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Let’s recap tonight’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Cincinnati 5
Chicago (NL) 3
W: J. Cueto (18-9)
L: M. Corpas (0-2)
S: A. Simon (1)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–The Reds won with, frankly, the C-team starting. Always nice when that happens.
–Johnny Cueto wasn’t great (four walks is a bit uncharacteristic), but he didn’t allow a run and got the win. Perhaps everyone can chill out now.
–Denis Phipps got his first big league hit. That’s nice for him. He had two hits today. Xavier Paul was the only other Red with a pair.
– Joey Votto didn’t start, but still reached base because he’s Joey Votto and that’s what he does.
–The Magic Number is now 2. The Reds could clinch tomorrow. Sweet!
–Oh, and by the way, the Reds clinched a postseason spot today. Go Reds!
NEGATIVES
–The bullpen was a little shaky today, allowing single runs in each of the last three innings. But, you know, whatever.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–The Reds have now won 91 games., equaling their total from 2010. Cool.
–Is there anyone out there who thinks Wilson Valdez is Better than Didi Gregorious?
–Magic Number:
When deciding the playoff roster you have to look past the numbers and what the players mean to the team chemistry wise. DiDi is a nice young player, but he has not been with the team all season. You have to take the players who got you here.
We don’t want to see a clinch till Saturday night…
How is four walks okay, Cueto is wearing down and should not be the game 1 starter.
I agree, as long as one can say they did “get us here” and not just take up space on the roster. For instance, one could say Harris did more than Didi did in “getting us here”. But, I would take Didi before Harris. Not disagreeing with you at all. Just want players that are going to assist us. For, we took Harris at the beginning of the season just to have a left handed bat on the bench. I never agreed in carrying a left handed bat just for the sake of having a left handed bat on the bench, not when there is an obviously better right handed bat. With what Cairo brings, Frazier gives us that now plus. Paul gives us a left handed bat. Navarro would give us another left handed bat. As well as Didi.
I’m not saying Cairo won’t be on the roster. I think he will be. But, if you consider Heisey and Paul for the OF, and Frazier for the infield, if we don’t take Devin, we can’t very well rely Navarro for another left handed bat off the bench. If we do take Devin, we can concentrate on Navarro doing that. But, one more position left, between players like Cairo, Valdez, Didi. Given SS would still be low, I think Valdez and Didi move up.
@dn4192: I love how you back up your assertions with evidence like anyone making a reasonable argument should. I hate when people just get all, “You have to do X” or something without anything to back them up. Really glad you don’t do that.
I also hate when people make two arguments that totally contradict themselves. Like, I don’t know, if you argued that Valdez should be the backup infielder because he has been all year, but then argued that Cueto shouldn’t be the #1 starter because of recent performance even though, he’s been the #1 starter all year.
Wait, what point was I trying to make?
Valdez is on the team because he has earned it. He was part of this team throughout the entire season, you don’t mess with that chemistry. You take the roster that played through the season into the playoffs, you don’t switch out untested rookies with very little ML experience for a veteran.
Valdez was on the team because the organization wanted to let some of the talent simmer in the minors, not because Wilson had earned the spot. I do give him credit for the game-winning squeeze bunt against Detroit, but that was over three months ago. Until yesterday’s game, he didn’t have an extra base hit for over three months. Even Paul Janish seemed to be a better hitter than Valdez, and its not like Wilson brings much to the table on defense like Janish does.
I can’t comment on the chemistry issue, as I’ve never been on a professional baseball team, but that is honestly the only thing that he has going for him. At this point in his career, he doesn’t bring playoff-quality offense OR defense to this team.
I’m fairly certain that Didi Gregorius is a better shortstop (although Valdez is more versatile, one would hope that would not be an important issue in the playoffs). The offense might be a wash between the two. What I don’t understand is why Todd Frazier is not given a chance at SS on this team. He was drafted at that position, Cozart went down nearly at the same time that Votto came back, and now Todd is riding the bench a lot more than I believe he should be.
As someone who lives on the East Coast, I’m selfish in saying that I want a clinch any day BUT Saturday. FOX is showing Braves-Phillies for some reason here, the Reds won’t bebe on MLB TV either. I HATE MLB’s blackout policy
@Jason Linden: Ouch.
There is a huge difference in whom is on the team and how the players are used. Given the screwy NLDS playoff set up this season, and how Cueto has struggled of late, I go with Latos if we are playing SF in games 1 and 5. Now if we are say playing the Cards, I go with Cueto in games 1 and 5 and may have Latos as the number 4 guy. Matchups would determine whom I pitch. Roster is determined by whom was part of this team all season.
Today’s game makes me wonder one thing…
Why were the Louisville Bats so terrible this year???
@dn4192:
I will partially agree with you in that I do think Cueto is showing signs of wearing down and should be skipped his next start. But NO WAY does anyone else besides him get the ball in game #1. He’s been our best pitcher all year long, he’s earned the chance to go first.
I could understand if he doesn’t get the ball in game 1. But, that would be only because how some of the numbers have worked out. For instance, Homer is much better on the road. And, Latos is much better in a wide open stadium (I believe). I would rather see them on the road, not at home.
In 2010, I would have definitely gone with Bronson in Philly Game 1, not Edison, said that before the game. Given where the games will be, it may be better to have Cueto at home, possibly making it Game 3.
And I partially agree with you. Homer has been much better on the road, which is why I would like to see him get the ball in game 2 of the LDS (even though we know that won’t happen).
But Latos’ splits this year actually favor him pitching at home, where he has a 3.53 ERA, versus on the road, where he is 4.07. The one caveat is that he does have very good career stats at AT&T park, where games 1 & 2 will be. So I wouldn’t be dead-set against pitching him in game 1 (and then game 5 if needed).
I just think it would be a huge slap in the face to not start Cueto in Game 1. If all the starters had pitching fairly equally this year, then you could probably pick your Game 1 starter based on matchups, ballpark, etc. But Cueto has just been head and shoulders above the rest of the other starters, such as he is now the unquestioned ACE of the staff. And unless he isn’t on his normal rest for whatever reason, you have to start your ace in Game 1.
I didn’t watch the game today, but I’m going to add a negative: From what I read, the Reds struck out four times in the second inning. That’s an absolutely unacceptible number of strike outs in one inning, and I, for one, will not accept it.
I saw the first 6 innings. Seems like I missed most of the fun. I’m not going to get into any of the arguments about the Reds should do this postseason, just going to comment on what I saw.
Cueto was not sharp but was good enough to make me that there’s nothing seriously wrong, he needs a bit of a rest. He’s either throwing his slider into the dirt or else it doesn’t break much – he’s not getting swings and misses with it, as he did earlier in the season. And he’s not locating his fastball as well.
Skipping a start or just pushing him back would seem to be in order.
Didi Gregorius and Henry Rodriguez both impress me a LOT. Not sure why the Reds gave BP that 6 year deal.
Rodriguez hit a deep fly early that would have been a sac fly had XPaul the presence to keep a hand on 3rd base until the 3rd baseman is no longer holding the ball. He stumbles while trying to stand up and lets go of 3rd base. For crap’s sake, if it’s that hard to stand up, just sit there until the 3rd baseman throws the ball to the pitcher.
I like XPaul, but needed to get that off my chest.
Because they want to win for more than one year. If you can honestly sit here and say the Reds would be where they are without Phillips, then you sir are freaking high as a kite.
Just like with Votto, you pay for what they are going to do for the next four years, not the last few of their contract.
Some interesting developments with the bullpen today. Ondrusek and Arredondo sucked, and Simon pitched well under pressure against Soriano and Castro.
Here I will talk postseason. Ondrusek should not make the cut. He walks too many lefties and gives up too many HRs to righties.
Keep Arredondo on, but use him as a LOOGY. Is there such a thing as a RHed LOOGY ? I mean only pitch him against lefties. He gives LHed hitters fits, can’t be trusted otherwise.
I had just assumed Simon would be left out when going to 11 pitchers but now I’m not so sure. Spier showed a lot of confidence in him today (more than Dusty would have, I think) and Simon rose to the occasion. The guy’s got good stuff and he’s got some poise.
I don’t have a clear picture of who I want in the bullpen now, as I’d like to see Hoover and Leake there too. Give Hoover another stress test and see if he does better.
I wasn’t able to watch the game, but it looks like Simon again let guys on base and this time allowed a run to score. Was the confidence in using him at all when the Reds had a lead or leaving him in after giving up back-to-back singles to start the 9th inning? Were the singles off Simon solid hits or bloop/lucky hits?
@rfay00: I like BP a LOT and he’s very valuable to the team but I was talking about 6 years (as opposed to maybe 4 or 5) and I’ll thank you to refrain from phrases like “you sir are as high as a kite”.
@pinson343: And for the record, Phillips doesn’t have a no trade clause in his contract. He can go if needed.
@rfay00: Actually it was “freaking high as a kite”. Obnoxious and uncalled for.
I appreciate BP as much as anyone does.
@rfay00: And you can go if needed.
Keep flexing those internet muscles. Begging for attention on an internet forum says a lot about you.
You can always ignore a comment if you don’t like it.
I just saw the Massett is due for 3.1 million next year…that needs to go…
The growing lack of civility on this site is a bummer. I come here for enjoyment, and to share my thoughts with Reds fans. It will always happen that someone can twist or overreact to a statement, but insulting language is just totally unnecessary.
I agree, and I’m sick of it. Time to start banning people again.
Everyone: if you see a comment that violates the Commenting Guidelines, shoot me an email at chad AT redlegnation DOT com.
Magic number is 2 and I have tickets to Fr the games Friday and Saturday. WOOOOO!
@MrSaturdayNite: Congratulations !
Speier is one gutsy dude. Last nite leaving a struggling Hoover in with the bases loaded, maybe that was because no one was warmed up. But letting Simon go for the save today and leaving him in there, good stuff and a good way to learn what Simon has to offer.
@rfay00: Right and yours will be ignored from this point on. And I’m not begging for attention, I’m here for fun.
Watching the Dodgers/Nats game and the LA tv guys saying that it’s supposed to rain pretty hard tomorrow in Cincy? Is that the weather report back there? Man, it’d be a bummer for Chris Carpenter to return, beat up on the Cubbies, and then the Reds have to sit out the night in a rainout. Or, can anybody say “Saturday Double-Header-Clincher”?
Dodgers lose, btw. Nats clinch playoff. WSH fans are going nuts.
@wildwestLV: Man fitting in a double header on Saturday would be rough. Can’t do day/night since they play on Fox at 4. Would have to be Sunday which would be ok for the Reds since Monday is an off day.
I cannot imagine the terror if Cozart reinjures his oblique in the playoffs and Valdez has to actually play.
Given the nature of Cozart’s injury, there isn’t really a scenario where the Reds don’t take a backup SS into the playoffs. It’ll be Valdez, and that’s a downright shame.
Back on topic….
Nice to see Cueto’s legendary luck returned long enough for him to win his 18th game, huh? First Red to do it since I was in high school.
Pretty sweet although man does that make me feel old.
I was thinking that it was nice to see that Cueto had a successful visit to the shrink and stopped putting pressure on himself yesterday. I know that’s what happened, because from my recliner watching the game on TV, I could just tell. It was because he stopped worrying about trying to win 20 games.
I live in Northwest Indiana, so I am in Cubs territory, generally the only time I get to watch the Reds on TV, unless MLB Network or ESPN. Which game should the Chicago area be getting saturday Dodgers-Reds or Tigers-Twins, I want people give their view.
@Larry1980: Well technically all of Indiana is in Reds/Cubs/White Sox TV territory so you should get the Reds game. Now what the Fox affiliate up in The Region has chosen is a different matter.
@SirRibShack we are getting Tigers-Twins I just checked the map.
@Larry1980: That stinks. I know here in Central Indiana we’ve gotten non Reds games when the Reds were on Fox. I remember last year when the Reds were in San Francisco and Fox had the Reds game but we got Yankees vs whoever they were playing. It’s incredibly annoying considering the Reds are the closest team to us here.
@SirRibShack: I think they are giving chicago Twins-Tigers because its a divison matchup. July 14th The Cards-Reds and Tigers-Orioles were the fox games that saturday, they gave us cards-reds, I think because of it being a division matchup. Aug 25 we also got cards-reds when it was the fox saturday game, It happens I am getting friday its on MLB Network and sunday so its not all bad.
Tonight is the first opportunity to clinch the NL Central Division. The Reds can bury the Dodgers this series, clinch the division and take over the #1 seed going into the playoffs. Tonight the post season scramble is on. WOOOOOOOOOO!
The energy and enthusiasm of the rooks can become contagious and pervade the clubhouse, just like the energy and enthusiasm brought by Frazier when he finally joined the big club. I was thrilled to see the rooks play yesterday and come through with a big ole W.
Getting everyone healthy and contributing becomes a primary focus now. The adjustments to the starting are completed. The final shakeout is underway for the post season roster and the reds are playing serious playoff contenders (well I guess the Bucos have played themselves below .500 and out of any serious playoff contention now) so the final two weeks should be fun, a fitting epitaph to the marvelous regular season the Reds are completing.
Sorry about the double post. The 1st went into the blog netherworld before showing up.
The only relievers I seriously see getting any high leverage appearances in the post season are: Chapman, Broxton, Marshall and LeCure. The starters will be expected to go six and those four relievers should take over from that point if needed. With no more than 3 consecutive games scheduled for the entire post season, no one should be overworked and the only appearance by anyone else would be if the starter could not get through at least 6 or if the Reds have a blowout going and want to save a starter some innings.
Anyone else notice how much Didi reminds you of Pokey Reese in his build and defensive flair?
HRod reminds me of Carlos Baerga with his short frame, running style, and swing path.
The one guy getting buried amid all this is Mesoraco. As recently as mid-July, his OPS was creeping up on Hanigan, but then the concussion/suspension derailed his season. To me, the Reds wasted an opportunity this month to get him back on track. I mean, c’mon, the brass deemed him good enough to trade away Grandal, yet they give up on him at a time when the division is in hand and he could be getting the ABs that he shoulda been getting throughout the season. At this point, I wonder if sending him to the Arizona Fall League is a necessary evil.
@Sultan of Swaff:
Sultan, I hadn’t made that connection, but yes, Didi does remind me of Pokey, and that’s a nice comparison for Didi.
I’m not sue about any cause and effect relationship, but yes, Meso certainly tanked after that event and the Reds’ interest certainly seemed to wane after that event. There is certainly a possibility that his poor performance had a physical catalyst from the incident.
In the relm of simply a personal observation and/or question, I have noticed over the past few seasons that Mr. Baker does not engage in any confrontational interaction with the umpires. Meso had a very serious confrontation with the home plate unpire during that game. I wonder if he ended up in Mr. Baker’s dog house as a result.
Your point about the AFL has some validity and desrves some serious consideration. I’m not sure how roster substitutions are handled for the AFL since the nominations have already been submitted.
It’s pretty simple: the decision has already been made that Mesoraco is off the playoff roster. Knowing how Dusty Baker operates, he plays guys so they stay sharp. Mesoraco isn’t playing at all, and they aren’t going to all of a sudden stick him on the playoff roster when he has barely hit all month.
I don’t like it, but that’s what it is.
Yes. Mesoraco has become an occupant of Dusty’s Juan Francisco Dog House. Not a good place to find yourself.
The thing is, Mesoraco could be on the playoff roster, and still would likely not ever make an appearance in a postseason game. The reason being is that as the “third catcher”, he would only be used if a game went into extras, navarro has already pinch-hit, and Hanigan gets hurt. A situation which, knock on wood, would probably never happen.
The problem is that if he’s not on the roster, then Navarro ends up as the “doomsday scenario” backup catcher, which means he probably never gets to pinch-hit either. And that would be a mistake.
Here’s what Pokey Reese did as a 21 year old in a full AA season:
.269/.336/.407
12 HRs, 23 doubles
75/43 K/BB
That was as good as it got for Pokey in the minors. He got ~380 ABs each of the next 2 seasons at AAA, and ‘hit’ ~.237/.300obp. He went on to OPS .659 over 7 major league seasons. Remarkably, he’s still only 39….he was out of the bigs by 31. Looks like we have almost the same guy on our hands.
My other comparison of the day—HRod and Carlos Baerga. Both are short guys who run funny and have similar swing paths from the left side. Carlos OPS’d .758 in the minors with a 2/1 K/BB ratio. HRod has OPS’d .781 so far with the same 2/1 K/BB ratio. Baerga was in the majors to stay by 21 because Cleveland was awful.
I got a little queasy reading the exchange between pinson343 and rfay00. Without intending to get in to anything with anyone, in 5 years I’ve never seen pinson343 get it to it with anyone on this site. His posts are always full of class and insights. He has been a big poster here for a very long time.
I’ve noticed that my own civility on the site has waned a bit. For that I apologize. My “sheep” comment yesterday was out of line.
Cozart back in tonight’s lineup:
Phillips
Cozart
Votto
Rolen
Bruce
Stubbs
Paul
Hanigan
Arroyo
I hate rooting against the Reds, so I won’t. But somebody’s gotta make a run at the Cards…