The Cincinnati Reds begin their final home series of the regular season tonight, hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates. Trailing two teams by a half-game for the final wild card spot, Cincinnati is in as close to “must win” mode as they can be the rest of the way. Tonight’s 1st pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Pittsburgh Pirates |
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Connor Joe – 1B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Bryan Reynolds – DH | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Spencer Steer – LF |
| Miguel Andujar – LF | Christian Encarnacion-Strand – DH |
| Jared Triolo – 2B | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Liover Peguero – SS | Noelvi Marte – 3B |
| Endy Rodriguez – C | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Henry Davis – RF | Will Benson – RF |
| Ji Hwan Bae – CF | Luke Maile – C |
| Andre Jackson – RHP | Andrew Abbott – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Andrew Abbott | 102.2 | 3.68 | 1.27 | 42 | 112 |
| Andre Jackson | 55.0 | 5.40 | 1.24 | 19 | 49 |
| Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats | Andre Jackson’s Stats |
|||||
Andrew Abbott
On August 11th Abbott faced off against Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, and allowed two runs in 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts in a blowout Reds win. The lefty has struggled the last two times he’s taken the mound – giving up six runs in 4.0 innings against St. Louis and thenĀ two runs in 3.2 innings in his last start against the Mets.
When it comes to the splits for Abbott, they are quite big. Right-handed hitters are solid against him. They don’t hit for a high average, but they have a good walk rate and hit for a good amount of power. Lefties don’t hit for average or power, and they also don’t walk. Opposing managers don’t give many lefties a chance to face Abbott.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 351 | 76 | 21 | 1 | 12 | 38 | 84 | .248 | .328 | .440 |
| LHH | 78 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 28 | .162 | .205 | .257 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 80.8 | 82.9 | 86.5 |
| Usage | 50% | 17% | 17% | 16% |
Andre Jackson
The Reds got a chance to face Jackson on August 13th and scored three runs against him on five hits in 3.2 innings during a Reds win. He’s pitched in three games this month and hasn’t complete five innings in any of them while giving up 12 earned runs in 12.1 innings with nine walks to go along with six strikeouts.
The splits for Jackson are pretty big. And they are reverse splits, too. Right-handed hitters hit for a much higher average and hit for a lot more power. Lefties walk ever so slightly more often, but they don’t do nearly as much when they make contact against Jackson.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 124 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 30 | .254 | .315 | .500 |
| LHH | 108 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 19 | .208 | .278 | .365 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Curve | Change | |
| Velo | 94.8 | 87.1 | 81.3 | 86.9 |
| Usage | 43% | 17% | 6% | 33% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (out of market)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 79Ā°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Matt McLain on track for Tuesday return
Matt McLain is here taking grounders at SS and hitting in live BP. David Bell: "We felt like he needed one more day of live batting practice."
McLain, if he gets through today without issue, will start a 2-game rehab assignment on Sat. at Louisville and rejoin the Reds Tues.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) September 22, 2023
Reds sending 8 prospects to the AFL
The Arizona Fall League rosters were announced today and Cincinnati is sending eight prospects to join the Surprise Saguaros. The Reds are sending three position players and five pitchers out to the desert for five weeks starting in early October. I wrote nearly 1400 words about the group over at RedsMinorLeagues.com if you’re interested in more details.
Wild Card Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Philadelphia | 84 | 69 | +5.0 | 100% |
| Arizona | 81 | 72 | +2.0 | 86.2% |
| Chicago | 79 | 74 | 0.0 | 32.8% |
| Miami | 79 | 74 | 0.0 | 55.1% |
| Cincinnati | 79 | 75 | 0.5 | 24.3% |
| San Francisco | 76 | 77 | 3.0 | 1.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | Top 3 Make Playoffs | ||||
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 87 | 66 | 0.0 | 100% |
| Cubs | 79 | 74 | 8.0 | 32.8% |
| Reds | 79 | 75 | 8.5 | 24.3% |
| Pirates | 72 | 81 | 15.0 | 0.0% |
| Cardinals | 67 | 86 | 20.0 | 0.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Wow….no Stephenson and Elly starting. Just makes no sense whatsoever when every game is huge. If you are not playing Martini today then when? Elly should be sitting, Marte at ss, Steer at 3rd, Martini in LF.
I think TySteve needs a night off to clear his head. What will be troubling is if/when he doesn’t start Sunday because of day-after-night rules given Monday is a down day.
All eyes on Elly’s defense tonight for me.
Personally, I’d have put Elly at 3rd, and Marte at SS.
Martini should never be starting, and Maile has been a blanket back there for Abbott. Also, Stephenson has been giving up more 5-hole shots than a 3rd string goalie these days. The rest of the lineup is basically Elly over Fraley. Frankly, that’s a toss up, because Fraley just doesn’t seem to be healthy, and if he plays, that means CES doesn’t get to DH, and would sit. NO THANKS on that one.
+500
Be better off sending Martini down and bringing up Barrero to play SS. He’s been on fire.
Hopefully Abbott pitches the best game of his early career tonight. Lineup I don’t have any issues with.
Even though I don’t believe the Reds will make the playoffs I still have a tiny bit of hope in me.
Never in my mind did I think the Reds would be anywhere more than a 70 win team this season. Very proud of them even if they don’t make the playoffs this year. Injured pitching has really hurt us this year.
Gotta take 2/3 at a minimum and a sweep would really change things. But , gotta win tonight and play 1 game at a time. Hope the Abbott Maile battery can rekindle some of the magic from so many starts
Go reds
Some interesting choices to be sure …
Fangraphs like’s the Phish … no real surprise there. Drop for the Stupid Cubs makes me smile. If we can’t make it, I really hope they can’t either. They would be the wildest of Wild Cards.
Almost time to Kick the Pirate Piggies to the banks of the Mighty Ohio!!!
I hadn’t checked the scores and see the Stupid Cubs kind of made this a “must win” for us.
Elly has hit horrendously since the Allstar break, combined with his MLB leading worst .950 fielding % at SS…not to mention his bone-headed base running and lack of focus plays in the field such as flat out missing good throws on steals from the catcher etc. Stephenson has been hitting it great for 3 weeks, so obviously he sits today with 8 games left…after sitting out Wed because it was a day game after he hit it great in his last start Tuesday night. etc. So it will be 4 days between starts for hot hitting Tyler if he starts tomorrow…fantastic. This manager is not serious about winning a playoff spot….seems more concerned about not hurting Elly’s feelings…ridiculous.
You’ve got to occasionally try Elly because without him this team doesn’t make it very far. We’ve seen that since he stopped hitting. Elly was the driver behind the huge success in June. AS for Stephenson he was hitting, but lately he’s been giving up passed balls, and hitting into DP’s with multiple runners on. I’ll go with Abbott’s personal catcher Maile tonight.
Luke Weaver keeps coming back to haunt. Now he’s starting for the Yankees tonight against the D-Backs.
I’m counting the Snakes as “in” at this point. They will have to really screw it up to miss their current #2 slot at this point. Comes down to us, Phish, and Stupid Cubs. Of those three, the Phish hold an edge at the moment. We still need to win, baby, win to help our cause.
Weaver has grit and the Yankees need it this season.
Luke Weaver starting for the Yankees versus Arizona tonite. Ouch!!!
This really amazes me, and makes me realize that many organizations do the same stupid things that the Reds do. The Mariners found out the hard way, and now the Yankees will. Is it that hard to bring up a journeyman minor leaguer to fill in some starts for these teams? Why in the world would you sign Weaver at this point, and then start him? Crazy!
MLB network is going to look at Elly de La Cruz’s slump after the commercial if anyone is interested
The baseball fates saw reason to smile on these Reds in the last 48 hours even after the Reds were their own worst enemies on Wednesday afternoon.
Now it is put up or shut up time from the front office through the manager/ coaches on down to the players. No excuses. No worrying about tomorrow until it is today, Ā”El maƱana nunca llega! Just do it.
Yep, it’s not about which other teams lose. The mindset has to be to approach every game as if it is game seven of a playoff series.
Summary for my peeps about Elly: time. Give it time
The Reds are 4-6 this year against the Pirates. They need to finish 7-6. The Reds need to make a statement tonight.
Nice start AA.
Well, it’s obvious we are not gonna get any help from the Colorado Pebbles in their series against the Stupid Cubs!
Your mission, Mr. Bell, if you decide to accept it, is to keep your team within one game of the Cubs by Sunday evening! Why? Because the Cubs last 6 games are away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field again the Braves & the Brewers!
More importantly, the Reds need to pick up 2 games on Miami, hopefully during this weekend during their 3-game series with Milwaukee.
I believe the Giants will not be able to overcome their 3.5 game deficit as they have 6 more games against the Dodgers who trail the Braves by 3 games for the best record in the NL.
Finally, keep an eye on the Padres who have won 7 games in a row and are now only 4 games out of the 3rd Wild Card spot with 9 games to play!
Let’s start a new, long winning streak tonight with a win against the Pie-Rats!
Took’em down. Now jump all over them and never let them get into the game.
And yeah,, if anyone was wondering what I just said was the baseball version of “Hit them hard and see how they fall. Never let that team get the ball!”
Got to be ready for tomorrow night!
We(the team) just have to focus on winning, one pitch at a time.
Took that 1st fat fb.
Arizona got hot in the last week to 10 days, now will it be Chicago, Cincinnati or Miami that has a hot streak in the next nine days?
+10K
Cubs won today …So Go Reds! just win too!
2 strike counts aren’t friendly to hitters.
Sadak always falls falls to the frame up that aren’t strikes
Gotta get something with bases loaded against a struggling pitcher.
Ugh
Don’t let him off the hook. Jackson btw
At least we pressed his pitch count. Small positive takeaway. Marte almost had a couple of those … just a little ahead of them.
Missed opportunity. It’s pretty much win or go home time. If not it’s pretty close.
My estimate is that it will take at the very minimum six wins of the last eight to stay in it, and seven of eight to have a pretty decent shot. That’s assuming that none of the other contenders blow a tire and lose a bunch.
That means every pitcher who’s able is available to pitch every night.
Reds struggles continues with runners on base
We’re not clutch hitting, seems like never.
2 strike monster bit us hard again, all 3 outs were with 2 strikes after getting a hittable fb early count.
Since mid-season, that’s been a weakness. Clutch hits are much less common now than earlier.
Sadly true.
True but I thought 5 of the 6 PAs were quality PAs. Or at least 4 of 6 with Votto just flat out plunked on a pitcher’s count.
Mistake pitch by Abbott.
Probably bites us too.
repeated on the next batter and now he faces a long high leverage inning that will have repercussions even if he escapes
Andujar is on fire. Anyone could’ve had him
Looks like a pretty decent late-arriving crowd.
Wow. Good comeback by Abbott.
I missed it. Did they say what happened to Jackson?
I was wondering that too.
Had to take a BR break.
Two things! First, somebody tell Abbott he doesn’t have to strike out every batter! Nice job, nonetheless, in escaping a 2 on, no out situation in the top of the 2nd innings!
Secondly, it appears that, once again, we have a HP umpire that doesn’t know the strike zone!
That’s a slippery slope. Ks say they’re struggling to put in play and that’s good, but high pitch count is bad.
Good hit Mr. De La Cruz.
Milw hung a TD on Miami in the 2nd. So far so good
Added a fg
Good 2 strike swing by Elly.
Milwaukee up 6-0 on the Fish, but it’s early, only the 2nd inning!
We simply must take advantage if the Fish lose!
Solid run scoring inning.
2 steals & a sac fly. Good bb there.
Scored AND pushed up the pitch count. That helps.
Pittsburgh pitchers throw 70-plus pitches over first two innings and the Reds have one run. I think they may be a bit tight.
The Pirates pitchers have thrown 70 pitches on just 2 innings. The Reds scored 1 run and left 5 runners on base…. I don’t like it…really
Phish are drowning early … 12-0 in the 3rd š®
Put the anchor around them like Luca Brazzi.
We miss MM. When he was healthy all these runners would not have been stranded. He would have driven in his share.
Joey with a little bounce in his step on that play.
Abbott looks good so far. If greene and Abbott give starts like this in late September, it aint over. Offense need to some runs.
And we’re on the brink of letting Ortiz off the hook this inning with single-digit pitch count.
Off by 1 … 10 pitches.
Brewers either missed 2 extra points or have scored 4 field goals as they lead the Fish 12-0!
Again, need to take advantage of what looks like an apparent Fish loss tonight!
This team just strikes out. Entirely too much – thatās now 6 in 3?innings – AWFUL.
New hitting coach needed BADLY
Reds in GABP.. hit home runs if you want to win. Plain and simple.
Terrible pitch
Order up!!! One thigh-high cement mixer for Ke’bryan Hayes.
No urgency ā¦ā¦hardly any good at bats so far ā¦ Elle has the only good AB thru 3 innings
The opponents hitters take advantage more frequently of the GABP to hit homers than the Reds’ . This is one reason why the Reds have losing record at home…
Hayes hit a 92.6 MPH 351-foot fly ball as home run…
Alert: Abbott is fading … could be exposed to a big hit
Man Abbottbis his own worst enemy – hers ahead and then nibbles at strike zone ā¦. Walk walk walk
Nice Bike Helmets there to get Abbott out of the jam.
Give DJ credit. Literally walked to the mound and said letās get a double play ball. Immediate 5-3. Well done.
Here we go again with the strikeouts! Six (6) strikeouts by Reds batters thru 3 innings! That’s 2 strikeouts per inning for the mathematically challenged out there!
Plus, Abbott averaging almost 20 pitchers per inning thru 4 innings! Will be interesting to see when Bell pulls him for Farmer!
On the big screen now (blurry due to a dilated eye exam earlier). Bally video and audio due to the ridiculous sync delay. Oh well … I guess I’ll suffer with Sadak along with several of you.
As we watch Elly revert to a whiff.
Sadak and Larkin are brutal ā¦.Barry has no business in broadcast booth . Sadak likes to do comedy hour ā¦
+5,000
Another putrid offensive display
Get Abbott out
Your wish is HDTBell’s command. Can’t really fault him for going that far. Not a fan of Sims, but at least it looks more like a clean inning for him.
Another cheapie. Reds just getting abused by their own parks dimensions. When HG gave up all those hrs to Toronto like 3 of them were under 370 feet. We’re just not lifting anything by comparison. They scored 7 off the Twins in that first game and Joe Ryan isn’t bad, but usually they don’t do squat
Offense is just awful for the 3rd straight game.
That’s the tale of the tape. No scoring = no winning = no October games
This all comes down to which players perform and which don’t. Reds starters are out of gas, and Abbott gave it his best. This team has to start scoring runs, not just today but for the next week, to have a chance. I don’t know if they are tight, or if it is just the continuation of the hitting downturn since the all-star break.
+1,000
This team has two off-days next week, which I believe gives Bell the license to pull out all the stops with the pitching.
Bingo ! Well said Tom ā¦.
Sims man ā¦. Dude is like a box of chocolates ā¦. Never know what you gonna get except that heās gonna walk somebody 99.9 % of time
Playing from behind … that’s what we do best, right?
That was earlier in the season. Not now
Why is it only the visiting teams hitting HRs in GABP?
Reds as a team have never made any adjustments.Doesn’t matter if its CY Young or Loretta Young on the mound cause they just all follow the same book that the Brewers wrote months ago and nothing changes.Going the other way with the pitch or just putting the bat on the ball doesn’t seen to be in the game plan.
Come on, Steer. Homer time
Steer must have thought I said “make and out and go back to the dugout”
To add insult to injury, Weaver has tossed 5 shutout innings for the Yankees so far tonight! But, the Yankees beating the Snakes is a good thing, Right?
Oh yeah:)
Maybe the Reds are average. Athletic with a high ceiling, but young and inexperienced with nobody in their prime and the starting pitching is hobbling. We’re missing best hitter/pitcher. I know we want & expect more but this is reality
Gonna win this challenge.
Sadak giving score updates and then says, “All that means little unless the Reds can amass their own wins.”
“Amass”???? Really????
I’m sticking with this as a reminder why I avoid (or maybe shun) Sadak’s broadcast at every turn (or maybe juncture).
š š š
Heās nerve wracking ā¦. Mr. Wordsmith
Man!
A steady diet of off speed pitches by Pirate pitchers, with an occasional fast ball.
Most, but not all, of the fast ball pitches are located in good spots for them.
Even when the fastball is hittable, the Reds miss ’em.
I think all the offspeed stuff is tying the Reds into knots.
This is another spot where the offense has to produce — bases loaded, one out. Votto (or someone) has to get ahold of one and hit it hard somewhere.
If anyone can hit this offspeed stuff, it is JV
Votto busted it down to first.
Just not this time. At least he got the run in to tie
High drama there.
Piled on high drama!!!
Where is the $25 million Votto who wants to hit 4th and play 1b everyday and make $20 million more next year and play first base again over CES? Whats Joey doing now when the Reds need to score runs????? Whereās india? Elly scored a run at least.
This offense stinks and it starts with Joey Votto. First base is a power plant mandatory OPS+120 position. Why arent the Reds scoring in GABP? It starts with their first baseman. Anyone who says Votto should come back at $20 million and be the first baseman in 2024 isnt a Reds fan or rooted in reality
Joey Votto is making $25 million to hit for this team nowā¦.and he stinks. And people want to pay him $20 million more next year at 41?????
Score some runs. It would help if your first baseman whose being paid $25 million could hit against the lowly Pirates in a meaningful series in September. Joey Votto needs to retire and CES needs to play first base.
That was 4-6-3 dbp.. pirates cant have an error on DBP
Man what a struggle it is for the Reds to even tie the game ā¦ massive struggle and Joey
almost sold out again ā¦ need a big hit now
Votto swung at Ball 4 low….bummer
At least Votto was hustling down that line and forced a hurried throw.
Thank you Pirites! š
Pirates shortstop will be getting a gift basket if the Reds pull this out.
Votto has no business in the lineup the rest of the season !!!!!ā
Cāmon āitās coming together and Iām almost there.ā
I’m in for $5 if we win this one.
‘Bout time, people!
I hit Senzel here for EDLC.
No doubt I would also.
Not Mr. Bell.
Would have been a good move. Could have moved Marte to SS and Senzel to 3B.
Senzel has been hot against lefties lately.
You go to senzel?
Yes — great vs. lefties, vs. EDLC who is completely ineffective against them.
Didn’t look like Elly has that knob cover on anymore. I wonder why he ditched it and if that makes it feel different in his hands.
And somehow the Reds have the lead. Some. How. š
Reds take the lead. Time for Farmer.
Now the Reds don’t have the lead.
And that didnāt last long.
CRAP!!!!
Bell not interested in winning NO WAY and I mean NO WAY ELLY should have hit right there.This is about trying to win baseball games and nothing else matters or should matter at this time of year.ELLY will get many many chances next year and beyond.Bad decision even if ELLY comes through.
Not to mention that Elly is the biggest liability defensively on the team….but Bell wants to be friends with the players…pathetic. Bell’s handidness is optional and is driven by who his favorites are…and Elly is his #1. By the way, taking Sims out to put in Farmer has worked out well…no reason at all to leave Sims in after the 5th. Oops, Farmer just gave given up 2 absolute BOMBs…well done Mr Bell. Another good decision, but don’t worry…it’s all on the players, not of your decisions that backfire are ever your fault.
Another cement mixer kind of a pitch there. Our jubilation was short-lived.
Had the lead….for about 5 minutes
Another platter pitch ā¦ amazing ā¦ canāt even enjoy a lead for a half inning
The Farmer gives one up … the Farmer gives one up … high-ho the derry-o, the Farmer gives one up …
Lather, rinse, repeat
Good grief.
Do ya think it might be a good idea to get Farmer outta there? Just a thought.
He almost hit that to Mt Adams
Just saw the Milwaukee score. Thought it was a football game score at first. That is what is known as a good old fashined woopin.
I give up – when the chips are down this bullpen sucks ā¦ Farmer out there throwing batting practice ā¦.
I think even the ump wanted Farmer off the mound.
Why Farmer tonight when the pen is rested. Was he really the best choice to hold a one run lead in a game like this?
Bell is just awful.He lets ELLY hit then leaves Buck in to give up the lead on a second bomb.Is he asleep?
He obviously doesn’t understand the definition of a MUST GAME!
“They’re all playing hard and know what they need to do.”
But I hear tell he’s a NL Manager of the Year candidate … š®
If he get’s it he should buy every rookie on this team a gold ring.
Farmer. Can’t even keep the good feeling for half an inning. Why is Farmer even in the mix?
Now Senzel for Benson a batter to late.Reds have found the enemy and its in their own dugout.Done with this guy.
PINCH RUNNER here Mr. Bell!!
We should be very thankful the pirates havenāt forgotten how to play defense.
I see the Reds are once again dominating their āeasy scheduleā.
Basically over-slid that attempt. Couldn’t pull his wrist back and it hit right behind his glove.
Time for India to show us some stuff.
I thought he got that based on the sound off the bat. NUTS!!!!
I’m probably the only one who would have rather seen four walks than four HR. Home Runs haunt pretty much 100% of the time.
Reds are sitting on the verge of having a very effective pitching staff. First big expenditure I’d like to see Bob make is to enlarge GABP.
I think we’d all like to see that. Deeper fields, higher walls, etc. But the chances of Bob doing that are close to zero.
Please notice how the Bucs manager is in the game and trying to win.
Poop. I thought that was out off the bat.
And TJ picks us up!!!
TJ!
L-E-G-I-T
š
He is a 4th outfielder , you know
Boom! Friedl coming through
That one’s gone!!! Friedl!!!
India sucks. Time to move on and get what we can get.
Sims only 13 pitches. I defended Bell a lot with the pen because we never blow anyone out and need the A-team almost every night, but tonight they needed to go without Farmer. Has he been better then Duarte lately? They have Thursday off too
Freidl with a big bomb. I was wrong about him. He’s not perfect, but he’s been huge
Monday & Thursday off next week
Thank you TJ !
Bell
Should NEVER sit this dude unless he is injured or needs an occasional day off
He’s got Monday and Thursday off coming up, so he needs to play the next 7 games period.
Pitching has to be nails now. C’mon bullpen.
That shakes the cobwebs out for Steer!!
Mustache Hustle!
Friedl wants to play in plyoffs!!
Got the lead. Now keep it!
9 outs from a couple of somebodies … that’s not asking too much, is it?
Can somebody from the bullpen come in, throw strikes and keep the ball in the yard !!!
All at the same time? Hmmmm. Will you take 1 out of 3?
Lol yea thatās asking a lot isnāt it !
Like when my mom told me to sit down and shut up and I asked, āboth at the same time?!ā
Hold your hats ā¦ Gibaut and Indy with the error of course
Just by looking at them there’s good reason why a lot of our pitchers can’t be pinch runners.
Tough hop. Larkin said going after it was the right play.
Maybe Bike Helmets are in order?
It was an error all the way. India had plenty of time on that high hopper to get in front of it…an easy out even if you don’t glove it clean as long as it hits your body…. a short easy throw for the out. Just a pathetic effort with your post season on the line…really disappointing lack of effort
That was a pathetic effort by India. What in the world is he doing trying to backhand that ball when he had plenty of time to just get in front of it and block it with his body even if he didn’t come up with it clean…yikes
Uuuuuuh!
Have noticed that GIBAUT gives up reins almost every single time he pitches
I keep asking myself, “Why can’t we have nice things?”
These guys just donāt deserve to get in ā¦. Brutal bullpen work and Gibaut sucking again
This is hardly on Gibault. I don’t think they have hit a ball hard yet… 2 errors by India and Elly
At least we’ll get a participation award at the end of the season.
Hit n run. Bell take notes. Try it once
Did a quick search of the HDTBell Book of Baseball Knowledge … result came back “not found”
Not a hit answer run. It was a 3~2 count and runner was in motion. Hayes just hit it there.
True but that’s a perfect picture of what a hit and run looks like. Take note.
I know it would have been close but MAN!!!! That was a terrible throw.
And Bell has NOBODY ready in pen
He may have a cannon but itās inaccurate and more importantly he takes too much time turn get rid of the ball. Itās like he tries to load up on every throw.
#EDLCCF2024
Right now Barrero at SS at least until McLain gets back. No time to lose.
That whole sequence started with India. He double clutched and was slow to get the ball to 2B. Yes. EDLC should have held it but the DP chance was gone before the ball got to him.
David Bell usually likes to be Captain Hook. Not tonight with the season on the line. smh
2 errors and 2 bleeder hits. Not on Gibaut
I don’t care you still get him out of there. He’s not pitching that well.
Pirates are like anything you can do I can do better. I’m about to run up the white flag.
Yet another error by EDLC. Meantime Louisville is up 9-1. Maybe Kelly can teach Bell something this offseason.
Lets see…who was pointing out that Elly has the worst fielding percentage at shortstop in Major League Baseball along with about a .160 batting average since the All-Star break and pointing out he shouldn’t be starting the rest of the year… it was me before the game today. Why is this so hard for a manager making millions per year.
ELLY had no business starting the game at all and sure shouldn’t have hit against a lefty.His defense has been just as bad as well.Said it way back when the lineups were posted.
Barrero with another Homer tonight. He’s on fire. Swallow your pride Mr. Krall/Bell and bring him up!
I agree @Melvin, but I donāt see it happening. The time to get a good return on that was several weeks ago when EDLC could have gotten back on track in Louisville
India is a horrible 2nd baseman.
He certainly hasn’t gotten the job done tonight. That whole sequence of the failed DP and lead run scoring started with him. He double clutched the ball and took too long to get it to 2B. Then yes, EDLC should have eaten it. And Votto should have given up the out chance to make sure he blocked the ball.
But it started with the doube grasp by India.
Yep, India has been BRUTAL defensively today, his poor play has given the Pirates the lead.
Reds are in a playoff push, just blew the lead again and sadak and larkin are only talking some stupid dance joke that they make literally every game.
BP has been good all year but when it came to crunch time, none of them have been able to hold a lead in back to back nights.
COME ON Mr. Umpire!!! That was a STRIKE!!!
Raally awful 7th inning by the Reds… looking so bad
Wrong guys in the wrong positions.
And folks, that’s a Mgr decision.
Cruz for just 1 batter (if he sits him down) and not back out for the 8th? Anyone want to bet one way or the other?
He’s done by Bell ball standards. Bell may need him on Monday’s off day.
Should be back out there for the 8th, but my guess is that he won’t be.
Anyone remember the last time a Redsā catcher threw out a runner attempting to steal? Usually not their fault- Redsā pitcherās terrible at holding runners- but youād think theyād get one once in a while.
If Cruz is available then pulling Sims early for Farmer really doesn’t make sense. Those 2 hrs were rockets
Had the lead twice and immediately gave it back both times ā- these guys playing tight as heck . Absolutely cannot lose this game tonight ā¦.
Bell had his pen scripted long before the sun came up this morning.No need bringing Sims back out nor Cruz cause may need them for tomorrow.
Cruz had BETTER come back out next inning. He’s pitching well.
He’s saving them for an October run through the playoffs….
So the Pie-Rats have a penultimate LHP … which one is ours? Haven’t seen that on the roster designations.
Should probably have pinch-hit for Votto, but then again he weirdly has really strong reverse splits this year.
And with who? TySteve? Not a whole lot of options to make an impact.
Yeah. I was thinking that and it probably didn’t matter and was worth rolling the dice with Joey hoping he’d run into one.
Chumpires zone side-to-side is just terrible. The missed calls at the bottom of the zone aren’t much better.
Duarte 3.00 era in September. Farmer was 5.19. Of course 9 outs left and no way he’d pinch hit for Votto
Bad night for Bell imo
Heās had a lot of em ā¦..
Given it’s possibly (probably?) his last series in Cincy, Votto is going to start and play every inning in all likelihood. Folks should be prepared for that.
Why does McLain need 2 tune up games with our post season on life support. His defense would help immensely.
I’m baffled by that one. It’s not like we have a month to go.
We need his help like immediately.
Yeah I know. Why waste those two games. Barrero at SS and McLain at 2B.
If he can’t play he can’t play. You can find that out in the majors just as easy as the minors. If he hits down there those hits are wasted.
I agree Melvin – makes no sense – for no time for that rehab stint at this point . Put him in and find out now ā¦
Exactly. Barrero must of pee’d in somebody’s cornflakes before he was sent down.
Even if he did bring him UP anyway. š
Post season “hopes” on life support.
I was wrong about Cruz.
A loss here doesn’t end all hope but the fat lady is warming up big time. This team just hasn’t played well for any extended period of time since early July.
Snakes went down. I still think they are in at the #2 WC slot.
I have to start thinking about using Cruz as the closer.
But “The Book” says ….
At least he should stay in there as long as he can go tonight and is effective.
Nice 4 batters and K’s from Cruz.
Tom – you are absolutely correct at this point. +5,000 for you and the Cruz to Close nomination.
I love Diaz, but he’s not the same guy he was at midseason. He’s lost velocity, and walks the first batter he walks a large portion of the time. Maybe next year again, but he’s not the best option right now.
Yeah you right but Bell just doesn’t go with the best options.He set ELLY against lefties and some of us thought well he gets it and that lasted a time or two then he start him again and tonight two on he lets him hit.Bell just doesn’t do the obvious.
Work the count. Find a way to get on base.
Farmer, Bell, and India are the scapegoats if we don’t wake up. I think I’m football bound if we blow this one too. Tired of losing at home. They don’t deserve it
Play for one run then go from there. Nice BB.
Stephenson’s area code is 643
Nice AB from Fraley and good HDTBell move to choose the 14-year-old to PR.
Let’s see if TySteve’s head is clear.
Uh … Nope!!
Go the other way TS. NO DP!
I forgot to tell India too. smh
Gotta steal with two strikes.
Reds donāt deserve squat ā¦. Canāt win at home against a bottom feeder like
Pittsburgh ā¦ canāt win at home period
Even if we hold them in the 9th, I don’t feel good about our chances. Gonna take more than a little magic. And if Diaz pitches, all bets are off.
Gotta have Fairchild running after the Stephenson K
India is killing this game…what a poor night
Losing Ashcraft/McLain/Cruz out of nowhere killed us, but they’re still missing a lot on this roster
I really like India but he can’t play second base. He doesn’t know how to field a ground ball. The sliding and not trying to backhand a ball is nuts. He adds grit but not good in the field and we won’t get much for him in a trade. That key error was a critical one if it cost us the win. Overall performance has been bad tonight. Buck and Ian have both struggled tonight and for some time.
Why was Fairchild not running on any of those pitches to Stephenson?
Zero urgency. Needed to play for a run to at least get it tied up.
With all the betting information they put out on the broadcast what do you suppose the betting odds are on Votto hitting .200 or over for the season is?
And so much for Sadak’s comment about the 14-year-old being one of the fastest men.
Done and so am after the punch out and double play ball.See you next time nation.Gone for awhile on a little trip that will keep me away for a week or so.Great things ahead for this team but its just not in the cards this year.
Take care, Roger. Write if you find work š
Duarte … interesting choice. Make use of that expanded lateral zone.
Based on what I’ve seen tonight, India should not be playing. He is probably as impeded by injury or more so than Fraley. His defense cost the team; and, he has looked bad at the plate despite having the sac fly.
They both are bench players for the rest of the season.
If you mean India and Fraley, I’d make the tough call and IL India for Barrero overnight even if that means optioning Barrero on Tuesday for McLain.
Might as well. What exactly do we have to lose? The season is on the line. Barrero should be playing SS and McLain 2B when he returns.
No, at this point Iād option EDLC with an offseason assignment. He could be a superstar – just not on the road heās on
Crowd was good tonight as well, but you have to hold a lead longer then 2 outs to keep that energy
Reds I am tired of seeing Farmer, Stephenson, India and Votto and I am sure there are others.
If weāre giving up, how can we hope for the team to come through? This game is still very winnable.
And the breeze starts to blow on our 9th inning house of cards.
Nice job Duarte ā¦ way to come in and put the game awayā¦ man these relievers are something else ā¦ this is inexcusable
I guess it was beyond the capacity of Cruz to go another inning. He was pitching too well.
He wasn’t walking anybody either. Shamey Shamey!
You canāt make this stuff up
Duarte going little league to finish us off. Lose 2 run lead in the 8th and then blow 3 leads tonight. I’m done.
Poor Joey will get a standing O on Sunday and then wipe his tears with $100 bills
It’s a complete train wreck in the making and I just can’t look away.
+10K
Dollars to donuts, Bell was holding Cruz for tomorrow instead of sending him with a lead to pitch two innings to get them to Gibaut in the 8th.
And I don’t know where to start with India’s defense. The ‘Ole job to open the 7th or double clutch on a tailor made 4/6/3 GIDP later in the inning. As I have said elsewhere he has to banged up.
And now this 9th.
We have to move the runner to 2b with less than two outs. It’s an absolute must. TS’s K was disastrous. Bummer.
Durate is struggling. This could be very bad. Need a couple of miracles at this point.
I guess we leave him in until it’s too late?
2 runs down is NOT a pretty sight for the 9th. Will now take a midrange miracle to pull this off.
BP has now been scored on in 5 of their last 6 innings. Not good. And that is after a day off.
Absolutely have to limit the damage to 1 run to keep the bloop and a blast chances alive.
I agree with Tom Reeves, but will add that it would be great if all those who have preached the negativity game after game give up now so we donāt have to hear the same stuff over and over again.
Iām just grateful I get to a watch a game that triggers nearly every human emotion in a short period of time. And imagine how awesome it will be if the team pulls it out?!
Agree wholeheartedly. As Yogi Berra said, it aināt over till itās over. No matter what happens going forward, no one expected this kind of success from a team that was projected to lose 100 games before all the injuries.
I’m kind of assuming since this is your first comment on the thread tonight, that you are reading and following along rather than joining in on the posting. Sorry if our frustration coming out bothers you. The majority of us “regulars” have been riding this roller coaster for a long time and sometimes it comes out in a more negative way, like when we just can’t convert or a bullpen guy blows up and barfs up the lead.
That’s just the way things go on this forum. But at least we’re talking this way with only a week to go as opposed to the game threads last year … so that’s a plus.
I totally understand the frustration and hate to lose as much as anyone, but the constant negativity isnāt new. Iāve been a follower of this site for many years and have never seen this type of bashing during a winning season.
And we continue to roll the dice with Law … Smack My Head Very Hard and Continuously!!! š®
these guys are just crumbling under
pressure ā¦ got nobody to blame themselves
If they donāt get in ā¦. Duarte needs to be sent down and not brought back up again period
Did you crumbled under the pressured before or after the players?
What ?
Youāre obviously crumbling under the pressure. So was it before or after the players?!!
No Tom – Iām not crumbling . Iām not on the field playing the game . Iām in here stating my frustrations just like many
others . If that bothers you so be it .
Oh, so just critical of players not doing enough to make us happy but not really doing much about it. Got it.
Youāre all over the place . I call it like I see it . My own opinions – donāt care whether you like it or not.
Good to see you Mr. Bell. Think it might be time to switch pitchers?
Regardless of the outcome of this game, Farmer needs to go at the end of the season!
So sad! Reds had a shot to pick up a game on both Miami & Arizona tonight!
Why was Duarte even pitching to Triolo?
Must be hard to be Sadak and Larkin, unable to say it like it is. You know it’s bad when they just get quiet. Maybe the radio guys are a little freer to speak reality but…
This is difficult to watch and listen to. Just feels like it is slipping away.
Need a miracle bottom 9th.
IDK but losing a game by 1 run in the 9th that could mean the season end for the team, bring in Duarte maybe is not the best choice… I think Moll could be better if you don’t burn DĆaz…
I said earlier that the Reds needed this game to be a statement. I was hoping for something like Milwaukeeās 16-1 victory. Instead, the statement was more along the lines of āwe donāt really want to go to the playoffs. Besides weāll beat them tomorrow, or the day after. No rush.ā
Have the right guys coming up.
Good work by Law to at least keep some hope alive
Bottom 9. Let’s get at least 2
Why why why leave Duarte in there after 2 walks and hbp? Incomprehensible
Take one for the team Friedl.
We aren’t the only team to walk the lead off hitter in close games.
Friedl has been our best player imho these last few games
Alright. Got the runner on that they needed. Let’s go!
Bell just can’t help himself! He has used SIX(6) relief pitchers in a losing effort! By contrast, the Yankees used ONE relief pitcher after Weaver pitched 5.1 innings!
Three (3) more years of this nonsense! Can’t wait!
That pitcher is not even close. If we swing at the first pitch……
Apparently Sadak is jinxing Bednar š
No swings. Let him struggle!!!
CES walk off? Make it happen.
Got flustered by the safe at 2nd call and didn’t even try to make the throw to first.
Nice job by Friedl!!! And some hustle by Steer.
Woo hoo!!! FRIEDL beat the throw!!! Awesome!!
Rolled over on that one … up to Employee #19.
STUPID!!! Swung at a BALL!!! DP!!!
Lord. You cannot hit into DP in these situations. Unbelievable
Votto still bangs… I mean walks.
Come on Marte. Let’s end this one with a walkoff
Votto’s good eye paid off there.
Wah wah…
Stink. Fish. POT!!!!!
CES and Marte both got themselves out chasing. Young guys too eager
Agree. Seems like someone would have told CES to take a strike the way Bednar was struggling. But at least they are rookies and all signs are they will learn.
These guys have been playing baseball all their lives. That’s basic fundamentals. They’re not held accountable. The rules are the same at every level in that regard.
Poor decisions on Bellās part regarding relief pitchers, 2 errors in the same inning, and two HIDPs may have just cost us the season.
No clutch hitter… The Ā“playoffs are far away… Friedl made a big effort , tried to win tonight…
It’s quiet on here all of a sudden. I guess everyone is throwing up?
Back to back brutal losses will do that.
Nothing like a 3 game losing streak, on the āeasyā part of the schedule, with the playoffs on the line. No focus, no drive, no urgency, few fundamentals, no accountability – who in godās name thought signing Bell for 3 more years was a good idea? Oh well, thereās always next year.
The lack of urgency to not have Fairchild try to get to 2nd in the 8th followed by letting Duarte pitch to multiple batters more than he should have in the 9th was particularly discouraging. Might have even thought about sacrificing with CES to get guys to 2nd and 3rd in the 9th and get the tying run into scoring position.
Didn’t Cruz throw three innings fairly recently? With the season on the line I guess that was asking too much according to Mr. Bell.
Reds really had a mediocre second half of season; hate to say it but they barely deserve a postseason appearance, honestly.
They donāt deserve it.
That pitcher TRIED to give it to us. We just didn’t take it. smh
Did I hear Sadak say we’ve lost three in a row and four out of our last five?
That is correct. Reds have only been saved by the mediocrity of the rest of the field. They would already been done in the AL.
Of course that doesn’t count as folding down the stretch right?
I know they’re young just like in 2021…oh wait.
Not directed at you of course Hanawi.
The joy of watching a young team.
That does it.
Blown chances, they had plenty enough.
Depressing for an old soon to be 68 year old.
Still baffled by the McLain rehab.
Mgmt. delaying their roster crunching logjam of infielder decision another few days. I’m guessing, because it doesn’t make any rational sense.
Reds now 1-3 on home stand. Not good. Hope they finish with a winning record. Would not take that for granted.
79 and 76 with 7 to go they have to win 3 of the next 7 to reach 82 and have a winning season. I wouldn’t bet much on that but don’t worry Bell still thinks there is time to make the playoffs, no sense of urgency.