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It’s here. Don’t know about you, but I can hardly breathe. I’ve seen five Redleg teams play in the World Series. You’d think I’d be past this now.
Go Redlegs!
Check out the series previews one more time:
The Playoff Roster by Chad Dotson
Records Against Playoff Teams by Greg Dafler
Nation Domination by Jason Linden
NLDS Preview: Giants’ Hitting and Starting Lineup by Steve Mancuso
NLDS Preview: A Discussion with Bay City Ball’s Chris Quick by Chad Dotson
NLDS Preview: Throw the Ball, Catch the Ball by Richard Fitch
Here is the Reds lineup:
And the Giants:
Arghhhhhh, 90 more minutes.
I have nothing to say yet. I just wanted to make sure I was part of a Reds playoff game thread.
Hahahhaha.
Two things (and I’ll shut up tonight):
1) Stay loose & have fun. Everybody. Here’s some help: http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/video.jsp?content_id=22404919&topic_id=19224580&fbid=1Q_g8jI-72k
and
2) GO REDS!
I saw that in a commercial earlier, holy crap it is funny!!
Bruce is gonna mash one into the bay! And the Reds are going to mash the Giants’ bones to make their bats!
Nervous….uncontrollably nervous
Greetings Nation.
Notre Dame is wearing the ugliest helmets tonight that I’ve ever seen.
I got a couple six packs of good beer at the Root Cellar this afternoon, and just picked up some pub cheese and other various snacks at Trader Joe’s. I am ready.
Go Reds! Wooooooo!
I might just have to go through a nervous breakdown…45 minutes before the game starts. GO REDS!
I have to find a way to watch the game here in Korea. I am so pumped!!
I’m going to walk down to SF stadium in a minute and watch the 1st pitch through the RF fence.
@Steve Mancuso:
I guess you are too young to have seen these examples of the worst of 70′s graphics. Toronto is my anti-favourite.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wfl+helmets&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=M9NwUI6dCOWT0QG964G4CA&biw=1024&bih=672&sei=NdNwUI6RJue50QGA1IDgDw
I have the same nervous feeling as I did in 1990 when I was 8. I didn’t have this feeling in 2010.
Same here.
@DatFan:
Who cut the cheese?
BASEBALL….REDS …..REDS BASEBALL NEED SOME MAN COME ON JUST LITTLE I NEED IT!
I hope the reds do better than my buckeyes are doing so far…
ESPN commenters crack me up. Someone accused Chad of not having watched the Reds all year because he was negative about the 2 black holes on our bench.
All i know of the 74, 75 Reds is from stories. Id looooooooooove to have a few of my own. Starting tonight
Lets go redlegs, lets go reds!
Wooooooooo!
Predictions on who will be the “Star of the Game” for the Reds?
I’m going with Jay Bruce.
@Steve Mancuso:
Scott Rolen, of course!
Cueto.
In my eyes if Cueto isn’t the the star of this game tonight then we either didn’t win or it became a slugfest and we somehow came out on top. I can’t see it becoming a slugfest with these two teams in San Fran.
Drew Stubbs. He’s gonna get an important hit and make a big play on D.
Joey MVP hits his first homer since being back.
Jay owes us one in SF.
Wow Gamecocks handing it to Georgia.
My picks to click: Cairo and Valdez pinch hit back to back and both hit home runs.
Back in the real world—I really don’t know what to expect tonight.
Different umpiring crew from the one in Atlanta right? Right???
How do I change the channel from the SF feed?
Happy postseason!
Swung at a borderline pitch on 2-0.
Go Reds!
Wow what a catch!
Press pit denizens are wusses.
so 2-0 and he swings for a lazy fly? Wow, Thats smart. ain’t going to get it done. full of lazy pop ups in a park that wont surrender home runs. why do they upper cut?
Work him Votto!
Too much bad ball swinging in the first inning for my taste.
I didnt enjoy that 1/2 inning.
Did Joey just see 3 times the amount of pitches that Cozart and BP did?
Working the count may be more conducive to winning this game as opposed to trying to score a bunch of runs off Cain. If we get 3+ innings against their bullpen, I like the Reds’ chances tonight.
Why didn’t cue to throw it?
Ump calling that inside pitch.
oh crap
Oh man. That is horrible.
Oh no!!!
no no no!
I wonder if he hurt himself not throwing that earlier pitch.
That would really stink if that’s the case.
Better get Latos into uniform.
Anyone else wish we had Leake in the pen?
Man I hate that for Johnny.
Bailey tomorrow?
Do Giants fans really have that little class? Cheering when a pitcher gets hurt? How ridiculous and childish.
Sam LeCure?
Sure would be nice to have Leake on the roster… I worry that the NLDS rotation is gonna be one heck of a jumbled mess now.
Got to throw Mat Latos here. At least starting the second inning.
The sports gods REALLY hate me.
Two huge horses this year are now basically injured Votto & now Cueto. Insane start to the game
@Steve Mancuso: Latos was starting to loosen up. My guess is LeCure then Latos.
Yep, LeSame coming in. I will say this though.. with almost any other team this would be a disaster but with our pen? We can do this.
@Mwv: Amen. This is the “point”. Everybody stay on the ledge.
Is Latos already warming up?
*LeSam
Wow, i was already pessimistic regarding the playoffs, now i’m just inconsolable
I bet Cueto hurt his groin. It easily could have been on that pitch he didn’t throw when Pagan stepped out the second time.
I think that was it. He should have just thrown the damn pitch. Good lord.
Sam Lecure and company are not going to get this job done. I guess Latos can’t pitch
given the 3 days of rest? If he can at all pitch he’d be the guy you want. Latos apparently told Baker he can go…
Why didn’t he just throw that pitch????!!!!
So much for my Star of the Game prediction, oi.
Wow. Serious Carson Palmer 2005 playoffs kick in the nuts flashbacks here.
What a great comparison, that just nails it
Keep calm and carry on….let’s go Redlegs!
@Hank Aarons Teammate: He was holding his back, though. Hopefully it’s simply a strain.
Unbelievable. Why Le Cure? Why not or Latos?
This. You get as long as you need to warm up why not bring Latos in and move Bailey up to the game three? Don’t get this at all.
Well, that’s a great way to start.
Should’ve thrown that pitch, instead of holding onto the ball.
@dc937: It’s crazy leake isn’t on the roster anyway.
@George Culver: LeCure’s a former starter and Latos is only on three days’ rest. Hopefully Johnny’s okay and the rotation can go as normal without bringing out Leake.
I’m thinking they really want to save Latos for game 3 and not burn him this early in the series. Really sucks we don’t have leake tho
Can’t Leake be brought onto the roster if Cueto is taken off? How does that work?
I like Sam, but where do we go from here without Cueto? Can Leake be activated? This is a kick in the stones.
Really need to get Latos out there for a couple innings to get him set up for a game five. He should have been out there from the beginning. Darn it.
Latos would be pitching on one fewer days rest than usual. That’s not ideal but also not that bad. The real issue is just being mentally ready to pitch today since he wasn’t planning on pitching until Tuesday.
LeCure with 2 ground balls already. With the Reds defense you can live with that for a few innings.
The team, especially the hitters, are really going to have to step up and compensate for this.
Reds made history with none of their starting pitchers missing a start due to injury, only to lose their ace due to injury a couple of pitches into the playoffs. unbeleiveable
Quote of the year. Did somebody curse the Reds?
What would have been nice is if our genius manager had scratched Bailey from the meaningless game Wednesday and he could pitch tonight
Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe Cueto was about to pitch a crummy game, who knows.
I hope this sparks the rest of the team to step it up.
If Johnny can’t go the rest of the series can’t Leake get called in for injury replacement.
Let’s steal one on the bullpen day, and put even more pressure on the Giants. I’m in favor of using the bullpen rather than wrecking the entire rotation. Stinks, but let’s play ball.
I think the issue is 3 days rest, though he only threw 5 innings on Oct. 2.
They also could have brought Arroyo in, he’s rested—and then pitched Latos in game 2 (on 4 days rest) also. I am not crazy about the decision made by Baker here.
I said latos should have pitched Latos game 1, is leake on the roster?
@MaddShadez: nope. Cueto is one pitcher and this is one game. CP’s injury was much more damaging.
Well, by God, this is grounds for a Red’s sweep of the playofffs. They went 20 in a row without Votto, They can go 11 in a row without Cueto.
I like that thinking!
Leake can be activated for this series if Cueto is disabled. That doesn’t stop Cueto from pitching in the NLCS or World Series.
The Reds offense absolutely, positively better get it in gear now. The Reds bullpen has the talent to win this game.
After the Giants fans cheered when Cueto left, my blood is boiling. I didn’t think it was possible before, but I want to win this series 10 times more now.
Terrible call
Bad call on strike three on Ludwick.
Cain doesn’t need that kind of help
Again with Rolen?
Bruuuuuuuce!!!!
Hey, we are ahead of last NLDS’ pace!!!
Marty was already all over Bruce, after two pitches. Hopefully that double will shut him up.
Brruuuucccceeeee!!!!
That walk would have been nice, blue.
Gotta make hay while the sun is shinning. Get’em in boys.
Attaboy Jay. Need you on third, Brucey.
Home plate umpire losing control of the strike zone.
Woulda been nice to heavy Lundy on for that
Wtf on the first strike to Rolen. Geez
Laughing over here at the silly Giants fans desperately trying to snag Bruce’s (fair) ball down the 1B line.
Atta boy Bruce! I agree with everyone else: if the bats show up, out pitching staff is plenty good enough to win this series even minus Cueto. If they don’t, we were probably going to lose anyway.
HP ump is embarrassing. In the Ludwick AB, pitches 3 and 4 were in the exact same spot, one ball, one strike.
Thank God Hanigan is hitting 7th is all I got to say here.
This strike zone is pretty silly right now.
Wow! Where is the k zone?
That outside pitch isn’t a strike. But called one on three hitters this inning.
Plus on Votto too.
Wow the ump is calling way outside pitches.
Hope Cousins gives the Reds’ staff that kind of strike zone.
All I can say is that our pitchers better be getting that same call on the outside corner too.
Chapman cracks me up!
Hilarious with the Chapman version of Sham a lam a ding dong
So Latos will come in after this inning.. Homer pitches game 3 now?
And Mat Latos is in the bullpen. Just giving him time to warm up.
Latos up. Dusty is managing this game to win it.
Latos to come in to pitch the 3rd, presumably. I like the improv management of the pitching staff, rather than wrecking a ton of relievers in game 1.
Strike three cousins!
Argh, I know I’m entirely too excited during this game but this ump is driving me berserk.
And that wasn’t a strike
Huge K of Posey by LeCure.
Posey about screwed himself into the ground
Le Sam says le sit down.
Phew. Back spasms for Cueto.
Sam’s pitches have a lot of movement tonight. So far.
One advantage of tonight’s circumstances: A wider audience gets to bask in the glory of Sam LeCure, both his pitching and his beard.
Sam is lookin good right now.
What causes back spasms anyway?
At least Bruce knew where the warning track was on that one…
Cousins officially sucks.
Where is the K zone now? This is terrible.
Where’s the inside pitch for us?
Now the home plate ump is squeezing us and I’m getting pissed
Oh my gosh. This ump is unbelievable.
Boo, ump. Boo.
Looked like LeCure was pitching around Belt.
Apparently Cueto was feeling back spasms before the game even started?
The home plate ump is absolutely terrible, I mean terrible.
Looks like those of us who thought Latos should pitch in SF are going to get our wish. Hope he’s ready on short rest.
You just cannot walk guys in this park.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Probably more than any other park……you can, actually. GAPB is not a good park to walk guys.
I understand; what I mean is that it’s very, very stupid to walk guys in a park where you can’t hit it out very easily. Yes, GABP is even worse.
Stubbs is already paying dividends.
intentional walk to the pitcher
Stubbs cuttin that off is big.
@CharlotteNCRedsFan: our guys cant walk, no matter how many balls are thrown.
I’m not upset with LeCure, he’s throwing very good pitches and not getting the calls.
No harm, no foul. Attaboy Sammy!
Yeah baby! Bruuuuuuuuce! Le Sam gets us 2 solid. Game on.
Sam dodged the bullet. Wow
Phew. Maybe cousins will get back spasms.
I hate branden belt already.
Damn, that was too scary, too well hit ball for a pitcher.
Frankly, that was a very poor job by Lecure, but thankfully, he’s done now.
This is the right move by Baker, however it works out, in my mind. Latos should pitch here.
Maybe the real reason for having Lecure go 2 was because now Latos can just pitch 5 innings if all goes well., given that he’s on 3 days rest.
Phil Cuzzi, the home plate umpire, has made some really famous bad calls. In the playoffs two years ago, he’s the guy who missed the really obvious fair/foul call in the Twins/Yankees game. He called a ball foul that was obviously fair, really costing the Twins.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/After-Phil-Cuzzi-s-blown-call-MLB-needs-to-put-?urn=mlb,195187
Sam the man.
It would be so sweet if Drew has a big post-season. Crazier things have happened.
LeCure scares the living blank out of me sometimes. But, then we get out of the inning, and Mat Latos comes in to pitch against the giants. Life is good.
After that inning I’m dragging out the old defibrillator, you know, just in case. Nice catch by Bruce.
Can pinch hit for the pitcher this inning. Then Latos. Overall, I think Baker handled that really well.
LeCure got squeezed on Brandon Belt. Two pitches on the perimiter of the box called balls. Anything close to the box is a strike for Cain.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: The TBS announcers think that this was so Latos didn’t feel rushed in his warm-up. I think both are plausible, though.
Atta boy Stubbs!
Leake to pinch hit for LeCure would have been nice.
That a kid, Stubbs!
Stubbs hit. Instead of bunting him over, how about a stolen base instead.
Wait.. what?
I don’t get it.
Sacrifice out #1. I don’t like this move at all.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: They had LeCure pitch for 2 so Latos could have his normal time warming up. At least, that’s what they’re saying on TBS.
Steve, are you sure that Cueto could return for the LDS if he is replaced during this series? I thought they built in a penalty of sorts to keep teams from feigning an injury … I could be wrong, but thought I read that a few weeks ago.
Aaaaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhhh
er, I mean, could return for the LCS
Ugh!
Hate, hate, hate giving up an out against Cain. Have Stubbs steal second and give us three chances to drive him in from second. Baker is WAY too conservative.
Ugh!
This ump is all over the place. Let’s go BP!!!
waste of an out right there. hate that decision
Go time for Stubbs now
First time in my life I would have rather seen Valdez or Cairo come up and take a hack at it. That was stupid.
@vegastypo: Almost positive. I know you have independent rosters for each leg of the postseason. The NLCS roster can be different from the NLDS roster. But I’m not 100% sure.
Brandon! Snap out of it!
Somebody please explain why Wilson Valdez wouldn’t have been a better option there???? Was he really saving HIM for later in the game? In case we go 20 innings and need an emergency pitcher
BP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yowwwwzer
Brandon Phillips !!!!!!!!!!!
BP!!!!!
BP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He just CRUSHED that ball.
Yeah!
GONE!!! DAT DUDE BP!
WAY TO STEP UP BP!
My Heart!
BP!!!
He heard me!
BP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Holy smoke. Cain hung that BP didn’t miss. Wow
Wow, Cain left two hit me out of the park breaking balls there in that AB…Phillips missed the first, but not the second!!!
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two run HR by BP 2-0 Reds top 3rd.
That was HUGE. Did not see that coming at all, but it feels good to have an early lead against Cain. WHOOOOO!
@Steve Mancuso: I thought I had read somewhere that if someone was put on the DL in the DS that they were ineligible for the CS. I might be making that up though.
Cain really hung that curve ball to Phillips. Props to Drew Stubbs for the hit and being on base to make it a two-run jack.
BP!!!
Now that’s what we needed. Way to go DatDude!
Please please tell me that didn’t break a finger. I do not want to see Valdez.
Really nice if Joey could connect for a moon ball here.
What the heck. Looked like Cain was looking to hit Cozart there.
How about a double here for JoeyMVP.
Joey, make it comfortable
Cain is a little discombobulated.
Ludwick makes them pay big time now
Cain is at 50 pitches already. Good at-bats tonight by the Reds.
Good observation. The Reds did the same thing in the game pitched in GABP in the spring. I was at that game. It was great to (finally) see the team work the count.
Actually, Cain is a bit wild. My bad.
OK That’s the excuse I was looking for. Time to hit Cain in the ribs, get him outta there. On second thought the way he’s pitching now….
It would be incredible if the Reds could knock Cain out of the game here. Just a few more baserunners this inning and they might reel him in…
CAn’t find the plate so don’t help him,
C’mon Lundy!
With the way Cain is pitching, you’d think the Giants decided they were sure to win with Cueto out of the game.
Nuts. I would love to see that double play in slow-mo, it sure looked like the SS pulled off the bag early there.
Dang. He got bailed out. Oh well. 2-0 lead is awesome.
Thanks, datdude. Cmon big matt.
I was fixing a plumbing gaffe, where’s Cueto?
Great to have the lead but it sure would have been nice for Ludwick to knock in a couple more. Or at least get Bruce (already hit a double) to the plate. Ludwick only had one HR in Sept/Oct.
@Jared: Cueto suffered back spasms after 8 pitches, possibly aggravated by a late time-out call by Angel Pagan where Cueto made a throwing motion without actually releasing the ball.
Good to see that Cozart’s OK after HBP. Send Cueto home tonight to get ready for game 3.
I feel really good about Latos in this situation. He only needs to go for five innings, and he should know that. He’ll be completely focused.
Yikes. Hope everything works out. Latos remins me of Rob Dibble
These game announcers act like a starting pitcher needs a deep tissue massage before s game.
@George Culver: If not game 3 then game 1
Howdy folks… I couldn’t resist after all the drama that’s unfolded. This is crazy.
Pitch around Posey. Don’t let him be the one to beat you?
Latos ain’t scared of nobody
It’s very hard to be beaten at AT&T. I would never walk Posey and put a couple guys on, unless the next hitter was really bad.
Sweet. Latos gets off to a great start.
BTW, Rolen’s AB in the 2nd was better than any AB he had in the NLDS in 2010. Plus he looks like he can actually field the ball this time around. This is a good thing.
@Steve Mancuso: I agree. If Cueto can really go again in game 3, the Reds won’t suffer at all here. Good end to the 3rd. More runs boys, more runs!
Correct, assuming that Latos is unaffected by coming in in relief. So far so good. Holding my breath. I will exhale if the Reds win.
Gotta love having one of the all-time greats in Rolen down at 3B. Those chopping grounders in an unfriendly ballpark can be a big concern, but he makes it look so darn easy. Especially after seeing Chipper’s error last night, makes you appreciate Rolen even more.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Good point. Remember in 2010 how bad our defense was. Orlando Cabrera was playing even though he was hurt (and he wasn’t very good in the field when he was healthy).
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEE!
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEE!
Bruuuuuuuuuce!!!!!! He is getting HOT baby!
That my friends was a BOMB.
BRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
GET HOT BRUCE YOOOWWWWZER
Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuce!
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCEEEEE! HE’S ON FIRE!
BRUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!
There’s my star of the game prediction. With a double and home run.!!!!!
Very happy, yet wishing Ludwick could have just struck out last time.
BRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Steve, I oompletely disagree. Even though it seems to have worked out, they wasted LeCure. Latos would have had as much time as he needed to get ready…so they’ve wasted LeCure. If you’re going to use LeCure, leave him in, now they’ve screwed up their rotation for two games. Even though the idiot announcers are talking about Cueto being ready for game 3 (Tuesday). I can only speak for myself, but when I’ve had back spasms, they didn’t go away in a couple of days…
Just wondering, what’s the big deal about “wasting” Lecure? Yes, if the game goes 13 innings, it will matter. Otherwise….?
Personally, I would have brought Latos in right away, but there are two good reasons not to. (1) They want him to go through his typical routine getting ready, and (2) he is pitching on 3 days rest, so Baker might want him to go his usual depth into the game and figures he can’t if he comes in in the first inning.
Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!
Maybe Marty will stay off Bruce’s back for an AB or two now.
Lighten Up Francis. Geez
!!! If Bruce is Red Hot this October we win the World Series.
Fact
Bruce 2 for 2.
That bats woke up!
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!
Hopefully everyone sees why the Giants’ pitching isn’t as good as people think—that was an absolute bomb by Bruce, and it barely got out.
Marty reporting that he just talked to Walt Jocketty. Cueto was feeling the spasm before the game. Walt doesn’t think it’s serious and there is a good chance Cueto will be able to pitch in the series. All good news.
However…if that’s that case, why even have Cueto go out there and start the game?
Hunter Pence has the ugliest throwing motion ever
Hopefully this is the start of a Bruce hot streak. And it will last thru the world series.
Early in the broadcast cast the TBS announcers said Votto was strictly arm swinging in explaining his lack of HR power. Excuse me for a second Bruuuuuuuuucccce Home Run yeah baby. 3-0 Reds top 4th. Now, where was I, oh yeah about Votto’s lack of power. They said it was apparent Votto could use his legs or leg to generate power.
Sounds like PR BS to me…if he felt it before the game, why let him go, why not get Latos ready and start him, then work on Cueto for game 2 or 3?
I think WJ is blowing smoke…
@Steve Mancuso: And maybe pigs will start flying. I love Marty, but Bruce must have done something horrible to him earlier in life.
That Bruce HR may have scored someone a Toyota at GABP. Way out
@Sergeant2: Opps! Apparent Votto could NOT use his legs to generate power.
@Bill Lack: I don’t know much about pitching. But Brantley was saying that it was good for Latos to be able to go under the stadium and stretch and go through his usual routine. Then go to the bullpen and come back into the dugout and sit down when the Reds came to bat. Not sure if it’s a big deal to have “wasted” Sam LeCure.
And I don’t think you can ignore that it did work out.
@Bill Lack: Difference is, he’s a professional athlete with practically unlimited care. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s good to go for game 3. I’m 25 and have had two instances of back spasms, one time that killed me for a week and another that lasted maybe a day. Both in the military and both times they just gave me bed rest.
Did a quick bit of research online, so don’t know how accurate it is, but it seems like if you replace a player in the middle of a series for an injury, then they have to stay out the entire postseason.
Wow, giving Rolen an error on that play? Sheesh.
He threw it past the first baseman…that’s an error in any league.
He threw it past the first baseman…that’s an error in any league.
@Bill Lack: @Bill Lack: @Bill Lack:
You can say that again!
Replay shows that a good throw gets the runner
Latos appears to have no command on his curve and slider right now.
Rolen has to make that play.
@Bill Lack: I can’t fathom how using a reliever for 5 outs while giving up zero runs can be considered a “waste”. He did his job. Even if the pitcher is given as much time as desired to warm up, I would worry that Latos would not be prepared to enter the game on such short notice. If it was my call, I probably would have done the same thing (except not use Bailey as a PH, since Latos is probably the better hitter out of the two).
Excellent Point
Hanigan is taking a licking back there. He is a man.
I think they got it ok and knock wood it holds up. LeCure got them two innings, Latos got to warm up like he would to start. Since Latos starts in the 3rd, he really only has to go 4 innings to get to the 7-8-9 regular relievers.
DEFENSE baby!!!! Yeah!
Whew! First big break of the postseason right there.
@Adam Hilton: I’ll go with that. Get Cueto the best muscle relaxants money can buy, a good physical therapist, and maybe a cute massage therapist.
Great play by Votto. He really elevated to get that. Gold Glove play!!
but he could have done that, Steve…the rules say he has as long as he needs to get ready.
Just because something worked doesn’t mean it was the right decision, just because sometimes when something doesn’t work out, doesn’t mean the decison that brought it about was wrong.
I hope he can go on Tuesday, but the Reds saying they believe he’ll be able to 30 minutes after the injury happened is just ridiculous.
Latos has no command of the breaking ball. Better have good location on the fastball or it could be bombs away.
What a lucky break to Votto’s glove
Yeah announcers, keep talking about how great of a defensive first baseman Belt is. He’s the one with a Gold Glove after all… Oh wait…
I also think LeCure went out and did a great job being thrown in cold a very tough and stressful situation.
@earl: Agree, you need a few guys like Sam on the team to win a WS. Not pretty but tends to get the job done.
MVottoP
Squeezed!!
This isn’t working. I really don’t like how Latos looks.
If Baker says anything interesting, please report it here. I’ve got the TV broadcast turned down to listen to the radio.
Okay, I’m thinking Latos for 3 maybe 4 innings. Not terribly sharp so far.
Per John Fay: If you DL Cueto he would haved to skip NLCS and cannot return till the world series
I have not seen the roster is Leake on it and if not does Homer go game 3 and hope Cuteo is able to pitch come wed.?
Dusty just got asked about the pitching, said Le Sam was Le Awesome and now Mat is there to save the day. Also said BP can hit anywhere in the lineup and is awesome. Awesome. I added all the awesome to those remarks. Awesome game so far.
Bill Lack – drink some positive juice, bro. You are killin our vibe.
Wooooooo! I say.
I call ‘em as I see ‘em, you can be a sheep if you’d like.
Didn’t see the playoff roster..can someone recap, please?
The Reds have to monitor Latos very closely. He hasn’t thrown anything but a fastball for a strike. They should go to the pen early if necessary, not wait for a bunch of runs to score.
Latos needs to start throwing his breaking pitches for strikes. They’re all in the dirt. If he gets that going, the Giants are in big trouble.
Okay, so if I’m interpreting Fay right, if the score stays exactly the same and Latos finishes out the game, LeSam gets the win and Latos gets the save?
That’s not correct is it? I thought it was scorer’s decision.
I feel like we’re holding on with our fingernails and Latos isn’t super sharp.
Hell, if they had to, get Latos through the 5th and go Hoover, Marshall, Broxton, Chapman. They could all go again if needed tomorrow and then get a day off. Just keep pressing ‘em.
What I really like is that if this series goes to a game 5, Latos would be the starter. Advantage Reds
yes. It was the right call going to Latos. It may not work out, but kudos to Baker.
My kingdom for a Votto homer.
Yeah, Zack, no point in trying for 2nd there…Votto walks either way!
I found this in a two-year-old article at Baseball Prospectus. It confirms that Cueto can be replaced mid-series with a player of the same position, but would be ineligible to return. Of course the Reds could solve this problem by wining the two games in SF!
BP (2010): “The final 25-man playoff roster must be set a day before a club’s first Division Series game, and a team that advances has the right to change its roster for both the League Championship Series and World Series. A rule change, new under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, allows a team to replace an injured player during the middle of a series, so long as another player at the same position replaces him. Additionally, a player replaced in one post-season series may not be brought back for the following series.”
So if Cueto cannot go in Game 3, I assume you go with Bailey, who starts game 4?Hopefully it will not matter as the Reds sweep!
Votto too anxious? That 1st pitch wasn’t that sweet enough.
I think the “scorer’s discretion” rule on giving “wins” only applies to a situation where a starter leaves the game short of pitching five innings and his team has the lead when he leaves. In this situation, LeCure was the pitcher of record when the Reds took the lead. So I think that’s right – if the score stays the same as it is now and Latos finishes the game (unlikely), LeCure gets the W and Latos gets a S.
@Scott: It is, but there would be two pitchers eligible for a win, so I think Latos would get a 7 inning save.
Wow. Cain gone. Me like.
@Bill Lack: Well get a better prescription, son. They made the right call putting LeCure in after Cueto left. That’s what Sam does for a living, he gets ready quick to relieve someone. I think they know Latos’s routine a little better than you.
Was this Cain’s shortest outing?
@Steve Mancuso: Well, if we’ve learned one thing from this team all season, it’s that Cueto will probably be on the roster for the entire postseason whether he actually plays or not
Given the ballpark dimensions and if the score holds 3-0, when do you insert Heisey in LF?
@Bill Lack: well, I saw a reliever relieve. Nothing to have a hissy over.
Can’t tell if Latos is overthrowing that breaking pitch or what.
I have back spasms right now
If Votto makes that play the runner is out at first. Didn’t look that difficult compared to other plays he makes.
That’s two by Votto….short hop throw by Philllips…got one, but could have gotten two. Got a break that the ball hit the runner. come on Reds, don’t do an “Atlanta” on defense.
BP with a little flair on that one.
“He usually always makes the play.”
Brilliant
@DatFan: We can call that a Yogi-ism.
@CharlotteNCRedsFan: Good question. Ludwick leads off this inning, so maybe as early as next inning.
Cueto pitches to two batters and the Reds are up 3-zip after five. Life is very good.
Lets see some basrunners here, redlegs.
That barehand play wasn’t necessary. I’m going to have a heart attack, a stroke, or some other calamity if he missed that barehand.
Alright, Reds! I vote one more inning out of Latos and call it a job well done. Grab another two runs and it’ll be golden.
Now, according to FAy, Jocketty’s saying they don’t know if Cueto will be able to go in Gm. 3.
It’s the Reds. We might find out he broke his back in a couple weeks.
Marty didn’t say that WJ said Cueto would pitch in game three, only that it was possible if Cueto’s condition turns out to not be serious. Obviously, no one knows at this point how his back is going to feel.
Bruce nailed that ball.
Kontos is good. It’s not like getting more runs will be easy.
Ludwick looks like Rolen 2010. C’mon, Luds!
Latos has thrown 45 pitches in his three innings. I think two more innings from him, as long as he stays effective, would be doable.
Ludwick not looking so good so far.
Ludwick had been a pretty big hole in that 4 spot.
Is Darren Baker making the team next year?
Bruce looks locked in right now…
Bruce is on everything. Nice sign that.
Ya gotta be encouraged by the way Bruce is making good hard contact on the ball. I know I am.
Picture of Jocketty texting in the booth with Joe Morgan. priceless
Didn’t Frazier play more games at 3B than he did at 1st?
Rolen played good D tonight, but still I would like to see Frazier in the lineup for the next game.
I assume Frazier is starting tomorrow..
I feel like Jay Bruce really wants to get home so he can crank out some Great American Homers. For now, I guess we’ll have to settle with a 3-0 lead after the one of the worst possible things happened in the first inning.
Rolen or Frazier, whoever is batting 6th, is about to become critically important. I am guessing Bruce ain’t going to see much to hit for a while.
Crap
Latos on the short leash from here………I hope.
Ok, recover time…lock it down, Matt.
Time to get some action in the bullpen. Posey got all over that one.
Disagree, Latos fooled him and he was out in front and got lucky
Pence is swinging like mad man…. Ludwick could have give a token effort at that ball, no?
Latos 14 hitters 12 first pitch strikes.
Latos isn’t going to last.
Yep. Latos is done after this inning. As long as he gets through it…
Whew! Get the pen up!
Get someone up. He might not make it through this inning. Baker, the game is ON THE LINE.
Anyone throwing up in the pen? (J. Coleman)
Arrendondo up…ugh.
Anyone throwing up in the pen? (J. Coleman)
Luds!!!
LUDDDDDY!!!
What a great play by Ludwick. Crucial.
What a catch. Ludwick with a game saver
Amazing catch! Just what the Reds needed there!!
Great play by Ludwick…
More than a token effort from Luds there!
Well, at least Ludwick is contributing defensively tonight. And everyone, say a few prayers so Marsahll will come out instead of Arredondo.
Ok Luddy, you’re fogiven for the HR ball effort.
What did Richard Fitch post? Pitching, Defense, Luck.
Two outs. Nice play ludwick!
I’ve about had it with Rolen at this point.
c’mon
Dang! Phillips is a great 2B.
Votto bailed out by an outstanding play by Phillips
What a play by Phillips…and again, a ball gets by Votto. (Not a good throw by Rolen)…
What a great, great play by Phillips…
Announcers are saying Votto is “defensively challenged”.
Hope all little leaguers just took note of dat dude.
Frazier in for Votto?
Nice job Mat.
Good job by the Reds there getting out of trouble….
Bring in the A-Team from the bullpen from here. That gets my vote.
@Hank Aarons Teammate:
Now you dread his at-t bats, too!
Look, he’s not getting the job done today, that’s for sure.
As plays which don’t show up on the scorecard go, what BP did there is as good as it gets. I’m hoisting one to him right now.
I don’t think Baker trusts his bullpen before the 8th inning…I’d like to see Latos pinch hit for here, but I doubt he does it.
I’m getting aggravated at the announcers. Votto is “defensively challenged” when he doesn’t make two difficult plays that also depend on Rolen performing a minor miracle? Come on!
Oh, whoops. All little leaguers probably asleep. Thank you, Bud Selig.
Get the big lead. NOW. score a few. make it a breezer from here out. Arrendondo scares me in a close game.
Gutsy pitching by LeCure and Latos tonight…got to go to the regulars to finish it off.
I think Votto’s knee is still limiting his defense. It may not be physical as much as mental. At times, he seems to hesitate in fielding. On the other hand, he made a great play on that line drive earlier when he jumped for it.
His lack of home runs so far is also an indication that his knee is still limiting him.
I’ve said a couple of times, we shouldn’t be counting on him for power in this series and that maybe he should be hitting somewhere else. Bruce could be hitting third.
Marshall-Broxton-Chapman?
Though this is not a bad option, I think this is huge mistake. As Latos can give you 2 more easily. Unless he pitches game 4 this is a dumb move. You are just interchanging parts until you find someone who cannot get the job done.
So it worked and I was wrong, I truely believe Latos does the same if he remains in. They are playing with fire with all the changes nut it works. Marshall and Broxton are gassed a bit, but possibly are have developed confidence. I am glad I cannot post a ” I Knew it”
I’m not sure what you mean… these guys are the best bullpen in the league. Bar none. Develop confidence? They did this EVERY NIGHT all year. Someone who can’t do it? They did it EVERY NIGHT, all year.
You start messing with too much, you start losing when you should not. The Giants want to make outs, who ever the Reds put out there are helping them. How many innings do you allow Arroyo to go tomorrow, Broxton does not have his best stuff tonight an dneither does Chapman.
This team is making alternating very good and very bad defensive plays.
Going to be Marshall in the bottom of the 7th…
I don’t like Marshall here vs. all RH hitters. Potential for trouble and burning another pitcher
Never mind. They should just let Latos hit and then take him out immediately after, if Cairo’s coming up.
Cairo? Seriously? Cairo? he shouldn’t even be on the playoff roster. Not Heisey, not Frazier…but Cairo.
.294 lifetime in postseason play. You know Dusty even if Cairo is now 45-years old.
How can Cairo be hitting instead of XP? Or instead of anyone?
Miguel Cairo is 51 years old
That’s Dusty “saving” the other guys for later in case it gets tight. Because two runs with this bullpen is like 5 runs for other teams (in Dusty World).
Cairo leaves better hitters for later RBI situations.
Anybody else think, even if he’s not going to pitch, Leake’s a better use of a roster spot than Cairo for his bat? Almost said Valdez, too, but I guess we need SOMEONE to back up Cozart.
Anyone think Dusty will use Chapman in the 8th inning as just stated on TV? After having shut him down a couple weeks ago? I don’t see it.
Would you half consider letting Chapman go two, and just say “thanks for the road victory, we got what we came for?”
Whatever happens from here on out, you can “not” let Buster Posey beat you. Walk him, hit him but “do not” pitch to him if the chip’s are down.
Amen
I do not want Posey to beat us, but he is not Bonds level. He is going to make an out over 60% of the time, go at him
@vicferrari: He is an exceptional player. Have you had a look at Pence and Belt’s numbers. Posey is an MVP player. If he beats us, we deserve to lose.
Posey will make an out tomorrow! If they walked him it is a wash, I will take the match -up any day.
@vicferrari: Would hate to see him at the plate right now.
So what do you gotta say now; Sorry to be a jerk, but I feel I made a good point. Posey is more likely to make an out, what is your solution…walk him?
No change of mind. He is their best hitter by a country mile. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to it two nights in a row. Over .400 against lefties ad two times it appeared he just missed clobbering a pitch but Chapman is awesome. Thank God!
Absolutely
This Home plate ump can’t read Marshall’s Bresking ball
Pagan hit a three-run homer off Marshall back when Marshall was the closer.
It was Pagan that homered off Marshall in Cincy to avoid the sweep
I think if Baker was considering using Chapman for two innings he would have used Broxton in the seventh.
Like seeing Ludwick catching the ball with two hands…being careful, no mistakes.
Or with one!
Wow!
Ludwick MVP baby!! Wooooo!
Ludwick!!!
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Right.
WOW. Flashing the leather!!!!!! Pitching. Defense. Luckwick?
Defense has been sick-nasty all game. Lordy!
Whooo…that was close. I would think we will see Heisey after Ludwick’s at bat.
Wow, that was ugly, but ….effective. Thanks Ludwick.
Looks like Baker is locked into his “role” for the relievers. Marshall 7, Broxton 8, Chapman 9.
He has Arredondo warming up to back up Marshall, which is kind of crazy since Arredondo should only be pitching to LH hitters. Should be Hoover instead.
Ludwick makes two great (not so pretty) plays in the OF. I’m ready for Heisey out there. Not sure why he isn’t out there already.
I assume the reference to Chapman in the 8th was about bringing him in if Broxton gets into trouble. Not Chapman starting the 8th.
Agree, Steve…should be Heisey this inning, double switch if necessary (if they get to Ludwick in the order this inning.)
@earl: We’ll see, hard to see him taken out after two spectacular plays though. Can’t say for sure that Heisey would have gotten both of those balls, gotta be some amount of luck involved on Ryan’s part though.
I’m glad to see Mota instead of Romo.
@Scott: Well, as it stands, it’s the Giants 3-4-5 hitters. Not a bad time to have the best pitcher going. But, yeah, it’ll be Broxton because that’s how Dusty rolls.
Wow, both Mota and Bochy should pee in a cup. Why would you bring your worst relief pitcher in here…the one guy who isn’t good?
That was a heck of a catch on the first one by Ludwick, second one it looked like he broke wrong and caught up to the ball.
Gotta find a way to get BP across the plate.
I have Mota’s A sample ready
Stupid to bunt here!!! Mota is bad.
It was a heck of a grab to make that awkward catch, but i think he had to make it because of the path he started to run on the hit.
Asking for the IBB for Votto?
How hard is it to bunt?
Lopez comes in to face Votto. Why not try to do damage here, before that?
Not one pitch Cozart swung at was in the strike zone…
That was a piss-poor AB by Cozart.
We keep calling for the bunt and we are manifestly TERRIBLE at executing it. The execution is clearly on the players, but at some point the person calling for it needs to see the futility – or at least understand how it changes the odds and whether it is a good strategy.
Predictably, when you waste two strikes, Cozart strikes out.
Now it’s Lopez vs Votto, not nearly as good for us. Lopez dominates lefties.
Bochy just realized he had Mota in the game and said, “holy crap, what am I doing?”
Brandon Phillips is a big league ball player!
What a play by Phillips
Another GREAT PLAY by Brandon Phillips…now we need a hit by Ludwick.
Man, BP brought all his tricks for the playoffs! Dat Dude is game MVP for me.
Man, second smart play by BP.
Love the crafty footwork by BP. He really has a knack for pissing off the opposing team, and I fully applaud his efforts.
So it turns out Philips is a ninja…
Wait, they want to see Bruce with two on? Ok. I’m game.
Am I the only one who hates hearing that we were second in the Nl in fielding behind the Braves, who committed 3 unsightly errors last night?
Brandon Phillips comes to play.
That was more like Neo dodging bullets.
Likely, this is the game right here…this inning. I really hope Baker doesn’t have too slow of a hook.
The Reds can’t let this game go extras. They have to know that.
Double swtich Ludwick out?
@seat101: remember who the manager is. We may not see Frazier this series
Why do you not leave Marshall in to face the lefty Sandoval? Then you could bring in Broxton for Posey and Pence.
Well, just because he got Sandoval out doesn’t mean it was the right decision. That ball was SCORCHED.
The Panda is a switch hitter – pretty even splits.
5 outs to go, boys.
The defense is just taking the air out of this crowd.
Broxton isn’t good so far. Why not try to strike the guy out on 1-2?
1-2, and he’s not putting it in the dirt?
Bruce gets warning track redemption! You know he was thinking it.
Big Brox is not fooling them. 1 more out to get. Hang on!
Come on Broxton, no walks…
At least Brox is missing low and away. If you’re going to miss, that’s a good place for it.
Bring Chapman in. Broxton has been horrible. This is the game, for god’s sake.
Cousins…
Chapman…NOW.
Man, Broxton and Hannigan need to quit nibbling the outside.
Broxton is missing Hanigan’s glove by feet, not inches. I find his lack of control disturbing…
Throw your best pitch right here.
This should be the last batter he faces….no matter what.
When did the Reds add David Weathers to the roster? Good to see him get game action too.
Wow, did we need that one…
YESSS!!! Huge strikeout there.
I would be upset if I was a Giants fan! That was pretty close. I feel we got a lot of break considering Cueto went out, the Giants blew this game. Is Aroyo bringing the dagger tomorrow?
Big backwards K!
Wheeeeee, can’t lay off that pitch. Aroldis faces Crawford, Nady and Pagan.
“When did the Reds add David Weathers to the roster? Good to see him get game action too.”
All those balls off the plate was definitely bringing back some Stormy Weathers memories, but I didn’t want to post his name until the inning was done as that’s like saying Beetlejuice three times.
Piece of cake!
Oh how I hope Aroldis is ready to DOMINATE national television the way he has the ability.
A poor job by Broxton means Chapman has to face Sandoval if a couple guys get on. You have a good inning there and he’s purely in the lower half of the order.
Defibrillator don’t fail me now. Mercy! Whatta game.
Look at Drew. He knows how to take an at-bat, I think. Maybe.
That’s more like it
Isn’t it great to show the difference between fielding percentage and Dam good D? The Braves actually outranked us in fielding percentage but pissed away their season on errors. We played normal Reds defense which is not quantifiable and that is the reason we are the best team in the postseason!
Need to make that hurt…come on Brandon…
X-man! Perhaps we can get a little something extra here.
XP!!!!!!!
BP, the hero! ‘Nuf said.
Brandon Phillips — Your Game 1 MVP.
A Farmer’s Insurance run.
HUGE HUGE hit by Phillips. What a night for him…
BP is the player of this game. No doubter there.
BP!!!!!!
TBS announcers are trying to talk about how great the Giants fans are, after they cheered immensely following Cueto’s injury.
BP!!!!!!!!!
Give-me. We will taker it.
Wow Posey just whiffed on that one!
I feel a lot of Reds came to play, what a game by Phillips. Ludwick had some bad AB, but got it done in the OF. Until Stubbs last Ab, I was impressed by the first 3. The Giants have not…
Chapman-Chapman-Chapman I don’t care I’m lookin for 100mph+
B9 here we go.
Ever since the Reds scored three runs, I was thinking five runs would win the game.
But I never posted it, so I can’t prove it.
Wow, Giants just crumbled there. Let’s put this away Chapman!
Come on Chappy quit screwing around.
OMG the server crashed there for a minute. Working now though.
Get Hoover up.
Gulp
Man, this is very scary. Very reminiscent of 2011 Chappy.
Come on!
Strugglin
Nothing is ever easy.
Finally, a strike!
There’s one.
Whewwww….
Infield fly!!!!!!!
I get worried when I don’t see any sliders.
If the Reds lose this game, they will lose the series. Yet, Dusty doesn’t want to get anyone up.
Only now?
I would be careful here. Very careful.
Huge win!!
That was a Cordero-esque 9th.
That was slightly huge.
So who feels there is no homefield advantage? Bailey should be starting tomorrow but I made a pact to let this one go, it is nice that tomorrow is just gravy if they win, but if Cueto cannot go the rest of the series tomorrow is a must win. What do you do for game 4, I will change my tune but feel Bailey at GaBP is a huge disadvantage…
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! MVP’s bullpen/BP/Bruce, take your pick.
Game ball: Brandon Phillips. Sam LeCure: honorable mention.
Yes!!!!!! 10 more to go!
Road win. Check. Superb effort tonight under unusual circumstances. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy about their chances.
HUGE team win. Big game BP!
Lets go redlegs!
Woooooooooooooooooo!
I like to think Chapman walked all those guys just to get to Posey and make him look silly on Strike 3. Maybe now people will shut up about Buster Posey.
Gotta love it. Let’s go ahead and sweep and rest now.
To all you nattering nabobs of negativity: I Fart In Your General Direction. Go Reds!
@RichmondRed: That’s giving him the Bruce treatment (“not clutch enough”)… Posey was awesome at the plate tonight. Just because he didn’t hit a walk-off doesn’t mean anything.
NICE WIN, NATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Sergeant2: Well said, Sarge. The dodgy way this game started, the Reds could have gotten flustered. Really impressed with the poise this team showed tonight.
First team in NL history to get a playoff win when it’s starter doesn’t make it out of the 1st inning.
@Matt WI: it means he lost.
gotta give Dusty/Price a lot of credit for the way they handled the Cueto departure. LeSam got it done, Latos got it done…. Of course, the Reds then had to survive the modern-day ritual in the late innings of continuing to run out a different pitcher every inning until one makes it too close for comfort!!!!!!!!!!
Have to agree with this. That’s the kind of situation where the manager/coaches earn their money. Several different ways to go and they navigated a very difficult spot successfully.
It is helpful when every does their job no matter who is in there…I am curious to where Latos falls, does he start Game 4 or 5, hopefully it does not come down to it. Is there any way Dusty does not get re-signed now? I had some fantasy that Francona would be the manager…
First postseason win in a loooooooooooong time.
The thing about having to play the first two games on the road – if you do manage to split them, it gives you a decisive advantage going forward.
The team really sucked it up tonight after Cueto went down so dramatically at the start of the game. LeCure is a hero for coming in under such shocking circumstances and holding it together.
Great D, great pitching and timely hitting. What is not to like? Let’s make it two tomorrow night!
@Matt WI: I honestly find him overhyped, but I like Jay Bruce.
Regardless, it’s nuts the Reds were able to win a game that by all accounts they should have lost. Cold bats coming in, your ace goes down on the second batter, your setup and closer don’t have their stuff, but the scoreboard says 5-2 in favor of the greatest franchise ever. Goodnight folks. Great job by BP, who is doubtlessly the team MVP this season.
Why? It is not like your starting QB going down…A lot of people felt Latos should have started this game anyway..Lecure really helped out, but it is not like he wa slights out. He gets a a guy out facing him on an 0-2 count. Then gets a bases loaded line drive to Bruce with bases loaded. The giants blew their chances and the Reds did what good teams do, win when the opposition sucks… The Giants sucked today I would be upset if I were a fan because there is better baseball to come from Votto, Rolen, Chapman, and more
A game like this gets you greedy, too. Eke out a win tomorrow and then have Cueto ready for Game 3 in Cincinnati?????????????//
@Richard Fitch: You da Man Fitch. Go Reds!
by the way, Mr. Fitch. It took awhile, but ……………………I BELIEVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Latos confirmed that the reason Lecure came in was so that he could go through his normal routine before coming in. Price and Baker did a great job with this.
The team should be commended for its performance in difficult circumstances.
But I might sue the team for the heart failure I am sure I am going to have.
@vicferrari: I think you explained my point… the Giants, in theory, had a lot going for them in terms of the opposition not being on their A-game. The Reds were managed tonight to a point where the team became better than the Giants, and then the Giants couldn’t capitalize on anything while the Reds did on almost anything.
Did anyone else see the postgame interview with the Giant’s manager where he said that the Reds have a really strong offense?
Final out was made at what time east coast time? Glad MLB cares about building its tough fan base. No game especially playofffs should ever go past 9pm ect unless its a long extra inning game.
Ooh, I was just reminded on the FS broadcast that we’re up against a lefty tomorrow! I think the offense could really take off for 7-10 runs or so. I hope Bruce stays in the lineup with how he was hitting the ball today. Exact same lineup 1 thru 8 would be juuuust fine.