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    Home Blog Page 25

    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks – May 15th, 2024

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    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks – May 15th, 2024 – Last night the Reds did what good teams do – they broke the game wide open. Greene was exceptional – 7 IP with only 2 ER on 5 hits and 1 walk. Greene had command and pitched very efficiently. On the offensive side, five guys had RBIs. The best offenses are ones where everyone is involved in produces. The craziest thing about last night – they did it all without production from Elly De La Cruz or Spencer Steer. Let’s break down the rubber match.

    Cincinnati Reds LHP Andrew Abbott

    Cincinnati Reds RHP Andrew Abbott.
    Cincinnati Reds RHP Andrew Abbott.

    Abbott was solid last time out picking up a win against San Francisco on 5 IP with 6 hits and 1 walk. Abbott’s advanced metrics continue to tell the same story – he is inducing weak contact most of the time and his sweeper and changeup are nasty. Abbott has a +2 Run Value on his sweeper with a .225 Batting Average Against (BAA). His changeup has a +1 Run Value with a .154 BAA. Let’s not talk about the curveball. His Whiff % is down 6.9 % – a bit alarming. That would be incredibly concerning if not for the uptick his In Zone % and First Pitch Strike % – he’s going after batters and trying to induce contact.

    Cincinnati Reds Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF Will Benson.193
    2RF Jake Fraley.314
    31B Mike Ford.208
    42B Spencer Steer.248
    53B Jeimer Candelario.229
    6DH Conner Capel.333
    7SS Santiago Espinal.196
    8C Luke Maile.148
    9LF Jacob Hurtubise.148

    UPDATE 3:32 PM – India is scratched with a migraine. Hurtubise comes in to play LF and Steer shifts over to 2B with Ford on 1B. We now know that the delay was due to a new setback for Nick Lodolo – a left groin strain. He was moved to the 15-day IL retro to 05/12 and LHP Sam Moll was recalled from AAA Louisville. Nice to have Moll back in the bullpen, but losing Lodolo for at least 2-3 starts hurts. Have to hope it’s not a major setback. Nick Martinez likely starts in his place in the rotation. LHP Brandon Williamson started a second rehab assignment today with Single-A Dayton. He left his first rehab assignment with left shoulder soreness.

    Onto the lineup and we have to address it right away – a day off for Elly De La Cruz. Of course the coaching staff has a better idea of the fitness of each player, but you have to wonder about the decision here when things seem to be trending better offensively. To be fair, the bats got going without him last night. I assume he will be used as a pinch hitter or pinch runner at some point if the game is competitive.

    Candy is hot (.385 over his last 7 games), and Fraley is raking RHP (well really raking everything), but the bottom half of this lineup is largely non-competitive. Need a solid game out of a guy that has been slumping. Again, keep an eye out for Elly to come on after the 6th inning in a clutch situation.

    Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt

    Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt.

    A mediocre young pitcher with potential written all over him. Pfaadt is really only excelling at limiting walks. Everything else looks pretty rough. His sweeper was his weapon last year, providing a Run Value of +8, but hitters are mashing it this year. He’s giving up a .322 average to lefties this year, but righties hit .290 against him in 2023. This guy is hittable, and the bats woke up last night. Look for him to go after the Reds early with his fastball. He has adapted to the poor performance of his sweeper, bringup up his First Pitch Strike % by 10.2%. That’s about the only thing that has been better in 2024 for this guy. Our lefty heavy lineup should feast.

    Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    12B Ketel Marte.290
    2RF Randal Grichuk.271
    3LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr..229
    41B Christian Walker.258
    53B Eugenio Suarez.224
    6C Gabriel Moreno.248
    7DH Blaze Alexander.262
    8CF Jake McCarthy.291
    9SS Kevin Newman.272

    In very limited sample size, McCarthy is 7 for 13 againt LHP on the year. Newman and Marte mash LHP. Gurriel Jr, Suarez, Walker, and Grichuk all hit better against lefties. This lineup is practically built the opposite of what the Cincinnati Reds do – hit righties. It’s strength on strength today. Abbott will have his work cut out for him. Expect him to go 5-6 innings and give up 2-3 runs to this lineup.

    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks – May 14, 2024

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    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks – May 14, 2024 – Total heartbreaker last night. Ford smacks a triple to take the lead, we get no insurance runs, and Diaz can’t throw a strike. Not to mention the balls and strikes were incredibly inconsistent. Cincinnati’s lineup has a lot to digest today.

    RHP Hunter Greene

    Cincinnati Reds RHP Hunter Greene.

    Greene comes into this matchup off of a no decision last week in which he gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He’ll face the same guy – Slade Cecconi. In fact, he’ll face the exact same lineup outside of the SS and 2B. Greene’s advanced metrics show one of baseball’s best fastballers. A truly top shelf pitcher that needs to cut down on walks and induce slightly more weak contact. But then you look at the results from his secondary pitches and you see why he throws the fastball so much. Greene is in the 90th or better percentile in xERA, xBA, Fastball Velo, and Fastball Run Value. He’s in the 75th to 90th percentile in Average Exit Velocity, Whiff %, K %, Barrel %, Hard Hit %, and Pitching Run Value. Keep in mind, 50th percentile is average – he only falls below that in GB %, Breaking Run Value, and Offspeed Run Value. Like I said – a fastballer. I have no issues with Greene – I think he’s a great #2. Let’s have some faith in the guy to give us yet another chance in this ballgame.

    Reds Lineups Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF Will Benson.191
    2SS Elly De La Cruz.262
    31B Mike Ford.211
    4C Tyler Stephenson.215
    5RF Jake Fraley.305
    63B Jeimer Candelario.220
    72B Jonathan India.233
    8DH Conner Capel.000
    9LF Jacob Hurtubise.000

    A true debut for Hurtubise. Capel will get at least his second AB of the season. Willy leading off? Hopefully it’s just an off day for Steer. This lineup just opens up so many questions.

    With Friedl out for the foreseeable future, I would be leading off India every night. He seems to find his best bat on the nights he leads off. Will Benson is in a major slump – only .221 vs RHP which is supposed to be his specialty. India is better at .227 against RHP. Not much, but his splits are not drastic. I know Steer deserves a day off, but this lineup is brutal without him. A young pitcher again may make this lineup playable, but they have not broken through when you would expect them to all season. Look for Greene to keep it close and this one to come down to whether or not Elly De La Cruz can produce.

    On another note, a strong case is being made for Cruz to move into the closer role if Diaz blows one or two more. Cruz has been nasty this year outside of one (maybe two) bad outings.

    RHP Slade Cecconi

    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks
    Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Slade Cecconi.

    Not much to add to the last preview where we detailed him. Go check that out here.

    Diamondbacks Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF Corbin Carroll.197
    22B Blaze Alexander.263
    3DH Joc Pederson.298
    41B Caleb Walker.265
    5LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr..235
    63B Eugenio Suárez.224
    7RF Jake McCarthy.293
    8SS Kevin Newman.253
    9C Tucker Barnhart.205

    Greene dodged 2B Ketel Marte tonight. Not much else is different besides Barnhart getting the nod behind the plate and Jake McCarthy back in the lineup over Pavin Smith. Hunter has the stuff to dominate this lineup. He’ll have to watch out for Pederson though.

    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks – May 13, 2024

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    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks May 13, 2024 – We’re all feeling the same way – could it get any worse? I’m really not sure it can. As Nati has been writing, that’s kind of a good thing (?) or at least a reason to hope. The Reds get a rematch of a week ago, hoping to finally turn this around in Arizona.

    RHP Graham Ashcraft

    Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks
    Cincinnati Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft.

    Ashcraft gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks last time out against these same Diamondbacks. His advanced metrics are all over the place. They tell the story of a guy that is dominating with his breaking stuff and inducing lots of groundballs (over 50% of batted balls in play!) but getting hammered on his fastball (cutter). The batting average against Ashcraft’s slider is just .116, but his cutter is .293 and his sinker is .333. Yikes. Ashcraft will need to add to his 4 quality starts this season for the Reds to get something going tonight.

    Reds Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    12B Jonathan India.225
    2SS Elly De La Cruz.262
    3LF Spencer Steer.248
    4C Tyler Stephenson.213
    51B Jeimer Candelario.211
    6DH Mike Ford.133
    7CF Stuart Fairchild.192
    83B Santiago Espinal.186
    9RF Will Benson.195

    We’ll start with the bad news everyone knows – Friedl is out until late July to early August with a right thumb fracture. The Reds called up Jacob Hurtubise for his first stint with the big league club. Keep an eye out for him if the Diamondbacks bring in a right-handed reliever. India is back in leadoff – where I think he is best. It is refreshing to see De La Cruz stay batting second even with a LHP on the mound. This is what we have folks, so get used to it for now. However, as Nati noted on Twitter, Benson over Fraley here is malpractice.

    LHP Jordan Montgomery

    Arizona Diamondback LHP Jordan Montgomery.

    Montgomery didn’t exactly dominate last time out against the Reds. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Montgomery is pitching for weak contact straight out. He is not a strikeout guy. Again, look for the Reds to put the ball in play.

    Diamondbacks Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF Corbin Carroll.201
    22B Ketel Marte.293
    3DH Joc Pederson.292
    41B Caleb Walker.265
    5LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr..239
    63B Eugenio Suarez.223
    7C Gabriel Moreno.242
    8RF Pavin Smith.207
    9SS Kevin Newman.216

    This lineup isn’t exactly hot. Newman is .318 in his last seven games, but only Moreno and Gurriel Jr are also over .250 in that span. Carroll is a cold .190 in his last fifteen games. This is a similar lineup to what they ran out when they swept the Reds last week. Expect a couple of runs or more.

    MLB Pipeline Update: Cincinnati Reds Have 4 Top 100 Prospects, still.

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    Cincinnati Reds Top 100 Prospects

    Every May, typically, MLB Pipeline, which is the most acknowledged Prospect rating system due to its backing by Major League Baseball, will release a list of top 100 prospects for all of baseball. It seems like the Cincinnati Reds always have at least a few top 100 prospects in there. As the subtitle reads, this will be the 4th year in a row that they have more than 4 players in the top 100, even after graduating 5 top 100 prospects LAST YEAR! I wouldn’t read too far into this stuff, it’s just fun write-up.

    The MLB Pipeline has a lot of garbage ranked in the top 20, Pete Crow-Armstrong is still ranked 15th overall in the game and has 2 major league stints now showing nothing other than ability to go get a ball in the OF. The Redsox have 2 top 20 prospects, one that is struggling to keep an .700 OPS & one that is glove first. The point here, don’t take it too seriously.

    Collier, who was drafted with the Cincinnati Reds first pick in the 2022 draft at 18th overall is now back in the top 100 range, and it’s much deserved. He’s ranked 95th/100. The kid spent a whole lot of time in the offseason working on adding lift to his batted balls and boy has it paid off. He’s been HOT. He has 7 homers already on the year paired with an .804 OPS & he’s one of the youngest in the league, still. He’s been better in A+ than he was in A. I fully expect him to cool off a little bit, however, and we would like to see him start working counts a bit more. He’s swinging a lot, rightfully so, to input all his work he put in over winter into the games.

    I gotta be honest folks, I don’t think Chase will last outside of the top 100 very long. I think his problems in AA so far have been a direct reflection of change and trying to add power to his pitches again, and I’m not worried. I still think Nick Krall should’ve got way more out of Sonny Gray than just Chase Petty back, but back to Chase’s 2024… His K% is still where it needs to be, and he isn’t walking guys, he’s almost…throwing too many strikes. He isn’t missing bats. That will happen again. AA is always a big challenge for a lot of guys, usually bats, but some pitchers struggle, too.

    It’s time to start worrying about Connor Phillips. Not because he fell out of the top 100, but because he’s back to not throwing enough strikes to be taken serious as a starting pitcher. In 7 starts at AAA Louisville, he currently has an 8.28 ERA in 29.1 IP has walked 23 batters, and only struckout 22. He’s sitting with a 1.98 WHIP, and opponents are hitting .310 off of him. That’s almost .80 points better than his 2023 season in AAA… He has really, really, really struggled bad. So bad, that they should go ahead and start the conversation about turning him into a reliever. There’s a whole lot of Lucas Sims in him, we just have to hope he can throw more strikes.

    • 25th Overall: RHP Rhett Lowder
    • 30th Overall: INF Noelvi Marte
    • 55th Overall: INF Edwin Arroyo
    • 95th Overall: INF Cam Collier

    It’s worth nothing here to close out, the Cincinnati Reds will be adding another top 100 prospect in July with the #2 overall pick. It’s a given that they’ll get either Charlie Condon or Travis Bazzana – both are 65 grade prospects on day 1 before they even take a professional AB, and some evaluators have gone as far as saying top 25 prospects in all of the game. So by July, as long as no one gets traded, the Reds will have 5 top 100 prospects again.

    The Reds graduated Andrew Abbott, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Elly de La Cruz, & Spencer Steer just LAST year, so let that sink in… the farm system is still top 10 in the game (and honestly, I think it’s well underrated, but that’s an article for another time)

    The Cincinnati Reds Brutal Start to 2024 – We should’ve seen it coming.

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    Cincinnati Reds Mr. Reds drinking beer MLB Strength of Schedule Reds team needs to be better

    Nope, this isn’t a doom & gloom post. It’s actually…the direct opposite. Yes, we’ve been entirely disappointed. Yes, it’s an unfortunate reality that the Cincinnati Reds, for the last 10 years, have started ridiculously slow, particularly under David Bell. Yes, the Reds have lost 13 of their last 16 games. But…it’s May 13th as this is being posted and they’re not even 4 games out of a playoff spot as it stands. I feel very comfortable stating they’ve played their worst baseball, they’ve lost themselves several games just by pressing.

    Let me remind you that Nati Sports is a SeatGeek Ambassador and you can earn $20 off your order through the app using code ‘NATISPORTS’ (min $50)



    Strength of Schedule

    The Cincinnati Reds have played a tough strength of schedule thus far, which is why it was so important that they came out of the gates hot in April – spoiler alert, they didn’t. April wasn’t easy on them, and May for damn sure isn’t easy on them, but we can look at the end of the tunnel here…and it’s why I even need to take my own advice sometimes, you gotta zoom out. That’s such an easy thing to say, but boy oh boy it’s so tough in the moment.

    According to Strength of Schedule Guru, the Cincinnati Reds have the third EASIEST schedule remaining in Major League Baseball. And, get this…they have played the third HARDEST schedule so far in MLB. Now, if that’s not good enough, the renowed website Tankathon‘s formula also has the Reds as the 10th easiest remaining schedule. Folks at home, are we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after May?


    Now, if you actually viewed those, you’d notice something. There’s a little bit of an issue. The Cubs and Brewers both are also in the category of “easiest schedule” remaining. Here’s a good look at it.

    A look at the NL Central’s remaining SOS – lowest number details hardest SOS, higher number details easiest SOS (Brewers have easiest, Cardinals have hardest)

    So is the division out of play? I think we can say for certain the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are considerably better than the Reds right now, and I say that as Matt McLain, TJ Friedl, & Noelvi Marte haven’t been able to play, and the offense, in whole, is struggling. Had we not had so many critical injuries on offense early, there’s no doubt in my mind the Reds would win this division. I repeat – it’s early, very early, but it’s SEVERELY unlikely they makeup 7 games in the division, which of 5/13, is what they’re behind. That would be some 30 for 30 type stuff. It’s happened before, but I don’t think, with our 2nd best player from 2023 still out until September/August, that it’s going to happen. Not to mention, TJ Friedl just got hit on the thumb last night and will miss even more time. The 8 game Cincinnati Reds losing streak may have put a dagger in the division, but they’re very much alive.


    The Pitching has me optimistic

    How the hell could anyone possibly be optimistic about this team lately? No, seriously. How? Well, let me tell you. The Pitching. The Reds’ pitching, mainly starting pitching, has been about as stout as it gets. They are 5th in fWAR as a team, posting 4.8 WAR, trailing only the Nationals, Orioles, Redsox, & Phillies. Hunter Greene & Andrew Abbott are amongst the top 50 in fWAR with a minimum of 45 IP. Hunter Greene, you know, the guy you’d think was having a horrible season if you base your opinions off of Reds Twitter, is 15th overall in all of MLB in fWAR with 1.2. Fernando Cruz is well on his way to a career year, Alexis Diaz has looked like himself when his slider is sliding, but him being the ‘weak link’ is definitely the case right now, Emilio Pagan is finding his rhythm, Nick Martinez has looked well in opportunities he’s been given, and Sam Moll hasn’t allowed a damn run in over 25 innings and will be back soon.


    Let’s Zoom out.

    Let’s make a list of reasons I’m optimistic to conclude this article, because, truthfully, and maybe I’m an idiot for thinking this way, and if you’ve read my tweets lately you’d of seen me emotionally call the team absolutely dogshit, and probably even more profanities…but hear me out. Let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture in a better, more levelheaded manner:

    • The Cincinnati Reds are 1-8 currently in 1 run games. They’ve played 9 already in a month and a half of baseball, with one of the toughest schedules out there. That means they’re hanging with every team they’re playing. Continuing to lose 1 run games? I don’t see it.
    • The Reds Pyath theorum W/L is currently sitting at 19-21, which, I bet we’d be a lot more ok with being 2 games under .500 right now instead of 17-23, wouldn’t we? That means we’ve been extremely unlucky with things falling in place.
    • Matt McLain (aka the 2nd best player on the team in limited time in ’23) will likely be back in late August/early September for a last push.
    • Christian Encarnacion-Strand will be back, likely in a better mindset, and his wrist should be fully healthy by June.
    • Noelvi Marte will be back from suspension on June 28th* (If there’s a rainout/postponement, this will be pushed back again.) He is currently playing in sim games at the Arizona Complex.
    • They’ve literally lost 13 of their last 16 games and are still only 3.5 games out of a wildcart spot. Come on.

    The “expectations”

    No one is worse than me when it comes to expectations. Unless you’re the Cincinnati Reds. I truly believe 90% of our struggles at the plate have been straight up fears of coming up short. You can’t play baseball, ESPECIALLY at the MLB level, scared, or in a bad mindset. That’s why this game is so important to have LEADERS. This game is literally set up to make you fail, in fact, it’s labeled “the game of failure” for a reason. It’s why we accept batting averages of .300 as elite. We have made up stats to cope with the fact that it’s a game of failure. The Reds have to stop pressing. You can see it on their faces, they’re getting disappointed, and the worst part is, they’re starting to press, make stupid routine errors in the field, and are making mistake after mistake on the basepaths being too aggressive. Nothing has been calculated at ALL. Boys, you’re playing another form of chess. RELAX. Start winning baseball games.

    Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants – May 12, 2024

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    Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants – May 12, 2024 – The Reds come into this rubber match after beating the Reds last night. Yep. You read that right – the Reds beat the Reds. The baserunning gaffes last night were unforgivable and cost the Reds the game – or at least being within one run. Also, God bless John Sadak. The broadcasting crew last night was horrendous and I for one cannot wait to hear John’s sweet voice.

    RHP Frankie Montas

    Cincinnati Reds RHP Frankie Montas.

    Montas picked up a loss last time out, but it was not on him. Only giving up one earned run, Montas showed incredible stuff last week. His average velo was up 3+ mph on every pitch. He cruised through the Diamondbacks lineup twice, only allowing 5 baserunners.

    Montas’ advanced statistics actually do not look great. He is only well above average on exit velo and hard hit %. Frankie is inducing some weak contact and that has worked well to his advantage. You can be a contact pitcher, but that has not been Montas’ game for most of his career. Look for him to get lots of whiffs if he can pitch like he did last week.

    Reds Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF TJ Friedl.182
    2SS Elly De La Cruz.272
    3LF Spencer Steer.248
    42B Jonathan India.210
    5RF Stuart Fairchild.194
    61B Jeimer Candelario.212
    7DH Mike Ford.100
    83B Santiago Espinal.173
    9C Luke Maile.137

    Not impressed. I am about done with Mike Ford, but he hits lefties better and the Reds do not have a reliable right-handed bat on their bench. Candelario at first and Espinal in the lineup makes me want to hurl, but I guess it’s what we have to do against LHP. Looking forward to Stu mashing.

    LHP Kyle Harrison

    San Francisco Giants LHP Kyle Harrison.

    Another young guy for San Francisco. Only 79 major league innings – 340 in total with the minors. He has fared fairly well so far in 2024, but the long ball has been his issue – conceding 5 so far. His run value is up, but his pitching advanced stats are nothing special. Not a big walk guy, but just below average as a strikeout pitcher. Another “let’s see what we have here” game for Cincinnati.

    Giants Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF Jung Hoo Lee.262
    21B Lamonte Wade Jr..341
    33B Matt Chapman.213
    4DH Patrick Bailey.280
    5RF Mike Yastrzemski.221
    6LF Heliot Ramos.250
    7C Blake Sabol.375
    82B Brett Wisely
    9SS Casey Schmitt.000

    Lots of young guys in this lineup today. Brett Wisely makes his debut for 2024. Schmitt is still searching for his first hit of 2024. Not a terrifying lineup by any means but watch out for some of these guys that Montas has never faced. Young guys have been Reds killers this year.

    FC Cincinnati 2 Columbus Crew 1 – Match Recap & Player Ratings

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    If you haven’t realized that every matchday is “Lucho Day”, you’re probably not watching the best team in the MLS. Lucho placed the ball on a platter for an assist and followed that up with a technician’s goal two minutes later to win the Ohio Derby. Here’s how it happened.

    The first 70 minutes of this match were a defensive clinic by FCC. With 17 clearances, 12 interceptions, and 3 saves by Celentano, FCC wouldn’t be broken.

    In the 73rd minute, Lucho worked his way to the touch line and lofted a cross to the back post. 19 year old forward Kevin Kelsy was right in position to open his account with FC Cincinnati as he slotted home a beautiful header.

    Two minutes later, Lucho found himself with some space on the left side of the box. A through ball found him and he banged it past the goalkeeper toward the back post.

    Most positive moves FCC makes, you’ll find Lucho directly involved. Notching two more goal involvements in today’s match, Lucho begins building on his lead as the clubs’s all-time top goal scorer. Celentano attacked shots aggressively, picking up 3 saves, but not much was asked of him. Despite Arfsten breaking through in the last minute, FCC dominated this match.

    FC Cincinnati ultimately scores 2 goals to take the win.

    Player Ratings

    GK Roman Celentano 8

    Not much asked of him, but when he was challenged, he attacked the shot aggressively. Nothing he could do about Arften’s curler at the last gasp. A previous shot deflected into open space for Arfsten leaving Celentano stranded.

    DF Miles Robinson 6

    Robinson was tasked with defending the right side in front of Celentano this match. He held a high line most of the match, but did leave Diego Rossi wide open for a shot early on. Probably should have had a headed goal from a fantastic cross by Orellano.

    DF Matt Miazga 7

    The anchor of the defense as usual. Miazga let nothing by him directly but was occasionally caught out of position, opening up lanes for the Columbus Crew that they failed to take advantage of.

    DF Ian Murphy 6

    Much like Robinson, Murphy held a high line on his side – even forcing an offsides – but pushed too far inside the box on occasion to allow open shots.

    MF Alvas Powell NR

    Mostly ineffective. Powell didn’t instigate much in this match, allowing the ball to come to him before moving forward. Subbed early as he may have picked up a knock.

    MF Pavel Bucha 7

    Actually, did not do much except find Lucho for the second goal. The through ball was slotted through with incredible touch and allowed Acosta to operate with space. Fantastic assist.

    MF Obinna Nwobodo 6

    Very active defensively. Even in the final third, always seemed focused on maintaining possession for FCC.

    MF Luca Orellano 8

    What an activity rate. Took most of FCC’s crosses. Should have had a goal right after the break if not for a nice save at the near post. Pestered Columbus’s defense enough to take their eye off Acosta.

    CAM Luciano Acosta 10 – MAN OF THE MATCH

    FC Cincinnati Center Attacking Midfielder Luciano Acosta.

    What more can you say? Two goal involvements. Always threatening. Acosta is at the center of every forward movement. Created chances for Kubo and Orellano that unfortunately could not be finished. With his work, probably should have been 4-1.

    FW Corey Baird 5

    Lost. Ineffective. Sometimes in Acosta’s way. Had one chance, but failed to take it. Subbed off for Kelsy in the 67th minute.

    FW Yuya Kubo 7

    Much like Orellano – very active. Had a chance in extra time of the first half that really should have been a goal. Acosta set him up with a lane to take the far post and he placed it way too close to the goalkeeper.

    Substitutes

    MF Gerardo Valenzuela 6

    On for Powell in the 13th minute. Valenzuela was not a huge factor, but he performed admirably and opened space for Acosta several time.

    FW Kevin Kelsy 9

    Fantastic way to open your account with your new club. FCC have the option to purchase him at the end of his loan for $7 million. With a few more goals like that, they just might.

    CAM Malik Pinto NR

    A last minute substitute to protect Acosta and become more defensive as a unit.

    Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants – May 11, 2024

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    8 game skid officially over. Thank God! Just in time for Dolo Day to keep it going. The Giants dropped to 3-7 in their last 10 and send out their bottom guy (a rookie making his second start) tonight. Plus some consistency in the lineup!

    LHP Nick Lodolo

    Cincinnati Reds SP Nick Lodolo.

    Lodolo comes into this matchup having been rocked in the first inning against Baltimore last time out. Nick is thriving on his swing-and-miss stuff in 2024. Ranking in the 91st percentile or better in Chase %, Whiff %, and K %, Lodolo has been making good hitters look foolish. When they get a hold of a not so well placed pitch though, his Hard Hit % has been well below average. We’ve always known Lodolo is pure talent the Reds best pitcher – when he’s on. The Giants are only fielding two left-handed batters today. Expect Lodolo to look like early season Lodolo.

    Reds Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    1CF TJ Friedl.222
    2SS Elly De La Cruz.271
    3DH Mike Ford.125
    41B Spencer Steer.246
    5RF Jake Fraley.280
    6C Tyler Stephenson.226
    73B Jeimer Candelario.209
    8LF Will Benson.197
    92B Jonathan India.215

    Steer stays at 1B, keeping Candelario at 3B – phew! A lineup full of guys better than their average. Should eat against a rookie pitcher making his second outing after getting shelled.

    RHP Mason Black

    San Francisco Giants rookie SP Mason Black.

    An enigma. This guy only has 266 innings – minor leagues included. Not much to say here except that he was hammered by the Phillies a week ago for 5 ERs in just 4 IP.

    Giants Lineup Card

    BattersAverage
    12B Thairo Estrada.248
    21B Lamonte Wade Jr..341
    3C Patrick Bailey.278
    4DH Wilmer Flores.206
    5RF Heliot Ramos.333
    63B Matt Chapman.205
    7LF Michael Conforto.277
    8SS Casey Schmitt.000
    9CF Tyler Fitzgerald.273

    Lots of Rotation for San Francisco – platooning against Lodolo. Schmitt will play in his second big league game. Watch out for Wade Jr. – a leftie that rakes against lefties.

    Cincinnati Reds End Their 8 Game Losing Streak and Defeat San Francisco

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    Stuart Fairchild Cincinnati Reds

    It’s over. It’s over. The losing streak, it’s FINALLY over. After the Cincinnati Reds dropped 8 games straight, they went into San Francisco and finally put together a complete game to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Good freakin’ morning. Rejoice.


    On a day where the Cincinnati Reds desperately needed to get a win, they went into San Francisco and hit a really stout Logan Webb around. Over 11 Reds had batted balls at above 100+ MPH off Logan Webb, which isn’t surprising considering his 12th percentile hard hit rate. Webb, however, has been nails at home, sporting a 0.82 ERA at home (coming into tonight’s game) and the Reds tagged him for 3 Earned tonight.

    The Cincinnati Reds pitching in whole came up clutch tonight. Andrew Abbott pitched very well despite getting bit by the homer bug again, luckily, it was another solo shot. That marks 6 of the 8 homers he’s given up in 2024 as solo shots, which you live with. The Reds offense started hot with an Elly de La Cruz single & Spencer Steer RBI double in the top of the 1st. The lead was erased shortly after with Abbott giving up a bomb, but the offense kept going. Spencer had another RBI, and Elly scored on a TJ Friedl hustle double.


    And for tonight’s electric factory:

    How About Stu… Stuart Fairchild came up in the top of the 8th cold as ice off the bench and provided an inside the park homer!

    Stuart Fairchild Inside The Park Homer to make it 4-2

    Hit log:

    • Elly de La Cruz: 2-4 2 R 2 SBs totaling 25 on the year so far
    • Spencer Steer: 2 for 3 2 RBI 1 BB
    • Stuart Fairchild: 1-1 Inside The Park Homerun

    • Pitching log:
    • Andrew Abbott: 5.0 IP 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB 2 K 3.35 ERA
    • Emilio Pagan: 1.0 IP 1 K
    • Justin Wilson: 1.1 IP 1 H 1 K
    • Lucas Sims: 0.2 IP
    • Alexis Diaz: 1 IP 1 BB 2 Ks SV

    Cincinnati Reds vs San Francisco Giants – May 10th, 2024

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    Hope you like Late Night Reds, buddy.

    The first west coast road trip of the year has arrived. Are you excited? Probably not, the Cincinnati Reds have lost 8 games in a row, for fuck sake. Join us with ice cold millers tonight at 10:10 pm EST where the Cincinnati Reds face the San Francisco Giants.

    Andrew Abbott LHP

    cincinnati reds vs san francisco giants

    Andrew Abbott has been the perfect example of why Pitcher’s wins & losses DO NOT MATTER. He’s 1-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 7 starts. His latest outing he got bit by the homer, giving up two solo homers in the Cincinnati Reds’ 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but he struckout 8 and otherwise looked like the Abbott we love and know. San Francisco is a HUGE ballpark – he should fare well tonight against their lineup, however, they do hit a little better against LHPs average wise, and are middle of the pack offensively with a .670 team OPS.

    Reds Lineup 5/10/24

    BattersAverage
    1TJ Friedl.231
    2Elly de La Cruz.264
    3Mike Ford.200
    4Spencer Steer.237
    5Jake Fraley.292
    6Tyler Stephenson.222
    7Jeimer Candelario.216
    8Will Benson.193
    9Jonathan India.214
    cincinnati reds lineup 5/10/24

    Logan Webb RHP

    There may not be one as consistent as Logan Webb – talking about a guy that knows his role & excels in it. He, once again, is pitching great, and naturally primarily at home, where the Reds are visiting today. His home/away splits are dramatic. 0.82 ERA at home, 5.92 ERA away. The Reds, who are already struggling offensively, will likely struggle even more. He’s not striking as many guys out this year as years prior, but still, at home, he’s holding opponents to .225/.244/.264/.506 – he’s yet to give up a HR at home. The Reds have a tough task ahead of em tonight.

    San Francisco Lineup

    BattersAverage
    1TBD.204
    2TBD.301
    3TBD.284
    4TBD.273
    5TBD.234
    6TBD.226
    7TBD.307
    8TBD.229
    9TBD.286
    The Giants have yet to post their lineup. It’s 6pm est. TBD.

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