After watching the Brewers series and the Pirates series I think it is pretty save to say that the Reds won't be making it to the playoffs this season. The Reds reside in four team race for the National League Central division. I don't see the other three teams faltering that much except for maybe the Pirates.
The series against the Brewers I think the Reds could have easily won three out of four instead of one. I couldn't believe Dusty Baker sent Cordero out three games in a row and he blew two of those saves. I wished he had used Masset for that last game. The Pirate series really highlighted the Reds great pitching and their offensive holes.
Meanwhile the Reds can't seem to get it together this season. Most of the games I watch it feels like they might have a really strong pitching performance but the offense never clicks in or vise verse. it seems they are never firing on all cylinders.
Problems:
Jay Bruce had a monster May but the team record was a measly 14 wins against 15 losses. Bruce has had a pretty mediocre season if you take away May.
Joey Votto has no protection and is pitched around at least once or twice every game. He is among the league leader in walks.
Scott Rolen has had a lackluster season and doesn't seem to have the same home run power.
Bronson Arroyo is giving up too many homers in each of his starts.
Hope:
Cozart is looking like a good replacement for Jansih.
Dontrelle Willis has had two solid starts since being called up.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Reds Looking Ragged Before Break
Seriously the All-Star break can't come soon enough. Before tonight's game they have a five hundred record. This just isn't good enough. I didn't expect the Reds to run away with the division, but I did expect them to be hovering around five hundred either.
To be honest I haven't even watched a game since Arroyo's start where he gave up three home runs to the supposedly light batting Indians and their injury plagued roster. It's just too painful to watch either the starting pitching gives the opposing team an early lead or the Reds batters can't hit with runners in scoring position. Dusty seems to like leaving his starting pitchers in games for too long. I was shocked when they actually won a series against an American League team.
I think they really need a wake-up call. I hate calling players out, but I'm tired of watching Stubbs strike-out two times a night.
Right now I am disgusted. This year has so far proved to be a big disappointment, and if things continue on their current path the Reds will end the season buried deep in fourth place below the Pirates. At least I still have the memories of the 2010 season.
To be honest I haven't even watched a game since Arroyo's start where he gave up three home runs to the supposedly light batting Indians and their injury plagued roster. It's just too painful to watch either the starting pitching gives the opposing team an early lead or the Reds batters can't hit with runners in scoring position. Dusty seems to like leaving his starting pitchers in games for too long. I was shocked when they actually won a series against an American League team.
I think they really need a wake-up call. I hate calling players out, but I'm tired of watching Stubbs strike-out two times a night.
Right now I am disgusted. This year has so far proved to be a big disappointment, and if things continue on their current path the Reds will end the season buried deep in fourth place below the Pirates. At least I still have the memories of the 2010 season.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thank Goodness for the Cubs
I love it when the Cubs come to town. The last couple of years their team has been full of older starish players that aren't trying that hard and are over paid. The Reds have been doing terrible lately, and I'm glad I can watch them play the Cubs and beat them soundly pretty often.
It seems like lately if the Reds can find a way to lose it they will some how manage it. I couldn't believe the game against the Dodgers, that game-tying grand slam was unbelievable. Then they went on to lose in extra innings.
The eight-teen inning game against the Phillies was almost as dramatic. But this time it was mostly a mental mistake that cost the Reds this game and forced them to go through most of their bullpen.
One bright spot has been Jay Bruce who was named National League player of the month for May 2011. He has really turned it around during that month and at one point he was leading the league in Home runs.
It's unfortunate that the starting pitching has been terrible this year. I'm starting to wonder if 2010 was just a Cinderella season, and it might be the case if the starters don't get healthy.
It seems like lately if the Reds can find a way to lose it they will some how manage it. I couldn't believe the game against the Dodgers, that game-tying grand slam was unbelievable. Then they went on to lose in extra innings.
The eight-teen inning game against the Phillies was almost as dramatic. But this time it was mostly a mental mistake that cost the Reds this game and forced them to go through most of their bullpen.
One bright spot has been Jay Bruce who was named National League player of the month for May 2011. He has really turned it around during that month and at one point he was leading the league in Home runs.
It's unfortunate that the starting pitching has been terrible this year. I'm starting to wonder if 2010 was just a Cinderella season, and it might be the case if the starters don't get healthy.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Streaky Season
The Reds have been extremely streaky so far in this young 2011 season. They started out by winning the first five games, and they have continued to be streaky ever since. They started the month of May by winning eleven games and only losing two.
But then the Pirates came to town, and they put the Reds batters on ice. After winning five or six in a row the Reds have now lost four in a row including today's game against the Indians. The starters have been pretty good recently especially with the return of Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto.
It seems like their hitters are out of sync with Votto hitting into a couple double plays, or the opposing team walks Votto and the other hitters can't get the runners home. Gomes continues to struggle, and I don't think he deserves to start anymore. Bruce seems to be getting in his groove at least.
The Reds did sweep the Cardinals pretty convincingly in Cincinnati over last weekend, but the Cards bounced back pretty well and have gone on a winning streak of their own by defeating the Phillies. It looks like the Cardinals are going to be in the hunt for first all season long.
It's been a very exciting season so far and I hope the Reds continue to win and stay competitive.
But then the Pirates came to town, and they put the Reds batters on ice. After winning five or six in a row the Reds have now lost four in a row including today's game against the Indians. The starters have been pretty good recently especially with the return of Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto.
It seems like their hitters are out of sync with Votto hitting into a couple double plays, or the opposing team walks Votto and the other hitters can't get the runners home. Gomes continues to struggle, and I don't think he deserves to start anymore. Bruce seems to be getting in his groove at least.
The Reds did sweep the Cardinals pretty convincingly in Cincinnati over last weekend, but the Cards bounced back pretty well and have gone on a winning streak of their own by defeating the Phillies. It looks like the Cardinals are going to be in the hunt for first all season long.
It's been a very exciting season so far and I hope the Reds continue to win and stay competitive.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cueto and Bailey Make Excellent Returns
The two pitchers that started on the disabled list this season were Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. This past week they both returned and had great starts. I was glad to see that Bailey's excellent rehab performances transferred over to the big leagues. I didn't see Bailey's game, but I watched some of Cueto's pitching against the Cubs.
Cueto's pitching wasn't as spectacular as Bailey's but he had a good game especially since he didn't give up any runs. The Cubs did load the bases and it seemed like he was having a little trouble with controlling his off-speed pitches. He did let some Cubs base runners on almost every inning from walks or ground ball singles, but it didn't look like the Cubs were able to get good wood on the ball.
These guys are usually pretty good inning eaters. They are able to pitch much further into a game than Sam LeCure and Mike Leake could. I'm glad they decided to put LeCure in the bullpen. I'm not sure what they are going to do with Leake maybe use him as an emergency starter.
If both of these players continue to pitch well I think the Reds rotation just became a lot stronger, and the Reds might be able to put some series wins together and retake first place.
Cueto's pitching wasn't as spectacular as Bailey's but he had a good game especially since he didn't give up any runs. The Cubs did load the bases and it seemed like he was having a little trouble with controlling his off-speed pitches. He did let some Cubs base runners on almost every inning from walks or ground ball singles, but it didn't look like the Cubs were able to get good wood on the ball.
These guys are usually pretty good inning eaters. They are able to pitch much further into a game than Sam LeCure and Mike Leake could. I'm glad they decided to put LeCure in the bullpen. I'm not sure what they are going to do with Leake maybe use him as an emergency starter.
If both of these players continue to pitch well I think the Reds rotation just became a lot stronger, and the Reds might be able to put some series wins together and retake first place.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Scott Rolen Placed on Disabled List
The Reds lineup took a hit today with the announcement that third baseman Scott Rolen is placed on the fifteen day disabled list effective April 20th. This is very bad news for the Reds. They seem to be struggling at the plate this last week and a half.
Joey Votto is going to need an effective hitter behind, and I don't think Gomes and Bruce don't fit the number four spot. Especially with the way they have both been slumping at the plate. Gomes might have six home runs and fifteen runs batted in, but he is batting a paltry .222. Bruce fairs much worse at two homers, eight RBIs, and a .247 average.
It seems like both players aren't performing that well. I've been watching the last few games, and Gomes looks like he is trying to hit everything out of the park. Bruce just doesn't look like he is in the game one hundred percent all the time. He seems to make a few mental mistakes here and there, and I don't know if it's because he is a younger player or what.
If the Reds want to be successful in April and May they will need to rely on their pitching or hope some of their batters get red hot. I know Gomes and Bruce have great potential, I just hope they lock in soon.
Joey Votto is going to need an effective hitter behind, and I don't think Gomes and Bruce don't fit the number four spot. Especially with the way they have both been slumping at the plate. Gomes might have six home runs and fifteen runs batted in, but he is batting a paltry .222. Bruce fairs much worse at two homers, eight RBIs, and a .247 average.
It seems like both players aren't performing that well. I've been watching the last few games, and Gomes looks like he is trying to hit everything out of the park. Bruce just doesn't look like he is in the game one hundred percent all the time. He seems to make a few mental mistakes here and there, and I don't know if it's because he is a younger player or what.
If the Reds want to be successful in April and May they will need to rely on their pitching or hope some of their batters get red hot. I know Gomes and Bruce have great potential, I just hope they lock in soon.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Reds Sweep First Series of 2011
Wow, is really the only word I can think of to describe the first series of 2011 for the Cincinnati Reds.
I was late to opening day and started watching the game on TV around the sixth inning. I saw the Reds were losing and it even further led me to believe that Volquez didn't deserve the opening day start. I watched the game till the end and boy did the Reds make a comeback. Ramon Hernandez's three run homer put the Reds on top with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Reds came back, because it looked like the Milwaukee's closer wasn't ready for the season.
Game two I was also late for and began watching at the top of the second inning so I missed Rolens two-run homer, but I would watch it later on the Reds website. Travis Wood cruised through the first third of the game and only got into a little bit of trouble during the middle innings. He pitched very well though. Cordero received his first save of the season and although he did let one run score he looked pretty good too.
The third game was just a blow out with the Reds scoring over double digits. Ryan Hanigan hit two homers, and Philips and Gomes each had one too. Arroyo looked pretty good too even though he has mono.
It is looking like the Reds are hungry and want to prove that they deserved to go to the playoffs last year.
I was late to opening day and started watching the game on TV around the sixth inning. I saw the Reds were losing and it even further led me to believe that Volquez didn't deserve the opening day start. I watched the game till the end and boy did the Reds make a comeback. Ramon Hernandez's three run homer put the Reds on top with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Reds came back, because it looked like the Milwaukee's closer wasn't ready for the season.
Game two I was also late for and began watching at the top of the second inning so I missed Rolens two-run homer, but I would watch it later on the Reds website. Travis Wood cruised through the first third of the game and only got into a little bit of trouble during the middle innings. He pitched very well though. Cordero received his first save of the season and although he did let one run score he looked pretty good too.
The third game was just a blow out with the Reds scoring over double digits. Ryan Hanigan hit two homers, and Philips and Gomes each had one too. Arroyo looked pretty good too even though he has mono.
It is looking like the Reds are hungry and want to prove that they deserved to go to the playoffs last year.
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