After last night’s soul crushing loss, the Cincinnati Reds will look to move forward and try to salvage a win and avoid being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final home series of the regular season. This afternoon’s 1st pitch is set for 1:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Pittsburgh Pirates |
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Connor Joe – 1B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Bryan Reynolds – LF | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Spencer Steer – LF |
| Miguel Andujar – RF | Jake Fraley – DH |
| Jared Triolo – 2B | Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B |
| Jack Suwinski – CF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Liover Peguero – SS | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Henry Davis – DH | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Jason Delay – C | Will Benson – RF |
| Quinn Priester – RHP | Brandon Williamson – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brandon Williamson | 106.2 | 4.56 | 1.29 | 36 | 93 |
| Quinn Priester | 38.2 | 8.61 | 1.73 | 21 | 29 |
| Links: Brandon Williamson’s Stats | Quinn Priester’s Stats |
|||||
Brandon Williamson
On August 13th the Pirates saw Williamson in Pittsburgh. It was the 16th start of the year for Williamson and he put together a strong outing, allowing a run in 5.2 innings and allowed just two hits, two walks, and he had six strikeouts. He’s only thrown 4.0 innings in each of his last two starts.
Lefties hit for a higher average and have walked ever so slightly more often than righties have against Williamson. What they don’t do is hit for any sort of power – slugging just .288. Right-handed hitters make a difference against Williamson with the amount of power they hit for.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 366 | 83 | 21 | 1 | 16 | 29 | 78 | .248 | .310 | .460 |
| LHH | 83 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 15 | .260 | .329 | .288 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.9 | 89.2 | 73.2 | 81.8 | 84.1 |
| Usage | 37% | 30% | 7% | 10% | 16% |
Quinn Priester
One of the Pirates top prospects entering the year, things haven’t gone well for Priester in his rookie year. He’s made eight starts this season – all since mid-July – and he’s allowed four runs or more in all of them but one, and in that one he only three 4.0 innings and gave up three runs. Control has been an issue for him as he’s walked 21 batters and given up 10 home runs in just 38.2 innings.
Left-handed hitters have absolutely crushed the ball against Priester. They walk more than they strike out, make tons of contact, hit for an average high enough to win a batting title, and they’ve got an OPS of 1.142 against him. Righties don’t hit for all that much average and they are only walking at a solid clip, but they also hit for some good power against him – just not as much as lefties.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 89 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 19 | .238 | .303 | .475 |
| LHH | 93 | 27 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 10 | .351 | .441 | .701 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Curve | Change | |
| Velo | 93.1 | 93.2 | 85.3 | 80.5 | 88.9 |
| Usage | 20% | 33% | 24% | 14% | 10% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (out of market)
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 78°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Today could be it….
The last home game of the season could be Joey Votto’s final game at Great American Ball Park. It’s rather disappointing that we don’t know one way or the other if this really is the end.
Louisville avoids a losing season
Last night the Louisville Bats game was suspended by a power outage in the 7th inning. This morning they finished that game out with a 4-2 win. That moved them to 74-73. They’ll play their regularly scheduled game today as well. It’s the final game of the year. If they win, they will finish with a winning season for the first time since 2011. Yes, you read that correctly. But win or lose, they won’t have a losing record at the end of the year for the first time in more than a decade.
Wild Card Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Philadelphia | 86 | 69 | +5.0 | 100% |
| Chicago | 81 | 73 | +0.5 | 59.5% |
| Arizona | 81 | 74 | 0.0 | 83.6% |
| Miami | 80 | 75 | 1.0 | 48.5% |
| Cincinnati | 79 | 77 | 2.5 | 7.8% |
| San Francisco | 77 | 78 | 4.0 | 0.5% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | Top 3 Make Playoffs | ||||
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 88 | 67 | 0.0 | 100% |
| Cubs | 81 | 74 | 7.0 | 59.5% |
| Reds | 79 | 77 | 9.5 | 7.8% |
| Pirates | 74 | 81 | 14.0 | 0.0% |
| Cardinals | 68 | 87 | 20.0 | 0.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
The Votto contract situation is strange. The fact there has been no announcement and no deal for 2024 makes me wonder if the ball’s in Votto’s court. Maybe Votto wants to wait until the Reds are eliminated from postseason contention before making a decision whether to continue his career or not. If the Reds somehow miraculously won it all this year, maybe Votto would call it quits. Just a theory.
The fact that they haven’t made any type of announcement tells me he’ll most likely be back one way or another. Who knows?
Of course. No offense, it doesn’t take a soothsayer to see the writing on the wall. Votto is coming back. Votto is coming back at the full price. It’s the way the Reds roll. Insanity? Yes but it’s just a fact. We will have to learn to live with it.
Possibly. While his ego obviously drives him to play (to a certain extent), I don’t see him as a big fanfare guy or wanting to distract from the game itself with contract BS right now.
“The beatings will continue until morale improves!!”
Hoping Williamson has a good outing for his own performance and confidence. Not having MattyMc really makes no difference at all now. I know that’s a pervasively negative view, but all I’m rooting for at the moment is a complete collapse by the Stupid Cubs and a major hot streak from the Phish. If we can’t be there, I want to see the Phish get their shot and the Stupid Cubs standing outside, their chubby little noses pressed up against the dirty glass window.
Let’s play one more home game for Joey and celebrate Employee #19 whether he wants us to or not.
And please let’s not give up 13 unanswered runs ever again.
Last night put an end to what has been a very exciting season. The Reds would have to win their remaining 6 games to have a chance. I don’t see that happening.
Looking ahead to the offseason, the front office needs to supply this team with a big bat outfielder (one that hits lefties and righties), a veteran starter and several upgrades in the bullpen.
Win 6 straight while both the Stupid Cubs and Phish collapse.
I believe I read an article on MLBTR a couple weeks ago that the Reds had at least tied a record with four rookies with double figure in HR. Now that CES has hit double digits, that makes at least five rookies with double digit HR. I don’t see a power outfield bat adding that much, and certainly not at big cost. The Reds offense has generally been good, especially considering the number of rookies. They need what money can’t buy…experience in the line of fire. Look how long it took Hunter Greene to put together a short string of dominant starts. Abbott did it early but has been on a short hook since a couple of poor outings. Ashcraft, until the toe thing, was flashing brilliant in his second season. Williamson has had flashes of good as a rookie.
This team will mature, and Krall’s challenge is to let that maturity happen without doing anything that inhibits being able to pay the youngsters that he wants to keep as the longer term core.
They may well have the big bat they need on the roster now, it just takes time with most to refine their skills in adjusting to the MLB level. Not everyone, in fact, almost no one, can hit the rookie year as successfully as has McClain, but a look at CES, for example, with his combined AAA and MLB power gives 30+ HR. That’s a pretty strong power bat. Steer is in the mid 20s HR in what is essentially his rookie year. EDLC will likely bounce back with experience, but more than 30 steals is pretty good for a few months at the MLB level. There is a lot to like with this team that a bit more experience will enhance. The worst mistake would be to do something just to do something, and mess it up.
It should be obvious, the Reds need a new manager. David Bell has never won at any level and I doubt it’s going to materialize at the major league level. It is like calling up a hitter who is never shown any ability to hit in the minors and ask him to be in the starting lineup during a pennant race. It is absolutely crazy. He has no business managing the Cincinnati Reds. He is utterly unqualified.
That is it for my Rance, but I am as hot as a pistol right now. Can’t believe this is happening to this wonderful team.
It should be obvious, the Reds need a new manager. David Bell has never won at any level and I doubt it’s going to materialize at the major league level. It is like calling up a hitter who is never shown any ability to hit in the minors and ask him to be in the starting lineup during a pennant race. It is absolutely crazy. He has no business managing the Cincinnati Reds. He is utterly unqualified.
That is it for my rant but I am as hot as a pistol right now. Can’t believe this is happening to this wonderful team.
Anybody know if the Pie-Rats TV team is any good? I may need to try and sync the TV video with audio from my laptop. I’ve pretty much had my fill of Sadak (and I didn’t even have the sound on for very long yesterday).
Sam’s a little optimistic in his last home game “Sam’s Slate” … but he also gave a nod to a brighter future. He also cited the “not mathematically out of it” which you would expect. Just too bad he wasn’t paired with Annie one last time … 😀
Brighter future only if significant additions are made this winter. If they stand pat or go the cheap route again, it’s only going to be more of the same.
I dont understand the Joey Votto should get his day now. If votto decided he is retiring, that would have happened. But, Votto clearly hasnt made that decision and so the Reds cant do anything if Votto’s stance is the same one as this year.
“I believe when I am healthy I can play at a productive level and I am keeping that door open”
Votto clearly wants to keep his $20 million pay day wide open and find out on the fly in 2024 at the Reds expense and CES expense
I suspect Votto knows he is not getting $20m either from the Reds for 2024 or as a combination of the $7m buyout and $13m elsewhere.
This said I think there is some amount more than the $7m he will play for instead of taking the $7m and getting on with the rest of his life.
His preference seems to be to get the total package from the Reds. However he may end up taking the $7m buyout from the Reds and signing somewhere else for the balance if the Reds do not pony up.
The game of “chicken” is about the Reds paying the $7m required buyout then having the PA stufff to deal with if he signs elsewhere for a seeming pittance of several million.
It is somewhat like the Castellanos situation when he walked on an option which would have paid him $52m over 3 more years had he stayed with the Reds then signed for $100m over 5 years.
The Reds (theoretically) could have had him through 2026 for $48m more than they were already committed to for 3.
And here we sit saying the Reds need a big RH bat for the OF for 2024 and beyond.
Again, I realize this is a negative vibe and that they pretty much have to say it, but citing the “mathematically in it” is almost comical. We have to go 4 and 2 this week in order to get a .500 record. Still possible, but very challenging given how we’re performing and the quality of the fumes left in the bullpen tank.
I almost … ALMOST … wish we weren’t this close to sliding in under the door. It might make things a bit easier to watch on a day like this.
Anyway, let’s play some ball and Beatdown some Pie-Rats!!
I am seeing the Reds current record as 79-77. 4-2 would put them at 83-79. 3-3 would put them at 82-80. When I studied math at Colerain six decades ago, both of those are records above .500 and neither require going 4-2 over the last six games. Your math must be the “new math”, the kind that has students flagging the SATs.
And to think I scored well on Math back in the day for my ACT 😀
You are correct. Makes me far more optimistic that we can finish above .500. Thanks for the correction.
No Marte in the starting lineup? Despite his .866 OPS in September? Ridiculous.
And a solid hitting streak.
Yeah. More of the same baloney.
Yep…but Bell’s favorite Elly is
Another Reds game and another chance for us to pretend it matters. But 2.5GB with 6 to go sounds more like wishful thinking on our part. Maybe we’ll get lucky.
OK, we’ll see if things stay in sync between the TV and laptop. I’ve missed not hearing Thrall and Cowboy.
Joey Votto in the lineup the past few days over any of several others tells me that there was a different priority to these last few games than winning a playoff spot. You just don’t consistently put a guy struggling to hit .200 in the five hole, especially a guy who has had one really good half season in the past 5 or 6 years.
Perhaps this was management’s way of looking to see if there is any spark left that would ignite a fire in Joey’s bat. Sadly, doesn’t look like there is. After the first several weeks back, it has been the Joey Votto of the past half decade, and that’s not playoff run quality.
+10,000
Sad facts, but indeed they are facts.
Just to make matters “worse” at my house, my First Wife is slow-cooking a pork loin roast today. It’s only an hour in and the smell is already overwhelmingly incredible!!! That lunch I had might not have been enough to tide me over.
Hopefully, India brings a nice return this offseason. I think the Reds need someone to fill the leadership vacuum trading him would leave, but he just isn’t the same. Maybe it’s injury related. Regardless, neither he nor Fraley should be playing at this point. Get healthy.
+5,000
I think between Steer, Stephenson, and CES there won’t be any leadership gap. Plus we’ll still have Joey, right? 😛
I sure hope not. And I’ve never heard that he was big on leadership. More the jester than the king.
Sorry, LDS. I forgot to turn off the sarcasm font n that last bit 😀
And I think Mr Greene, as long as he is healthy, is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and not just on the pitchers’ side.
A 3-0 Leo and then a borderline ball 4 call. Could be a very frustrating day if Williamson starts to nibble.
9 pitches to get out of the 1st and now 20+ in the 2nd … I know the Chumpire bears some of the blame, but MAN!!! Quit with the nibbling crap!!
Man Stephenson is a horrible defensive catcher, that is a definite need.
I think he’s average. But that’s just me. I know he’s battling back from an injury and the pitching staff has been challenging. He’ll never but a top-flight defensive catcher, but I think that’s OK. As long as he improves next year.
Dont know if this was mentioned anywhere, but Reds hit the $2 million attendance mark last night….first time since 2015.
Build a better roster next year and win the NL Central and that number will be $2.5 mil +. Fans did their job this year.
There you have it. So for joey
Standing O
+25,000
Got to appreciate the Joey love from the fans. He certainly did.
This game is taking on the feel of one of those weekday matinees everyone wants to get behind them to go wherever they plan to go next.
Probably going to come down to a long ball or off the wall play that scores a run or 2.
+500
Certainly feels that way. I’ve got nowhere to go. I’m just biding my time with that slow-cooked, dry-rubbed pig meat smell wafting through my house.
Love the way EDLC runs out every out. Guess he’s not watching his teammates bust it. I think it was Parker who said, you may not hit the ball every time, you may not catch the ball every time and you may not throw the ball every time, but you can hustle every time.
The pitcher has a WHIP approaching 2.0 and an ERA above 8.0 and the Reds have no hits and no runs? And how many times has that happened this year? Far too many to remember.
Pure speculation and it’s probably just me … but something about how Employee #19 is reacting to stuff tells me this is it and he’s chosen to step away quietly and without fanfare. Maybe there’s the classic 1-day contract for the first homestand. But it just feels like we’re at the end of the era.
Nice recovery inning for Williamson
For a “getaway game” Jim Walker, it sure feels like it’s trudging along.
He’s pressing. Took the 3rd strike in his first AB, whiffed at that one. Definitely looks like he’s pressing. And against a guy who he should murder.
Uh oh … 😮
That zone is all over the joint, especially side-to-side!!
You have to think with all the young players coming to The Show who played using the challenge system and with umpires (who are blocked by tenure, not talent) that are used to that system, something has to change soon.
It was trudging without me for the last 20 minutes or so. Grabbed a bite to eat and came back to a 2-0Pirates lead and Farmer pitching and walking the 1st batter I saw him face. Situation normal…..
Reds heads not in the game today…..probably from the loss yesterday when they knew their season has come to an end…..not to mention the embarrassment of losing a 9 run lead
Down 2 in the 5th is not an insurmountable lead … yet it kind of feels that way today. Really need to step it up. I’m thinking Jobu already headed for the offseason … probably at some joint in Tijuana.
Walked him … I know it isn’t every single time but … do we have to do that EVERY SINGLE TIME???????
No hit through 5. Yessireebobber
I have switched over to football mode. Only checking in here from time to time. For those who are interested (sorry, I am not a Bengals fan), the Browns are up 20-3 on the Titans in the 3rd quarter.
Football only happens on Saturdays for my house. This is the only option unless I bail completely.
So earlier my math was off (I cannot brain today. I think I have the dumb.) when I said what we needed to go .500. I was corrected (appropriately, thanks) and acknowledged I felt much better about it. Now … not so much. The guys just look out of it to this point today. That’s the kind of thing that carries over and the Guardrails aren’t going to show us any mercy. Heaven knows the WLB Dirty Birds would like little more than to completely thrash us to finish 2023.
Need to get these guys out and stop thinking about scoring … just score.
At this point I can easily see us losing out the season…..but don’t forget we’re better than everyone thought we were. lol
That kind of losing streak would be beyond epic … probably topping the infamous 2021 collapse.
Of course, again, there is now way it is ALL the fault of David Bell. However when you have one of your hottest hitters sitting the bench after you’ve lost 5 of 6 in a pennant race…..it’s just beyond STUPID.
Appears Buck (and others) have studied their copies of last season’s book, “Mr. Mahle Won’t Throw Strikes” … I’m on the edge of a Clete.
I won’t because of Joey, but still. It’s only the handedness that makes this pitching change. HDTBell is a batter too late.
Reverse jinx.. reds being no hit. tell everyone.
It worked. Jon singles.
Watching Friedl field that 0-2 hit just now allowed by Farmer, I wonder how a guy like TJ who has been busting his butt all week really feels inside about these sad sack relievers the Reds keep running to the mound.
Even more, I wonder how he feels about an organization that talked loudly in public about supporting the team on the field at the deadline and then abandoned it to rot on the vine.
Yes
It looks Louisville has broken the Bell curse and will finish at 75-73, taking 3 of 4 from Iowa. Barrero misses his 20-20 and McLain pulled after 2 ABs though I can’t find any indication of an injury.
Meanwhile, In Cincinnati? The Reds can’t buy a hit or apparently take 1 of 3 from the Pirates. One 12 game winning streak and three 6 game losing streaks so far. At this point, they’ll hit 5 today and face Cleveland on Tuesday on the road.
Not that unusual for a guy to play partial games on a rehab, especially on a Sunday (and last day of the season to boot).
Just in terms of logistics, even if the Reds are not flying to Cleveland until sometime tomorrow McLain may have personal season end business he wants to get squared away ahead that and wanted to get back to Cincy ASAP.
Barrero still had an amazing half season.
And where was Sam Moll last night when the Reds needed relief with 2 on and no outs in the 6th???
This last week has been a personification of the saying, “A day late and a dollar short” for the Reds
Seems to be.
TJ Friedl is your every day CF folks. End of story. What a year. Write his name in the lineup every day in the 2 hole.
At minimum, he’s out there with a re-invented ECLC. But he’s shown his every day mettle this season for sure.
Whether elly plays SS or 3b or cf, he cant hit left handed pitching whatsoever, so that enters into the equation. He has a lot of hitting ground to cover. His numbers against lefties are horrific.
No…we’ll cross our fingers everyday and hope, due to Bell’s consistently dumb starting lineups and batting orders.
And TJ says a solid “No!” to the no-no.
Cowboy saying that first hit by India is key as it rattled the pitcher and got him out of cruise control.
Friedl ain’t done yet.
Friedl is a keeper. No intimidation in that man. He’s a gamer. Two run homer to tie it.
Now if only they don’t choke yet again. If I’m Pittsburgh, I’d bring in a LHP. It will force Bell to react. Then it’s smooth sailing.
If CBJ stay in the hockey tank and don’t hold my full interest, I may ask Doug if he would be interested in a series examining platoons. 😉
And as you predicted, here is the Pirates LHP
Sounds like a good series. Throw in pinch hitting, e.g. an update to the Book, which at the time showed that pinch hitting actually reduced run expectations.
I’m not faulting CES for trying to make that happen. Have to believe House had a hand in it. SS was pouting and the opportunity was there. Stinks that it didn’t work.
OK, maybe House didn’t send him after all. I still don’t mind it.
The speed of CES is underrated.
Sims, because Moll needed his juice box and orange slice?
Nah, because 7 pitches is a lot and he may be needed on Tuesday. Besides he uses the wrong arm.
Browns now up 27-3 (sorry Bengals’ fans — sort of).
This is a Cincinnati reds fan site owned by Doug Gray who allows fans to comment on all things Reds baseball. It’s not a Cleveland browns football site nor is it an Ohio State Football site. Take that elsewhere.
Calm down. I am a Reds fan as well. Have been since the early 70s. In fact, I have always, and more ardently, been a Reds fan vs. being a Browns fan. Been through the worst, and the occasional best with the Reds. But I don’t have to justify myself to anyone. God bless and have a great day, win or lose.
I believe I linked my OSU comments to the Reds by suggesting David Bell might be able to learn some pointers about leading a sports team from Ryan Day 😉
That you did. And it was a good suggestion, too.
Nah, age may be catching up with us but there were a whole passel of folks in SW and Central OH raised from the crib as Brownie fans who never saw the need to convert to a franchise that just wanted to ride on the Browns coattails and couldn’t even come up with its own color scheme or original helmets for years.
Thanks Jim. Lots of connections, obviously, between the Browns and Bengals — not the least of them being that each was founded by the same man. And yes, I am very cognizant (as are most Browns fans, who have their own brand of suffering), that the Bengals have at least appeared in three Super Bowls — which is three more than the Browns.
In any event, I was speaking from an OHIO perspective. Go Reds!
Nothing to do with the Reds.
OS>>> My true feelings on this issue are much as yours. I have other outlets for other interests but I just don’t cotton to folks who seem to think all Reds fans are also fans of other Cincy teams; so, I speak my mind to remind of that from time to time.
Held my breath with India being more than a little gimpy … but TJ does it again!!
Talked about trading India earlier today and it looks like he and Friedl are the only ones to show today – so far.
Ain’t that the truth?
Friedl again! JB where are you? 🙂
On a side note I’ve been somewhat following Jacob Hurtibise in AAA. Here’s an article on him.
https://blogredmachine.com/posts/reds-strong-arizona-fall-league-performance-could-propel-jacob-hurtibise-2024-opening-day-roster?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=c3a8b03aa4675c74ec4c35e25be58c93e3c61b5ef7e6fc8f70a8923b59647687
Forget where I read it in the last week or so but I saw an article that Hurtibise had been seen as a solid midrange floor but lower ceiling guy than some of their other OF prospects. However his work at Louisville has earned him a look in the AFL to go up against high ceiling guys.
Friedl still ain’t done yet.
CES finishing strong!! Wow. we got our next first baseman.
CES BLAST and a hit for Employee #19!!!!
Bullet right up the middle. This crowd may not quiet down as Stewie goes in to PR.
I’m a little choked up 😮
So is Joey
Bell with the “Chef’s kiss” with that pinch-runner.
CES #4 hitter of the future.
CES is a player. India and Friedl showed up today as well. Now Votto (swan song?). Despite their faults and shortcomings, I love the “never give up” in this team.
Somebody on the Bally TV feed tell me, did Sadak lose the power of speech with Joey’s hit?
Nice comeback. Still alive — barely. Votto?
Wow! Win feels very good after the swamp we’ve been in. If this is Joey’s swan song at GABP, it’s great to go out with a win.
+1000
Maybe Votto should announce his retirement while his average is still above .200!
Stay Classy Doc
STILL alive!!
80 wins and counting.
First game of a six game winning streak in the books.
CES come up big again.
2024 should be fun.
Who predicted back in February/March this team would win 80 games, at least?
… Bueller, Bueller…?
Controversy follows every team, but as Reds fans we have a lot to look forward to.
Wow – Joey Votto is a class act. What a joy it’s been to watch him play baseball.
+100,000
ABSOLUTELY
+$1 Million
That post-game with Day just caps it. I’ll stick it out for the last 5 games. If we get a miracle, so be it. But it’s been a great 17-year ride with Employee #19. And it’s been quite the rollercoaster in 2023.
Teared me up. And I’m an old fart.
Enjoyed #19 showing his Cincy heart, team heart!