The Cincinnati Reds welcomed the 1st place Mariners to Great American Ball Park on Monday afternoon and jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. On a day that saw Cincinnati use seven pitchers to get through nine innings, they did their part as they held onto that early lead and picked up a 6-3 win to open the series.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners (77-60) |
3 | 9 | 2 |
| Cincinnati Reds (72-68) |
6 | 8 | 0 |
| W: Sims (5-3) L: Woo (2-4) SV: Farmer (2) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Tejay Antone got the first start in nearly three years, with his last start coming on September 12th of 2020. This start wasn’t like that one, though, as he was simply being used as an opener in a bullpen day. He looked real good in the 1st inning, picking up two strikeouts in a perfect frame while throwing just 12 pitches.
In the bottom of the 1st inning the Reds got to work with a little bit of help from pitcher Bryan Woo. TJ Friedl was hit by a pitch with one out, and he moved up to second base on a ground out. After Elly De La Cruz fell behind 0-2, Woo threw a cutter below the zone, but De La Cruz went down and got it and lined a single into right field to bring Friedl around to score and give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. Woo continued to struggle with control and hit Nick Martini to put two men on. Hunter Renfroe then lined the next pitch into left field and De La Cruz easily scored to make it 2-0.
Given a lead and with the help of a quick and easy 1st inning, Tejay Antone returned for the 2nd inning. He started the inning with a strikeout before getting Eugenio Suarez to ground out to shortstop in his return to Cincinnati. Antone finished the inning by inducing a grounder to Noelvi Marte who took care of the rest.
Bryan Woo’s control was still an issue in the bottom of the 2nd inning. He hit Noelvi Marte with a pitch and then walked Jake Fraley with one out. After TJ Friedl grounded into a force out, Spencer Steer crushed a 3-run homer just over the glove of a leaping Julio Rodriguez in center to make it 5-0.
Sam Moll pitched around an infield hit in the 3rd to keep the Reds up by five runs. Daniel Duarte couldn’t keep the shutout alive in the 4th, giving up a leadoff homer to Julio Rodriguez as the Mariners got on the board. Duarte would retire Seattle in order after that to send the game to the bottom of the 4th.
Michael Mariot took over for Cincinnati in the 5th. It was not the first time he’s been in the big leagues this year, but he was only up for a day back in July before he was designated for assignment without pitching in the game. The last time he pitched in a big league game was in October of 2016…. until Monday afternoon. Mariot got a fly out to start his outing, but he then surrendered a solo homer to Mike Ford as the Mariners cut into the Reds lead. That would be the only hit he’d allow in the inning.
Mariot would return for the top of the 6th inning and he’d record the first two outs of the inning without issue, but then he gave up a single and a double to put two men in scoring position and bring Eugenio Suarez to the plate. The former Red would see five pitches, not swing at any of them, and take a called third strike to end the inning.
Looking to get as much from Mariot as they could, the Reds stuck with Mariot to begin the 7th inning and it began with one of the stranger plays you’ll see as Ty France hit a ball up the middle that went off of Mariot’s foot, then off of Spencer Steer’s glove before Elly De La Cruz picked it up behind second base and fired to first to record the out.
Oh you know, just your everyday 1-4-6-3 putout. pic.twitter.com/WIpAs6WtdQ
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 4, 2023
Mike Ford would follow up with a fly out, but then Mariot walked Josh Rojas and gave up a single to pinch hitter Cal Raleigh. That was the end of his day as Lucas Sims entered the game from the bullpen. He would hit J.P. Crawford to load the bases and bring up Julio Rodriguez, who is hitting eleventy-hundred over the last month (don’t fact check this) with the bases juiced. Sims and Rodriguez would battle, with Rodriguez fouling off three straight pitches with two strikes because swinging through the 7th pitch of the at-bat to end the inning and strand three runners.
Luke Weaver returned to Cincinnati as a Seattle Mariner and they called on him to pitch in the bottom of the 7th inning and it was like he never left as he gave up a single to lead off the inning and then an RBI double to Tyler Stephenson as the Reds padded their lead to 6-2.
Buck Farmer came into the game for Cincinnati to pitch the 8th inning and pitched a 1-2-3 frame. The Reds offense tried to get something going again against Weaver in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single from TJ Friedl and a 1-out walk from Elly De La Cruz. They couldn’t cash in, though despite the best efforts from Hunter Renfroe who hit a screamer but it was right at Eugenio Suarez at third who caught it on a line to end the inning.
Farmer returned for the top of the 9th looking to seal a win to open the series. He’d have to work for it because Ty France would lead off the inning with a single. Farmer got a shallow fly out before striking out Josh Rojas, but Cal Raleigh kept the game alive with a single up the middle to put two men on with two outs. That was it for Farmer as the Mariners turned the lineup over and the Reds called on Ian Gibaut to try and record the final out. That out wasn’t going to come at the expense of J.P. Crawford who singled in a run to make it 6-3 and bring Julio Rodriguez to the plate as the tying run. Gibaut would get the job done, striking out Rodriguez to end the game.
Key Moment of the Game
Spencer Steer’s 3-run home run in the 2nd inning that put Cincinnati up 5-0.
Notes worth noting
The Cincinnati Reds offense struck out just one time in the game. Likewise, the Reds pitching staff walked just one batter in the game.
Spencer Steer became the 7th Reds rookie to hit 20 home runs in a season.
Elly De La Cruz went 1-2 with two walks and he was hit by a pitch. It was the first time he’s been on base four times in the same game since July 30th.
There were 2528 days between big league outings for Michael Mariot.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Seattle Mariners vs Cincinnati Reds
Tuesday September 5th, 6:40pm ET
Bryce Miller (8-4, 3.93 ERA) vs Connor Phillips (MLB Debut)
Solid all-around team effort. Also, maybe ELDC is adjusting at the plate? 1-2, 2 walks and HBP. Just get on base. The HRs will follow…
Oh, and Steer is a Professional Hitter!
Thinking the same about Elly. Seems he’s made the proper adjustments at every level.
Reds hitters only striking out once and Reds pitchers only giving up one walk is no coincidence in the better play and win today. Much better job. Need to remember that and keep it up.
Absolutely
1 K by Reds’ lineup is almost impossible to imagine given the way they’ve been playing lately.
Reds’ bullpen had 7 opportunities to walk the first batter faced.
How to explain?
Don’t try to explain miracles. just be thankful for them and hope they continue. 😉
They looked like a good professional team team today In all aspects.
Elly’s approach looked better today at the plate, and that ricochet off Steer was impressive.
Difficult not to get too excited about Antone’s return.
I need to keep my expectations in check, but it sure is great to see him out there.
Smart pitcher with good stuff.
And Antone has done alot of noticeable work on his modifications after surgery. He has reinvented himself well if it continues. Time will tell but very encouraging.
Seeing him out there again, which frankly I never thought I would, makes watching baseball worth it. Way to go TJ!!!
I’m with you JB WV.
Sims got one batter out today and gets the win. Gibaut got one batter out and allowed a run, and got the save
Seems fair. 😉
So, rookie pitcher tomorrow with limited bullpen available?
It’s not unusual with the ups and downs of baseball in the last month of the regular season.
Limited? I’ll say. Who’s left besides Maile? Lol
Great win. A couple observations. TS has .35 batting average the last 15 games, .46 the last 7 games. That’s unreal. Toe tap or whatever it is he’s doing, keep doing it TS. We need your bat. We are 3-0 with Fraley batting lead off, right? Something to say there.
I just checked TS numbers, too.
I admit I kind of wrote him off given the difficult season.
Last Winter he was projected to be the heart of the offense.
Better late than never. If he comes on strong through September it will be huge.
I hear you. He’s hitting for average and power. We need his bat to stay hot for 20 plus more games.
Stephenson did a great job to help ring up Rodriquez for the final out.
Watch how he pulls the ball up into the zone.
JR was pixxed.
Good pitch from Gibaut.
Julio was PO’d because the same pitch, in error, was called a ball a few pitches earlier. But still … he shouldn’t have taken it. I’ve watched this kid the last two seasons out here in the PNW. He’s the real deal, every bit as charismatic as Jr. Griffey. IMO, he should be celebrated as a fantastic face of baseball.
I’m all for celebrating all things Rodriguez….after this series is over.
Hahahaha. Absolutely Mssr. Stoner
Reds win on a bullpen day against a team leading their division?
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
Great reference
Minimum salary is $720k so Mariot makes $4444 per game. I doubt he stays long but even 2 weeks is over $50k. Maybe he gets a month somewhere next year?
Mariot is a really interesting contract situation. Prior to being “selected” by the Reds, he was on a straight minor league deal. When he was selected, he went on to an MLB deal. As part of this change , the disposition of his contract status now falls under the MLBPA CBA rules. While he is still in pre-arbitration status, per Fangraphs, his minor league options have all been used.
As nearly as I can tell from reading the CBA, since he cannot be optioned, the Reds appear to be on the hook to pay him the MLB minimum through the end of the season which works out to something around $120K, give or take. He could be DFA and subsequently outrighted or even released; but, under the CBA, he is due that payout amount in salary or settlement if released.
I’m sure he is a prime DFA candidate. Reds bullpen has been a clinic on getting the most out of nothing this year the way they have churned guys through. Kudos
Great win for the Reds, I just wish that Farmer, Sims, Gibaut, and Diaz can work on being ahead of the hitters. Usually they walk the first batter they face, and then they usually get the job done, but are mostly behind in the count. If they could work on throwing more strikes consistently, than they can improve on having the most walks per bullpen in the national league.
It is Labor Day…the Reds have already won 10 more games than last year and if the playoffs started tomorrow the Reds would be playing. How many of you had that on your bingo card back on March 30?
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nightengales-notebook-20-burning-questions-130751904.html
Bulletin board material. No mentioning of Reds in NL WC race. Absolutely disrespectful.
Good. Nothing like putting a big chip on their shoulders.
Is Diaz going to be back soon? A couple of people at work had the latest variant and only missed a week
Twin killing of the SO and Walks nemeses today with even Bell having a fine plan for the management of the pitching staff under difficult conditions. Antone and several other pitchers looked very impressive. Factoring in the awful August play, this could be their best single game effort of the year.
Still, Fangraphs has the Reds at only a 21% POFF. This in spite of the fact that they are tied at the top with the Snakes while leading the others along with the easiest remaining schedule according to BaseballReference.
It seems insulting, but given the utter shambles that is the starting rotation, it’s understandable.
Great “W” today. Their next two starters are a little more daunting. Keep the sticks alive, guys.
I’ll take a split of the next two
One of the Reds biggest wins of the year
Im a ty steve guy
Id put him at 4/5 and ask him to lead this pitching staff and just get back to disciplined hitting as hes doing
Hes playing well and theres no way reds should have won today
Ask stephenson and fraley and steer and freidl to lead and carry the load on offense . Benson can join
i agree. i like stephenson in the 4 hole now
Shoulder injuries are an absolute bear to recover from, so big props to TySteve for hanging tough.
72 wins and counting.
3-1 in September.
Gave up 2 HR – both scored. 100% rate.
Gave up 1 walk – didn’t score. 0% rate.
The cardiac kids are still kicking!
Julio Urías was arrested on Sunday night for domestic violence again. He was arrested four years ago and now Sunday. Free Agent after this year. No need for the Reds to go after this guy.
David Bell has done a hell of a job managing the Reds this year.
He has faired better than expected, but still has many obvious holes in his decision making in my opinion.
It does appear, to many, that David Bell has done quite well this year, except when the Reds lose a game.
?
That was a winking emoji but posted as a ‘?’
Honestly, as poorly as we have been playing since sometime in July, it’s hard to believe that we’re still in this thing. Just waiting for these kids to catch fire again. It feels like it’s brewing. It’d be nice to be able to get all hands on deck for the stretch.
Giolito with 9!!! ERs allowed in 3 IP tonight against the Twins. Perhaps his struggles in SoCal were more than just a fluke. Looks like we may have dodged a bullet.
Unwanted divorce.
Reds pitching gives up One Walk, and the Reds strike out only Once…
Melvin is right, it’s a Miracle. The Reds brought out their A game today !
Spencer Steer with a three run blast, after the Reds scored 2 in the first…
They looked like a playoff team today !
The NL Central is a lot better than I was led to believe a few months ago. It is very possible half the teams in the NL Playoffs will be from the NL Central.
It is also very possible that half the teams will be from the NL West or NL East.
I think NL Central is actually 3rd in overall winning percentages among the 6 divisions behind the AL East and NL East.
Great start, even better finish. Gosh, this team has been fun to watch the this season. And now I’m hoping to keep watching, even longer. Would have been great to make a deal or two for a starter especially considering what’s happened over the last two weeks. Here’s hoping that, not only can they make a little noise this post season, but make SMART decisions come this off season so that this is the start of something really big!
I can’t believe they beat the Mariners today. This team is not like Reds teams of the last decade. Nice to get some veteran leadership on this team for the stretch run – Tejay, Renfroe, Bader. And Mr. Steer plays like a veteran – plays all over the field and in the lineup – probably our MVP (if not Abbott).
I was blacked today (by MLB, haha) but watched the hometown Mariners. Their postgame show was just so good and fair. They basically said, “Looking at the Reds and the lineups and the injuries and illnesses, you don’t understand how they are in this thing and playing competitive baseball. UNTIL YOIU SEE THEM PLAY.”
The host then went on to rave about not just the young talent but running out ground balls, hustling, everything. They gave big credit to Bell, who, as a fiery guy himself, must be a great inspiration to these kids. Now, the Seattle announcers, including one Dan Wilson, are very, very good (and a welcome relief). But Reds fans would be wise to hear this, and appreciate what we have.
End of editorial.
” They gave big credit to Bell, who, as a fiery guy himself, must be a great inspiration to these kids.”
???
RLN myth: Bell is the mild-mannered milquetoast manager we see during media pressers, not the man who blows his top and gets tossed from games.
They have apparently not actually seen or heard Bell in many years. He is literally the least fiery Reds manager of my lifetime. He barely moves during games, and when I hear him speak I have trouble staying awake for more than 15 seconds.
The Reds play hard because they’ve got lots of young guys who showed up with energy and enthusiasm, and are eager to prove they belong in the majors. Under Bell, Pham got suspended for slapping Joc Pederson over fantasy football, Moose showed up to camp way out of shape and really didn’t look like he cared, Myers played like he was sleepwalking, Winker didn’t exactly always seem to be playing as hard as he could, lots of guys have lacked plate discipline and failed to demonstrate high baseball IQ’s, etc. etc. Before the season, India made it clear that he intended to provide some leadership and wanted to change the culture of this team. Apparently he didn’t feel the manager was getting it done.
Reds fans would be wise to enjoy what these players are doing, and also be glad the manager isn’t bringing them all down or getting in the way too much.
BK – How do you know it’s a myth? 😉
Very fiery indeed. I like it in the interviews when he raises his eyebrows and then he will grit his teeth to get his point across. When Bell pounds on the table, the floors shake across the river in Newport.
Thanks for this outside observation…not much mercy from the Bell-detractors. If the Reds make the playoffs…and if they manage to take it a series or two, watch Bell get manager of the year award. That’ll really burn the Bell-detractors.
If Bell ever manages to win a playoff game, his supporters will become even more oblivious to his many shortcomings, and even more insufferable, if that’s somehow possible. If he ever advances beyond the first round they’ll literally be wetting themselves with glee because they’ll be able to say “I told you so” for the rest of their lives.
@J, your comment is a little insulting. I mean seriously “wetting themselves glee” I mean what does that even mean.
Kevin, I’ve complained about being insulted by Bell supporters multiple times, and none of them has ever acknowledged it or apologized as far as I’m aware. The usual pattern is that some of us are complaining about Bell, as we always do whenever he makes irrational decisions, and someone comes along to tell us how terrible we are for being so repetitive and so negative, and tries to tell us that we’re not responding the “right” way to this season. (Ironically, they don’t seem to realize how negative and repetitive their comments are — they just happen to have us as their targets instead of Bell.)
In this case, we were having a discussion about Bell, and someone felt the need to make a snide remark: “If the Reds make the playoffs…and if they manage to take it a series or two, watch Bell get manager of the year award. That’ll really burn the Bell-detractors.”
There was no reason say anything about “Bell supporters” when the discussion was whether Bell is or isn’t an inspirational figure. There was no reason to take some delight in imagining that we’d be “burned” by this team having success. Bell supporters generally seem to think of themselves as very positive and thoughtful people, just happy-go-lucky and enjoying the ride, but many seem to be quite the opposite of that. Sometimes I like to give them a taste of their own medicine. I’m human.
*No reason to say anything about “Bell detractors”
OK J…Am I wrong? Are you not a Bell-detractor? And would you not find it hard to take if he were to win Manager of the Year? Would you not feel inclined to comment on how he was not deserving? I don’t really care if he were to win Manager of Year. I’d would just find it amusingly ironic. I would no ‘wet myself with glee,’ nor would I post anything like ‘I told you so.’ I apologize for what, upon introspection, was a personal comment, rather than an objective counter-argument that Bell is not as bad as many critics believe him to be and find any success of the team as being in spite of him. For example, last night he pinch-hit Martini for Fairchild and Martini ties the game with a 3-run HR. (A good decision or if hadn’t made a bonehead one early he wouldn’t have needed to pinch hit for Fairchild?) One final thought. I don’t think implying you are a Bell-detractor and probably would be burn if he were to win Manager of the Year as equivalent to you implying I would wet myself with glee. But I guess if you are going to punch back, go ahead and punch lower.
we have 22 more games. i think we have to go 15-7 in these games to get in safely. The remaining schedule is favorable but not easy. no push over teams like the rockies, A’S or Royals.
the pitchers have shown a lot of guts this year and i expect they will continue to keep us in the games. We have to get more from the offense if we are going to go on a run here. Stephenson is coming on strong which helps but I think we need to have at least two of the young guns (edlc, ces, Marte, Or Benson) get hot to help carry the offense. I know that is a lot to ask of for rookies but we need it.
Really could use CES to start mashing ala AAA.
The math is simple. Doing it on the field is harder. Agonizing about it as a follower is even worse. 😉
The Giants have as many losses as the Reds but 2 fewer wins. However, they also have 2 games in hand. At the end of the day, they have to win 2 more games than the Reds from here on out to tie them. That would get the job done for the Giants who hold the tie breaker on the Reds.
The Snakes have one less loss but also one less win than the Reds. However, the Reds hold the tie breaker here which means the Snakes must also win 2 more than the Reds the rest of the season to get the nod over the Reds for the playoffs.
The Marlins have 1 less loss but 2 fewer wins than the Reds (i.e. 3 games in hand). The long/ short here is the Reds need to finish the season ahead of the Marlins because the tie breaker favors the Marlins. To be assured of being safe visa via the Marlins, the Reds need to win 3 more games than the Marlins over the rest of the season.
The better news is that the Fish have 3 games each with the Dodgers, Braves, and Phillies not to mention 7 with the Brewers. That’s 16 of their 23 games versus teams that appear to be playoff locks but still will be fighting for seeding, especially the Dodgers and Brewers.
Here is the official MLB(.)com Tie breaker status page……
https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-postseason-tiebreaker-scenarios#:~:text=A%20full%20breakdown%20of%20the%20current%20methodology%20can,in%20the%20same%20league%20but%20a%20different%20division.
Huge win. Now, the next two games would be very complicated. The bullpen is burned, just Legumina and Shreeve have rest. Thr problem is if Phillips keeps the score on the line or , even better, have a lead by 1 or 2 runs until the 5th-6th inning tomorrow night, who is gonna take the mound in a high leverage situation in a game for the playoffs race? Would be Legumina? or Shreeve? Let’s see what will happen…
Every minor leaguer in the organization who hasn’t pitched in a couple days should be expecting a call. And if they’re true to form, Mariot will probably be DFA’d.
Philips getting to the 5th or 6th inning with a lead would be an absolute miracle.
Great win.
I was just thinking about how this team was supposed to look vs. how it actually looks. At the beginning of the year, the infield that was projected to be playing in September would probably have been Votto/Stephenson at first, India at second, Barrero/Newman at short, and Steer at third. Catching was to be split three ways, but I think Casali was probably expected to be the primary backup, and Maile wasn’t supposed to play much. I believe the outfield was expected to be Myers and platoons of Fraley/Senzel and Friedl/Fairchild/Barrero.
Compare that to the starting lineups the Reds are actually running out there right now. I don’t think there was any expectation that Elly, McLain, CES, Marte, Benson, Bader, or Renfroe would be starting too many games for this team in 2023.
And that’s just the position players. The starting pitchers have been equally unexpected, if not more so.
It’s a feel-good story, for sure, but not quite the story this organization was intending to tell. In a sense, the Reds have gotten lucky with some of the flops and injuries that opened some doors.
It’s absolutely astonishing, is what it is.
We might even give Bell some credit …
JK!!!!!
But .. if Rebuilding was the plan. They have succeeded.
I’d give a shout out to Krall and the farm system too. The roster juggling would challenge any arm-chair GM.
An alternate point of view about the job the Reds front office has done for the 2023 season is that the preseason work was a total wreck but that the unanticipated quick rise of McLain, EDLC, Abbott and Williamson and also CES and Marte were heaven sent lifesavers.
I’d say D- for actual planning/ preparation and A for scrambling with their hair on fire and backsides acatching would be a fair grade.
Overall score is incomplete; but, if this team misses the playoffs, the inaction to fix the pitching dating back to well before the deadline is going to tilt things to the negative.
Yeah, I think we’ve all agreed the salary dumps have generally been excellent trades, and the Reds are now reaping the benefits. But clearly they weren’t expecting this team to be particularly competitive this year, so they were prepared to go with basically three legitimate starters, a bunch of question marks in the lineup, and a bullpen that was largely the same as last year’s. And once they discovered they actually might be competitive, they failed to deal with their most pressing problems.
I guess the organization should get “credit” for being willing to cut Myers before his poor hitting and fielding sabotaged the entire season, and to send Barrero down when it became apparent that he wasn’t working out. But, at the same time, they were unwilling to make the tough choices with Votto, Casali, or India until injuries forced them to do something. And they couldn’t seem to admit they had better options than Weaver for *months*.
For the most part, it seems like they’ve sort of lucked into a lot of the best things that have happened rather than making difficult choices that would actually improve the team. People seem to want to give the organization credit for bringing up a shortstop who was tearing it up in AAA when it became apparent that the guy they expected to play shortstop couldn’t hit major league pitching, and give them credit for bringing up the most exciting player in AAA to play instead of Senzel or Newman (or whoever Elly was replacing at the time), and give them credit for bringing up their best AAA pitcher when they didn’t have five healthy starters on the major league roster. The bar seems to be THAT low for this organization. Whenever they do logical things, we’re all very proud.
I read you loud and clear, Jim. All of this reflects penny-pinching. At least we have not heard any “Where you gonna go?” comments this time around. If a miracle happens and the Reds win it all, I think we need someone not named Castalini (sp) to accept the trophy.
@MIchael, penny pinching? Where does this come from? Every time the Reds have turned the corner, the Reds have antied up and spent $$ to improve the roster, and lots of it at times. They just selected 5 players on waivers at the end of Aug, and if they had been awarded all those claims, would have spent about $8M for one months of service to said players. The Reds had no idea Cleveland would swoop in and claim 3 of them.
But somehow that is penny pinching. I guess its a good (false narrative). Several posters here wanted to sign Benintendi last winter for 5/75 because they were sure he would improve the roster and the Reds needed him. They Reds didn’t sign him nor did they need him and now he’s a below-replacement-level player with a bad contract. Somehow this is penny pinching. NO, IT’S GOOD BUSINESS. Don’t sign free agents in a rebuild when you don’t even know where your holes are going to be. That’s just dumb, but to folks here it is penny pinching.
I suspect that this year player development is taking precedence over going all in. I could argue the wisdom of this either way.
“the unanticipated quick rise of McLain, EDLC, Abbott and Williamson and also CES and Marte were heaven sent lifesavers.”
That is the biggest reason we’re in striking distance along with another rookie having a great year named Steer. It’s all a miracle to me. That doesn’t mean we should be satisfied with whatever results we get. We should strive as hard as possible to get the most out of the opportunity presented to us. You never know when another one will come along.
This is pre supposing the Reds had a goal of making the playoffs this year and had planned to spend the resources to make it happen.
I don’t think that was the plan by them or 99% of those on here in April.
Ty Steve must be healing and returning to form. A great couple of weeks for him. Antone looked fantastic. Great control with plenty of speed and movement. That is fantastic to see. Mariot actually handled the situation well and was a huge help filling some innings today. Reward him with another outing. EDLC looked spectacular on defense today. There were plays that looked like there was no way the runner would get out but EDLC made spectacular plays. His arm sure makes a difference. Our two waiver wire players are great additions and performed well today. It’s great to have that level talent to lean on. Let’s get healthy and make a run at and through the playoffs.
It’s unfortunate that we won’t get a chance to welcome Castillo back to the mound. Then again, who wants to face him?
Agreed. Let’s wait until the WS. lol
They need 1 of these next 2 to win this series. They’re off Thursday & Monday so Bell can line up the pitching a little better while they try to get guys back. You have to like how they outworked & swept the Angels who were just playing out the string. Hopefully they can do the same with 9 vs bottom feeders coming up. No guarantees for sure, but it’s been a fun ride this season!
Cubs have it pretty easy too…but they have to finish with Atlanta and Brewers.
End of season schedules can be complex. If Atlanta is locked in to the #1 overall seed( they are up 6 on the dodgers), that last week will be playing second teamers and getting their pitching lineups in order, not competitive winning focus. Same with the Dodgers if they are locked into the 2 seed- cant catch the braves and safely ahead of the Brewers….they might not be fielding their best lineup last 3 games against the Giants. If Brewers are locked into the 3 spot, Cubs may very well have an easy final 6 against the 2 teams who wont be playing their top players. Same thing with Dodgers
OS>> True but starting Tuesday night, the Marlins start 13 straight versus the Dodgers (3/Home), Phillies (3/R), Brewers (4/R), and Braves (3/H) then get 3 with the Mets at home before they finally get a day off (after 16 straight days). And after the off day? 3 more at home versus the Brewers.
Snakes have 7 with the Brewers and Giants 6 with Dodgers. Nobody is going to back off until those division winning seeds are locks.
https://www.mlb.com/marlins/schedule/2023-09
Other than just getting enough total wins, the most important task for the Reds is winning as many games as possible versus the Pirates and Cardinals because a two way tie for a WC spot with the Marlins is going to fall to the second tier tie breaker of intradivisional record.
Currently the Marlins are 19-21 vs their division (East); and, the Reds are 18-25 inside the Central. The fish have 9 remaining intradivisional games, 3 each with the Braves and Mets at home plus 3 with the Phillies on the Road.
The Reds have 6 with the Cardinals 3/3 and 3 with the Pirates at GABP.
Not only just 1 strike out, but back to the two out score some runs with singles routine. Even so, they missed a couple other similar opportunities. But you gotta hope they return to that type of play.
Very impressed with the intensity these pitchers are showing on the mound. To me it’s indicative of the clubhouse culture this year which couldn’t be further from what we’ve grown accustomed to under Bell.
For a pitching staff held together with Elmer’s glue and scotch tape, you couldn’t ask for more…..and yet more is what they need to give for this team to reach the playoffs. One good or bad week by any of the teams can reshuffle the standings considerably. I certainly wasn’t expecting the Cubs to go from 10 under in late May to 10 over now (but when you spend $300mil on free agents in the offseason that usually bears fruit eventually).
Here’s hoping the team will get fully healthy and rack up a lot of wins vs. the also-rans.
Not sure how they will line up the pitching. I guess it really depends on how long Greene and Cruz and Williamson are out with COVID. Can’t imagine it will be more than 10 days but how do we line up starting pitching until then? Phillips and then who? Maybe Richardson again? Then an off day and perhaps Cruz can start a game ?
I assume Abbott goes Friday. I think HG is elgible to come back Saturday. From there, who knows. Lively is eligible to return Saturday as well. Maybe spiers or Phillips gets another go Sunday.
One six game stretch but other than that it is no more than 3 games and an off day. 4 man rotation should work fine with one exception day. That leaves 2 long relievers and 7 shorter guys. Assuming Covid impacts are routine and not extended. Starters would be Greene, Williamson, Lively, and Abbott for 5 innings. Ashcraft hopefully of some help in late September. The returns of Young and Cruz will both help the bullpen part. Some reason for hope and maybe even optimism.
Great win, and still hanging tough despite all the turmoil with injuries and Covid.
It really is a miracle when you look at the injury situation. The pitching staff has been completely wiped out.
There are 4 guys that I believe can get hot and carry this team to the playoffs. EDLC, CES, Marte, and Renfroe. So far their power numbers aren’t what I would expect. They have been hitting some balls hard so I think it’s a matter of time before their is a HR barrage.
Imagine getting Giolito at the trade deadline, or waiver deadline.
20/20 hindsight, but disaster avoided.
3 innings, 9 ER last night.
And giving up any decent prospects for him, boy wow! I thought Krall should have gotten someone, but glad he didn’t go there.
Good win against a hot team!
Reds need to split these remaining 2 games to take the series against Seattle. that would leave them 73-69 with 20 games to play but with the off days Thursday and next Monday and presumably some big returns from the Covid list/injury list, its not out of the question for them to grind out a 13-7 stretch to end the season and that would get them to 86-76 and 10 over and fighting chance as the last WC.
Last year, TB was the last wildcard in the AL with 86 wins and Philly the final WC in the NL at 87 wins, beating out the Brewers who had 86 wins. Reds just need a hot streak
I was driving, so the game kept me entertained along I-95. Great team effort and win. Hoping we can duplicate that effort tonight and/or tomorrow and put the team in a better position.
And I will say HDTBell handled the twists and turns of the game rather well. I can’t think of a switch he made that I disagreed with to any degree. And the willingness to let Antone go 2 innings was something we needed. TJ really stepped up on that performance.
Don’t play or PH Bader in the DH spot. May not have happened yesterday but did a couple times previous. Too valuable of a defensive player especially when compared with Friedl, Benson, Senzel, etc.
Friedl?
It’s great that it’s working out but how did the conversation go to hit Jake lead off?
“Skip, I can play with this broken toe”.
“How do you feel about leading off?”
“I’ll give you a day off when we play a day game after a night game. That’s what broken toes need, right?”
My understanding is that Fraley did say that, and is having off-season surgery. If playing is unlikely to aggravate it, why not?
1 walk by the pitching results in a win.
We all agree schedule speculations are dumb, but it’s also kind of fun. In that vein, SF worries me because after 2 more in Wrigley they have 7 with the Rockies with 3 at home vs Cleveland in between. Even a struggling SF could go 7-3 there. I’m not worried about Miami with their juggernaut schedule. SF and Arizona also play each other twice. It could get very interesting.
I’d be surprised if it doesn’t come down to the last game or two. Nobody is good/bad enough to pull away
“We all agree schedule speculations are dumb, but it’s also kind of fun.”
This is why I have been trying to focus solely on what the Reds need to accomplish from just this point forward each day in an ordinal rather than a cardinal view.
The Reds are in good shape versus the two West teams because both those teams have to win 2 more games than the Reds the rest of the way to beat the Reds out.
The Reds also look to be in decent shape versus the Marlins as the Fish also have to win 2 more games than the Reds to tie the Reds. On the other hand, the Fish appear to have the tiebreaker on the Reds and have more games in hand (3) than the total of wins more than the Reds they need (2) to tie them. This one makes me more uneasy than the situation with either of the West teams
Hopefully that’s the mind set the Reds are in as well. 1 game at a time as you said.
I counted us out at the trade deadline, but they’re still here. It’s kind of crazy we’re still in this with all of the pitching problems we’re having. Look what we did with a bullpen game against a very good team yesterday.
My prediction it will take 86 wins to get the 6th spot. I see the Cubs kind of locking up that 5th spot, Philly locking up the 4th spot both with close to 90 wins.
So the Reds would have to go 14-8 the rest of the way to get to 86. Definitely possible.
I don’t know how much the schedule matters? Whoever is playing well I think is going to win important games no matter who they are playing.
The Pirates I think kind of play the Reds tough and are scrappy…New York still has Alonso, Lindor who can take over…St. Louis still has Goldscmidt and Arenado I think unless injured? Francona and the Indians always seem to have an edge on the Reds I feel somewhat like the Brewers do.
So who knows what’s going to happen! I would have never thought the Reds would have won 3-4 against the Cubs and Mariners.
The offense heating up is intriguing though…that would give the Reds definitely a better chance down the road here as I think that was the more discouraging thing to me recently more so than all the pitching trials. Even if you had great pitching they weren’t going to win many games scoring 1 or 2 runs.
I think the additions of Fraley, Bader and Renfro have been big. If Bader hits at all it will be a plus.
De La Cruz is feast or famine right now. I’d like to see him hitting 6th or 7th but I’m not David Bell so doesn’t quite matter what I think. What a talent he is though. I hope he can stay healthy, I think a day off would be helpful at some point for EDC.
Enjoy the last 22 game’s fellow reds fans. With all the the injuries to our pitchers and position players it is amazing we are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. Also consider the inexperience of our starting 8 and it’s unbelievable the season our team has put together. The coaches and players have made this a fun year to be a reds fan.