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Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle… 
FINAL
Cincinnati Reds 9
Colorado Rockies 7
WP: Cueto (13-5, 2.45 ERA)
LP: Friedrich (5-8, 6.17 ERA)
S: Chapman (21, 1.45 ERA)
POSITIVES
• The Reds won their ninth game in a row, their longest winning streak since 1999. They are now tied with the New York Yankees and Washington Harpers for the best record (60-40) in baseball. The best record in baseball. Read that again and savor it.
• The Reds hitters pounded out five home runs, all solo shots. Ryan Ludwick had two and now has 17 on the year. Drew Stubbs had a home run, was on base three out of five times and drove in two runs. Super Todd Frazier had two hits and a home run. Scott Rolen continues his Fountain of Youth tour contributing a homer. Brandon Phillips had a key two-run double.
• Sean Marshall came in and struck out Carlos Gonzalez, one of the best hitters in baseball, with two runners on base in the eighth inning.
• Aroldis Chapman seemed unusually mortal in the ninth inning, but eventually got the job done.
NEGATIVES
• Jose Arredondo, Bill Bray and Logan Ondrusek were shaky out of the bullpen.
• Johnny Cueto had a rare off game, giving up 10 hits, 2 walks and 5 earned runs. Even though he was working with a small and ever-shrinking strike zone, many of his pitches were up in the zone. Location was the issue, not velocity, as Cueto was touching 94-95 pretty regularly.
• Zack Cozart did have an RBI single, but went 1-for-5. His average is down to .241 and OBP .288. He really needs to be moved down in the line-up. His defense is too valuable to bench for a long time, but Dusty Baker needs to take some pressure off of him and move him down. Sadly, Baker appears to have him on the Willie Taveras, Corey Patterson and Neifi Perez track.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
• Happy 70th birthday to Marty Brennaman, who has called Reds baseball since 1974.
• Welcome to first-time commenter kevinG11.
• The Reds are 6.5 games ahead of the WLB, who lost today to the stupid Cubs. You have to wonder if they’re falling far enough behind that it will dissuade them from making a big move before the trade deadline.
• The five solo home runs hit by the Reds were every bit as clutch as any hit could be. Yet, they don’t show up in the much-publicized measure of clutchiness “RISP.” The five bombs also point out the importance of walks and failing to get runners on base ahead of them.
TOP GAME THREAD COMMENTS
• eric nyc: I don’t know why people are being so hard on Cueto about that inning. There was literally nothing he could have done. Yeah, he threw ball 4 to Fowler which should have walked in a run, but with the strike zone he was getting his only choices were to throw fastballs right down the middle and give up a 2, 3, 4-run hit or throw stuff off the plate and risk walking in 1 but hoping someone would swing at a bad pitch to get the last out. Guess what happened? I’m assuming that’s what Brian Price told him when he came to the mound. He was still throwing 96 and had good location. Dusty made the right call.
• jas_428: Ludwick is quite deserving of his starts. Jocketty looking like genius now.
• Mmw: It’s not the bullpen, they are all getting squeezed by this strike zone. They can either try to hit their spots and walk people or they can throw down the middle and get rocked.
• zippy: Fantastic. Marshall handled his one batter, and will now exit the game. As always, the goal is to maximize the number of ABs for your weakest hitters and minimize the innings pitched by your strongest pitchers.
• Racine Red: This won’t be popular, but if Shane Victorino were free, I’d play him in RF against LHP. .900+ OPS to .650 OPS.
Steve, maybe the rules prohibit you from awarding yourself a top game thread comment, but you had my favorite of the night:
Brantley: Boy, Rutledge really helped Ondrusek out there.
Marty: That was ball four, wasn’t it?
Brantley: Yep.
(The count was 0-2 and the pitch was in the heart of the strike zone.)
Don’t forget that Welsh on TV (I think) kept saying Arredondo shouldn’t walk the leadoff hitter, despite the fact that he got the leadoff hitter out.
HEY, I never got a shout out the first time I commented, whats up with that. What a crazy game, when it started I didn’t need a shave, I do now. Nonetheless a very good win for the Reds, they just kept battling back. Looking forward to a sweep tomorrow. Go Reds!!
I agree with the Cozart move. He batted much better in the 2 hole, better than Stubbs had. But, then, that would mean move Stubbs. I’d be willing to try Cozart in the 2 hole. I just believe that both players should be moved down.
Stubbs has been pretty decent the past two weeks. Leave him be until he falters again.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=stubbdr01&year=2012&t=b
Stubbs had a ~.350 OBP as a #2 hitter going until he got injured and missed games… then he returned and went into that 0/32 slump. Before his injury and since the All Star Break Stubbs has hit very well, and much better than Cozart. Cozart has always been the one deserving the demotion to the bottom of the order.
I think Cozart should be moved down also, but as the #2 hitter, Cozart has a near 1.000 OPS.
Actually, Stubbs OBP during that time was masked by the fact that, true to his form, he went good for about a week (382/432) for about a week (8 games), then tanked it (215/292) if you just consider the 2 hole (34 games), until he got hurt, for an overall 250/320. And, it looks like Baker may have learned that, that Stubbs will get going good for about a week then tanks until he gets a change, whether a change of batting order or a day rest or something. Such as, Stubbs goes 1 for 9 the first 2 games out of the break. Then, Baker gives Stubbs a day rest and changes him to the 1 hole, then Stubbs proceeds to go 6 for 13 for 4 games. Then Stubbs goes 0 for 8 the next 2 games. Baker gives Stubbs a day rest then changes him back to the 2 hole where he has gone 7 for 18 since, 4 games now. It seems like Baker is learning to keep Stubbs changed up, that as soon as Stubbs starts to tank again, change him up, rather than giving him a 2 month leash. I’m not sure about keeping a guy around like that. Not that I don’t want a guy around like that. But, having to keep changing up a guy like that to keep him going good? Really?
These last 2 series, against the worst 2 staffs in the league, I wouldn’t put too much into it, especially Houston which, except for Wandy, is essentially is a AAA team. Stubbs did do well against Arizona, but did nothing against the Cards and Milwaukee. It will be more interesting to see what Stubbs can do against decent pitching, more like what’s coming up the next 3 series with the Padres, Pirates, and Milwaukee. Stubbs against the Padres out on the west coast, 3 for 13.
Also, all of this 2 hole talk for Stubbs, I believe people forget that Cozart has batted 357/416 in the 2 hole this year himself, 346/387 for his career, a lot better than Stubbs has been in the 2 hole. I still say, BP to the leadoff, I would try Cozart in the 2 hole, then Votto, Ludwick/Frazier (either one), Bruce, then Frazier/Ludwick (either one) for the first 6 holes. Follow that with Stubbs then the catchers. When Rolen starts, definitely in the 6 hole.
I can understand how some say you have to have patience with young players. But, Stubbs isn’t young anymore. The man is 27 years old, in his 3rd full season in the league (7 years including minors), with numbers that have gotten worse each season since his first season, and admitted that he didn’t do anything in the offseason to work on his batting, after how poor he batted last season. I can’t help thinking, at some point in time, if Stubbs is as great as some say he is, as Baker says he is, then he should be able to perform without Votto as a security blanket anywhere in the lineup consistently (which he has shown he can’t), that he would be able to perform against all teams consistently, through the years. Don’t get me wrong, I cheer for him everyday, every game, every time he comes up. But, it is reality, he is what he is, a fast, good defense, light hitting CF who is getting preferential treatment by his manager simply because he is fast. Like what Steve Mancuso said about Cozart, I believe it is true for both our 1-2 hole hitters right now, “Sadly, Baker appears to have him on the Willie Taveras, Corey Patterson and Neifi Perez track.”
Negative: Pirates win again. The Reds are goona have to win those Pirates games. They need to get the 1,2 spots figured out or it will be a quick postseason apperance.
Problem is that the Cards are only 2.5 WCGB… Wild card is still wide open.
Where is Thom Brenaman?
Cozart made a really nice play on that ball in the 9th, but it should have been a double play. I think he rushed the throw a bit.
Honestly, if Ondrusek really is hurt, why is he pitching? I really am not crazy about saying his back hurt for a month when he was bad, then there’s no mention of it when he has a few good outings, and then he has a shaky one and his back is hurt again. I’m not saying that his back isn’t hurt, but if he is, the Reds have other options. (They have other options even if he’s healthy, but that’s another story.)
I’ll say it every time he doesn’t do it, but Chapman needs to throw sliders more.
Really nice to pull this one out, though it made me nervous. What a streak this is.
It’s been more than a week since we lost. This is nice.
I’d say at this point it is looking more and more possible that you will see Ludwick move into clean up and have BP take over lead off when Joey Votto gets back. At this point, you got to figure Ludwick is playing nearly every day. Hard thing is that with Stubbs, you got to either play Bruce out of position in center, which they have not done yet to get Frazier in the lineup.
1- Phillips
2- Cozart
3- Votto
4- Ludwick
5- Bruce
6&7- Rolen/Stubbs/Frazier (depending on who is playing)
8- Hanigan/Mesoraco
9- Pitcher
Stubbs hit pretty well in 2010 batting down the lineup. I also kind of like having him in front of Hanigan as if he’s on first, you got a nice hit and run setup.
Not sure if this was mentioned in the game thread, but Francisco Liriano was traded to the White Sox. So much for those reports about the Cardinals talking to the Twins about him.
I still find it hard to believe that they had any interest…I suppose anything is possible, but the Cards have Lohse, Lynn, Westbrook, Wainwright, and Kelly. Plus, Garcia’s due back in a couple weeks.
I guess maybe they were interested in having Garcia replace Kelly (even though Kelly has a low ERA) and Liriano replace Lynn (because of number of innings). I still think that replacing Lynn could be a really bad idea (for the Cards).
@Racine Red: True. It’s the season for rampant rumors, but the fact remains that it is one less piece that could be coming to the NL Central.
Ondrusek, who said anything about him being hurt?
Stubbs is now hitting .280 with a .333 OBP since the All Star Break. Quite a turnaround for somebody who recently went on an 0/32 streak.
Rolen, good thing he didn’t retire during the All Star Break. .350 average and .413 OBP since.
I’ll be interested in which relievers are available to pitch on Sunday. It’s unlikely Chapman will be used again so Marshall can hope for another opportunity.
It was nice to see Zack Greinke leave the division. It’s also been nice to see other guys not enter, including Francisco Liriano.
@redsfanman:
….It was nice to see Zack Greinke leave the division. It’s also been nice to see other guys not enter, including Francisco Liriano.
The way the Reds are playing, Walt’s main interest at this point may be to keep the Cards and particularly the Pirates from adding certain guys Much like some folks feel the Angels top priority in acquiring Greinke was to make sure he didn’t end up with the Rangers.
I think it’s hilarious that because of the trade deadline news and the almighty Sox/Yanks matchup this weekend, the Reds go for their 10th straight tomorrow before heading home to play the second worst NL West team and national media just doesn’t care. The Reds could win 5 or 6 of their next 7 and it would be a blip on the radar. When Votto’s return to the lineup makes headlines, the record might actually be noticed.
I know they are kicking the can around the cellar right now, but even the Nats and the Pirates get to beat up on the Miami Fire Sale and The Philadelphia Flatliners and the Astros and Cubs, respectively. The Reds know they still need every win before the Pirates series, so they will bust their behinds to get them.
I’ve been keeping track of the Yankees/Red Sox matchup this weekend – gotta root for the Red Sox – if the Yankees lose (along with the Nationals) the Reds can earn the best record in baseball.
A bunch of teams have traded a bunch of players but very few of them would have, in my opinion, improved the Reds. Congrats to the Pirates for adding Wandy Rodriguez but I don’t think the Reds missed anything there.
@RichmondRed: I hear what you are saying but the next seven games for for the Reds includes a series with the Pirates. That should get a fair amount of play whether Votto is activated for it or not.
BTW, nobody will come right and say it yet; but just from some of the comments, I would not be at all surprised if Votto plays in that series. Then again of the Reds can pick up another couple of games on the Pirates ahead of that series, Votto may be mofe likely to be held back another week or so.
@OhioJim: The Reds have no real motivation to rush him back, but they also have no need to broadcast a timetable to computers and TVs in Pittsburgh. If the Reds are still red-hot on Friday morning and he is close to ready, he might be reactivated for pinch-hitting. After they play the Pirates, the Reds face the Cubs in 8 of their next 11 games. No harm in making sure he is 110% for the 62-game stretch.
@RichmondRed: The thing that really gets me is that the Reds and Pirates are both playing unbelievable baseball and basically have been since they came back from the All Star break but what coverage there is about the NL Central seems to all center on the various trade sagas of Milwaukee and the Cubs (or what the WLBs might do to get back into the race).
If Scott Token makes another comeback tour, he’ll be an honorary member of the Rolling Stones.
Every time I look at the schedule, it’s amazing how easy the Reds schedule looks the rest of the way. They could approach 100 wins at this rate. More likely to be around 95 though. The Pirates schedule is really easy too.
I think the National media still considers Cincy and especially Pittsburgh underdogs even if they make the playoffs. Washington and San Fran are probably the favorites (if San Fran makes it) because they might have more dominating starters.
I wonder if the Reds are thinking of getting a veteran SS at the deadline to backup Cozart. It’s nice to see Stubbs playing well, but it seems like most fans/baseball writers etc. don’t believe a top of the order of Cozart and Stubbs is going to make a deep run in the playoffs.
I’d say this team is good enough to make a big move at the deadline, whatever that may be.
I have to give a lot of credit to Dusty Baker. He has this team rolling. But I guess I still worry about his decisions come playoff time assuming they make it. Who plays 3rd, Rolen or Frazier? Who starts a game 3? They made a bad decision a few years ago going with Volquez (easier to second guess in hindsight of course) in game 1 against the Phillies. Baker always seems to have a lot of pressure on him managing wise.
I’m starting to feel like a Yankees fan. The better you get, sometimes the expectations are just unreasonable. But if this team makes the playoffs, I think not making the World Series would be a dissapointment. I wouldn’t expect them to win the World Series. Texas I think will be the favorite. Oh well, we’ll see.
I agree with a lot. I believe we have a vet SS for backup, no need there. But, I don’t think we will go far in the playoffs with this 1-2 hole lineup, either. Would you? I do agree with Baker, in recent weeks, in a sense. With Votto out, Baker does have the Reds going, stepping up. My question would be, though, then, where was this work before Votto got injured? We needed players to step up before and got nothing like this. One can argue, in a sense, it was the players then actually deciding to step up and not as much as the manager. But, the decisions afterwards, yes, that will be key. I can’t help thinking, with Rolen going like he is, we will have a 3rd platoon going. While I don’t like that, at least we will have a good bat on the bench. That Edison decision in the Phillies game, even though it wouldn’t have made a difference in the game, was just Baker playing the hard, soft, hard pitchers (Edison, Arroyo, Cueto), which I can agree with, I didn’t then. For, especially when you talk of a “short season”, a quick lead is important. And, Arroyo, Cueto, and even Wood (having almost no hit the Phillies, I believe, earlier that season, in Philadelphia I believe) would have been better for that in the first game than Edison. It wasn’t like Edison was any “Tom Seaver” coming back from injury.
That’s why things are so frustrating when you start to look at the lineup. It’s not that Cozart needs demoted, it’s that he’s a rookie and he gets very exposed at the top of the order. He shouldn’t have been there for longer than that first hot month he had yet Baker absolutely refuses to try him anywhere but the 1-2 holes or the bench. I know it sounds like sour grapes to criticize Baker when your team is 20 games over .500 but I have yet to see anyone even attempt to defend logically his choices for our lineups. We can all hope that once Votto is back he suddenly sees the light and BP goes to the top of the order, Ludwick is suddenly our cleanup guy and he still finds a spot for Frazier in the lineup.. but does anyone actually believe that is what will happen or do we all just have our wishful glasses on?
Also, after a night of reflection and some breakfast I think I’ll choose to just consider most of last night’s pitching stats an outlier due to Coors Field + The Ump With Dust in His Eyes. Just makes you appreciate even more how good that performance was for Marshal against Cargo though.
Nine in a row right now is simply amazing, regardless of the competition. It’s unreal. I remember when Votto went down one of the announcers said without question there was no player in any line-up more valuable to their team than Votto. Everyone pretty much thinks that. Yet these guys reel off 9 in a row.
With the way the Pirates are playing, think where the Reds would be if they were just treading water in Votto’s absence like everyone was hoping for. This is incredible.
Todd Frazier has really put management into a tough spot. He has been very good since playing on a regular basis. A year ago, he would have bemoaned the fact that Frazier was taking over for Scott Rolen next season. Now everyone is actually looking forward to that!!! The guy has been a beast this year!!!
Negative: Over the past month Jay Bruce has become a complete non-factor on this team. He hasn’t necessarily been in one of his mega-slumps as he seems to get a hit here and there to keep anything from getting too low, but those hits don’t seem to be in key spots very often. Last night I almost completely forgot he was in the lineup.
I think Bruce has actually improved his BA with RISP over the last couple weeks. On the other hand, he’s really badly slumped in the last month. Which is why I don’t concern myself with BA with RISP.
@vared: If Votto had not gone down with an injury, Phillips would be hitting cleanup still with Bruce hitting 5th and the offensive results would look very similar to what they were before Votto went out. This team has not missed Votto’s presence in the lineup because Ludwick and Frazier have been hitting in the lineup where they should have been hitting all along. If the sledge hammer that was Votto going down and forcing Mr. Baker to make some proper adjustments to the lineup, wasn’t enough to knock some sense into Mr. Baker so he makes the necessary changes after Votto returns, I’m concerned about the final two months of the season. Of course the wild card is Uncle Walt and any moves he makes to minimize the decisions Mr. Baker has to make.
Not that they shouldn’t modify the lineup when Votto returns, but I don’t think the order has much to do with why they’ve hit ok w/o Votto. Even if Ludwick bats 6th, a 1.168 OPS (which is what he’s hit in the last 14 days) is going to be very helpful. Also same for Rolen, who’s hit very well since the ASB.
That’s what I mean. With the batters in the 1-2 holes we have, their lack of performance essentially take Votto out as a weapon as well. That’s what scares me in the playoffs. Facing good pitching each game, you could take out our 1-2 holes as being effective, which will essentially take Votto out as being as effective as he can be. Then, any success for the playoffs will come from the 4-8 hole hitters. But, put the better hitters in front of Votto, better hitters that we have on this team right now, then Votto becomes more of a weapon, also. With this surge right now, even with Votto out, I’m confident we will get to the playoffs. So, barring collapse, we should be looking to set up for the playoffs. If Baker isn’t going to make the change, Walt is going to have to make the change.
Something just tells me Baker is like Doug Collins was with the Bulls in the NBA. He may be a good coach, but he could never get the Bulls over the edge. Baker may be a good coach, but just like with the Giants, just like with the Cubs (regardless of what people think of Bartman, there were still opportunities for the Cubs to win), where he wasn’t able to get them over the edge, will Baker be able to get us over the edge? What edge would we be referring to? Will we be happy with just the playoffs? Will our edge be a good performance in the playoffs? Making the WS? Winning the WS?
Latos has a career 3.51 ERA at Coors (4 starts). If he can do that today, with Jonathon Sanchez pitching, the Reds should win their 10th in a row.
Yeah, I know Sanchez has been good against the Reds over his career, but he’s terrible this year.
In terms of good stretches for Reds teams, the current stretch (14-2) reminds me of:
1990: started the season 30-11.
1995: after starting 1-8, the team went 39-15.
So it seems that the consensus on this site is that the Reds don’t need a trade, they need the lineup moved around.
Sounds right to me.
@rfay00:
I certainly don’t think we need the BIG trade everyone thought we needed a month ago. Gutting what’s left of our farm system for Willingham or Fowler or Upton or Pence. That seems redundant now that Ludwick has turned around. And I honestly believe we’re seeing more fo the real Ludwick now. He said after he was signed that playing in Petco messed up his swing and that he was looking forward to getting to GABP so he could regain his old form. It took him a few months longer than we would have liked, but it sure looks like he’s found it. Plus I think that playing for his hometown team has really motivated him. I wouldn’t b e surprised to see him play at this level for the rest of the season and hopefully next year if we pick up his option. So that takes away the need for a RH cleanup hitting outfielder. That makes our bench stronger with Heisey being the big bat there. So then you look at the leadoff spot. Opening Day BP was there and looked perfectly comfortable. The way he’s been hitting in the 3 spot screams “MOVE ME UP IN THE LINEUP SO I DON’T HAVE TO TRY AND HIT HOMERUNS EVERY AB!” With Ludwick looking like the no-brainer answer at #4 between Votto and Bruce, there’s no reason NOT to move BP back to leadoff, which Dusty obviously wanted from day 1 but was forced into abandoning when we couldn’t find a decent answer at cleanup. So that allows you to move either Cozart or Stubbs into the #2 spot. Both have done better in that spot than leadoff and sandwiching them between two elite hitters like BP (guy’s batting .300 for 2 years in a row, he’s elite) and Votto is not only going to take the pressure off whoever’s there but will also give them more opportunities. I think Stubbs is the guy for that spot simply because it’s almost impossible to double him up. Moving Cozart to 7 (should probably be 8 but I’m giving up on Dusty batting his catcher anywhere but
will take a TON of pressure off him, let him get his sea legs, and keep his glove on the field. And if either one of them gets hot or cold, you can swap them. The rest of the lineup takes care of itself. Frazier and Rolen taking more of a 50/50 split, I’d think, with Frazier getting the occasional start in the OF our to spell Joey, who might need a few more days off down the stretch than usual to make sure he’s not overworking that knee. Paul looks like a perfectly good answer for the first LH bat off the bench and can sub in any OF spot if need be. Ditto for Heisey from the right side. Valdez isn’t great, but he’s shown to be a perfectly serviceable utility guy who shouldn’t start more than once or twice a month but can come in and pinch run or lay down a bunt when need be. Really the only thing I’d do in terms of moves would be to find an upgrade for Cairo (anything is an upgrade over Cairo so that should be dirt cheap) and maybe try and find a decent SP who you could cool in Louisville in case one of our starters goes down for a week or two. Neither of those moves should cost you anything but some mid-level prospects.
BP did well at the end of last year at leadoff, but tanked it there at the beginning of the year. Pretty much everyone was tanking it at the beginning of the year, though. That’s what precipated the batting order change. With the doubling up aspect, I can understand Stubbs in the 2 hole. I can’t help thinking, still, I want a better hitter in the 2 hole. And, Cozart has proven to be that for the 2 hole. But, then, yes, if either tanks, you switch them in the batting order.
I believe Walt is looking for just what he and Bob always says. Walt has always said what will make the team better, Bob has always said making the Reds a break even business. So, you would look at both factors, will it make the team a better team as well as someone we can afford. That’s why I could see someone like Span (not definitely Span), but if the trade doesn’t include a current starting OF, who would you sit? Not to mention, if it doesn’t include a starter, we would have to give up a load to get Span. We aren’t going to raid the minors again to get a trade going just to “clog” up the 25 man roster. If we make a meaningful trade, aka for a leadoff hitter, it is going to include one of our currect starters, probably packaged but definitely one of our regular starters. Can we get better in our current starters? Sure, which is why I could see a trade. But, that doesn’t justify a trade.
It is something like, for example, if poker, after taking all cards, we have a 3 of a kind. Do we stick? Or, do we take 1 card, 2 cards? We have a good hand, that’s obvious. We can get better, that’s obvious (offense SS, offense CF). Will it be worth the cost? Not so obvious.
Anyone else drooling over that Pirates series coming up? It’s going to be so fun.
@steveschoen: Only starter that would make any sense to move would be Stubbs and you just don’t get the feeling the organization is ready to give up on him. There’s always Heisey, but why weaken our already weak bench by sitting Stubbs to make room for Span or Victorino? Plus, if we were going to trade Heisey we should have done it 2 years ago when his stock was through the roof. Now we’ve exposed him as a bench player who can’t really produce as a starter, plus one whose power has all but disappeared. Not much value trade-wise, but still a valuable part of our bench. Who else is there? If they’re not willing to move Ondrusek then there isn’t a pitcher on the staff who’s expendable (except maybe BRay but who’se giving us anything for Bray right now?) No one’s touching the rotation.
Dark horse in all of this? Jay Bruce. If some 11th hour surprise mega trade happens, it’ll involve Bruce. Only problem is that $50 million contract. Should rightly scare most suitors away. But if some eam with a big payroll that’s out of it for the year (Boston, Miami, Philly) sees the MVP potential and the fact that he’s locked up for several years, you could possibly get a haul. Does it make us better? I don’t know…depends on who you get and maybe only for a couple months. I wouldn’t do it, but if you’re talking about moving a starter I don’t know who else you’re suggesting.
@steveschoen: Also, BP barely had a chance to get his legs under him this year before he hurt his hamstring which basically made him useless for the first month or so. By the time he was healthy he was batting cleanup, which he isn’t suited for. He’s hitting lik ea leadoff man now that he’s in the #3 spot and I dont’ see why he wouldn’t keep doing that at #1.
Good point, Eric. Hey, I’m with you, especially now I believe we have several other options for cleanup (if not Ludwick, I could even go with Frazier or Rolen there right now), I do believe Brandon would make a better leadoff hitter for us right now. Like I said, I think we have the parts; maybe not ideal parts, but enough parts. The biggest, simplest thing I think we can do is a lineup change myself.
@eric nyc: @steveschoen: Eric & Steve, It makes me nervous and anxious when people with common sense and a solid thought process agree with me (or I agree with them as the case may be). I’m just not very used to such agreements. I do have one point of contention. I think this starting lineup needs another solid LH hitter to balance out the lineup, but not necessarily an emergency, prior to the trade deadline aquisition. If Uncle Walt can work out a viable trade (a trade that equitably helps both teams) for Span, I think we grab it and run with it. The needs of the Twins and Reds simply match up so well that this could happen fairly easily if Uncle Walt and Terry Ryan are reasonable and really want it to happen.
Hey, Dude, I can agree to that. I don’t see it happening, though, if it doesn’t significantly improve the team, an overall move, that improves the lineup, financially makes sense, etc. Like I said, I think we have a 3 of a kind right now, talking poker hands. If we make a move, it is going to cost us. So, with what we get back, is it worth it? It would need to be worth it to both teams. So, do we try to improve on a 3 of a kind?
I will say, the team is much better now that before. Walt and the GM or two before Walt has done a heck of a job getting some talent in here, at both the major and minor league levels. Much better to see, even how much I question Baker’s calls that many have stated are too simple to do different.
Bray got 2 strikes on the dude on was Chicken out—-Blog-blog -bloooooooog. I think it is a waste of money that the Reds are paying him to sitt there and can’t even get one batter out. Can he come back to his form? I think it will be tough for him. He is very far behind because too many injuries, thus, he must be sacrificed so do speak for a younger kid who can go futuher than him It is not a matter that he is a LPH but he can’t pitch period ! so he needs to find another job!
::x 
@Bumbum: The problem with Bray is injury. Nothing wrong with his stuff. I agree with you. As much as I like Bray when he’s hitting on all cylinders, it may be time to let him go when Masset returns.
I like Bray, but the injuries are hard to ignore.
BTW – I’ve changed my tune over the past week. To use Chad’s words, “He vexes me.”
Is Angel Pagan a good leadoff hitter?
We could send a bullpen arm and a minor league B level talent to get him.
@Racine Red: The gold standard for someone my age would be the 41-9 stretch the 1975 Reds put together. It started in mid may and ran into July (to the AS break as I count it).
Last year I wondered if the Brewers might match it. They got over half way there on pace but then backed off quite a bit because they had the division in hand. Even if the Reds should be so fortunate as to be in the same situation this year, I’d guess the same might happen as they moved to late August/ September as happened with the Brewers last year.