Limping into the playoffs

[Ghosts of 1990]

I would actually put Bruce in there. Votto hasn't hit much since coming off the DL. Ludwick has cooled off.

Yea, we're not going to score enough to win a World Series. I would say at best we'll make the NLCS. I'll sign up for that right now and let the chips fall how they may.

[forfreelin04]

Originally Posted by Nathan

This headline says it all:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

Nathan,

Thanks for sharing. Nice logical article.

I did immediately think of Valdez and Cairo when the author wrote we have depth. But then again, a guy like Todd Frazier is equivalent to a strong 6th man off your bench in basketball, Stubbs/Heisey is a nice mystery to have, and Paul is the solid left handed pinch hitter we needed most of the year.

The playoffs is a crapshoot. Often, it comes down to unsolicited contributions from unlikely sources, a dominant ace starter performance, and hitting with RISP. If I had to argue one point that may be most important, I'd say postseason experience. Every heart will flutter a little bit more for that time span a little bit faster. The key is not to get anxious and play within yourself, this where Dusy, Rolen, and other playoff vets can come up big for the club.


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[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by Ghosts of 1990

I would actually put Bruce in there. Votto hasn't hit much since coming off the DL. Ludwick has cooled off.

Yea, we're not going to score enough to win a World Series. I would say at best we'll make the NLCS. I'll sign up for that right now and let the chips fall how they may.

This is just so ridiculous.

Every team in baseball has numerous flaws, the Reds have as little as anyone. The Reds likely have as good a chance as anyone to win the WS, as their flaws are no more pervasive than anyone else's.

That doesn't mean they will, they very likley will not. But if you are good enough to make the playoffs, you can very clearly win the WS.

[reds44]

Didn't we just sweep the Pirates?

[VR]

I would not bet on any team, any year in the playoffs.

You hope to get there, and that you can ride the wave once you're in.

[RedsManRick]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

It's how you're playing when you get there.

Not really. Sure, it matters what team you bring to the playoffs. But a team's performance heading in to the playoffs isn't predictive of playoffs success.

Sure, I'm a little concerned about Votto and Chapman being full strength. But I couldn't care less how the team performs in September so long as we take the division.

Being "hot" as a team might make us feel more confident, but it doesn't really help the team's chances of winning moving forward.

[kbrake]

Bovada Online Sportsbook odds to WIN the World Series..

Texas Rangers 9/2
Cincinnati Reds 13/2
New York Yankees 7/1
Washington Nationals 7/1

Anything can happen in October but I like where we stand if Chapman is healthy.

[REDREAD]

Originally Posted by max venable

The reality is this: they don't look good. The offense is getting dominated by weak pitching. 3 hits vs. a rookie pitcher whose ERA was 6.00?
.

I watched most of that game.. The Marlin's kid pitched a great game. Plus the Reds were playing in a much larger ballpark than they were used to.
Stubbs hit a ball that might've been a HR in the GAB.

Anyhow, I think the point is, the Marlin's kid was a highly touted prospect with talent.. He's not exactly a journeyman 6 ERA pitcher. He's going to have good games.

Anyway.. even the best offensive teams get shut out. I'm not worried.

[Tom Servo]

I think some people just like to complain.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

I think some people just like to complain.

Amen. Most people around here nowadays, it seems. No one's every happy, and we have the second best record in baseball. Go figure.

[traderumor]

The first team hitting slump in the history of baseball.

[PuffyPig]

Simply a ridiculous thread.

Reminds me of the thread when many were jumping off the bridge becuase it was reported that the Pirates were talking about acquiring Upton or Quentin. Many were conceeding the division to the Pirates simply based on the thought they might be talking about acquiring help. We all know how that eventually played out.

Too many posters believe baseball is a 100 meter dash.

[traderumor]

Should be linked to "Here Come the Cardinals." Same thread starter, I believe.

[fearofpopvol1]

The Reds have had a fabulous year, but it's definitely fair to question what is going to happen come October with Cueto, Chapman, Votto and Cozart. Cueto and Chapman seem to have fatigue and Votto doesn't look like the Votto before the ASB (and has admitted he won't be 100% this year). The Reds desperately need Cueto and Chapman to be healthy in October and Votto is going to need to be better hitting in the 3 spot as well. And Cozart is needed as well, as Valdez in the 2 spot isn't going to cut it in the playoffs.

[max venable]

Okay...let's be clear, there's a difference between complaining and being worried. I'm not complaining. I'm saying that I'm worried about the Reds being able to score runs off of good pitching in the playoffs. And...NOW...I'm worried about Chapman. And I'm worried about Cueto's 8.82 ERA in his last three starts. Is he suddenly going to start pitching well in the post-season? I HOPE so. Is it wrong to be alarmed? Nobody is claiming that the sky is falling. Nobody is saying the Reds suck. I don't think anybody's ungrateful for the great season it's been so far...there are simply some red flags that have a few of us wondering if the Reds are gonna be able to hang with good pitching in October.