4/6/2013 - Saturday - Reds vs Nats

[NeilHamburger]

They lost, but what a game.

It was like two heavyweight fighters going at it.

Reds play like this all year they'll win plenty of games.

[kbrake]

I'm afraid we'll be 12 games over with a 5 game lead by the end of July and the game threads will still be unbearable.

[Red Raindog]

I was told Hoover could close.

I was told he could start!

(I still like him on the staff -- but he's been treated like a rented mule so far.)

[WVRedsFan]

I was told he could start!

(I still like him on the staff -- but he's been treated like a rented mule so far.)

In my humble opinion, he must have talent because he's here, but he has had a horrible start. He has a 8.31 ERA, has been very hittable. He has to start improving very quickly or else he hurts the club more than he helps. The mule analogy is apt here. I just hate to lose so many games we should win even if there are 157 to go. It makes tomorrow's game almost a must win in many ways. When you have your ace going against their ace, you need to win a lot. We saw this is Harang when he was our No, 1. He was always against their best pitcher and more than often lost. I'd hate that for Cueto, but realize that baseball is like that. And I keep reminding myself that this is just the beginning of the season.

[Tadasimha]

In my humble opinion, he must have talent because he's here, but he has had a horrible start. He has a 8.31 ERA, has been very hittable. He has to start improving very quickly or else he hurts the club more than he helps. The mule analogy is apt here. I just hate to lose so many games we should win even if there are 157 to go. It makes tomorrow's game almost a must win in many ways. When you have your ace going against their ace, you need to win a lot. We saw this is Harang when he was our No, 1. He was always against their best pitcher and more than often lost. I'd hate that for Cueto, but realize that baseball is like that. And I keep reminding myself that this is just the beginning of the season.

Way to early for this to be considered a must win game. It can be looked at as a statement game for both teams: both trying to show the other they can take the other teams' best punch (to continue the boxing analogy from a few posts back) and come back with a better one.

Should be a great game - looking forward to it!

[kaldaniels]

I wanted to add nice strike zone called today. Neither catcher was framing well but balls in the zone were consistently called strikes.

[Kc61]

Reds have seven with the Nats and six at St. Louis by May 1. If they can basically split these games, they will have a good start. They already took two of three from the Angels, another tough customer.

They now play tomorrow with the Nats followed by three in St. Louis. A split of those four games would be just fine, then onto some lesser opponents.

There are some early issues, Ludwick injury, Marshall injury, Hoover overuse/ineffectiveness. But the main point for April is to split the tough games and win most with the easier clubs.

[NeilHamburger]

Only real bad news out of the first week, other than the Ludwick injury, is Choo.

That dude is pricing himself right out of Cincy. 100 million dollars here he comes.

Honestly, with Ludwick, Hamilton and Bruce there isn't really a spot for him longterm, especially with Latos and Bailey the more important extensions. So, I just view it as a one year glimpse of my ideal leadoff man.

[1940757690]

Again apologies if repeating what's already been posted but can't read all the posts missed. Great weather today but I swear it felt a bit like both teams were doing their best to lose. On the Nats' side, Storen's performance in the 8th was basically a replay of the Game 5 LDS implosion last year and, in the 9th, that was the first time this year that Soriano blew a save. For the Reds, could not believe JJ again and wanted to cry with BP on 2nd and Jay Bruce struckout. Stammen's not a high velocity type but usually does get the job done. Loved Votto's triple--that alone made me feel much better about this season.

I'm not a big Dusty basher but here were two questions I had staring closely at all that went down today from up and behind home plate:

1. Why is Heisey so high in the order and Frazier so low. Seems like reversing the two positions should be pretty straighforward, no? Would have made a difference today.

2. I get that the Missile only pitches one inning usually but, sheesh, he only threw 10 pitches. If he'd come back out for the next inning instead of Hoover, extremely unlikely two back-to-back home runs would have been given up to lower-in-the-order hitters. True Desmond hit well last year but hadn't yet done anything this year. And, while Ramos is a very strong young catcher, he's not usually the guy hitting a homer, let alone two.

Bummed how this one turned out. More bummed that it didn't seem that well played by either team.

[PumpFak3First]

In my humble opinion, he must have talent because he's here, but he has had a horrible start. He has a 8.31 ERA, has been very hittable. He has to start improving very quickly or else he hurts the club more than he helps. The mule analogy is apt here. I just hate to lose so many games we should win even if there are 157 to go. It makes tomorrow's game almost a must win in many ways. When you have your ace going against their ace, you need to win a lot. We saw this is Harang when he was our No, 1. He was always against their best pitcher and more than often lost. I'd hate that for Cueto, but realize that baseball is like that. And I keep reminding myself that this is just the beginning of the season.

[CrackerJack]

So far. This game isn't over yet. Not with our bats.

Good call...close but not enough. Still trying to get last year's taste out of my mouth I suppose (offensively)...keeping forgetting they don't have Stubbs at the top of the order anymore.

[CrackerJack]

I'm afraid we'll be 12 games over with a 5 game lead by the end of July and the game threads will still be unbearable.

Suck it up and take it like a man!

[VottoFan54]

Again apologies if repeating what's already been posted but can't read all the posts missed. Great weather today but I swear it felt a bit like both teams were doing their best to lose. On the Nats' side, Storen's performance in the 8th was basically a replay of the Game 5 LDS implosion last year and, in the 9th, that was the first time this year that Soriano blew a save. For the Reds, could not believe JJ again and wanted to cry with BP on 2nd and Jay Bruce struckout. Stammen's not a high velocity type but usually does get the job done. Loved Votto's triple--that alone made me feel much better about this season.

I'm not a big Dusty basher but here were two questions I had staring closely at all that went down today from up and behind home plate:

1. Why is Heisey so high in the order and Frazier so low. Seems like reversing the two positions should be pretty straighforward, no? Would have made a difference today.

2. I get that the Missile only pitches one inning usually but, sheesh, he only threw 10 pitches. If he'd come back out for the next inning instead of Hoover, extremely unlikely two back-to-back home runs would have been given up to lower-in-the-order hitters. True Desmond hit well last year but hadn't yet done anything this year. And, while Ramos is a very strong young catcher, he's not usually the guy hitting a homer, let alone two.

Bummed how this one turned out. More bummed that it didn't seem that well played by either team.

Chapman was pinch-hit for with a runner on second and 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th. I would not have been ok with Chapman hitting in that situation.

[Vottomatic]

I'm afraid we'll be 12 games over with a 5 game lead by the end of July and the game threads will still be unbearable.

Don't blame me. I didn't post in the game thread today.

[jmac]

Didnt want to start a thread on this so posting here. Buster Onley on twitter :

Buster Olney‏@Buster_ESPN3m
Spoke to some Angels today who were really impressed by the Reds' Todd Frazier; he's 11-for-22 so far this season.