. I thought CES and Stevenson looked off their tonight, but they had plenty of other guys stepping up, The Brewers and Cubs, as well as Philadelphia all lost today. Go reds!
That’s one nice thing about having a strong lineup like this top to bottom. Guys can have bad days and the team can still have a good win.
A big series win on the left coast. Ashcraft is back. On to Wrigley where 3 of 4 or more would look awfully good in the race for the NLC.
Nice outing again by Ashcraft. Definitely back on track! Great series win. No walks today. EDLC 4 hits. Back in first place. Good day. Now let’s bring it against the Cubs!
Folks, 2-1 series but it feels like we completely dominated LA (which by the way means Lose Again). Feel free to disagree with me :). On to chic-cago
3 good starts: Williamson, Weaver and Ashcraft.
Good pitching continues.
I wonder if it has the Bull rethinking trade options?