As for pitching to contact, that is also a bunch of bull.
Here's the defensive efficiency report on the Cubs, Reds and Astros. (from last week)
Code:
TEAM PA AB H BB SO HBP HR ROE DEF_EFF
CIN 1798 1617 443 128 283 17 56 15 0.6941
CHN 1738 1527 358 160 372 21 47 11 0.7170
HOU 1745 1556 370 149 398 16 49 17 0.7017
The amount of balls in play by the Reds opposition compared to the others is rather large, coupled with the low K rate then you really have to lean on the amount of BB allowed that the Reds staff to see where their success lies, that's called "Pitching to Contact"
Cincinnati 1 bb every 14.0 batters
Chicago 1 bb every 10.8 batters
Astros 1 bb every 11.7 batters
The Lack of BB's is really holding the Reds staff collective heads above water at this point.
Currently the Reds allow a hit every 4 PA and the Cubs 4.7 and Astros 4.85 add in HBP and BB that brings the rate in at:
Code:
Reds 1 BR every 3 batters
Astros 1 BR every 3.26 batters
Cubs 1 BR every 3.22 batters
So in essence it's not BS it's what they're doing, because if their BB rate goes up that plus hits they allow will hurt them bad.