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The Reds are going to win today. I believe.
Mat Latos is pitching today. He’s a stud, right? He’ll be great today, right? Right?
The Reds are going to win today. I believe.
The Reds won 97 games this year, the second-best record in the major leagues. They’re good, right? Right?
The Reds are going to win today. I believe.
Friends, neighbors, and fellow Reds fans: sometimes it’s hard to believe. I know everyone is bummed over the last two games. You have every right to be down. But don’t give up, I implore you. This is still a good team, with a good pitcher on the mound, and there is every reason to believe that they are favored to win today’s game. Just think about how great it’s going to feel when the Reds win today’s Game Five and advance to the National League Championship Series.
(No, don’t think about how soul-crushing a loss would be. Get that thought out of your head right now.)
The Reds are going to win today. I believe.
Discuss the game here. Go Redlegs.
no problemo for me mr. dotson, i’m 29 been in cincy my entire life. Had my soul crushed plenty of times
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Count me in.
Believe.
I believe!!!!!!!!……….Get excited Cincy fans……..Game 5 at home with a HORSE on the mound today ……..Latos owns the Giants!!!! GO REDS!!! its NOT over……..win #100 coming today….8 more to go
I truly believe they will win today. It’s what this team has done all year. Just when you are ready to count them out they have always bounced back and they will bounce back today. Votto is my pick to click.
lineup anywhere?…….I think its going to be same as first 3 games
It is.
Phillips 2B
Cozart SS
Votto 1B
Ludwick LF
Bruce RF
Rolen 3B
Hanigan C
Stubbs CF
I believe!
lineup is the same as the first 3 games.
@AnnapolisHoosier: I agree VOTTO was not VOTTO yesterday……and Joey knows it,I dont expect power, but striking out with men on base is NOT VOTTO …….he will rebound today
I needed this. I didn’t sleep last night. I am physically ill
My pick to click is Scott Rolen today. I think he wants to make amends for his poor play so far in this series. He will have a double with a couple runners on
For every time someone mentions the tenacity of this team another fan shows they have none. Anyone that can’t get up for this game and get excited.. that’s just sad.
I feel *cough* like I’m *cough* coming down with something. I’d better *cough* tell my boss I’ll need to take *cough* the afternoon off. Wouldn’t want to get someone else sick, you know.
I’ve played sports my whole life and still do. Why is it I’ve learned how to keep my emotions in check at my own events plus my children’s events, yet I’m nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs when the Reds play a huge game??
REDS FANS!!! Today is our day, can you feel it? Votto is about to get all Canadian on everyone and tell the bartender he needs some JACK! Latos is going to be fired up! Dude is crazy! GAB will be going insane with a sea of 45,000+. Yes, Dusty has made some mental errors in the past two games, but he got us this far. These guys have too much pride to let the these overacheiving Giants come in here and take 3 straight.
Yes Cain is a STUD…I repeat STUD
But, I have a feeling we are going to go OFF today with the bats
DREW STUBBS WILL GO YARD! THAT’S A PROMISE!
bold prediction: stubbs goes deep twice today, reds win 6-2
“Before every blessing comes a storm”
-Ray Lewis
We will prevail today.
Anyone know of a live streaming site for the game today?
I gave up after yesterday. I didn’t sleep last night. I’m a panic attack waiting to happen today.
I have hope.
I’m excited today, I wasn’t after yesterday.
My wife keeps asking me how the Reds could do so well in San Francisco and do so bad at home. She doesn’t understand. I don’t either. I just told her that that is baseball.
I’m at work, so I won’t be able to watch. I’ll listen to Marty, Tom and The Cowboy.
I won’t get any work done, that’s for sure.
I don’t want to get my heart crushed. My Reds wouldn’t let that happen…believe?
I have a feeling they will win. My feelings are usually right. Believe? OK.
If you are going to the game today please be LOUD! They need the positive energy. I feel good about this game.
@bbcgreg: Cain’s ERA of 5.50 and 6 homeruns in 3 games vs the Reds this year is all the evidence I need.
Yesterday I was full of nerves, Mike Leake starting was the reason… Today I am excited, Latos is a Giant killer and will carry this team if need be. Mark it down, he will be fired out and will fire up the rest of this team…
Bruce has a HUGE game… 2 Dingers… Gonna hit one further than the Panda did yesterday… Mark it down…
Gonna be at work listening to Marty, Thom, and the Cowboy as well…
I believe…
…that I won’t be able to watch most of the game.
It might be just as well. I’m not sure I can take the stress right now.
I will not bring my inner morosity today. Go Redlegs!
“Somebody’s gotta win and somebody’s gotta lose and I believe in letting the other guy lose.”
-Pete
It’s time to let the other guys lose.
Both teams have tremendous bullpens. I’ll be shocked if the game is decided after the 6th. This one hinges on the ability of each starter to do his job.
Votto doubles in a run early. Bruce homers late for cushion. Latos goes seven shut out and Marshall throws the eighth. Chappy saves it. I believe.
You know, I was really bummed out the past couple days. I was born in ’89, so I haven’t experienced much success from this team.
I realized that my mood had soured over the past two days. Why? Because I was tying the Reds’ success to my happiness, and that is just a silly thing to do.
There’s a lot more to life than just baseball, guys. It’s a game–it’s supposed to be fun! So if they win, hurray! And if they lose, meh. Let’s try to be more upbeat on RN; negativity will get us nowhere.
Lets go Reds!
This team didn’t fold when their best hitter went down for an extended period. They didn’t fold when their best pitcher went down two hitters into their first playoff game. They won’t fold today. GO REDS!!
And for those of us saps who are stuck at work today, don’t be afraid to describe the action. We’ll be hanging on every word.
I believe we are the better team, I believe we have the better starting pitcher today, so I believe we will win. But I am scared to death. Every instinct tells me the bats will go to sleep again and we will be looking at 1-1 going into the 8th inning, with all my nails chewed off and my hair falling out. I hope I am wrong.
Go Reds.
I believe in Mat Latos and the Reds. And I also believe that I really hate the 5 commercials that tbs plays during every break. I think I’ve seen each one 5000 times this week!
Finding Andre Dawson in the Wrigley ivy is not interesting every 10 minutes?
I love the positive energy!!! win # 100 today 8 more to go !!
@Sultan of Swaff: I am having the same thing here …..must be catchy!!lol
I’m so pumped for today! I know we can do this!
The loss on Tuesday took it out of me, that was the heartbreaker. Now I just want to see the Reds play a good game. If this may be the last game of the season, get after it on every play. Go Reds!
Mat Latos has owned the Giants Matt Cain has struggled against the Reds. Got to score early.
@skunkd10:
Anyone know of a live streaming site for the game today?
http://www.vipboxsports.eu/sports/baseball.html
Today is just the next step…….win#100….8 to go I believe!
It is hard to believe with this lineup. 4 out of 9 are basically auto-out, rally killers.Grrr
@James45342: but you still believe ……RIGHT???
@James45342: You are the worst. The attitude around here has been truly awful. What’s happened in the last couple years?
This feels like a revival. I can’t do it.
I simply believe that the Reds have a bit better than even money chance to win this game. We’ll see what happens.
Yes, I believe, no doubt. And no, I am not the worst. I’m a realist; Cozart should be in the 7 hole, as said all season long, and Stubbs should be riding pine. I would say Rolen too, but I am actually hoping he’ll punk my comments and come in Superman.
And yeah, I would be at the game, but I have a deadline tomorrow. Gave up my ticket…
@Krenchicki: At least it isn’t on CBS. I hate when Arkansas plays on CBS just because of that stupid NAPA know how commercial. Imagine hearing THAT every commercial break. Also, Go Reds!! WOOOO!!!
@James45342: Cozart gets on base more than a quarter of the time. Calling that an automatic out is ridiculous. And if you think this team has any worse than a 45% chance of winning this game, then yes, you are the worst.
I echo the nerves. I particularly struggle with thinking of listening to the Giants bat. That’s much harder than wondering what the offense will do because if they get something going, it makes me crazy. But overall, no matter what it looks like getting there, the Reds will win.
Could we have a better guy starting today ?? he HATES them! We dont even really HATE them Hahaha
All 3 guys on MLB TV; Larry Bowa, Kevin Millar, and the host have picked SF to win.
Just gonna go ahead and say it. Hunter Pence is a schmuck.
Please, do tell why Cozart should be batting 2nd then? What’s he hitting this series?
@RedLegHerrm: I agree!!!!
Anyway, whatever. It’s moot because GAME ON!
I want four runs by the 3rd inning, Cain out by the 5th. No #55 to go to today either. Go get ‘em Reds.
yes
The quad view from gameday is cool. Even if it is delayed.
Get out of this, Mat.
Thank you!
Latos is pulling a Chapman. All fastballs. Going to have to throw something else.
This is NOT the way I wanted this game to start…
Looks like everything is up…get it down, Mat.
Latos is leaving a lot of fastballs up.
GET IT DOWN, MAT.
Whew!
Two hits, no runs. Reds coming to score.
Nice comeback. Now, lets put up a crooked number in the “R” box!
Deep breath…let it out…ok, let’s get some runs.
Thank you Hunter Pence for swinging at that. You are on my Chrismas card list
Fortunately Hunter Pence swung at a pitch up in his eyeballs.
Latos looks to have a good fastball (location may be a bit of an issue), but hasn’t thrown a single secondary pitch. Time to start doing that.
For once the GIANTS blow the early game opportunity.
How bout some runs?
Another fishing expedition by Phillips.
Awesome!
Marty is exhorting Joey to step up because he’s been disappointing. Shut up Marty. Even if he’s not Joey MVP right now, he’s Joey OBP.
Today is 10/11/12
Here we go…come on Luddy!
Votto, still an OBP machine.
Gotta love the idea of getting through the order once with mostly fastballs (if it works, of course).
1st and 2nd, one out for Reds in first. How about a string of doubles and singles?
How about a nice little double, brother?
Some interesting things happening in the playoffs. You could see the best two teams records wise in baseball not even make it to the championship series let alone the world series. YOU could have the two teams with the overall worse records of those teams in the playoffs make the championship games and into the WS. You could be seeing 2 different teams come back from down 0-2 in a five game series to win those series also.
To me that is why the playoffs overall don’t prove anything to me. Sure it’s nice to win a WS, but a good team to me is the one over 162 games wins and wins the most.
So whatever happens over the next couple of hours will happen, doesn’t take away from our great season…
A little bingle will do for me.
Another terrible AB in a key situation. What in the world is he swinging at?
Ludwick has struck out on some terrible pitches.
That hurts. He could have had a walk.
For the love of all that’s holy, please don’t leave two more stranded.
RBIs. How do they work?
Someone find me a clutch hitter, please!
/facepalm
I guess not.
Baahh. Back to back K’s by the heart of the order. Bummer.
I’m sorry, but that’s just pitiful. Cain threw 2 strikes total to Ludwick and Bruce. The team is trying to do too much.
Time for the moaning and groaning.
Think it’s a bit warranted after yesterday’s game and that past inning.
It is 100% clear that with RISP, Cain will simply not throw strikes. Will the Reds learn?
At least we got it started before 2 outs. That’s an improvement. Baby steps…
Both teams had poor at bats in the first inning with runners on
Groan if it makes you feel better, but I’m going with positive thoughts. Nice to see us get a few guys on base. These guys are gonna come through.
It’s a 9 inning game.
@Jmac84: that’s the spirit!
Mark Sheldon opining that the Reds could add Cingrani to the post-season roster. Interesting.
Do you really think that Dusty would allow himself to think outside the box like that?
I love this: Marty is saying “if they lose, there will be a lot of people who won’t remember the 99 wins” (suggesting we remember how good the season was)… as if he isn’t the king of riling up the “what have you done for me lately” attacks.
Glad I’m on not listening to him today. I imagine it being just miserable.
SF fans on ESPN ripping bochy for not starting Arias. I tend to agree with them
@Richard Fitch:
Cingrani is a done deal if JCueto is not coming back. IMO.
I’d love nothing better than one of these guys we’ve railed on (Rolen/Stubbs) to have a HUGE “shut the hell up” day today…please!!!
Cain does not look dominant. Reds taking some pitches too.
Drew Stubbs has not homered since Aug 5th. Joey has an excuse. Drew does not. Let’s get some runs!
Agree. We need them to come through.
I am visualizing a Rolen HR to right and a Votto HR to left…today.
@Bill Lack: As I just railed on Stubbs a bit
Another hitless at bat for Rolen….
That’s a nice AB by Rolen…hung in, made something happen…make Cain throw pitches..
Bochy takes just as much flack as Dusty does if not more. Of course a lot of it is warranted as he tends to use the same kind of logic for his moves as Dusty does. Of course here he is with a team in the playoffs too, so like Dusty, he’s doing something right. There is a different between a collection of very fine players and a team. Both the Giants and the Reds are teams and that reflects well on their managers. No matter how much some of their lineup and strategy moves make us want to scream.
Going to be a tough one today. The Giants are a fine team and they’ve shown an awful lot of resiliency by coming to Cincy and winning two. The Reds have been relilient all year long and they aren’t rolling over either. Cain vs Latos? Yeah, gonna be a close game today. Let’s go Reds!
Just can’t sustain any kind of inning right now. Really frustrating
I disagree about Cain. He looks good to me. Has a good fastball. Plus he doesn’t throw strikes, and the Reds swing.
i am noticing that as well, reds will need to be patient
@RKReds: I think Walt makes the final call on Cingrani, not Dusty.
I agree.
That was outside. Fwiw
I feel bad for Frazier and Heisey though… Frazier had some quality ABs yesterday, even when he struck out it was on 9 pitches. Also battled for that walk…. as for Heisey, the guy’s contributed and I really hoped he’d get a start in GABP in this series with Stubbs “hitting” .176 in the series. Did he run over Dusty’s dog on his way to the ballpark?
I have a feeling Latos might get ahold of one next inning
I think that feeling you have is probably just stomach cramps
The Reds are getting baserunners early in the inning. That is an improvement
Weird strikezone today. Seems to be giving inside and outside as well as high. Low strike not so much.
stubbs has the nerve to argue a strikeout call?
Has Mat thrown anything but FBs?
He threw a couple breaking balls to Belt.
Heisey couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag and lost LF platoon gig.
I still start Rolen.
Stubbs got hosed according to Gameday.
Yep!
Wide strikezone today according to this ump.
Nice 1,2,3… takes out Pagan and Scuturo. Runs Reds, runs! Runs in the 3rd please. And preferable at least one before my meeting in nine minutes. Stupid lunch hour only lasts an hour.
It looks like Latos came to play today. I hope the bats give him some support.
@zab1983:
He did get into that one a little bit…
Latos really did get a hold of one.
Just checking in to say go go go Reds from enemy territory (Sacramento)
@Jmac84: Latos gives me as much confidence at the plate as stubbs does
Zack is looking hot!
The Reds need some runs so badly.
This game is flying right along
I’d say our hitters look better against Cain so far than theirs agains Mat.
Some real quality at bats right there. Did Cain get out of that inning with SIX pitches? Really? Oi.
Think we are re-living a game we’ve had about a thousand times this year……..
Yep.
I’d almost rather them lose by ten runs than see a pitcher throw yet another brilliant game that is wasted because of no offense. This is one of the best overall rotations I’ve seen on a Reds team, but you know they have to be mentally and physically exhausted. I feel so sorry for them.
Come on. Somebody hit the ball.
Latos is bound to give up a solo HR or 2 at some point. Reds need to stop playing around and score!
Get it DOWN Mat, please.
Thank you pablo..
@Bill Lack:
He’s got Cialis in his glove,maybe?
Have I said yet that Mat throwing the ball up makes me nervous?
Latos looking so nasty. Please, someone get him some runs!
Very dangerous point here.
@Hank Aarons Teammate:
I feel like every pitch is a dangerous point. Win or go home!
Has the strike zone tightened up?
Yeah!
Whew…well done Matty
Mat!!! This is our inning. Can you feel it?
What a great battle that was. A great AB by Belt, taking very, very close pitches, and great pitches by Latos—I don’t know how he laid off.
Big pitch. Runs. Please.
heck yes! bigtime strikeout there.
Votto, Ludwick singles, Bruce flyout, Rolen RBI(s).
As nerve-wracking as this is, I love the feel of this game.
Great crowd today – loud and constant.
“The river that connects Ohio and Kentucky”? TBS announcer is a doofus!
Joey is just not right…He is still better than most though
How is Votto missing these pitches?
Are we serious right now?
Man, I know Joey is not fully healthy and his power will probably not return until next year, but he looks like he’s pressing these past few games. Seems like he puts a lot of pressure on himself.
Come on Ludwick, look at a pitch or two.
Bruce! Woo!
Take a pitch for God’s sake!
We are not hitting Cain, which is what I was worried about. We need to get him out of the game somehow.
Would be nice for Rolen to be slightly more patient on first strike.
Ouch!
Rolen just doesn’t look good.
We’re making it way too easy on Cain. We need some better at bats.
Sure glad Rolen is back in the lineup. What a contributor.
all of the reds’ question marks during the regular season (stubbs, rolen, leake, most recently votto) are rearing their ugly heads again in the post season
@ToddAlmighty:
Sigh….
I think MLatos might be throwing too many pitches up in the strike zone…… Anyone else?
According to Gameday, Latos is getting squeezed like crazy.
UH-OH
Those last two were strikes, not even borderline..
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s gonna leave a mark.
Shit…right down the pipe…this is not good. no outs..
oh no
Um, maybe I should have been more specific.
Someone on the Reds hit the ball.
WAKE UP GUYS!!!!
BP made a poor throw on the cutoff.
and there goes bochy’s decision to leave crawford in over arias made to look like gold
Absolutely critical this run from 3rd doesn’t score. Need a K here in the worst way.
Gotta bear down now, can’t let that run score from 3rd…one is tough, 2 damn near impossible.
reds need a big momentum changing play. throw out at home plate?!?
REad on twitter Latos was pissed about 2 pitches to Crawford before triple…
Choke job.
Sorry folks, but this one looks very, very bad.
SIGH!!!!!!
Mat needs to do whatever he has to do to end this right here. Scoring even 2 runs maybe a major feat for our suddenly anemic offense.
Well oh well. Please do not meltdown.
painful
I think it was a fc + error with rbi
Somebody’s gonna need to get Dusty a lozenge here soon.
Dusty needs to put in Arroyo SOON!
The Reds chance of winning the game is very, very small. It’s likely to be a long offseason. Tom Hallion, thanks for being a complete joke behind the plate.
WAKE UP DUSTY!
Mat’s derailed. Get somebody up
Mat may be through.
this is just very difficult to watch
What happened on the ball to Cozart?
GameDay location says pitches 2, 3, & 4 were strikes.
@Hank Aarons Teammate: IF reds lose this series, i’m blaming reds’ medical staff for votto’s knee
limit the damage
Get him the hell out of there.
the season at stake here?
WHAT THE HELL DUSTY! Remember this is not a 7-game series.
@Bill Lack: hopper to cozart, not a clean transfer from glove to hand. trying to throw home
thanks.
What the hell is Baker waiting on?
Dusty’s going to let this slip away before he puts in a reliever, LIKE ALL SEASON LONG!
Time for the 2012 eulogy:
Ball game! Way to blow this season!
Yes, if the Reds lose it’s sad but doesn’t cancel out a fine season. It just shows that they still aren’t quite where they need to be yet and there is work to be done in the offseason. This Reds team is still a good team.
Small market teams usually have very small windows. This is only the 2nd time in the last 18 years that the Reds have made the playoffs.
Time to clean house and rebuild.
right down the pipe…game, set, match…Dusty stays with his starter like theres another game tomorrow.
that’s OK, dusty is just playing for Game 7
There is not one, I repeat, not one, clutch player on this team.
Folded like a cheap suit.
Yeop. K, tuning out and back to work. Thanks, Redlegs for the season. Was nice, but well, Dusty sucks. They won in spite of his poor managing, which says something about the talent of this team.
Or maybe a cheap shot?
right down the pipe…game, set, match…Dusty stays with his starter like there’s another game tomorrow.
It’s just a game but the thud really hurts.
This feels worse than 2010 right now.
Give Dusty a lifetime contract. Lol!
The Reds chance of winning this game is zero.
Pitching and defense. Oh, right, who needs offense when you have pitching and defense? With a bit of offense, this series is done in 3 games.
Looks like not having Johnny C in this series has made advancing insurrmountable. Gonna need a small miracle now.
Where’s all your believe BS now, Richard?
So now “I believe” stuff has turned into “we would have won with Cueto”? The Reds might have won with him, or they might have lost with him. Chances would have been better, yes, but they were up 2-0. There’s no excuse.
Cueto did not strand runners.
THIS.
Neither did Dusty.
Dusty should be fired as soon as out 27 for the Reds is made.
#FireDustyBaker
Yes, there is not a single clutch player on this team. This is significantly more of a gut punch than 2010. Can we start a spring training thread?
Will the editors at RLN please do the avid readers of this site a favor and not try to sugarcoat this? some bashing is comforting during a painful time period like this
Exactly who has been sugarcoating? Oh, you mean trying to stay positive? How stupid to believe in a team that won nearly a 100 games and is making a comeback even as we speak.
Good grief.
Wow… That hurts… Think I would have kept Latos in there but Bill Lack may have a point. Some big questions for the offseason:
Does Dusty get an extension?
What should the Reds do about CF? If not Stubbs, do you try to move Stubbs with his value at a pretty low point?
Will Ludwick take his side of the option?
Will Votto’s knee be good to go for next year?
What about Masset and Bray?
Do you try to resign Broxton?
Does Chapman stay in the closer role or should they try him in the rotation?
The #1 issue is Votto’s knee. If his knee is not better by April, this team is in trouble. Whatever is going on, he’s just not the same player.
I would back up a Brink’s truck to Michael Bourne’s house. Sign him to play centerfield.
Dump the following:
Valdez
Arredondo
Ondrusek
Cairo
Stubbs
Heisey
Rolen
Leake
Where does this money come from?
Why would you get rid of Leake? By all rights he should have finished the year in AA ball and be battlinig for a roster spot in spring. He is way to young to give up on.l
Baker is saving the bullpen for game 1 of the postseason next year, apparently.
The man does not know how to manage a short series, that much is clear.
Lets not panic and get a few back here, shall we?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
No reason to panic, just down 6 runs in game 5. I’m shocked that Dusty’s posting to this site.
I’m not giving up (and neither is this team if you’ve turned off). How about a few more here?
Man, I was really hoping a postseason run would distract me from the dumpster fire that is Arkansas football. Instead, like all of the teams I root for, we find a way to screw it up. I hate sports right now.
Posey > Votto. that’s ur series headline
Leave your starter in until he gives up 6 runs (and only got 1 out) in the 5th inning of an elimination game? Un-Freakin’- Believeable !!!
Everybody – EVERYBODY – watching could see the difference in Latos in the 5th…Everybody except Dusty.
Don’t worry… Todd Frazier has got this! … oh wait…
@RedLegHerrm: Wow. That was nasty. Thanks for the input. Anything else you want to say?
Agreed, fairly uncalled for comment. Way to hit someone, a fellow Reds fan, at a moment like this. If you have no hope for a good outcome, if you don’t believe in your team, then why do you bother watching? Just to have something to complain about?
p.s. two runs just scored! Keep the hope alive..four innings to go!
why waste Heisey this early? use Valdez or Cairo
Will you guys really flip out if Dusty gets extended? I think there’s a good chance the Reds are going to try to extend him. I’m not saying they should, but I think it very well may happen. What would it mean? Do the Dusty-haters abaondon the team?
I think it will happen also, and they’ll suck in the postseason again next year in part because Baker doesn’t know how to manage in the postseason.
IF Dusty wants to return he will be back. He has excuses in hand (Cueto going down, Votto not 100%) and such plus Bob loves the guy and the players do to. SO it’s all on Dusty, my bet is a 2 year deal and that is due to health questions.
and Heisey is a bad matchup
I’d like to question the game plan, too. How many curve balls+sliders+changeups did Latos throw? My rough count is under 10 total. He moved the fastball around very well, but was too much of a 1 speed pitcher, I felt.
Alright, 2 runners to leave on base.
last AB for Heisey as a Red
@jas_428: You really think so? He’s under team control. I think they will try to move Stubbs in the offseason and try to keep Heisey as the 4th OF.
I think we can call agree that we are rooting against the Cardinals right?
As for me… Go O’s!!
we need something here. at least a run.
Needed in 2013 for post season success:
1. A legit #1 leadoff hitter
2. A legit #4 cleanup hitter
3. A new manager and hitting coach.
4. A sleep coach like the Giants have. The Reds have sleptwalk through the last 2 games.
Problem is finding a leadoff guy won’t be easy, plus where do you play him. As it stands right now there are no open spots. You gotta think Ludwick will be back adn your number 4 hitter you crave. That means maybe a CF, but I don’t see anyone out there that the Reds could afford or get.
Personally I think it’s mental, we need a new approach at the plate and plan of action. The talent is there on this team, it just needs better guidance.
Heisey may bat again this inning…..
@seat101: Let’s hope so… This team hasn’t given up all year. Maybe they make it interesting.
Dat Dude
@Hank Aarons Teammate: Yeah, Baker not having won a WS despite a bunch of post-season appearances and some good teams would give you a pretty good argument there. Dusty’s management in this series has certainly left a lot to be desired.
@ArkansasRedsFan: And by that, I meant 2 for BP to drive in.
At least the Reds’ closer is nice and rested.
Mr. Non-clutch, Joey Votto, is up. Inning over.
It could be a little louder
Off to work.
I live in the Bay Area. Not much to do now except sit home and be depressed or go wine tasting. Think I’ll go wine tasting. Unless there’s a miracle, see you all next year.
can someone remind me of some of the good times from this season?
Just for good measure, I’m sure the Cardinals will advance on a gem from Lohse.
At this point I am starting to worry about the long term impact of this injury on Votto’s career. He is clearly not the same hitter, and if the knee is not structurally ready why the heck would the Reds be risking their $200 million investment?
Memo to Drew Stubbs: CF will have an open competition in 2013 if you are still with the team. But most likely CF will be addressed in free agency or via trade.
Memo to Cozart: Didi Gregorius will be given every chance to win the SS job in spring training. Better report to Arizona in tip top shape in February.
Memo to Mike Leake: get with Bronson Arroyo this winter and hire his workout instructor. The 5th starters spot will be an open competition. Better be ready come spring training. You DO NOT have a guarenteed roster spot for 2013.
Memo to Todd Frazier: don’t let your honeymoon last too long this winter. You have to report to spring training in the best shape of your life. You ran out of gas at the end of this year. You will have to fight like hell to win playing time at 3B and LF again. Nothing is a given.
Memo to Dusty: RETIRE.
Sorry but I do believe you couldn’t be more wrong.
Stubbs is the Reds CF, that is not going to change, they are not going to trade for anyone or sign anyone.
Exactly “HOW” has Cozart had a bad season? He is a rookie, and I will take those numbers from a rookie SS any season. As for Leake,really? He is in his 3rd, yes 3rd season of pro ball and you are questioning his abilities?
Can you please list those rookies who don’t run out of gas at some point their rookie years…
@dn4192:
I hate to say it, but Josh Hamilton maybe??
Isn’t it pretty much a given that the Reds WON’T be able to afford Ludwick? The contract has a mutual option, he can back away regardless of what the Reds want to do ….
This ump is very loose with the strike zone of Giants, but extremely rigid for the Reds! Dont mean to make excuses, but its really frustrating me. That pitch by Marshall was an obvious K, but noooo.
I don’t think Dusty is as much to blame for THIS game as he is being accused of. Latos pouting about not getting the call on a couple pitches then throwing Brandon freakin’ Crawford a cookie was not Dusty’s fault.
@CP: @RedForever: So now you are turning on Votto? Come on now.
@Jason1972: Joey’s fine. He said he wasn’t going to be 100% this year when he first came back. He picked right up where he left off getting on base. He just doesn’t have much power. He hasn’t hit like we expected this series, but that’s just a coincidence.
Probably trying too hard right now.
This is just an embarrasment, and it’s the second one in 3 years.
I’m absolutely done with the Dusty appologists. If he’s such a great leader of men, why do his teams choke in clinch games ALL THE TIME?
Maybe it’s because his all the talk about what he does behind the scenes is BS and what matters is what happens between the lines. Dusty is a bad manager and he’s turned the Reds into a laughing stock for the second time in 3 years.
First NL team to ever give up a 2 – 0 lead in a division series.
@CP: Sorry CP, that last comment was NOT directed towards you. I must have replied you by mistake.
Would be nice to pick up 2 runs this inning, get the momentum back, wake up some bats. This team won nearly 100 games, they don’t have any quit in them. They will battle for every inch to get back in it.
@WVRedlegs: After watching him at the end of the season, I’d not want to shell out money for Hamilton. It’s just way too risky.
I wonder if Dusty runs out Homer Bailey to pinch hit.
Or Cairo
It’s not over until it’s over, this coming from a first year fan. Which is more likely to happen? We tear off 5 runs in the next 4 team at-bats, or we become the FIRST NL team EVER to win their first two games in a series and then lose the next three. Don’t know about you guys, but I’m sticking to the one with better odds.
I love this team and I haven’t watched 166 games to turn off the 167th prematurely…
@RedsFan19: The point is that when your pitcher gets in trouble in a game like this you don’t let them blow it wide open, you get him out for someone fresh.
In the season you let him try to work through it because you need the innings. No point to that here.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I completely fail to understand the Dusty bashing right now. How is it his fault that his offense folds like an old road map when October rolls around? This is a team that won more games than any Reds team in decades.
Yes, the lineup has some serious gaps, but those gaps have been there all year. And this same lineup put up numbers against some good pitchers early in the season. So why do they collapse in the post season just like they did in 2010? Is it a lack of motivation from Dusty? Is it conditioning? Coaching? Complacency?
All I know is Dusty didn’t ground out with men in scoring position in game 3 when a single run would have won the series for them.
All the blame…no, but a significant part. He is the director of this team, it’s his approach to the game they follow and the lineup he makes out.
Who’s the best pitcher on this staff right now? Chapman. How many innings has he thrown in the last three games? One.
How is Chapman the best? Really he threw what like maybe 60 something innings this year and was shut down twice due to arm issues. Chapman in my view is maybe 4th behind Latos, Cueto, Bronson …
Getting back it this
@Drew Mac: “…trade Leake for an ’86 Yugo and a fungo bat…” That’s funny!!!! Even funnier than the Big Red Smokey and 3-way that you say Stubbs can’t fetch on the market. I’ve heard a box of balls and a case of beer before but those are original. It’s no easy feat making me laugh when my Redlegs are on the brink of elimination. Thanks for your witty response there.
Twitter comment of the year: @Patchy_Beard Reds got 99 wins but a playoff series ain’t 1.
@RedZeppelin: He gave game 3 away. There is no way he should have pitched to Arias and let them keep their closer in.
There’s no way Chapman should have come out it the first place.
When someone points out all of the mistakes he makes in the game, the first thing the DustyDefenders rush to say is that he motivates the team, really gets the best out of his guys.
Well, where’s the best now? How come his teams choke every time?
He didn’t give game 3 away. The offense gave game 3 away. The 10th inning should have never happened. If the Reds score 1 more run in eight innings they win. It’s not his fault they couldn’t deliver. And even if the Giants don’t score in the 10th there’s no guarantee that the Reds would have won.
Again not all but a huge chunk. This team plays the game the way Dusty see’s the game..only problem is the game isn’t played that way anymore. You can see Votto is struggling yet he continues to hit him 3rd…Frazier got how much playing time…how about Heisey? Please justify Cairo or Valdez being on the post season roster?
@RedLegHerrm: My Believe BS is currently in the seats with the ball that Ludwick just hit.
More to come.
You have to bat for Hanigan.
You think Johnny Bench is in the dugout?
You’re yankin’ me. Right?
No. I would have brought in Navarro. He actually can hit for some power which Hanigan can’t.
Didn’t need power. Needed a hit. There is NOONE on that bench I’d rather have had up in that situation than Hanigan.
THAT.
That “automatic out” has been on base 2 of 3 times today.
IS the fight that we have seen all year finally back?
It would only be poetic justice for the entire season if our offense won this game, and not the pitching…
Come on Reds fans, this has been a great team and we’ve been lucky to have them to watch all year. Playoffs are sometimes about luck, as was discussed on this site before the series began. The Reds have had incredible luck this year with the health of starting pitching, and that bit them in the butt at the wrong time.
And as for all the questions about Stubbs and leadoff hitters, I think the front office has made it clear the answer to both questions by having Billy Hamilton learning that position.
Fat lady ain’t singing yet.
@vermilion red: Well said.
@al: Fair enough argument for getting rid of Dusty but this team made the postseason 2 of the last 3 years with Dusty as the manager. The team’s last postseason appearance prior was 1995 and the last winning season was 2000. A lot of that was ownership and GM but at least some positives need to be attributed to the manager. If your argument is that the Reds need a different manager with a fresh approach to move deeper in the postseason, I’m hearing you. If your point is simply to bash Dusty, then I call BS.
I’d surely PH for Stubbs – either XP or SuperTodd.
What an effing terrible decision.
Bruce never ceases to amaze with his baserunning.
Hit and run with no outs? Why?
Wow. Like I said, there is not one clutch hitter on this team. That is something else they are going to have to find in the off-season.
Oh please. Was that a bad place to strike out? Yes. Was that a terrible decision to steal? Yes. But Votto (healthy), Hannigan, Frazier, Bruce, and Ludwick have all had multiple clutch hits this year. You don’t make the playoffs without players delivering in the clutch (unless you’re the Yankees and pay to make sure you never need a clutch hit).
Why are we stealing third when we are down by three?
Heartbreaking. That was our chance.
Hanigan has to swing at that. Period
@RichmondRed: That wasn’t on Bruce. Dusty made that call to send him.
Dusty is not postseason material. Sorry, it’s just a fact. This a major meltdown of historic proportions. Take the first two on the road and come back home a lay a MAJOR egg. Horrible.
@LWBlogger: My point is that I’ve seen a lot of bad managing decision this year, and this postseason is no exception.
I’m ready for a different direction. I’ve been ready for a long time. I think there’s a reason Dusty’s teams fail in the postseason and if ownership is making a commitment to having a good team, they should get a good manager to go with it.
Typical Reds all season long. Runners on with no out and no manufacturing runs. Why dont you bunt there and see if overweight pablo cant get to it?
You guys are killing me. If Dusty bunts Hanni there, and then no one gets a hit, you’d be criticizing him for bunting with no outs like we spent most of the season doing. I need a drink.
@al: The team keeps battling and are actually making this a game. Some of that has to do with Dusty…
Now what we don’t know is what the heck happened on that stikeout-doubleplay. Did Dusty call it a hit-and-run and Hanigan miss a sign? Was Bruce going on his own? Rally killer there.
For everyone wanting to fire Dusty, who do you go after? Its a serious question, as the guy I wanted is now in Cleveland.
Nice job by Marshall!
If Dusty stays, Im done with the Reds. Simple as that.
Why? I don’t like Dusty either, but am a Reds fan first.
Dusty is in all likelihood staying. And I can say I agree with you but realistically I’ll be back. BUT, I won’t be as excited if they cruise through the regular season knowing his record of epic collapses in the playoffs.
Great job Marshall, not lets get a rally going. One or two here and all the pressure is back on the Giants
Top of the lineup (including a PH for Marshall I expect), its now or never because we can’t count on much production from the bottom of this lineup. Any runs would be nice but this is the opportunity to hang a 2 or 3 run inning up and make this game interesting
That was a hit and run to avoid the DP (which Hanigan hit into earlier). The TV color guy was right when he said, before the pitch, that Hanigan HAS to expand the strike zone to protect the runners.
Hanigan took a close pitch, and the Reds took it on the chin.
I know it’s moot now. But does someone have an explanation for using Heisey instead of Paul or Valdez earlier in game? Can’t Heisey at least run and play some defense?
@Zach: It’s a special kind of ridiculous today. Lots of people with no spine. They’re better off with a perennial loser so they can be let down more gently.
How about a few more here?
The runners were going on the pitch before also.
A third of the game left here.
@earmbrister: If it was a hit-and-run and it was even close, Hanigan needs to swing there. Maybe he flat missed the sign?
he didn’t miss the sign, he thought it was ball 4. got burned.
@dn4192: shows me that management is foolish, when he is gone i will be back.
exactly “how” is management “foolish”?
Dat Dude!!!
@merchie89: See ya.
BP, clutch as usual. I believe.
Come On Cozart, Make them pay for leaving the lefty in
BP is trying to put this team on his back.
home plate ump is very inconsistent
one more clutch chance
Come on Luddy! One more big fly!
Joey V. Not a domer, but it keeps the inning going.
Would love a Votto walk here
Votto!
Yay Cozart! Way to go in that 2-hole!
Here we go. Come on Ludwick
C’mon Joey!
errr, “C’mon LudWhack!”
Bad Job by Bochey not having a rightie ready. Need to make him pay
If we lose this series, game 3 is the reason, where Dusty was not at his finest, for sure. It’s great to back players, but eventually Rolen over Frazier, etc., will come back to bite you. Dusty is the NL version of Ron Washington.
Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another non-clutch play. Getting one every now and then during a 162 game schedule is one thing…getting them in the playoffs when your back is against the wall is something else.
Wow, that was a really good at bat too. I was just thinking that he needed to make Affeldt pitch to him and he swung at ball 4 according to the gamecast.
6 outs to get 3 runs. And hold them. Tough, but doable, yeah?
I for one “Believe” Thought I was gonna miss the whole game. Long story short: 15 min. before arranged transportation was scheduled to pick me up, which happened to be start of game time, for Doctors appointment at V.A. Clinic calls says Mr. Lipschitz I say yes this is he (Lipschitz not real name, real name is Chesney, but don’t want to post it on the interwebs) they say we had to reschedule your appt. I couldn’t believe it. Would the Baseball Gods work their magic just so I could watch my beloved Reds lose? I think not. How many times have we watched this team spring to life from out of nowhere in the late innings. This team just keeps plugging away baby. Go Reds! Wake that lumber from its slumber.
Bummer.
THATS HOW YOU HANDLE RELIEVERS, DUSTY!!!!
A client called during that last half inning. Same score=another big opportunity missed.
ಠ_ಠ
What a play by BP. He is almost single-handedly keeping us in this game.
Not watching or following game but just wondering..why did we even pitch to Posey? Yes a walk would have scored a run, but he is the one bat you don’t want to kill you and they pitched to him?
Amazing play by dat dude !!! Now let’s get another out, then get some runs.
Affeldt hurt on that foul ball?
┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐ the GIANTS!
Bruce, Rolen, Hannigan: step up, or step out.
@redrob: I just want to know if Hanigan knew that the runners were going since it’s fairly uncharacteristic of him to take a borderline pitch in that spot.
He knew.
He knew.
He knew.
@Josh M:
He knew. The runners were going on the pitch before that one also.
Time to atone, Hani.
“Automatic out” now on base 3 of 4 times.
@redrob:
I read this blog a lot but I rarely post. This particular game blog is quite bothersome. I do not know if it is the playoffs that has brought out the stupidity or not but a lot of people on here know nothing about the game of baseball and should not post.
For example, if you can not understand why the runners were going on the 3-2 with Hanigan up in the 6th, you know nothing about the game of baseball. Stop posting. You are a moron. If you disagree with the decision that is fine but seriously, you are an idiot.
Very well said. And 100 percent correct.
Also, I would have NEVER started Leake in Game 4. Play to win that game, because beating Cain twice in one series is very hard to do. Start Latos in game 4 for 3-4 innings and go from there.
Frazier hasn’t gotten enough reps.
Still waiting for a clutch hit…here’s another chance.
@Jared: You mean Drew Stubbs? Oh, Rolen, who I had hoped would make me eat my words?
Cozart? Bang up job.
Stubbs? Ditto.
Frazier hits pretty well with one hand. I wonder what his BA is with one hand.
@James45342: Remind me which one doesn’t have a hit today.
Just checked our LOB for the game. Upchucked a little.
smh, it’s like listening to your summer end officially. I think that the cincinnati reds’ fans have represented well again, and their loyalty to the reds should not be questioned by the national media. Sold out games 3 days in a row, all at different times i believe? just to be disappointed 3 times in a row? Us cincy fans know how to take an “L”. Not wanting to be a downer or anything, hope we can pull this out still
@Jared: Here, have a golf clap for their meaningless production, Jared. Feel better that you are vindicated?
Cozart: LOB- 2
Stubbs: LOB- 1
Rolen: LOB- 1, but I’ll give him slack because he’s in the multiples.
Hanigan: LOB – 4
Ludwick: LOB – 4
Someone please tell me again how you can possibly leave your starter in long enough to give up 6 runs in a MUST WIN situation when you have the best bullpen in baseball. Yes – way too many men LOB, but game was lost right there.
Valdez in CF. How much does anyone want to bet that he makes the final out?
Anyway, Jared, let’s be friends… http://i.imgur.com/aJjDV.gif
Walt J addressed the pitching last off-season. He did quite well in that regard. He has got to address the lack of offense this off-season. It has killed the Reds all season long. It has been their achilles heel.
Walt will be busy again this winter.
wrong kind of history being made…kudos to Phillips and Bailey and Ludwick on strong playoff effort
Is there a place to go to find out how many of the Reds homeruns hit this season were single run shots, 2 run, 3 run or grand slams?
@WVRedlegs: And for God’s sake, could we get a better bench than Cairo and Valdez? That is one area I believe Dusty had no control over.
@jas_428: i would group bruce, lecure in that category too
Don’t forget Bronson Arroyo.
Ok boys let’s made this memorable, shall we?
Rally cap time, gentlemen! If we pull this one out, they might as well give the boys the WS trophy right now.
At least Dusty got to use Chapman in the 9th. 9th inning ours are worth way more than 5th inning outs.
At least DustyDusty got to use Chapman in the 9th. 9th inning ours are worth way more than 5th inning outs.
I’m shocked that Dusty didn’t send up Cairo to PH for Cozart.
He wants to save him
I hate this little Romo guy. He looks like a rat with a beard, hate his little celebrations, too. Come on Redlegs!!
Nice AB by Cozart
@CharlotteNCRedsFan: @zab1983: yes, yes
Time for a 3-run jack!
JOE-AH !!!
Okay, the right man at the right time.
We’ve seen this before. Nice hit by Votto, though.
One HR right here. One time.
Vottomatic
Come on back to back jack!
Holy crap… what kind of a strike call was that. It was a foot outside.
Luddy. Clutch again.
All right, a single and a jack will do….
Go ahead run at the plate.
Getting interesting. Great job from these guys so far this inning.
Ludwick has to be back in 2013. Based on this series alone. Really, really coming up huge for this club.
Does JB want to be Cincy’s new JB?
Let’s see, when has Jay hit a clutch homer? Oh, that’s right. Do it again, Jay!!
Hang in there, Jay. The pressure is on Romo right now.
Let’s go Brucie. A single is just fine.
Man, this is nerve-wrecking!
Wow, this is killing me… Oh for a hit…
These AB’s normally up well for the hitter. Praying.
Regardless of the outcome, this is a great AB for Bruce.
Breaking pitch coming
5 consecutive innings of at least two baserunners…if someone didn’t already post it
Wow, what an AB! Get the rat!
Rolen is taking notes…..
Great AB by Bruce. Sigh.
Fitting for Rolen to be potentially the last AB this year.
Prove it one more time Rolen
One more time
Romo is just going to keep throwing it outside until he gets the call.
Perfect finish.
FIRE DUSTY BAKER!!!!!!!!!!
I appreciate Scott Rolen, but it’s fitting that he made the last out. It’s time to go with even more youth. At least we fought until the final out.
Woooooooooooooo!
I think that might have been Rolens last AB in a Cincy uniform.
Hats off to Posey, what a player! We were one knee and one oblique short this year.
Great year! Loved the heart of this team. Tips hat to SF.
Lot’s to be excited about for the future of the Reds. Great young pitchers, defenders and hitters. Hopefully a new manager.
DUSTY BAKER MUST MUST MUST BE FIRED IN ORDER FOR THE REDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE POST SEASON! THERE IS A REASON WHY HIS TEAMS NEVER DO WELL IN THE PLAYOFFS!
thanks for the great comments this season guys! really helped me pass time. will continue reading!
Jumping off bridge
Hunter Pence sure has a lot to say for someone who did literally nothing in this series. Eh, good year I guess. Wouldn’t mind seeing Baker get shown the door but probably won’t happen.
11 Left On Base 2-13 with RISP. That is not a pretty stat line at all
I avoided the thread till now to not deal with what I’m sure was an epic amount of negativity but I just wanted to say, all emotions aside.. it was a good year. Nice job Reds. I’m sure I’ll post later about my feelings towards Mr. Baker and his efforts in this short series.
When does the offseason thread start?
Go Nats… Go O’s…
Congrats to the Giants. I will root for them all the way unless they play the O’s in the WS.
As for the Reds, they gave us a very good season and the screaming of some fans won’t change that fact. This was a team that I really enjoyed watching play and that is built to compete for a few years to come. If I have the means, I’ll have my rear in my seat for several games next year too.
Well…now it’s time to spin the wheels on how to make this team better next year.
Three turning points in the series: Phillips getting thrown out at 3B in Game 3. Dusty playing for game 5 during game 4. And Dusty leaving Latos in after he was clearly melting down mentally.
Just called 1-800-GOT-JUNK. I asked them to pick up Dusty, Rolen, Stubbs, Cairo, Valdez, Arredondo, Ondrusek, and Jacoby.
We out-hit them today, but sometimes the hits don’t come at the right times. Great year, though. A Bailey no-hitter, a memorable game one of the NLDS, a Cy Young-caliber year from Cueto, and 97 wins. There is a ton of reason to be optimistic for next year, with Bailey and Cueto really coming into there own.
Thanks to the editors for all their hard work. You guys are appreciated!!!!
Too many holes in this lineup, and a manager who didn’t know how to use his roster.
So, how ’bout them Bengals?
This was a fun team to watch in the regular season, it was painful to watch such a special season end with a whimper like it did today.
Such a great year does not guarantee a successful year in 2013 though(see 2010 to 2011 Reds, 2011 to 2012 Phillies, Brewers, and Red Sox). It was fun while it lasted, I just hope the 2013 team is as fun to watch as this years team and doesn’t turn into a frustrating season (like 2011). Reds have a couple small flaws to address in the offseason but no need for an overhaul and rebuild type of roster moves.
@gosport474 Cant say it any better.
Jimnastic, I like your list! Thanks, Reds, for a great year. We need a better bench and less fear of going with the young guys.
Epic failure. This has to go down as the greatest collapse in Reds history.
It is sad that this is what 2012 will be remembered for.
And as has been said since 1991…there is always next year.
they have got get a better leadoff hitter, and Drew Stubbs has to go. END OF CONVERSATION!!!!!
Stubbs, Rolen and Dusty.
sad that there will be no more titanic struggle recaps to read for awhile
If the Reds want to win next year, they have to improve this team, they can not stand pat like 2 yrs ago.
@Larry1980: I really don’t think they will stand pat. The front-office is tasting it. They gave strong contracts to Votto and BP and I think they will make some moves this offseason. I’d be really shocked if the Reds didn’t end up with a new CF. I’ve defended Stubbs a long time but he isn’t the answer on a championship caliber team.
But who can they get? The free agent list is not that great once you get past the top 3-4 guys, who will get $20M plus. It’s not as thin as the Jayson Werth class, but it’s not great. There might be the opportunity to improve the bench (I know, how could they not no matter who they sign), but in terms of real upgrades over Stubbs, they’d have to make a trade or shell out decent money. Or Josh Hamilton will have had to have loved Cincinnati so much he’d come back here for next to nothing.
Agree. Say what you want about BP’s contract, but that dude has driven this team. He has done everything through all of the various injuries and has excelled each time. Glad we locked him up, to be honest. And I also agree with the CF thing, we have to get a better hitting CF in our lineup. Priority #1 IMO.
I truly thought Jay was gonna do it. I was picturing the 2010 clinch and imagining that I was gonna get to scream my head off and jump around. I’m gonna hold on to that feeling and try to just remember that they were really close instead of thinking about all the problems I had with that game and the 2 games before it. It’s easy to forget but it was a thoroughly engaging and entertaining season all the way through, and that doesn’t happen all that often. This was a missed opportunity because there is no dominant (or even particularly hot) team in baseball this year so someone can steal a WS win. However, I hope the guys learn from the experience and get hungry because I think we’re gonna see them in the playoffs again soon.
@jbemis44:
I was right there with you. I was SURE that Cousin Brucie was going to pull it off. Great AB. Great season. Think I’ll go back to drinking now.
@jbemis44: Good way to handle it and I hope you’re right about future playoff appearances.
I will be interested to see if Billy Hamilton makes this club in the spring. They seem worried about his hitting, but would he really be any worse overall than Willy PatterStubbs the past four years?
Depends on if Dusty is still the manager. He’ll want a veteran/proven player even if they’re a lesser player. It’s why Rolen started 4/5 games over Frazier.. also why Stubbs is in over Heisey.. and Cairo was the first PH off the bench in Game 3.
It’s not like you can tell me Leake or Arredondo did a better job than Cingrani could have. Or Cairo did better than Hamilton could have as a PH. But they’re not the proven veterans who have been on the team. So no chance with Dusty around.
I will hopefully remember this season as the first step towards a World Series. For now I will just wait for my roommate to come in here and look at me blankly staring into my Votto jersey while sad pop songs play over some blown out speakers.
@LWBlogger: I tend to agree.
Phillips made a stupid play in Game 3, but they don’t win Game 1 without him. He fights and he competes, which is more than some in the lineup do. Besides, other than Robinson Cano, who could they get who could produce value like Phillips does? And would Cano get the same pitches to hit if he played for the Mets without A-Rod and Texiera around him? I doubt it.
Ok fine I’ll talk about next season. Are they losing anyone major other than Broxton? With Frazier playing 3rd, I think they’re looking pretty good for next year. I agree about Stubbs, but if he stays at the bottom of the order I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave him another shot for at least a couple of months. If Homer is really starting to come along the way it has looked like he is, then the rotation should be good again. Hopefully Aroldis will be in there too and Leake out. I think that’s a pretty good place to start from next year
Dusty Baker teams just dont win when it counts ask the Giant fans.
Dusty Baker teams just dont win when it counts ask the Giant fans.
I think we should all be thankful that the players at least had the opportunity to win game 5. That’s a plus.
Great season. Very disappointing End for our Reds. All i want to say is that the Giants for what ever reason, have the mental side of game down pat.
i wish dusty had brought in broxton to face posey with the bases full. am i crazy? super high leverage situation, plenty more arms for late innings.
i know broxton can be shakey, but i like him better than lecure there (and a faltering latos).
ugh. trying to just think about the good times.
I’m going to say one more thing I’m thankful for……that Wilson Valdez didn’t come up with the bases loaded and 2 outs (which could have happened.) Or maybe I’m looking for ways this day could have been worse.
Mat Latos has to grow up a little and not let one or 2 bad calls unnerve him.
The strike zone seemed to abruptly change in that inning with pitches getting called as Balls that had been Strikes all game for both him and Cain. He seemed to be getting more frustrated as the inning went on, and after the fielding error. I don’t think his control changed, the strike zone just shrank – just watch.
I still am asking why even pitch to Posey? Walk his butt, you don’t let the other teams best player beat you. I also have to ask why was Matt still pitching at that point. Dusty doesn’t grasp you manage differently in the post season compared to the regular season and he has never figured that out…
Dusty Baker is the Marty Schotenhimer of MLB. Good enough to win in the Regular season, not good enough when it counts.
Question: Had Dusty been the Reds’ Manager in 1975, would he have balked at moving Rose to third, opting instead to keep John Vukovich playing because “we got to get him going, big time” and saying George Foster “will get his chance?”
Dusty Baker is the scapegoat who fans like to blame for their most successful season in over a decade. Not many other cities want managers fired for their team not getting far enough into the playoffs.
Bobby Valentine showed what a new manager can do for a team and a city, and how little player respect matters. He’s available, the Reds could consider hiring him – after all, players like Dusty and dislike Valentine. Pull the ol’ switcharoo. It’s perfect! He’s a white guy who knows how to press blame on others, what could be better than that? Or they could hire a rookie manager so fans can argue that that guy also doesn’t know how to manage a team in the postseason, just like Dusty Baker.
Technically, it was the most successful season since 2010, when they won the division and got bounced in the NLDS, just like this year. I think with the expectations to get to the next level – which, in reality, they did not – Something needs to be looked at. Clearly, they’ve gone as far as they can with the personnel they have, both on the field and in the dugout. It’s a given there need to be some offensive additions. The problem is, you can’t just go and add a bunch of guys who can hit .285 and have a .400 OBP to shore up the middle of the order. There will be holes, because there isn’t enough talent to go around. That’s where a manager comes in – to make moves to put his team in a better position to win a game. I doubt you’ll find anyone who will say he did that past Game 1. yes, the players are at fault. But clearly Baker didn’t maximize his chances with the moves he made, and if he can’t do that, they have to wonder if they’ve gone as far with him as they will go. Art Howe didn’t want to buy into the front-office philosophy of the A’s in the early 2000s, so they let him go after a 100-win season. I wonder if that might be the necessary move for Jocketty and Castellini. Dusty did a good job all in all, but he has limitations, and he’s reached them.
It hurts too much to laugh; and, I am not quite old enough to get away with crying like a kid again.
I will try to remember all this team accomplished against the odds.
The closer was lost the week before opening day. The presumptive RH set up man also didn’t throw a single pitch in MLB competition. Add to that the fact the presumptive LOOGY never really threw a serious MLB pitch. Yet, this was one of the best pens in baseball.
The starting pitching depth was depleted by the bullpen situation (Chapman; maybe LeCure lost as potential starters) and the 5 remaining starterss went out and made at least 30 starts each with 4 of them logging at least 200 innings.. It wasn’t till the ace went down 8 pitches into the playoffs that the bill came due.
The best hitter in baseball went down for 40+ games; and the response of the team was to put together a run the likes of which had not been seen in Cincy for 30+ years.
Those are the things I want to remember about this wonderful year which unfortunately ended too soon when the odds finally caught up with the guys.
The Washington Nationals were lucky to have advanced notice that Stephen Strasburg would be unavailable for the playoffs. The Reds on the other hand, what a gloomy way to begin a postseason with Cueto. Strange that people are more critical of Dusty’s postseason managing than Davey Johnson’s.
Maybe b/c Davey Johnson’s Nationals just forced a Game 5. Where Dusty Baker’s Reds let Bruce Bochy’s Giants force, and then win a Game 5. I’d be surprised if Dusty himself chose to return next year. I’m sure the front office will offer it to him, (injuries, health issues, etc. = free pass for 2012 outcome). But I think he’ll ride off into the sunset with Rolen and the like.
Yes, thank you editors.
Jason Werth just yanked one over the fence. The Nats beat the WLB’s to force a game 5.
You take solace where you can find it.
Looks like Scott Rolen is going to Retire.
This was the hardest loss of my lifetime. In 2010, the Phillies were a better team than the Reds. Period. So the losses were easier to take. In this series, the Reds were the better team, I believe. The offenses were probably a wash, and the Reds had better pitching all around than the Giants. The Reds are incapable of winning a playoff game at home, for whatever reason. I am not as anti-Dusty as most on this thread, because I believe that ultimately it comes down to the players. For next year, I think Rolen needs to become this year’s Miguel Cairo. Todd Frazier should be given the chance to play at 3rd everyday. Other than that, I think our lineup is still pretty good with a healthy normal Joey Votto.
I cant blame Dusty for the Ryan Hanigan double play strikeout in the 6th, he needed to swing at that pitch and protect the runners.
Hanigan didn’t really have the greatest of series all around. He certainly deserves a share of the credit for Arroyo’s and Bailey’s efforts. But he “hit” into two double plays today and had that critical passed ball which was basically just a lapse of concentration (i.e. “it moved more than I was expecting”). The TBS broadcasters noted today that he seemed pushed to keep up with the high hard stuff of both Broxton and Chapman.
Another thing I will note with sadness is that we probably saw the end of what deservedly will one day be a HOF career for Scott Rolen.
For me it was not even that he K’d but how it happened which struck home. He looked at two very hittable pitches and seemed to be playing to draw a walk much as he was when he got called out on strikes to end the first inning of game three. This was not the Scott Rolen that earned him his career reputation.
And in the field I’m not so sure it was the 10th inning error I will remember as the ball which bounced by him for the second single at the start of that 10th inning. The ball didn’t seem to be struck that hard; and it certainly looked like a younger, quicker Rolen, a Rolen who could and would and did often fully extend himself and make diving plays, would have flagged that ball down and gotten a force at 2nd. But he did not seem to have that capability Tuesday night.
Time waits for no one.
Two great 3rd basemen of the past 20 years ended their careers with playoff losses and roles in those losses by errors in the field…
That was indeed a tough way to gou out. But regardless, that was one heck of a season to watch. Ignoring all of the small gripes that I had over the course of the year I am still happy with how things went, for the most part. I disagreed with several decisions that Dusty and the Reds made the last few days but I am over it (for the most part) and look forward to next season.
The local Dusty defenders are already out in force. After following the game at work, I was looking forward to listening to a little talk radio venting therapy on the drive home. I don’t really hear any callers ripping Dusty, but Tracy Jones is defending Dusty to the hilt. I was amused to learn that the reason I think Dusty is a poor manager and want him replaced is the color of his skin and not because I believe he repeatedly makes the types of questionable decisions that kill you in a short series. That was just what I needed to pick me up after being kicked in the gut the last three days.
Dusty will have options,he is wanted back by everyone except a small vocal minority of fans.The teams plays hard for him,we will be LUCKY if HE decides to come back.Walt needs to get him a few more bats,with the good young talent we have the future looks bright.
The loss of Cueto,and Joeys bum knee were huge factors……..the RBI guys did not get the job done,not for lack of effort some epic AB’s for Bruce and Ludwick late in game #5 but it wasnt meant to be.The biggest managerial mistake was not walking 8th hitter in game 3 to set up force and bring pitcher(or last bench player ) up to bat.I wonder if ANYONE suggested it after the passed ball…..Bench coaches?? …other than that the players were put in positions to succeed,they just didnt get the job done…
@Sam Jackson: I couldn’t agree more. He has a track record of not having a clue when it matters most, and despite the Latos move in game 1, he showed time and again he can’t manage when the game is on the line. Schottenheimer is a perfect comparison.
@Sam Jackson: he put players in position to succeed……..they left 11en on base…….2 for 13 with RISP………We need another bat or 2…this team is still young and getting better ……you saying that they “clearly” have gone as far as they can is based on what??? I think they can and will get better…..Dusty will have options,teams will call his agent,it will be his choice to return or move on….