What a great playoff series that was between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees. It took five games, but the Tigers finally prevailed and sent the Yankees home for this season.
For baseball fans it seems like you are either rooting for the Yankees or against them. This year I was against them, I'm tired of them buying their pennants and championships every year. I was glad to see them exit the playoffs early this year. Although in the past I have rooted for the Yankees, but that is only when they are playing against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are probably the team I hate the most, because they dominated the National League during the 1990s and beat the Reds for the 1995 National League Pennant.
Now I hope the Diamondbacks beat the Brewers, which is another team I can't stand. It's not because I don't like their current players, it's because the Brewers have been a team that has been a thrown in the Reds side all season and in seasons past.
I think the Brewers have a really good and balanced team this year. They have Rickie Weeks who can be an explosive leadoff hitter, and with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitting back to back they can always knock in a lot of runs.
So far this years playoffs have been very exciting and I can't wait to watch more games.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Votto Lob
I'm so tired of watching Joey Votto causally lob the baseball instead of giving a good strong throw. He's done it too many times this season, and sometimes it has cost the Reds a run or even a game. I know it cost Zack Cozart a trip to the disabled list, and he was lucky it; it could have been a more serious injury.
I'm sure Votto didn't mean to throw the ball right into where the runner was coming, but he should have at least thrown the ball higher since it was a force out. I know Votto has been improving on his defense, but his throws have seem to gone down hill this year.
I don't recall seeing so many poorly thrown balls from Votto in a season before. He is still the Reds best hitter, but now I cringe when I see a bunt bounding Votto's way or any ground ball that he fields.
Another player that seems to have several defensive miscues is Jay Bruce. It seems like he isn't giving his full effort and will sometimes drop an easy fly ball or let one fall in for a hit that he could have caught.
I do love watching Brandon Phillips play defense. He is probably one of the best second baseman of all time. He has tremendous range and a great throwing arm. I hope the Reds can sign him to a long term deal over the winter this year.
I'm sure Votto didn't mean to throw the ball right into where the runner was coming, but he should have at least thrown the ball higher since it was a force out. I know Votto has been improving on his defense, but his throws have seem to gone down hill this year.
I don't recall seeing so many poorly thrown balls from Votto in a season before. He is still the Reds best hitter, but now I cringe when I see a bunt bounding Votto's way or any ground ball that he fields.
Another player that seems to have several defensive miscues is Jay Bruce. It seems like he isn't giving his full effort and will sometimes drop an easy fly ball or let one fall in for a hit that he could have caught.
I do love watching Brandon Phillips play defense. He is probably one of the best second baseman of all time. He has tremendous range and a great throwing arm. I hope the Reds can sign him to a long term deal over the winter this year.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Reds Won't Repeat Playoffs
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.
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.
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.
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