Defense or Offense??

If you had your choice of going to a game and seeing either a defensive battle or an offensive battle what would you choose? Both scenarios will result in a Reds win.

For example, a defensive battle would be something along the lines of Johnny Cueto on the mound pitching lights out with 2-3 defensive gems by Brandon Phillips and Zach Cozart all worthy of being shown on ESPN. Then the closer (whoever that may be) has a lights out 1,2,3 performance in the 9th.

An offensive battle would be something along the lines of 3-4 homeruns on the day for the Reds. A couple of base clearing, extra basehits with the game ultimately being decided by a Jay Bruce walk off grand slamin the 9th.

Obviously there is no right or wrong answer here, just a matter of opinion. For the longest time I have had a hunch what Reds fans as a group would pick so this is as good as time as any to find out if I am right.

I love a good pitching duel, I really do, but for being at the game nothing beats a walk-off homer.

320

Between your two scenarios I picked offense. That kind of game would be incredible to be a part of. However, don't let it take away from the thrill of a high-tension defensive battle. The game before the ASB last year when we swept the Cardinals comes to mind, and by far that was my favorite game of the year that I attended. Wins from a defensive-type game feel much more earned, but a walk off HR to one of those games would taste much much sweeter.

8-7 games are the best, although 2-1 games come in a close second.

I'd be more jazzed up to have watched the offensive battle end with a walk-off. (that's what I voted for)

However the purist in me would appreciate the defensive struggle more.

Either way it seems the Reds would have just won a great game so I'm happy regardless.

Game 3 was incredible to be at. Pitching duels in the playoffs are where it's at. Sucks Homer got no help though.

Defense.

There's much more strategy to a tight defensive game where every decision and play matters, where one mistake or one great play could decide the game. I love baseball because its the most intellectual, most strategic of all the major sports. If I want action, I'll turn on the NBA or NFL.

A good pitching duel trumps all, but a pitching duel and a low scoring game can be two entirely different things IMO. Watching two aces match zeros for 7 or 8 innings is as entertaining as it gets. Watching a couple back-of-the-rotation noodle arms meander their way through dead lineups is just the worst kind of game for me. It's all context I guess. I love watching pretty much all of our pitchers, so I'd say defense for now. Back in the Jose Acevedo days, give me a 10-9 game every time.

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Originally Posted by Superdude

A good pitching duel trumps all, but a pitching duel and a low scoring game can be two entirely different things IMO. Watching two aces match zeros for 7 or 8 innings is as entertaining as it gets. Watching a couple back-of-the-rotation noodle arms meander their way through dead lineups is just the worst kind of game for me. It's all context I guess. I love watching pretty much all of our pitchers, so I'd say defense for now. Back in the Jose Acevedo days, give me a 10-9 game every time.

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Yep. The feeling when every pitch matters is greater than when teams trade HR's every half inning, IMO

Offense? Reminds me of many lost years in Cincinnati. Scoring 8 runs, but giving up 11. As a matter of fact the entire first decade of the 21st century comes to mind.

Defense? Makes me think of playoff appearances in 2010 and 2012.

That is all the thinking I need to do revelant to this topic.

It depends upon my mood that day, who is managing and who is pitching.

Watching a bunch of ground balls hit right at infielders against a guy pitching to contact really isn't that riveting. Watching certain managers in situations where their decisions are in the spot light can be a bit maddening.

But truthfully, if I know how the game was going to turn out, I probably would find something else to do that day.

Both. Last season I witnessed in DC a 2-1 pitching duel that was a good game. Although the Reds were on the losing end of it. Later in the season I saw a 10-9 game between the Nats and Cards. It was equally fun to watch. The one downside to high scoring games is that often times there are a ton of walks and pitching changes that drag the game. So if you put a gun to my head I would say a low scoring defensive/pitching game.

I had to go w/ defense. I love how thick the air gets at the yard when the zeros are piling up. The anticipation of seeing who will blink first is my favorite kind of ballgame.

I'll go with the pitcher's duel. But it's basically a draw.

I prefer a 10-0 game. Less stress.

I voted offense. Even though I love a defensive battle. I was at Game 3 and honestly when your team isnt hitting, even if your pitcher is on fire, its extremely frustrating and hard to watch.

But cant I have both. Our pitcher goes complete game solid performance with defensive web gems all game and also have 4 home runs?

5-3 or 4-2 type of game. Some good pitching along with some clutch hitting late in the game. I like when it gets tight at the end of the game but when runners do cross the plate.

I picked the slugfest because an offense-oriented game lasts longer, and since I don't get to go to many games, I want to soak it in for as long as I can. If I'm watching on TV, I might change my tune.

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Originally Posted by Redsfan320

I love a good pitching duel, I really do, but for being at the game nothing beats a walk-off homer.

320

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Spot on.

Under which scenario are my grandchildren with me?

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Originally Posted by 757690

Defense.

There's much more strategy to a tight defensive game where every decision and play matters, where one mistake or one great play could decide the game. I love baseball because its the most intellectual, most strategic of all the major sports. If I want action, I'll turn on the NBA or NFL.

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Kinda my thoughts to. Baseball to me is more of a chess match than the NFL or the NBA could ever dream of being.

Also just from my perpsective I would rather see a diving Eric Davis type catch in the outfield or Davey Concepcion acrobatic play at short than I would an Adam Dunn type bomb. Good defense to me is a thing of pure unadulterated beauty.

Since you described the offensive choice as a multi-home run affaird, I'm going with the defensive battle. I would actually pick offense but I prefer to see lots of singles and doubles and runners pushed over with timely hitting as opposed to a game with a bunch of big bombs.

Really, the best game is one where the Reds are rolling on offense and the starter is going deep while getting some good put outs behind him!

Offense. Hands down.

When I used to see games in Boston and Montreal, I would frequently go to see the Sox once or twice a year. Usually it would be vs Cleveland and inevitably the game would be Pedro vs Colon or someone like that. The day before the game would be like 15-12 and would go for 4.5 hours. We would see a 2-1 game that would be done in 2hrs 5 min. When you only get to a couple of games a year, its nice when the game lasts half as long as the drive.
On the other end of the spectrum was the amazing day I got to see both DT Cromer and Juan Castro go yard as the Reds beat up the Expos 17-4. Now that was fun.
Paid attendance was supposedly 11k but that included everyone who had paid to see the other Expo games that month.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...00108260.shtml

The other problem with a good pitcher's duel- other than the speed of the game- is that really for the first few innings very little in the way of drama. It is not until the 7th or so that there is much excitement.

I went with defense. I wasnt a great hitter in high school but i considered myself pretty good with the glove at short and second base, and I like a pitchers duel. Theres nothing like a Verlander vs. Hernandez matchup to watch.

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Originally Posted by TSJ55

I had to go w/ defense. I love how thick the air gets at the yard when the zeros are piling up. The anticipation of seeing who will blink first is my favorite kind of ballgame.

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This is true. When you know you're in a dual, all the sudden a run scored in the 5th or 6th feels like one in the 8th. If it's a high scoring game, you are excited about the runs, but you know it's never enough until the final out.

I voted the offense though, as someone else said, nothing beats a walk off HR (especially a GS). I've been to a couple walk off GS's: Dunn vs. Wickman and Ramon Hernandez Opening Day. Losing in both games.

Can I have a 0-0 pitching duel where Billy Hamilton bunts his way on in the bottom of the 9th, steals 2nd, 3rd, and then home? That's my idea of excitement! :thumbup: