16 Jul 11
Originally posted by shortcircuitWasn't his best; "only" 96 MPH. He walked Rasmus and went 2-0 on Albert then grooved one. He has to throw strikes consistently like anybody else to be effective.
Did you see what Pujols did with Chapman's fastball late in the game.
Phillips saved them with the walk-off homer.
Pirates in first place for the first time in how many years?
Clint Hurdle has to be in a horse race with Terry Collins for M-O-T-Y honors.
With Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, St.Louis and Cincy all playing well, that may be the best
division race in baseball, surpassing the AL East.
BP might have saved the season for us, but the next two with the Cards and then 3 against the Pirates are huge. If we go at least 3-2, we're right in this thing.
17 Jul 11
Win 2 out of three against the Cards with Homer Bailey coming up big today and Coco finally remembering how to close a game (getting the St. Louis Big Three of Pujols, Holliday and Berkman 1-2-3 in the 9th). Cozart our rookie call up at SS hit his first major league HR and is now a sizzling 10 for 25 (.400).
Three big games in Pittsburgh followed by a 10 game home-stand. Time to make a run.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by no1marauderI think they ran for the exits.
Win 2 out of three against the Cards with Homer Bailey coming up big today and Coco finally remembering how to close a game (getting the St. Louis Big Three of Pujols, Holliday and Berkman 1-2-3 in the 9th). Cozart our rookie call up at SS hit his first major league HR and is now a sizzling 10 for 25 (.400).
Three big games in Pittsburgh followed by a 10 game home-stand. Time to make a run.
29 Jul 11
Originally posted by shortcircuitCertainly getting swept at home by the Mets pretty much kills any chance of the Reds winning the division. The team has been a puzzling disappointment though injuries have certainly been a factor.
I think they ran for the exits.
Unlike whodey, I'm not going to blame the sub-par results on two guys; one who has virtually the same numbers as last year (Stubbs) and one doing significantly better (Bruce). Certainly the pitching hasn't been as good as expected with Volquez a total loss, Arroyo having his worst year as a Red and Travis Wood not progressing. The bullpen's had its ups and downs with Masset not pitching well, Chapman being totally ineffective in stretches and Coco blowing two big games against the Brewers right before the break. Offensively the team has been pretty good despite getting very poor production at SS (before Cozart came up and he promptly got hurt while hitting .324), 3B (Rolen looks like his shoulder hasn't healed and is now on the DL) and in LF (where Gomes hit a miserable .211 before being traded. Still they are among the league leaders in most offensive categories so that hasn't been the main issue.
If I was Jocketty, I'd start playing a few more of the youngsters: Frazier at 3B, Yonder in LF and I'd probably trade Hernandez and give blue chip C prospect Mesoraco most of the PT at C (reportedly he was "untouchable" even in a Jimenez trade). Who knows; maybe they could kick start the team like Stubbs did two years ago when they finished 27-13. There doesn't seem to be much to lose at this point.
29 Jul 11
Originally posted by no1marauderHell, at least they have a bright nucleus. In Houston we can't wait for the new owner
Certainly getting swept at home by the Mets pretty much kills any chance of the Reds winning the division. The team has been a puzzling disappointment though injuries have certainly been a factor.
Unlike whodey, I'm not going to blame the sub-par results on two guys; one who has virtually the same numbers as last year (Stubbs) and one d ...[text shortened]... ars ago when they finished 27-13. There doesn't seem to be much to lose at this point.
to take over so he can fire that idiot Ed Wade.
I also hope that dolt doesn't trade Hunter Pence.
It would be easier to trade Michael Bourne with Jason Bourgeois basically the same
player waiting in return.
Carlos Lee is also a load no one wants.
Trade Wandy Rodriguez too.
I just hope we don't lose 100 games, but is looking more and more like we will.
Wonder who the number one pick will be next season???
01 Aug 11
2 edits
Originally posted by no1marauderI never intended to blame the whole mess on Bruce and Stubbs. In fact, I would agree that pitching is what has done them in. I would add that both Stubbs and Bruce need to get a clue if they are going to make a legitimate run with good pitching, however.
Certainly getting swept at home by the Mets pretty much kills any chance of the Reds winning the division. The team has been a puzzling disappointment though injuries have certainly been a factor.
Unlike whodey, I'm not going to blame the sub-par results on two guys; one who has virtually the same numbers as last year (Stubbs) and one d ars ago when they finished 27-13. There doesn't seem to be much to lose at this point.
What I find puzzling is the fact that they brought up youngsters like Yonder, but refuse to play them consistantly. Why? They would be better off hitting ever day in the minors.
All I know is that the Reds have a limited time to figure it out. When Votto's contract runs out he will probably be wearing Yankee pin stripes.
Inexplicably, the Reds are still in the race, now that they have swept the Giants and could possibly do so in Houston and then in Chicago. All I know is that this division is terrible. Whoever reluctantly wins it will probably lose first round.
01 Aug 11
1 edit
Originally posted by shortcircuitThe D-Backs have moved into contention with a record of 59-49 with a team ERA slightly worse then the Reds.
Hummmm, it appears you were a tad mistaken when you said this as well.
A) The Reds won't win it this year.
B) Apparently you do need pitching to win.
What's killed us lately is the inexplicable bad record in one run games.
Just when I'm totally ready to count them out, the Reds do something like sweep the defending champions. Their next 16 games are against sub-.500 clubs (except one three game set with the Bucs), so a run is possible. The Cards and Brewers have a bunch of games left with each other, so perhaps they can knock each other around.
02 Aug 11
Originally posted by no1marauderTrue enough, but those same Diamondbacks also got JJ Putz back, traded
The D-Backs have moved into contention with a record of 59-49 with a team ERA slightly worse then the Reds.
What's killed us lately is the inexplicable bad record in one run games.
Just when I'm totally ready to count them out, the Reds do something like sweep the defending champions. Their next 16 games are against sub ...[text shortened]... ewers have a bunch of games left with each other, so perhaps they can knock each other around.
for Jason Marquis and for Brad Ziegler, so they figure to get much better
in the pitching department.
The Reds did nothing to speak of.
We will see how it plays out, but they better learn how to beat the Pirates quick,
and pray for a lot of help.
02 Aug 11
Originally posted by shortcircuitWe've had a 3.14 ERA so far in the 2nd half. Cueto now leads the majors in ERA.
True enough, but those same Diamondbacks also got JJ Putz back, traded
for Jason Marquis and for Brad Ziegler, so they figure to get much better
in the pitching department.
The Reds did nothing to speak of.
We will see how it plays out, but they better learn how to beat the Pirates quick,
and pray for a lot of help.
02 Aug 11
Originally posted by no1marauderAstros 4-3. Red beaters. 😛
The D-Backs have moved into contention with a record of 59-49 with a team ERA slightly worse then the Reds.
What's killed us lately is the inexplicable bad record in one run games.
Just when I'm totally ready to count them out, the Reds do something like sweep the defending champions. Their next 16 games are against sub ...[text shortened]... ewers have a bunch of games left with each other, so perhaps they can knock each other around.
02 Aug 11
Originally posted by SmookiePAs you know, I am not a proponent of the DH, so that would suck.
How do you feel about the Lastro's possible move to the AL?
Just curious, baseball guru.
However, geographic rivalry with the Rangers would be pretty cool.
I wouldn't mind the AL West division as far as competition goes.
While it is far form a done deal, it makes perfect sense for balancing the leagues
into equivalently sized divisions.
But no one has ever accused MLB of doing anything smart.
03 Aug 11
Originally posted by shortcircuitI know. Growing up and playing Little League, I couldn't imagine being a pitcher and not being able to hit! Terrible gimmick to the old traditional game I say. Why stop at the pitcher? Why not just let one team defend, and another 9 players come to bat?
As you know, I am not a proponent of the DH, so that would suck.
However, geographic rivalry with the Rangers would be pretty cool.
I wouldn't mind the AL West division as far as competition goes.
While it is far form a done deal, it makes perfect sense for balancing the leagues
into equivalently sized divisions.
But no one has ever accused MLB of doing anything smart.