The Cincinnati Reds are 1-8 since the trade deadline and have fallen out of first place. They are now tied for second plate with the Cubs, 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the divisional lead. Cincinnati hits up Pittsburgh tonight to start a 3-game series with the Pirates at PNC Park. First pitch is set for 7:05pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Pittsburgh Pirates
|
| TJ Friedl – CF | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Bryan Reynolds – LF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Andrew McCutchen – DH |
| Spencer Steer – 3B | Connor Joe – 1B |
| Joey Votto – 1B | Henry Davis – RF |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand – DH | Endy Rodriguez – C |
| Stuart Fairchild – LF | Jack Suwinski – CF |
| Will Benson – RF | Liover Peguero – 2B |
| Luke Maile – C | Alika Williams – SS |
| Andrew Abbott – LHP | Johan Oviedo – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Andrew Abbott | 70.2 | 2.93 | 1.15 | 27 | 74 |
| Johan Oviedo | 131.1 | 4.18 | 1.30 | 54 | 117 |
| Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats | Johan Oviedo’s Stats |
|||||
Andrew Abbott
The last two times out for Abbott, he’s struggled. He’s given up 10 runs in 9.0 combined innings while walking eight batters. Tonight will be his first start against the Pirates.
Left-handed batters don’t get many chances to face Abbott, and when they do, it hasn’t gone well for them as they’ve not done much of anything at all against him. Right-handed hitters have not hit for much average, but they have walked at a solid clip against him and shown a bit of power, too. Not shown below is that hitters have a 160 point OPS advantage on the road, though his ERA on the road is just 3.16.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 233 | 45 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 26 | 56 | .222 | .305 | .414 |
| LHH | 53 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | .173 | .189 | .250 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Change | Slider | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.7 | 86.6 | 82.9 | 80.1 |
| Usage | 50% | 15% | 18% | 17% |
Johan Oviedo
In four of his last five starts Oviedo has allowed zero or one run, but on July 21st he got roughed up for five runs in 4.0 innings against the Angles. He’s been inconsistent this season – but when he’s been good he’s been real good.
Neither lefties or righties hit for much average against Oviedo. Left-handed hitters, though, hit for a lot more power and they also walk more often. Right-handed hitters do make more contact against him, but they haven’t been able to turn that into more production.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 258 | 56 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 46 | .242 | .315 | .351 |
| LHH | 309 | 51 | 15 | 2 | 11 | 33 | 71 | .228 | .316 | .422 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 96.1 | 80.9 | 88.3 | 88.0 |
| Usage | 41% | 17% | 38% | 7% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:05pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 80°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
John Fay passes away
Former Cincinnati Reds beat writer John Fay passed away earlier this week. Dan Horn of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about Fay’s life earlier today with quotes from friends, family, and colleagues about John and his wife.
Nick Senzel optioned, Henry Ramos called up
The Cincinnati Reds have sent Nick Senzel back to Triple-A Louisville and called up outfielder Henry Ramos. That was two of the five roster moves made today, with Eduardo Salazar being designated for assignment and the team sending Nick Lodolo and Curt Casali on rehab assignments being the others. We covered them all here.
Jonathan India has a setback
India felt pain running and is getting a second opinion on his foot. Has been shut down from running for at least 2 weeks, Bell said. That makes an early-mid September return the likely target.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) August 11, 2023
The Reds have 5 Top 100 Prospects in baseball
MLB Pipeline has updated their Top 100 prospect list for the first time in 2023 since the regular season began. The Reds have five players in the Top 100 and the crew at MLB PIpeline also updated Cincinnati’s Top 30 list. We wrote about them both here if you wanted to check it out.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 62 | 54 | 0.0 | 76.1% |
| Reds | 60 | 57 | 2.5 | 20.8% |
| Cubs | 59 | 56 | 2.5 | 50.5% |
| Pirates | 52 | 63 | 9.5 | 0.4% |
| Cardinals | 51 | 65 | 11.5 | 0.7% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Thank you for including the piece on John Fay. I was not aware of his passing and it is a wonderful article. As an out-of-market fan, he was a lifeline to Reds coverage and I missed his work. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.
Absolutely
Feels like a make or break series for the Reds. They don’t need to sweep, but they have to win 2 out of 3 to get some momentum back and keep pace.
The India set back could be a big deal.
Perhaps it’s more than plantar fasciitis after all. I’m not optimistic we see him back in 2023. That would open the door to other possibilities though 😛
Yeah 😉
I have had that, and it hurt really bad for a while (not an athlete). It still took me weeks to get over it.
Poor guy.
Yes, it could be. Plantar fasciitis, in and of itself, could keep him out of commission for some time.
I’m not as invested in this series as I have been the last few. If we go on a winning streak, that’s fine. If not, then I just won’t have October baseball to watch (to any extent). Feels like we should be able to overcome the Pie-Rats, but this funny game doesn’t always play out the way it feels.
Off we go on this leg of the adventure.
Let’s hope our fortunes are better against the Pirates this time around more than they were in 2021 about this time. Looks like Bell at least switched the lineup around a little.
The Pirates split their last two series – Mil and Atl. That doesn’t scream a walk in the park for the Reds. Hopefully, the Pirates go flat.
Pulling for Fairchild in a big way.Obviously he is getting to play while Fraley is out and hope he takes advantage of it.Would love to see Hopkins as well.
I would at least like to get a look at Hopkins. Disappointed we haven’t seen much of him thus far.
Reds obviously need a power bat in the outfield and would prefer it to be a right handed hitter but Fairchild needs to make his bid right now and going forward for a roster spot in 2024.Maybe a 4th or 5th guy but its his time right now.
Annie Sabo is back!!! I didn’t have the Bally audio playing, so I couldn’t hear her, but … Annie!!! 😀
New lineup paying off so far.
Crazy happy that the lead-off hitter has been changed. Many of us calling for that for a while.
SMall sample size and it seems the changed lineup has done something…. finally bell figures it out
So just play the Pirates and were all good.
Well that’s the start I wanted to see.
3 bags for Elly!!!
2 RBIs
That is what I want to see.
He is big enough to hit the long one, but good contact and more SB’s would be sweet.
Keep piling it on boys.
no amount of runs is enough.
Steer tacks on with a double
Spencer Steer is ok.
As they used to say: HE DA MAN!
4 rookies in top 6 batters and Benson should be a rookie but isn’t. It’s a lot to ask of these kids and we have to remember that.
This is so very true. I’ve come to peace with that and whatever happens, happens. 2024 should be a very fun season to watch.
Absolutely
Scored and ran up the pitch count. I like that approach a LOT!!!
Finally ELDC gets moved from the 1st spot, and it pays off in the top of the first.
+500
Go figure 😛
Yes, I wonder what made them think of that? Better yet, why did it take so long?
hate to see India hurt but this should give plenty of time to see Elly at SS/3b and Mclain at SS/2b. Most agree SS/3b is best combo but we havent seen Marte yet either.
I’d love to see somebody else at 2B with EDLC at 3B and MattyMc at SS. I think that gives us the absolute best left-side we can manage. MattyMc is just so fluid over there and EDLC’s range at 3B makes both of them better.
I agree with this Mark.
I agree mark. Elly has a cannon at 3b with SS skills and McLain is just a talented infielder. I think Elly could be a more athletic Nolan Arenado with a better arm.
Im not as down on Elly as others are. Hes 21 and needs a couple hundred games. His power and speed and defense reverse his K’s pretty quick, which should improve.
And as I say that…Elly with super easy inning playing d at SS. How good is Marte at 3b? Ive never seen him play.
I have been purposely avoiding posting on this site the past few games to avoid saying something I might regret! That being said, the next 10 days may be “make or break” for the Reds 2023 season. All of the teams the Reds are battling with have tough series (Marlins hosting the Yankees, Brewers at ChiSox and Stupid Cubs at Toronto).
It’s time for the Reds players, their brilliant manager AND all of the coaches to get their heads out of their proverbial bottoms and get back to playing/managing/coaching winning baseball. Still have plenty of time to catch Milwaukee or secure one of the 3 NL Wild Card spots with 45 games to play! The time is now! Get it done! At 70 years young, don’t want to wait too long to see my beloved Reds back in the Postseason!
Right there with you Dennis.Getting to old and ornery to go on much further.Got to say though its been fun even if we are slumping right now.Heck we went through this with veteran teams and this team does bring hope on getting better.
Marte up and playing would be just great just to see.Why not?Every time we bring a young guys up it kind of energizes the other guys.Heck a lineup of players in there first year or 2nd or 3rd year would tickle me.
Well, at least with Senzel getting demoted to AAA, Bell can’t put him in the lineup, for now! Senzel has been a huge disappointment after being touted as a “can’t miss” prospect!
There is no such thing as “can’t miss”. The #1 draft picks fail for a wide variety of reasons. As for Nick, I think the organization over-tweaked him (position and batting style) to the point where he didn’t know which way was up. The vertigo in the first season added to the CF injuries just continued to cloud the picture.
I said on the other thread that I don’t think we’ll see him in a Cincy uni again. I wish him the best and hope he banked plenty of his signing bonus.
Bell said all the right things in the story I read.Said he had helped win some games and because we wouldn’t be seeing any lefties over the next 10 days he wouldn’t be getting any playing time.Would be getting regular at bats in the minors.All true but have to believe as you do Mark in that he won’t be back.
And TJH remains glued to the bench in favor or Stewie. I just don’t get Bell. Still say worst manager in baseball. I think we know what we have in Stewie, and that is at BEST a 4th or 5th outfielder. Great start tonight tho. Wish Votto could have moved Steer over in his AB.
I remain convinced HDTBell is about the #40 best choice for an MLB Field Manager. That ranking is down from #32. But he’s cashing checks for the next 3 seasons, so he really doesn’t care what we think, does he? 😀
I really like the Pie-Rats choice for City Connect unis. Excellent throwback tribute to the Stargell and Cobra days (except for the hat).
Reds down quickly after Benson’s at bat.Two outs on 3 pitches from Friedl and McLain.Patience patience you guys.Make this guy pitch.
Joining a little late, and seeing what’s transpired thus far–to quote KC and the Sunshine Band:
Oh, that’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh,
I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Are we going to have to show you the door?
Possibly. 😉
Blast from the past.I love it.
Abbott not throwing many strikes with anything other than his fastball so far.
Seems we’re letting Oviedo off the hook after that aggressive 1st inning. That doesn’t usually work out in our favor.
Reds offense back to their old ways….4 good at bats and then bat at bats.
Yep 7 pitch inning but 6 were fastballs and good ones.We will catch up to that if he keeps throwing them.
Yeah. Hard to complain when Oviedo is pounding the strike zone.
Thrall and Jim Day in the WLW booth tonight. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. I recall liking Day in a booth a couple years ago (during the Thom-Gate situation I believe).
I like Jim Day. He has a nice laid back delivery and allows the listener to hear the sounds of the game
Yeah. Seems like we’ve been missing that for some reason. 😉
I think I liked Jim Day too. Was he ever considered as the Reds play by play guy, or did he want that job?
Benson with a good take for a walk.Just have to like that.
My mistake he got a hit on 3-2
Luke maile. Wow
Mahle….!!!!
Luke gets it done in fine fashion and turns the line-up over.
Maile has done a really much better than expected job this year. Important piece of this team. Offensive numbers have been ok, but defensively and handling of the pitching staff have e been great. Unsung hero and very steadying influence on this young team and pitching staff.
We need a blowout (in our favor) in the WORST way!
Definitely and with everybody getting hits and walks. Get that nasty taste out of their mouths.
Would be great for this team’s confidence for sure.
Missed that one, Elly … but a much better AB overall with the takes.
Didn’t strikeout. That’s an improvement. Baby steps.
+1000
3 HBP’s by Oviedo. OUCH!!! 😮
You would think Hurdle was still coach
Will Bell call for a retaliation pitch? Is he that stupid with the way Abbot is pitching?
Where is karcher when you really need him?
I certainly hope not. Oviedo is just losing it on those pitches. And he’s done for tonight anyway.
Pirates have a history of “beaning” our guys. I just hope CES is not hurt. We need him down the stretch.
His finger and hand flexing looked okay after the pitch but when you get your fingers hit that hard right up against the bat it’s really easy to break one of those little bones. You can tell he’s really starting to get into a good groove at the plate so let’s hope he’s okay. I would assume he’s already having X-Rays done and we should know after the game if the x-rays came back okay
“when you get your fingers hit that hard right up against the bat it’s really easy to break one of those little bones.”
That’s what I’m afraid of. Hopefully X-rays negative.
Abbott has a one hitter going, and he’s up 6-0 …
and his breaking stuff is now finding the zone…
This was needed tonight. Strong start and solid offense. Thank you Pirates. Need a sweep
Day may not be better than Cowboy in the booth, but I like him better than Welsh. He doesn’t try to over-do anything, even though he’s calling the radio feed.
Abbott appears to be dealing tonight. I like that!
Abbott in pace of tossing 7 frames tonight, after that well, well… We’ll see…I think could be Cruz, Law or Farmer…
Leadoff seeing-eye single for Benson.
The final paragraph from Doug’s pre-season write up on Abbott –
“Abbott has moved quickly, spending much of his time in his first full season at the Double-A level. It was an aggressive promotion, though one that wasn’t entirely unearned as he simply wasn’t being challenged in Dayton. Hitters at the next level did challenge him, though, and towards the end of the season he found some success. If he can build on that and find some more consistency in 2023 he could move up quickly.”
Seems like he did “build on that”.
I think that ball kind of spun back on Speer there. Would have been better to get his body in front of it of course.
Well, given he’s only an “adequate” 3B’er …
That was a weird ball hit to Steer. It was spinning back towards the infield. As it went into the outfield it was spinning back towards centerfield.
I used to like McCutchen.
Pitching change NOW Bell! Wonderful start Abbott! Velo dropped 3mph this inning.
Two outs. One runner on. I would have left Abbott in. Score 6-2. He was have a little trouble but pitching great. Hope it works.
Correct move, no matter what. Abbott was done.
Disaster averted for now.
Elly cant hit lefties….sorry. Not to say he wont…but huge differential
Chumpire didn’t see EDLC’s TO request and I think that rattled him.
Cruz’s K rate is withering.
Hopkins hitting for CES. I was afraid of an injury. Hope it’s not.
Good AB by Votto.
Baby steps for Hopkins. Bell let him take warm up swings on deck before hitting Ramos.
hahaha That’s what it seems like.
Well Hopkins WAS going to bat. Now it’s Ramos. Poor Hopkins. David Bell is just teasing him. lol 🙂
In the last couple of weeks, Cole Hamels, Bautista, Olin, and Stammen have all retired. It’s time for Votto to follow in their footsteps. Finish the year but get out of the way.
Ain’t happening LDS. Hes coming back and cutting a deal for $12 million to hit more home runs and elevate his HOF status and power numbers. Hes hell bent on hitting more home runs against lefties and pretty good at it. Stinks at every thing else
Agaisnt righties…smh
A really bad move on Krall/Castellini. In truth, he isn’t helping his HoF chances. Yes, I believe he’s chasing Walker and Bench, which I see as selfishness. Trade him to the Blue Jays for PTBNL.
Yep that scenario was put on hold until Joey got ready and now it is what it is until Joey says it isn’t.More of the same next year for sure.
His OPS would be in the top 25 in all of baseball if he had enough at bats to qualify
OPS is meaningless in this context.
What? How are you measuring hitting prowess? It’s one of the most meaningful stats possible.
Before tonight’s game Votto had an OPS of .856. Arraez was at .867. Austin Riley .851. Who would you rather have on your team? The point is that the smoother the OPS occurs, the more value to a team. Votto has a good OPS but it usually come in a feast or famine pattern. Votto is worth far more when he hits as he did a couple of days ago rather than a home run every week or two. Simple math.
Bell looked down the bench and couldn’t find Senzel to ph and strikeout, so he went to Ramos. Don’t give me “he’s a switch hitter” bs either. TJH officially on the side of milk cartons now.
” TJH officially on the side of milk cartons now.”
hahaha 🙂
Nice Sac Bunt by Luke.
Now Friedl has ONE JOB to do.
I think that qualifies.
Maile a HR and a sac bunt tonight. Don’t see that every day. 🙂
Sac bunt? We do that?
Only on Perseid Meteor weekend
Anybody else seeing consistency from the Chumpire tonight? I haven’t noticed anything egregious in terms of the Bizzarro Zone or Flex-o-Zone.
Friedl
OK, TJ did it. Now MattyMc has ONE JOB to do.
Nope. Just had to try and blast one.
Friedl is responding in clutch moments
TJ hadn’t got many oppo slap hits lately.
I hope he brings that back to his arsenal
Surprise, surprise, SURPRISE!!!
Day calling that a “missile” up the middle.
Elly blistered that at 107.
Another RBI
Elly couple of hits tonight.
“Keep pouring it on boys. Show them the cold steel”. :)…as in just keep scoring runs. lol
Easy big fella..
Day saying EDLC is 0-for-21 games on successful stolen bases (barely even attempting anymore.
But no TOOTBLAN there 😀
Baffling for sure….but it kept the hole open for Steer in that case.
My boy Steer with a couple hits.
You’re going to hurt Friedl’s feelings. 😉
Young guys pouring it on and winning this game.
Steer in on the act.
3 runs on all singles!
+1,000
Yep and on an off speed pitch on 0-2.
Where have these Reds been? I’ve missed watching this kind of baseball.
Joey will be coming out of his shoes if he gets a fastball.
As mentioned earlier:
“Oh, that’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh,
I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.”
Again, we need a blowout in the worst way.
I almost “Did a Little Dance”
Go for it.
Alright kids, turn the disco down.
Benson with 3 hits as well. Nice night for the kids.
…and he’s now out of the game. hahaha. Maybe his back needs extra rest. I don’t know.
Newman revenge tour incoming??
Now thats funny.
It would be if it wasn’t true.
Nope strikeout.
I hate to rain a bit on this parade since we are winning, but one question…how in the world did it take David Bell this many games to drop Elly down from leadoff with the amount of strikeouts etc. combined with lack of walks…low OBP%. It’s probably my biggest issue with Bell, seems like it takes him so long to make changes/adjustments that appear pretty obvious to most of us based on what is happening in the games.
GOOD question. Another of life’s many mysteries.
DB has absolutely no feel for the game. Maybe he’ll get one during the next 3 years.
I stopped asking those types of questions. HDTBell knows more than all of us combined, so his reasoning is beyond our comprehension. We just accept it and proceed … for 3 more seasons.
I remember saying a week into the experiment. That if it wasn’t working, Bell would probably double and triple down on the idea, and it would take him a month to adjust. He did it it with Doolittle, Strickland, Meyers, Moose, and a half dozen other bad decisions.
Better late than ever?
Not really.
Joey ain’t liking that I bet.
Three 3-run innings tonight. And only one on a HR. LOVE IT!!!
No coasting, even with a 7-run lead. Absolutely don’t coast here.
Hasn’t been a good pinch runner opportunity yet. Surely, you don’t expect him to bat?
Bringing on Brett Kennedy to pitch these couple of innings is a good move..
Yes it is a good move cause he is more then a one inning guy for sure.
He’s the only one out there like that.
CES in the dugout and no ice on hand is a good sign.
Day said the same. And he’s spent enough time in the dugout to have some insight to stuff like that.
Using hand grips too.
Thumbs up. Wish I knew what the emoji sign for that is on here. 🙂
“Seriously, I cant even get a ph at bat in a freakin blowout??” -TJH
David Bell didn’t like his swing in the on deck circle. 🙂
Ramos Newman and Hopkins all get some at bats and Kennedy gets to pitch.Whats not to like on this night.
Just did.
So this is what winning feels like … I’d almost forgotten.
I’m checking out for the night, friends. Catch you all tomorrow for game #2.
Abbott and Kennedy giving this bullpen 2 days rest.
1-0 since Senzel demotion.
Look at that Bell – two guys go more than an inning each and no bushes burst into flames, no thunder from on high, the ground beneath you didn’t split open and drag you down. Ain’t that a wonderment!
You left out no asteroid striking the earth!
Maybe tomorrow or Sunday – closer to peak Perseid peak.
Hard to find something to complain about when the Reds win by 7 runs, BUT, there were WAY TOO MANY strikeouts with 11 SOs tonight! Need to cut that number in half, especially if the Reds sneak into the NL playoffs!
The “good” Abbott showed up tonight with 9 strikeouts!
That game reminds me of June….with better pitching.
Fingers crossed with Kennedy.
Hoping he’s the find that might have turned up instead of an expensive Krall trade.
Oh, that’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh,
I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.
😉
Keep having fun….glad I don’t actually hear ya though. 😉
Me too.
Grab the fun while you can!
Good win tonight, even if it was the pirates. Kids all played well, bullpen got the night off except Law, crooked innings, and ZERO walks. Needed a blowout so DB didnt have to think much.
Has Kennedy not pitched in the majors since he was with the Padres in 2018?
Remember he was up for a start earlier this season.
Threw well in a 5 inning outing.
Of course he was sent back down the next day.
Not that I’m aware of. Call that “perseverance” I guess.
Didn’t he come up and make a start this year.Will have to check.
Yep 5 inning start on July 4th.
The Reds seemed carefree and playing with less weight tonight…but maybe it’s just a matter of having an off day and playing the Pirates. It will be interesting to see if they can turn things around. I think moving De La Cruz out of leadoff (although moving him to 3rd doesn’t necessarily lessen the pressure), Senzel being demoted, and India’s situation being clear that he isn’t going to play for several weeks help bring clarity to the Reds. Maybe everyone can kind of settle into their roles and they can get back on a run. It sounds like India has been injured but I think the trade rumors may have effected him too. He wasn’t playing well for a while so if he can just relax and take a break and maybe come back early September maybe he’ll be a help to the Reds pushing for a playoff spot.
Unfortunately I dont think we see India again this season. Plantar tear got bigger. Sounds like season ending surgery. Get him healthy for ’24.
If they are calling it a ‘tear’, then India is out for the season.
Inflammation itself can take a long time to heal. Every time you put weight on your foot you can undo the day before healing.
Surgery? That’s a big deal and perhaps what the “2nd opinion” is all about.
I wish him well. The team has IF depth.
Maybe we’ll see Marte in September?