Brian Kenny crushing Dusty on Twitter

[RedEye]

No. My issue is that I don't think he CAN prove it.

I'm lost on what you are saying. There is no "prove" necessary here. He's offering an opinion for which he might offer further evidence in a longer format. But he doesn't have to "prove" anything. People in his profession do this all the time. It's called expressing an opinion.

[*BaseClogger*]

So, the White Sox batting Adam Dunn 4th isn't more egregious? I'm sure you could go down a lot of lineups and see this same "mistake".

Haha I think this is a joke to stir us up?

Adam Dunn has the highest OPS on the ChiSox, where should he bat?

[RedEye]

Haha I think this is a joke to stir us up?

Adam Dunn has the highest OPS on the ChiSox, where should he bat?

Exactly. Maybe he should even bat 3rd! But this isn't remotely comparable to batting Cozart or Robinson or Izturis #2. Not even remotely.

[*BaseClogger*]

I'm lost on what you are saying. There is no "prove" necessary here. He's offering an opinion for which he might offer further evidence in a longer format. But he doesn't have to "prove" anything. People in his profession do this all the time. It's called expressing an opinion.

He's trying to hold himself in a higher light than guys like Harold Reynolds, so he should strive for higher standards than expressing opinions like other "people in his profession". If he's doing the same things as his colleagues then what distinguishes him from them?

[dabvu2498]

He's trying to hold himself in a higher light than guys like Harold Reynolds, so he should strive for higher standards than expressing opinions like other "people in his profession". If he's doing the same things as his colleagues then what distinguishes him from them?

Bingo

[OnBaseMachine]

Someone said the Reds aren't underperforming?

Reds actual record:

60-49

Reds expected record based off run differential:

65-44

So, yes, the Reds are underperforming.

[*BaseClogger*]

Someone said the Reds aren't underperforming?

Reds actual record:

60-49

Reds expected record based off run differential:

65-44

So, yes, the Reds are underperforming.

Usually that stuff comes down to a weak bullpen and an inconsistent offense--I'd say the Reds qualify, regardless of Dusty Baker...

[reds44]

Reds went 97-65 with a pythag of 91-71 last year.

Dusty must have magically forgotten how to manage.

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds went 97-65 with a pythag of 91-71 last year.

Dusty must have magically forgotten how to manage.

Point out where I said it was Dusty's fault. Thanks in advance!

[reds44]

Point out where I said it was Dusty's fault. Thanks in advance!

Am I allowed to reference your twitter?

[bucksfan2]

Once again, you don't need a computer to know that putting your best hitters at the top of the lineup is the better way to go. Anyone in their right mind should want Shin-Soo Choo, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce getting more PA than Zack Cozart or Derrick Robinson on a given day.

Too much is made out of batting orders when they really don't make that big of a difference. I agree with you that Cozart should be hitting lower in the order, I think every Reds fan thinks that way, and too his credit Dusty has done that recently. I actually really like Choo and Votto batting 2 and 3 but there isn't and idea leadoff hitter besides Choo. Where have all they cries for Ryan Hanigan hitting early in the order gone?

The problem I have with guys like Kenny who have made it their shtick to bash every move that doesn't go by the new age playbook. They look at a baseball game and think that what the number say you should do regardless of anything else. Run probabilities are nice and all, but it fails to take context into the situation. If you have Choo on 1st or 2nd, 0 outs, Heisey up, with Wainwright on the mound, no score in the bottom of the 6th I don't have a problem with a sac bunt to play for one run. You can throw run probabilities out there all you want, but in a scoreless pitchers dual, one run makes a massive difference.

I tire of the "you should have done this" or "you should have done that" without knowing all the information that a manager makes.

[OnBaseMachine]

Am I allowed to reference your twitter?

I'm definitely not a Dusty fan, and I think he's a horrible manager who leaves starters in too long, misuses the bullpen, and bats his worst hitter second too often. But no where have I said he's the lone reason why the Reds are underperforming. Nice try though!

[reds44]

I mean, it's obviously implied (or at least if not the only reason, the main reason), but fair enough.

And I think Dusty's handling of when to pull starters since he got to Cincinnati has been great. I don't really have much of a problem with his bullpen management either, despite some wishing Chapman pitched every high leverage situation the Reds ever have.

[*BaseClogger*]

Yeah, nice TRY reds44! LOL

[EMAW]

I'm definitely not a Dusty fan, and I think he's a horrible manager who leaves starters in too long, misuses the bullpen, and bats his worst hitter second too often. But no where have I said he's the lone reason why the Reds are underperforming. Nice try though!

How has he stayed employed with all these flaws?
How has he gone to the playoffs so many times?
How has he taken over bad teams and then they start winning?
Any answers for that?