Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

The good news is that in September so far, heading into the last game of the month, the Reds are 14-11. The bad news is that they have been outscored 72 to 78 runs, and that they are averaging only 2.88 runs per game this month.

I am worried about the hitting as they head into the playoffs. Here are the hitting stats over the last 30 days, in descending order of batting average, players with 15+ monthly ABs:

Joey Votto: .333/.528/.429 for an OPS of .957, 0 HRs.
Xavier Paul: .314/368/.400 for an OPS of .768, 0 HRs.
Miguel Cairo: .313/.313/.375 for an OPS of .688, 0 HRs.
Dioneer Navarro: .304/.333/.413 for an OPS of .746. 0 HRs.
Ryan Ludwick: .291/.385/.400 for an OPS of .785, 1 HR.
Zach Cozart: .286/.333/.429 for an OPS of .762, 1 HR.
Jay Bruce: .234/.308/.543 for an OPS of .850, 7 HRs.
Ryan Hanigan: .224/.283/.265 for an OPS of .548, 0 Hrs.
Brandon Phillips: .214/.267/.327 for an OPS of .593, 3 HRs.
Chris Heisey: .211/.318/.316 for an OPS of .634, 1 HR.
Todd Frazier: .192/.250/.274 for an OPS of .524, 1 HR.
Scott Rolen: .191/.250/.277 for an OPS of .527, 1 HR.
Wilson Valdez: .182/.234/.205 for an OPS of .439, 0 HRs.
Drew Stubbs: .167/.231/.167 for an OPS of .397, 0 HRs.

It's like when Joey came back, everyone else decided to quit hitting. And this is the average over the last 30 days, so it's not just a short slump, but really a month long slump. Hopefully they can pull out of it for the playoffs....

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

Sorry, I hit "Submit Reply" inadvertently.

Note the LHH (or switch-hitters) in September's top dozen, that is, including Gregorius (.300), with only 20 AB and Rodriguez (.231), with just 13 AB.

Against righty opposition pitching, the Reds just don't seem as vulnerable when Navarro, Paul, etc. are at the dish as they were before they and the above-named rookies got called up.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

Adding Ludwick back to the mix at the expense of either Heisey or Stubbs and Cozart back in instead of Valdez can't hurt. But the lack of production up and down the lineup -- especially from dependable cogs like Phillips, Frazier, Rolen -- is a huge issue and does not bode well.

They've got six days to snap out of it, I guess. That's really all we can hope for.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

I figure this thread is an appopriate place to put this:

In 167 fewer PA, Ryan Howard has 1 more RBI than Votto. Now, to be fair, Howard has converted more of his RBI opportunities than Votto has, but just look at the opportunities. In those 167 extra PA, Votto has had 2 fewer PA with a guy on 3B and just 4 more with a guy on 2B.

If you want to know why this offense has sputtered, look no further than the historically bad performances from the guys batting ahead of our most productive hitters.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

If you thought Drew Stubbs couldn't get any worse at the plate, think again.
In July (108 ABs) .482 OPS
September (59 ABs) .404 OPS.
He's now at .618 for the season, working his way towards the Juan Castro line (career OPS .595).

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

That was my first thought--I'm not as worried as I might be because the team is recovering physically. Add Votto working his way back, and I think they'll be okay in the postseason. Not great, but good enough.

On another note, I believe in Xavier Paul.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

I think they're saving it all for these last 3 games and then going into the playoffs hot. ;)

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

The Cards series should be treated like a first round playoff series - with the chance to shoot down another rival, I'm really hoping everyone is really ready for this series.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

I'll take the 2nd seed vs. the Giants over knocking the Cards out of the playoffs and topping Washington for the #1 seed. The prospect of five straight in Busch is not a good thing. Let the Cards see if they can take down the Braves and the Nats, then we have home field advantage against them anyhow.

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

The lack of hitting honestly doesn't concern me that much. This team's bread and butter is pitching and defense. Is the offense going to light up elite pitching staffs? Of course not. But I think they're good enough to scratch across three or four runs and win close games. In the postseason, that's all that really matters :).

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

Anyone still worried? :D

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

:laugh:

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

Clearly they were saving it all up for the post season....seems like a good plan to me! :p

Re: Reds lack of hitting over the last month
 

:thumbup::thumbup: