Tonight the Cincinnati Reds play game 2 of their current 3 game series versus the homestanding Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds suffered a third consecutive loss in the series opener yesterday. However, a timely loss by the Chicago Cubs spared the Reds from falling to last place in the NL Central. Is it too much to hope the Reds begin a trek back toward respectability this evening?
Starting Lineups
| REDS SP: Nick Lodolo | PIRATES SP: Bailey Falter |
| 1. Stuart Fairchild (CF) 2. Elly De La Cruz (SS) 3. Jeimer Candelario (1B) 4. Spencer Steer (LF) 5. Tyler Stephenson (DH) 6. Jonathan India (2B) 7. Santiago Espinal (3B) 8. Jake Fraley (RF) 9. Luke Maile (C) | 1. Andrew McCutchen (DH) 2. Bryan Reynolds (LF) 3. Connor Joe (1B) 4. Nick Gonzales (2B) 5. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) 6. Edward Olivares (RF) 7. Jared Triolo (SS) 8. Michael A. Taylor (CF) 9. Jason Delay (C) |
At least the Reds have Stephenson’s bat in the lineup; but they are still stuck with a LH hitter who does not hit LH pitching in the lineup. Is he any worse than Blake Dunn?? Maybe not but they need to get a RH hitting bomber somewhere to use in this line up.
Starting Pitchers
Both teams are scheduled to start a lefthanded pitcher. Nick Lodolo is the Reds man with Bailey Falter getting the call for the Pirates.
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB% | K% |
| Nick Lodolo (LH) | 58.1 | 2.93 | 1.63 | 6.2% | 25.6% |
| Bailey Falter (LH) | 72.2 | 3.86 | 1.11 | 6.6% | 16.9% |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Bailey Falter’s Stats | |||||
Nick Lodolo
In Lodolo’s 10 previous 2024 starts, the team has booked 8 wins, including the last 4 in a row. Thus he seems to be an ideal guy for the Reds to have on the mound as they try to snap the current 3 game losing skid. Lodolo’s K% verges on elite territory and is accompanied by a BB% below league average.
Perhaps the only things more the Reds could ask of Lodolo are to extend his longevity within individual games and finding a way or the luck to stay off the injured list.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 193 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 51 | .207 | .285 | .333 |
| LHH | 49 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | .250 | .327 | .273 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Sinker | Change | Slider | ||
| Velo | 94.3 | 94.2 | 88.0 | 81.6 | |
| Usage | 28.2% | 27.0% | 16.9% | 28.0% |
Bailey Falter
Bailey Falter came to the Pirates from the Phillies in a deadline deal last August 1. He is a former 5th round draft choice (2015). From 2021 through 2023, Falter found himself on the cusp between starting and the bullpen. This year he has settled in as a full time starter with the Pirates with 72.1 innings pitched in 13 starts prior to tonight.
Falter appears to pitch to contact as both his K% and BB% are below league average. He also presents as handedness neutral. His slugging against comes in just under .400 from both sides of the plate; and his OPB against is virtually identical from both sides at just under .280.
The Pirates are 3-7 in his last 10 starts including 1-4 in his last 5 starts. However he has 6 no decision starts in 13 starts; and is 3-4 on the year.
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 222 | 44 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 34 | .220 | .277 | .395 |
| LHH | 68 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 15 | .258 | .279 | .394 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Sinker | Change | Slider | Curve | |
| Velo | 91.9 | 91.1 | 86.6 | 86.0 | 77.2 |
| Usage | 51.9% | 15.1 | 0.9% | 14.9% | 16.8 |
Bullpens
Reds
Monday’s starter Carson Spiers hung in for 6 innings. Brent Suter threw 25 pitches to finish out the game and is likely not available tonight. As far as we know, everyone else in the pen should be good to go.
Pirates
The Pirates pen also looks to be in good shape. Three pitchers, one of them old friend Aroldis Chapman, threw an inning each on Monday. However none threw more than 14 pitches; and, none had worked since Saturday or before.
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 89°, partly cloudy, 6% chance of rain
News Worth Noting
For those who may have missed it, TJ Friedl left Monday’s game with a hamstring issue a after making a sliding catch. Here is the latest from beat writer Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati(.) com via X
David Bell on TJ Friedl (hamstring): “He has his strength. He’s in there right now getting hot. There is some tightness. We’ll have to see how it is from hour to hour. As far as availability tonight, it’s a long shot. We’re trying to avoid the IL. If he can be back in the lineup…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 18, 2024
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Milwaukee | 42 | 30 | – |
| St. Louis | 36 | 35 | 5.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 35 | 37 | 7.0 |
| Cincinnati | 34 | 38 | 8.0 |
| Chicago | 34 | 39 | 8.5 |
Ya Fraley makes no sense. Career .522 OPS vs LHP not to mention he sucks as a defender no matter who he is hitting. 0.0 bWAR this year despite hitting .279.
On top of being maybe the worst player as far as running the bases in Major League Baseball… it is what it is.
Well, there’s Benson who is in the dumps with Stephenson, India and Steer seemingly hanging in regression mode after a stellar starts to their careers. But, Fraley remains the mystery. Although he is prone to throw the ball to nobody in particular from the outfield and start/stop running on the bases for no particular reason, I thought he had found a sold plate approach that would largely mollify his other shortcomings. Sadly, the power and the clutch hits just haven’t come and he has had very little impact at all this season. It must also be tough to play every third day or so.
Maybe what’s going on with Fraley’s power output on the heels of him “playing through” that foot injury that “couldn’t be made any worse” in 2023 should be a cautionary note for those suggesting CES should just suck it up and play through his wrist/ hand/ tendon injury that can’t be made any worse????
I wouldn’t think it’s Fraley’s toe still, since his sprint speed is a career best 28.3 up from last years 28.0. His power outage probably has more to do with his launch angle this year of 9.5 compared to his 14.6 lifetime.
@Tom>> I believe what happens when players are playing with a significant injury is that they may change things, at times even subconsciously, to compensate for the pain or loss of movement range from the injury. And sometimes they then struggle to recapture their previous groove. I have no way of knowing this is part of Fraley’s issue but then again it well might explain the change in his launch angle.
They aren’t the only ones in regression mode.
Corbin Carrol is slashing .213/.302/.310 (OPS .612).
That’s down from .285/.362/.506 (OPS .868) last year. He has 2 HR’s v. 25 in 2023, and 12 SB’s v. 54 last year.
I think Dunn deserved a longer cup of coffee.
Heavy sigh …
Here’s to a nearly perfect game from Lodolo.
Where are you visiting tonight Mark. I’ve been trying to decide whether to become a traveler. I’ve signed on with the good ship Nord but so far I am using bypass mode to watch via Bally.
I don’t need to travel to watch the game tonight. Sitting here in my comfy chair in my house outside of Raleigh. If I don’t go to DC in person in about a month, I’ll have to travel to see those games.
My streaming service carries Marquee. I was going to watch one of the recent Reds/ Cubs game there for the change of pace. However even though I was in Chicago virtually, they blocked me and said to go to the Bally OH stream to watch.
I’m not getting any pregame show whatsoever on MLB.tv
Neither am I and I’ve had in on for awhile now
Same
I am on Bally OH via Fubo and Falter is on the mound taking his final warm ups. So, the game is definitely starting on time.
No signal, for some reason, not even audio
On now. Maybe they just saved us from listening to Sadak babble some sort of crap.
It’s incredible how the Reds hitters seems to help the rival pitcher to be efficient on his pitch count
Why in the world would anyone here ever believe Bell’s report on an injury? He seems to be incapable of simply deferring the conversation until facts are available and simply ad libs so everyone will think he’s in the know.
I do not know if Sheldon or Rosecrans are on this trip or had any sort of remote media access session if they are not; but, neither has “tweeted” or posted elsewhere I am aware of any of the statement he gave to Goldsmith.
He doesn’t have a great record with what he says that’s for sure.
Wow, three strikes called as balls… insane
Bounced into two DPs already. Looking good guys.
I didn’t realize this wasn’t a 7:10 start. Tuned in just in time to see the 3rd out in our half of the 2nd.
Oppo-Ty forgets what his best stroke is.
Especially with runners on.
Fraley against lefties in 2024
.300/.323/.400/.723
Reds have 4 infielders listed on their 26 man roster
Candelario elly india and Espinal
Maile is backup catcher
They have 7 outfielders and friedl is hurt. Fraley is the right call
Benson isnt
Martini isnt
Herd of bees isnt
Friedl is unavailable
Dems da facts folks
Yep. I should have made it clear I was questioning why Dunn was swapped out for an additional LH hitting OF.
I agree that Dunn makes more sense than Martini or Hurtubise. But I think we are dealing with 26th man minutia here. Swapping out one 190 hitter for another doesn’t move the dial imo.
“At least the Reds have Stephenson’s bat in the lineup; but they are still stuck with a LH hitter who does not hit LH pitching in the lineup. Is he any worse than Blake Dunn?? Maybe not but they need to get a RH hitting bomber somewhere to use in this line up.”
We definitely need SOMEONE who can hit decently both righties and lefties who can play every day. A “RH hitting bomber” would be best. 🙂
Fraley 10 hits in 31 ABs against LHP this year. He must be getting lucky a lot.
I’d be happy if Fraley could turn into an everyday player. Even if he could I don’t think Bell would let him. 🙂
Nice inning from Nick. Blast to the wall didn’t bite anybody.
As a native from Kentucky and Florida transplant, I will definitely be watching UK’s CWS elimination game against Florida tonight!
Will check in from time to time to see what new, creative way Bell’s misfits will lose tonight!
Hope I’m wrong and we can right the ship and get back to winning games against a Division rival! Have faith in Lodolo but the offense, not so much!
A&M kind of schooled them last night. Tough to have to play for your life tonight after that.
My oldest son’s alma mater, Florida State University, did win their elimination game against North Carolina to live another day!
Just saw the UK versus Florida game was postponed. Yay! Now I get to watch the modern-day version of the Keystone Cops, better known as the 2024 Reds!
MLB Umps are just FAT Garbage…I could tell Fraley was safe in Real Time….Just pathetic GARBAGE OVERPAID Fata33es
Well that was a completely ridiculous call. Chumpire must have been napping.
And NYC blew that one as well.
That was close on the Fraley call. Looks more safe than out to me.
Not based on what I saw. He was in there ahead of the tag.
Why no challenge from Bell?
He did challenge it. They let it stand. Huge miss by the Chumpire and then NYC.
Thank you Mark. Gameday doesn’t show the challenge
Jake was called out, but if he slides to the outer edge of the bag (fundamental), he’s safe all day.
He’s the worst baserunner, fundamentally, on the team.
Finally watched the replay of this and you are exactly right…another one of those fundamentals that an MLB player somehow fails to do correctly. It is mind boggling
And none of it matters after all.
So de la Cruz call gets overturned last night and fraley doesn’t. Got it. Straight up ridiculous
What is the point of replay if they get it wrong? Fraley was safe, not close
De La Cruz play lastnight as well
+500
Another DP. They are hot tonight.
3 DP in 3 innings…..here’s an idea….how about a hit & run??????
Guys swing and miss too much.
Who and What??? I don’t believe that’s in the modern playbook our Mr. Bell uses.
We might want to stop rolling the ball over to the 3B guy. Just a thought. 😉 Three DPs already?
Thank God Fraley got thrown out. Might have been a triple play.
😀
Incredible, three double-plays and a stealing caught in three innings …
An impressive team, no question. And after 3 innings the Pirates pitcher only has 38 pitches. What a free swinging team.
# double plays and a caught stealing in three innings! No sacrifice bunts? No hitting behind the runner, no hitting the ball the other way? Stinko baseball so far.
3 GIDP and one TOOTBLAN! Yep, the plan is working!
I don’t really count that as a TOOTBLAN. I still say he was safe and they completely blew the call.
At least we haven’t struckout yet. 😉
There it is.
Spoke too soon. 🙂
What an inning. Man reaches and is caught stealing. Another man reaches and a GIDP to end the inning results.
These other teams turn GIDPs with ELDC or Fairchild running on the back end that the Reds can’t turn against average or slow runners.
Yeah
Reds are TERRIBLE at turning the double play, resulting in many extra outs for the opponent. Have to believe they’re at or near the bottom of mlb in turning two.
Let’s see if we’re lucky enough to get the 3rd out here without a run scoring.
OK. I believe we’ll take that as a result. 6 inning game now.
Nice job by Nick to get out of that mess!
Brian Reynolds is like a Pirates Ian Happ version
Exactly what I was thinking. Good player that looks like a hall of famer against the Reds.
This O seriously sucks
No DP’s that inning. They are getting better.
Improvement. 🙂
Adding insult to injury, The WLW audio feed is muted and I now have Sadak’s voice to deal with. At least he doesn’t have Mr. Silent by his side and I get to hear Cowboy.
At least Cowboy and Sam more often than not “tell it like it is”. They both sound like they could manage.
5 inning game. Lodolo fanning 6 so far and looking very sharp that inning.
This game don’t like to me so far….
i seem to be getting Cinci commercials on my broadcast
I’m getting some local Raleigh ones and even a Cincy one with Steer.
Espinal good there for at least on AB. 🙂 HR!
You mean now you get to watch Jonathan India praising Bell every few innings about how awesome his laid back managing is? Lucky you. 😉
its reds highlights every other commercial
At least Lodolo is pitching well. 🙂
Well, Ty wend oppo at least …
Espinal flexing
ESPINALLL blasssst!!!!
Espy knew that was gone.
Yeah and it was almost robbed lol.
Yep. Almost. lol
Sadak with his man crush on Espinal … and it gets validated with that little shot over the fence.
😀
We turn over the line-up this inning regardless now.
Now, can we hold the lead?
The way Lodolo is pitching perhaps he can go 7-8 tonight?
That’s how you rob a homer
Let’s remember Steer hasn’t been in LF for quite some time. Nice job tracking and snagging that one in the short corner.
Man. That seems like a short field wall down the line there in left. 325′
It angles back in to that short distance. I believe there are other parks that do the same, but that’s very short down the line.
Nick averaging 12 pitches per inning! That’s how it’s done!
Magic …
Lodolo solid thru 5
Hes been good
First Wife pointing out the lady in the corner where Steer snagged that one. Her reaction was funny.
61 for Nick and now it’s a 4-inning game.
Falter toying with Elly there.
And Candyman racks up another hit.
Hammy tightened up?
Tight hammy and he makes it to 3rd? Or maybe a temporary cramp?
Nice oppo from Steer.
Candelario gets hurt and the Reds might as well close up shop.
If EDLC could just cut down his swing with 2 strikes. But as Bell would say, it’s in his DNA
Candyman hurt? Limping down to 1B. Hope not. Not looking good going to 3B.
Nuts!!!! Right idea from TySteve.
Twice in a row.
And after a foul homer.
Good line drive to RF by Stephenson again. Just right at the fielder.
Good approach…just tough luck….but he is hitting the barrel.
Sure would like to see a few more runs. Especially if we hand it over to the bullpen.
Why? Don’t you TRUST our bullpen? 😉
Candy back out. Hopefully just a cramp.
Let me think about that one Melvin!? Okay I thought about it! NO!!
Can’t believe it. 😀
Falter has given up 14 ER’s in his last 3 starts vs the Reds.
We’ve hit line drives all over the field tonight….The definition of bad luck.
72 pitches after 6 with no runs. This might be the best pitching the Reds have had this year. 🙂
No walks Dennis. 🙂
72 for Nick. Down to a 3-inning game. Figure he gets the 7th regardless. 8th is a possibility at this point.
cgs is a possibility
SHHHH!!!!
Yep. Definitely some hard-hit bad luck.
Another smash by Indy at 98….but an out.
Jake hit it at 108….OUT
Geez man.
What is the rush with the Reds hitters?!
What’s the deal with so many Reds hitters swinging at the first pitch tonight?
Why not?
They are tattooing him…see below
+500 I’m with you. Tag it early and take your chances.
Fraley hit it hard. Well if we’re not going to call anyone up and until we make a trade I don’t see why we can’t try Fraley playing every day. Benson got his shot. Why not Fraley? He’s also a much better Fielder than Benson too.
And Sadak just jinxed it for Nick citing his MiLB and NCAA stats.
xBA by the Reds tonight
.380
Pirates xBA
.146
Wow. Lodolo awesome so far. We need to acquire some offense to take advantage of this good starting pitching.
Solo HR. It’s forgivable.
OK, no pressure for a shut-out now. So I’ll count that as a good thing.
How was that not a strike?
Bizzarro Zone … see my comment below.
Lodolo usually hits guys on their toes. 🙂
Bizzarro Zone making its appearance. Chumpires at 2nd and Home by my count.
And now the wheels start to fall off! Who thinks the Reds bullpen can protect a one run lead?
Hang in there, Dennis.
Lodolo is wearing down.
94 after 7. He may not have much left. if he does go back out he only stays until someone gets on. Bullpen be ready.
Lodolo hasn’t hit any hitter today until Olivares…He completes 7 strong innings, I’m still shocked he surrendered a homer….
Hung it bit. Still didn’t get all of it, but with that short left field wall you don’t have to.
One thing about Espinal…He makes most every catch no matter where he plays.
Nice bunt Fairchild.
Maihle with two hits tonight. If can be decent hitter we can use Stephenson more at DH. That leaves Candy playing he field more though. Maybe he’s improving on defense.
I’ll pass, thanks.
haha 🙂
Cowboy – “Little things. If you can’t execute the sacrifice bunt it’s a problem. “
Every night it’s some sort of fundamental thing that this team can’t do.
That’s really not an exaggeration at all.
Bunts are not bad
Guys who are 4-46 against righties who cant execute a sac bunt are bad
4-47 now
Fairchild is playing himself off this team
Terrible week
He chews a pretty good gum though.
He’s a complete chainsaw after a K.
Candy has to let Elly try to steal…especially on a 1-0 count.
2nd time tonight.
He was hurt and knew coming out of the game so just tried to hit one out and get out of the game
these next 6 outs are the difference between getting this season somewhat back on track or going off the rails with 4 straight L’s and beginning the drive off the cliff
So Candy out. We playing with 11 position guys tomorrow?
We’re always playing short it seems even when everyone healthy.
Those guys are sweating like crazy. Must be really hot and humid.
Excessive heat warnings here. 95 the whole week. Humid as heck.
Cruz? Wth! Sims hurt?
Walk…Dennis, where ya at?
Well at least we didn’t walk the FIRST batter this time….just the second. 😉
Good catch by Fairchild. Turns into a DP. I have no problem with him as the 5th outfielder.
Pirates tootblan. Welcome to the club guys.
OK, that was fun to watch. Almost surprised Elly didn’t take it to 1st himself … 😛
Bad baserunning and its not the reds!!!
3 outs to go
Diaz for sure
Dennis take a nitro now and meditate
Stuey with a nice grab.
I don’t have access to the game live, so please don’t tell me that Diaz is warming up.
Okay. I won’t tell ya. 🙂
Oh no.
@ jason
Crickets
Yep.
Zoinks!
I’m right there with you Dennis. My wife has already dialed 9-1- on the cellphone! 🙂
😀
Cutch wanted to make sure he scored on a double.
Hard to fault him there.
Worked out good for us.
He’s not as fast as he used to be and he knows it.
TS finally got something for his hard hitting. Double! 🙂
Nice swat and heads-up running from Tyler. Martini last man sitting on the bench with Friedl out tonight.
Another reason we need Jordan and/or Soto up with them both being able to play most anywhere. Need more versatility with a short bench.
Time for some more Espinal magic.
I’ll take it if it happens. 🙂
Well Double Nuts!!!
Everybody buckle up.
Well, everything will be on Díaz’s arm in a 1-run game… Hold your bu…
Does Diaz walk the first batter?
No but he almost hit him. 🙂
Swung at ball 3
With this ump he might have swung at ball 4 as well
$100 says yes.
It’s okay, I’ll make money in the long run with that bet.
It’s an investment. 😉
It’s the light-hitting Suwinski … he’s try his best.
Sadak says 10 out of 28 times the first guy reaches.
But not this time! 😀
Alright Diaz! Kd the first batter! Two more. 🙂
It’s a Pittsburg-Diaz miracle.
And this one belongs to the Reds!!!
Good play by EDLC. One more! 🙂
….and we got it! 🙂
So the Reds might be without Friedl,Candy and maybe Martini(hand) tomorrow.
What happened to Candy?
May have tweaked something. Possible hammy. Maybe a cramp, but they didn’t dump fluids in him. So who knows?
If Martini can’t go, they need to IL him. I get not doing it with the other two. But take us down to a 10-man position roster? That’s unacceptable.
Sounds like it is time to call up Dunn or Soto then?
I agree… They should put Martini on IL unless Candy could play tomorrow…
Well the good news is David Bell couldn’t switch anyone out in the late innings that way. 🙂
“Sounds like it is time to call up Dunn or Soto then?”
Dunn has more potential but has not hit will in AAA this year either. Jordan and Soto have and both can play both infield/outfield. We’ll see. Something has to be done. Krall will probably do the “comfortable” thing. 🙂
Haha good point Melvin
Flash that 1,000-watt smile, Elly. It was a nice play.
And Hayes checks into a weak tapper to end it.
REDS WIN!! Lodolo is a stopper…
But the offense is down again…
Candy exited in the 8th is concerning
Clean inning.
Hasn’t happened much (ever?) this year.
Take the series tomorrow.
I’ll be there for Boston on Fri and Sat.
Does seem rare … but we’ll take it.
This is his 8th clean outing. Last one was 6 days ago against Cleveland.
@VAREDSFAN I hope you enjoy your visit to the Queen City.
Thank you sir!
Unbelievable! My supplemental oxygen lasted longer than Diaz! Been a long time since we got a one run win on the road!
hahaha 😀