Loading ...Anyone else excited for the first pitch tonight?
I know that I am. The Reds are just a game and a half back of the Cardinals as tonight’s three-game series gets underway in St. Louis. As if that weren’t enough, each team has its ace on the hill: Aaron Harang for our beloved Redlegs and Chris Carpenter for the Redbirds.
A meaningful game in the middle of October August with playoff implications. This is what being a baseball fan is all about.
Two words: Go Reds.
Discuss the game here!
hmm…
“A meaningful game in the middle of October with playoff implications…”
Perhaps there is some tear in space-time, where you will be talking about “meaningful games in October”, when October rolls around? One can only hope.
I’m sure Chad meant to say August. Though he may also have a secret ability to see into the future… one can only hope…
I really hope we get to see Sunday’s lineup again. That was about as best a team the Reds can field for now.
Some thoughts to throw out before game time:
I think we would all agree that Phillips should be at SS, but I don’t think it would save us any games this year, it is too late to even worry about him moving. Starting next year though… hell yeah. They should even bring out Barry Larkin to hand him the torch, he is our obvious SS of the future. Lopez never was.
Another hot topic on all our minds right now is Junior. I’m sure Griff watches Freel make those spectacular catches and says to himself, “wow! I used to be able to do that!…” The problem here is that the Reds are not going to move Junior until he says he wants to. I agree he should move to a corner, but it will take him coming out and asking for it and I don’t see that happening this season, but maybe (hopefully) next year.
Al had an idea in an earlier thread to play Castro in at SS against righties (Aurilia vs. lefties). Even on those days there could still be an opportunity for Aurilia to take over 3B, 2B, 1B to give EE, Phillips, and Hatte respectively, days off every couple of weeks. What to do with Royce? hmmm… Clayton can fill gatorade cups and grab the guys gloves when they’ve hit into the final out of the inning, that’s about as useful as he will ever be for this team. Ok, maybe that was a bit over the top (or was it???), but I don’t see him playing any other role than being a last resort pinch hitter, or late-game sub / injury insurance.
Back to my main point though, if Jerry Moron can put up Sundays line-up (with a few exceptions for days off / injury / etc) I think we’ll be in really good shape.
All the moves everyone has been proposing are great ideas as Freel is coming into his own and showing he is an everyday starter, BP shows great athleticism and has obvious potential for the left side of 2B. Many other examples.
I am viewing this season as only the beginning… with some changes going into next year, this team can dominate!
For next year:
1. Make those switches
2. Get rid of Clayton
3. Bring in #1 / #2 starter
4. Call up Homer Bailey
5. Pick up a big name impact Bat / infielder. A Tejada or Soriano (he has expressed wishes to play 2B, where he played in the minors i believe…) would be nice.
Getting the heck out of work now… see you all on the thread around game time.
GO REDS!!!
Clayton can take Denorfia’s spot as a pinch runner. Right now the Reds really don’t have one.
Marc Lancaster is reporting that Chris Michalak will start Friday. He’ll become the ninth different starting pitcher for the Reds in 2006.
he also noted that the cards are going to start weaver on thursday, presumably because of his success against us last time through. i hope they rough him up, it really teed me off that he had one of his first good starts of the year against us… in august.
I wasn’t nearly as amped up at work today than I am now. Can’t wait for the first pitch just hope it’s not like the last opening game of a series with the Cardinals I saw last time. Should be a great game.
I heard that Harangutan has some monkey-tricks up his sleeves tonight; gonna throw a banana peel under the cards to continue the skid!
Unfortunately Clayton is starting tonight instead of Aurilia.
I just got back from vacation and I am pumped to be able to watch the Reds on TV again. Go Reds!
RA is only hitting .444 this year against the Cards- no reason to start him over Clayton.
Hey all, Not a bad idea for Clayton, he actually has decent speed around the bases despite his age…. I think 12 steals on the year and a high success rate..
Homer Bailey being moved up needs to be TOP priorty, who is anyone kidding we have a hole in our 5th spot and Homer should fill that whole by the beginning of next year… He needs the experience against more efeciaent batters now! He should be on his way to Louisville tonight and learning form the BIGS by the end of THIS season!
Nice wish list but Soriano is simply out of the Red’s pay range.. Heck thats why Washington will get rid of him.. He makes 15M/yr now and wants more! With Griffey and Milton making as much as they do (both overpaid – atleast Jr. has the hall of fame stats backing him)
I like the team we have right now, with depth added to the OF of course. We simply have the best roster in baseball, serious depth in the infield, a talented bullpen, power hitters, and solid outfield, #1 man and #2 man in the rotation who our among the best in the game. Seriously, if the chemistry can begin to click again The New Red Machine is on it’s way to the Woprld Series!
gotta love that enthusiasm.
gotta hate having three auto-outs at the bottom of the order tonight. A 3+ run first would be great. top of the order… i’m looking at you.
BigRedsFanInTN, I love your optimism about the future of the Reds. However, I do find it hard to believe that you can say that the Reds “have the best roster in baseball.” Look no further than our pitching. We have a decent #1 in Harang, a #2 who hasn’t won a game in 10 appearances, an unpredictable #3, a #4 who has only made 2 starts and currently, no #5. I like some of the additions to the pen, but we lack a shutdown setup man or closer. I think the pitching needs a lot of improvement before anyone can say the Reds have “the best roster in baseball.”
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I’m going to be optimistic and say that the Reds will be in the race in October.
In the meantime, I’ll go fix the post above…I really did intend to say August. Oops.
Tonight’s lineups:
Reds
Freel RF
Hatteberg 1B
Griffey CF
Encarnacion 3B
Dunn LF
Phillips 2B
Clayton SS (why not Aurilia???)
LaRue C
Harang P
Cardinals:
Eckstein SS
Duncan LF
Pujols 1B
Edmonds CF
Rolen 3B
Encarnacion RF
Belliard 2B
Molina C
Carpenter P
Who does everyone think the best option would be to hit third if Junior were to be dropped in the order? I think he should be moved down, but who takes that spot? Is it Edwin already? Dunn (and his .251 average)?
Dunn.
I’d say Dunn.
Is this the biggest series of the season? (Which would make it the biggest series of the 2000s.)
Yes, methinks.
Dangit. I’m getting the Cardinals broadcast on MLB Extra Innings.
Eddie Gurdado is a Closer, Bray is a closer in the making!
We have youth and experience where it is needed.
Granted we have a hole in our rotation, well 2 holes. 4,5. Milton is a good #3 man, and I believe he has proven he is where he should be when it comes to his pitching, but really with the exceptions of 3 teams in the majors (Detroit, NY, LA) no one else has a solid four man right now (NOT EVEN THE CARDS)Pitching is at the highest premium it has ever been for the basic lack of talent!
I admit that my optimism is slightly biased, but you’ve got to love where we’re at and look forward to where we will be!
Gold Glove for Ryan Freel!
Dunn (and his .251 average)?
No, Dunn and his .377 OBP.
Aurilia hitting .444 against the Cardinals this year, yet Narron has him on the bench.
THE REDS ARE ON THE RADIO!
THE REDS ARE ON THE RADIO!
Last chance to fill up the ol’ mugs, Reds fans!
(Until the middle of the 1st)
I detect a little excitement around here!
Already 30+ posts prior to the first pitch!
Yep, it’s going to be a big night here in the game thread.
Hope it doesn’t start like the first inning of the last Cardinals series!
Do you get to hear the Reds on Radio theme song “THE REDS ARE ON THE RADIO!” on MLB Gamecasts or other internet feeds?
Get ‘em Freel!!!
The logo on Freel’s helmet looks twice the size of normal.
Get ‘em Hatty!
Freel flies out to start it.
Hatteberg grounds out to short.
We needed Eric Davis to get us a homer in this first inning, to set the tone for this series.
I can’t remember the last time i saw Hatte swing at the 1st pitch like that.
Ballpark #59 for the old lefthander, Joe Nuxhall.
Wow, that’s an impressive stat for the ol’ lefthander.
Carpenter looks sharp tonight. Junior flies out to end the inning.
Not the start I’d hoped for. Hopefully Harangutan can follow suit.
Not much to cheer about in the top of the first.
Does anyone dislike Eckstein as much as I do?
that was mildly depressing. i guess we probably can’t count on tagging carpenter like we did last time.
At least they got him out, popup to EE.
Harang’s ERA on the road this season: 2.40.
Coach’s boy threw his bat into the stands.
needless to say, a huge k performance from the big guy would please me to no end.
1, 2, 3 for Harang
touche
Don’t scare me EE Narron is just looking for an excuse to let you sit.
Harangatang matches Carpenter pitch for pitch.
EE grounds out 5-3.
Look at Narron going lefty-righty-lefty, that’s exciting.
Pitching Dunn way inside.
Dunner with that Casey-esque speed.
Maybe BP can get us going.
Maybe not.
Those first two innings weren’t awe-inspiring.
Six up, six down.
RedsFaninMD: I really don’t think that a Tejada or Soriano is out of reach. If you remember… the hefty contracts of Kearns and Lopez were shaved and I highly doubt they will re-sign Milton at the end of his contract this year. He will look very appealing, however, to a team with a deeper ballpark. Not to mention that if this team does make it anywhere this year, more fans will be expected through the gates next year and they already have a beefed up FSN TV-rights deal. Add to that the ownerships general willingness to spend and I highly doubt a big name free agent is truly out of reach for this team.
Carpenter looks like he’s got his good stuff
two 10 ptch innings for carpenter, not good.
Now let’s see if Harang can keep up the pace.
They need to start working counts. Carpenter’s only thrown 20 pitches in 2 IP. At least Clayton-LaRue-Harang is good for a 9 pitch inning.
Doesn’t Milton have another year on his contract after this one?
Hope Edmonds doesn’t hit another grand slam this year.
Are there any real big name FA pitchers this off season? Harang, Bailey, Arroyo and one other stud would give me a warm fuzzy.
I meant another grand slam right here.
But he walked.
Zito.
Milton is signed thru 2007 at $9M. Though he has the right to void that year and take free agency. Odds on that?
Mussina I think
That’d be my dream, Chris. Let someone else take him off our hands, and use that $9 million towards signing a real pitcher.
Ain’t gonna happen, though.
Well, at least Clayton didn’t throw it away there.
Though I think I’m contradicting our own Big Board on that.
Milton’s deal, confirmed on 2 online sources (not sure if that’s an oxymoron):
$4M signing bonus
$4M 2005 salary
$8.5M 2006
$9M 2007
But do those online sources confirm that 2007 is a player option?
I think the umpire missed that one, but I’m not complaining.
Ted Lilly, Jason Schmidt, Steve Traschel, Greg Maddux, and of course Roger Clemens.
Bloop single brings in Rolen. Down 1-0.
two ground balls on the infield, no DP. what gives?
Screw Belliard.
I guess that $9M without a team option was part of them really reaching on that contract.
Two very slow grounders, al.
I’m glad we don’t have Danny Graves any more. Does anyone know where he is these days?
crap, a run scores and i can’t even blame clayton.
Random thought (pretend I’m Marty):
The Reds have some uncommon middle names. See if you can match them (and apologies if your middle name is on this list – they’re only remarkable in the aggregate):
Gabriel
Allen Falker
Spencer
Troy
Adrian
Wade
Franklin
Gustavo
Emil
Wesley
and two Waynes.
I feel your pain.
Harang threw really well with the exception of that leadoff walk. He gave up 2 soft ground balls, a bloop single, and a K.
I know two:
Adam Gustavo Dunn.
Edwin Troy Encarnacion.
I’m sure I’m correct.
Yeah, Harang has some good stuff tonight, too.
And Javy Valentin’s real first name is Jose, just like his brother.
Well, the black hole part of the lineup is up this inning.
Phillies up 11-2 on Mets, after blowing them out last night. Glad we escaped there with 2 out of 3.
So who’s Allen Falker? And Gabriel?
Royce Clayton is just horrible.
omg, clayton grounded out. i am shocked.
C’mon LaRue. Get us going.
Ugh. This inning is looking dreadful.
Actually, this first third of the game is looking pretty dreadful.
I’m shocked those two jokers made contact.
LaRue and Clayton should never be in the lineup at the same time. It’s just too much to punt 1/3 of the lineup.
why are larue and clayton out there??? they might as well forfeit their at bats and save carpenter the energy
Well 11 pitches again. At least Larue saw 4
Something tells me Aurilia would see more pitches than Clayton
Wow. 31 pitches through three for Carpenter? Pretty efficient.
Reds must’ve gotten a scouting report that Carpenter would be throwing first pitch strikes. Was that the case last week?
the reds pitchers (and guys like clayton and larue) shouldn’t take real batting practice, they should just practice fouling balls off. it’s got to be easier than getting hits, and if they could go up there and last 7 or 8 pitches every time, at least they’d be contributing in some sense.
Well at least Carpenter with his .091 average can see more pitches than Larue or Clayton
Well, I can’t find a single other stud SP in free agency this year besides Zito. I guess maybe Radke is still decent, but he’ll be 34.
damn, now pujols bats with a man on. unless harang can induce the GIDP.
Sounds like Eckstein is in some pain. Can’t say I’m upset about that.
isn’t schmidt in his contract year?
Radke is also retiring.
Gage, Radke will be here. Think about what team he plays for.
That’s right. I forgot that, Bill.
anyone know the reds ERA with the different catchers?
Yeah, Schmidt, that’s the one I missed.
bloop…
I listed a few free agent pitchers up above.
Also add Mussina to the list
Catcher ERA.
I think it’s useless, btw, especially on a team like the Reds, where certain pitchers have “personal catchers.”
Have a seat Edmonds !
Roger Clemens will be a free agent.
effing huge k. still almost 60 pitches through 3, harang is going to have to start throwing more strikes lower in the zone and getting more quick outs.
So will Jeff Weaver.
Jim Edmonds K’s. Something I can never get enough of.
Yeah I guess even the Yankees aren’t stupid enough to take ussina’s $17M option
Don’t like the fact that Harang is throwing so many pitches this early.
*Mussina
bad call on hat? Cards guys sound surprised. “knee high…right there near the corner…”
“near”
come on Jr. We need you this series.
That was a bullet
dang it. Freel gunned down
Freel caught stealing. I can’t disagree with sending him, though.
Is Griffey supposed to be “protecting” him there?
So far Harang is throwing about 20 pitches per inning. Carpenter is averaging 10.5 .
i’m sure hatty was pissed, if he can claim anything, it’s an extensive knowledge of the strikezone. keep battling reds!
Need a quick inning here or we will be getting to the new and improved bullpen way to quickly.
feels like more than a 1-0 lead. On the earlier post about wily mo today: he just rocketed a double off the wall that just about went through the wall
as far as gameday is concerned, harang is pumping lots of pitches right down broadway.
Repeat: Screw Belliard.
That guy OWNS the Reds.
damn, damn, damn
man belliard has killed us since coming over.
I hate that the Cards got Belliard. He kills us! 2 RBI. The Cardinal version of Bill Hall.
He has all of 5 RBI since coming over. 2 of them tonight.
Going into tonight: 498 OPS since he came over.
Belliard killed us with the Brewers and with the Tribe, as well. At the time of the trade, I was scared – he has around an 1100 OPS vs. the Reds, career.
.498? He must be 0-fer against the rest of the league, because he’s gotten plenty of hit against Reds pitching.
As long as Molina doesn’t pull another 4-5 night out of his catcher’s mask. . .
Do you think there might be a ballclub out there that would see enough potential in Milton to pick up his contract if we shopped him in the direction of a pitchers park?
Hope Harang can get out of this mess soon… at least we are getting the pitchers duel we all expected last week when Harang got tagged by an Edmonds slam, still only 4 hits for StL
Awesome. Pitch behind Molina’s back? Nice location displayed on the gameday tracker.
We need to make some major noise this inning
The Cards are being incredibly patient, laying off the slider and making Harang come at them with the fastball.
Alright, boys. Lets get some numbers up there!
I too liked the pitch behind yada yada’s back. Reminded me of Scott Elarton revenge against Roger Clemens, when everybody knew he was going to plunk him. Elarton threw it behind him, and you could see Clemens’s butt muscles clench through his uniform.
it’s a lot lower scoring, but with the walk and the hbp, harang has had to get out of a jam every inning but the first, where as carpenter has a no hitter going.
Edmunds is comming out
Thats a + move for the Reds
Hopefully this interuption with take Carpenter out of his rhythm
Farney is the fan who is up for the back-to-back HR contest on WLW this inning! That’s a real guy, not the midget in Freel’s head.
We gotta get some runs soon.
Or some hits.
Dunn for 1, single ok thats a start
That should shut Mike Shannon’s no-hitter mouth.
There goes the no-hitter! Single for Dunn.
He’s swung at the first pitch on both ABs tonight. What’s up with that?
Is it the broadcast or does this game feel like it’s being played in a morgue. The crowd doesn’t seem to have any life.
Dagnabit, liner right at Pujols. Need some patience and some luck. There’s a single for Dunn.
ha! a single! a glorious single!
Sounds like Poohole didn’t even see EE’s liner. But caught it anyhow.
Homer by BP would be great here.
EE smoked it.
Homer by Royce Clayton would be great.
I wish.
We trake a big drop off after Bp with Clayton a LaRue
Look at you, Royce Clayton!
Clayton got it off the ground!
Glad we have Clayton in the lineup! C’mon, LaRue.
OK a single by Clayton, as I said that
Nevermind the
.
LaRue is up.
Win your starting job back, LaRue!
2005 jason larue, are you in there somewhere? if so, can you come out and get a hit here please. thanks, that’d be great. then you can go back to moose hunting with dynamite or whatever you’ve been up to this year.
LaRue finishes the inning
Crap.
Wow. LaRue down to .180 now? Even a a 3-3 night would still leave him below .200 on the year.
Edmonds complaining of dizziness
OK according to the link above with the salary and contracts, there is no information on Ross for next years contract. Is he a Free Agent?
Eckstein is just all over us this last 2 weeks
Aaron just isnt sharp tonight 4-0
BALLS!
It would appear that Ross would be eligible for salary arbitration this winter. Less than 5 seasons of experience.
Harang not sharp. 4-0.
Well, let’s face facts. Our ace has sucked against the Cardinals in his two biggest starts of the year these last two series.
not looking good.
Albert for 2b
it’s all coming apart.
yeah, i’m sorry, he can complain all he wants about losing his job. fact: he has lost it. we can not afford to start someone that far below the mendoza line who isn’t on the mound.
Well, I guess we’re still ahead of where we were last series. See you guys tomorrow!
If Duncan can learn to play left field, he could be a good one
This isn’t going to end up a repeat of that 13-1 drubbing in last week’s series opener, will it?
At least our offense is hitting well today!
Ummm…..
Nice play by Larue 5-0
I hate baseball.
Once again, the Cincinnati Reds are not ready for prime time.
It will be interesting to see how they respond here
I hope Harangutan responds by hitting Belly ard in the face
Hit for Belliard. Warm up the pen
I’m going to personally drive to StL and whip Belliard.
he can still run over to first and hit him in the face with his fist. :-/
Would be a good time for Belisle…hope he makes it back soon
At least Harangutan leads off next inning. Or rather, he is pinch hit for next inning.
Its over for that inning
So do you people with the MLB.com service get to listen to any game, such as Johan Santana’s gem going against Cleveland right now? I’d switch.
Harang up to 101 pitches. Maybe Valentín can hit another pinch-hit solo shot.
Juan Castro pinch-hitting? Nice move, Narron.
5 innings for Aaron. Id he tired, not concentrating, changed his motion? With over 100 pitches, he isn’t sharp thats for sure.
Well, friends, I think I’ll pull a Jim Edmonds and retire on account of dizzyness. Actually, my blood pressure is soaring after the Reds have let me down again despite all the hopes I have for them. Time to go destroy something.
Night.
I think the Cardinals just have his number right now. Almost like they knew when the slider was coming, umm…
Ryan Franklin on in the long relief role. Maybe he can be tonight’s Michalak.
This is just Ugly!
Single for Jr.
EE make some noise!!
Whoops DP by EE
E by Willie Mo allows winning rune to score tonight in Bean town
I’m in a big room all by myself. Everybody gave up?
The Card announcers say that the Cards have been instructed to run everytime of Griffey
I wish we were as good as the Pirates. They swept the Cards.
Reds bullpen shuts out the Cardinals in the late innings. However, Reds offense is nonexistent, cannot make it matter.
Last chance coming up, still 5-0.
complete game shutout?
Yup. Silver lining is the scoreless innings of relief. Really need to bounce back these next two days…
2 of 3 would be great!
4 singles, 0 walks for the Reds. Complete game shutout for Carpenter.
…whimper…
wicked ugly. when is this team going to get it together.
i just got home at the start of th 8th…looks like i didnt miss much…what really pissed me off was to come home n see hollandsworth strike out on a horrible pitch a good 4-6 inches inside..again
St Louis swept by the Pitts! and then Shut Out The Reds…… Just Sucks! Glad I missed this One.
Well, that was a bummer.
sure was. but 2 of 3 would be great!
I love the optimism! Let’s go get ‘em tomorrow, Redlegs!
Arroyo is more than overdue… that has to be worth something right? Then we get Weaver, who is more than overdue to get pounded by Reds offense. They will come out tomorrow with some fire, no worries here.