9/2/12 - Reds at Astros

[Caveat Emperor]

In 2000, the New York Yankees bombed in September, including getting swept in a 3 game series in Tampa when the Rays were every bit as bad as these Astros. I'm not saying this series isn't disappointing. Just trying to add a little bit of perspective here. It doesn't really matter that much.

It does if you want to avoid a 2 game trip to the west coast to open the first round of the playoffs.

You have any faith that any Reds team (even this one) will win both those games -- against top pitching in ballparks that don't give up the home run ball easily? Because I don't.

[cincrazy]

It does if you want to avoid a 2 game trip to the west coast to open the first round of the playoffs.

You have any faith that any Reds team (even this one) will win both those games -- against top pitching in ballparks that don't give up the home run ball easily? Because I don't.

I do. So I guess we can agree to disagree. Our record isn't a fluke. People give this team no respect.

[Kc61]

Cards strike back. Nats reliever Mattheus getting ahead then giving up hits. 4-3 Nats.

[Brutus]

If you can't score runs on Bud Norris, you don't have a prayer in games against guys like Cain, Gonzalez and Kershaw.

Bud Norris has a 3.68 ERA at home in his career and 2.09 this year.

[The Operator]

In 2000, the New York Yankees bombed in September, including getting swept in a 3 game series in Tampa when the Rays were every bit as bad as these Astros. I'm not saying this series isn't disappointing. Just trying to add a little bit of perspective here. It doesn't really matter that much.

But it could, that's the thing. Yes they have a huge lead but we all saw last year what kind of a run the Cardinals are capable of going on. I want as much distance between us and the Cardinals as possible, and the Astros are a team you need to beat. It's not the end of the world, but it's not good, and I hope they aren't taking it lightly. There's still a lot of baseball left.

[The Operator]

BRRUUUUUUUCE

[RollyInRaleigh]

It's not "unacceptable." It's baseball. Sometimes these things happen. Are we all of a sudden a bad team? Five months thrown out the window because of one series? We have a 8.5 game lead. I don't like losing this series. But it's not the end of the world.

Someone that understands the nature of the game.

[The Operator]

Holy Crap

[redsfaninbsg]

You guys have little faith

[mth123]

His xBABIP is .320. His actual BABIP is .188. "Good contact" has little to do with it. He's not stinging the ball, so perhaps his BABIP would be expected to be slightly lower (though his xBABIP suggests otherwise), but he's still a hundred points lower than what he probably should be.

.654 OPS against RHP for his career. .440 this year. BABIP or no, at 38 with pretty much no defensive value, he doesn't get a sniff against a RHP.

IMO, a question mark is preferable to a guy who is known to be poor. If we're throwing spots away with a Sunday Special, I'd rather see the LH kids play against a RHP. If not H-Rod, then Didi.

Wow, Bruce. Woo Hoo.

[Caveat Emperor]

I do. So I guess we can agree to disagree. Our record isn't a fluke. People give this team no respect.

The record is what the record is, but the team's warts have shown the last few weeks regarding ability to string together base hits to score runs. They desperately need Joey Votto back to be the guy who can get on base and drive in runs without hitting a home run.

[BCubb2003]

Everything we just said about this team is now wrong.

[nate]

Jay Bruce is strong.

And Earl Weaver is sated.

[cincrazy]

The record is what the record is, but the team's warts have shown the last few weeks regarding ability to string together base hits to score runs. They desperately need Joey Votto back to be the guy who can get on base and drive in runs without hitting a home run.

I agree. Look, this team's warts are what they are. They aren't going away. But everyone in the NL has warts.

[Brutus]

.654 OPS against RHP for his career. .440 this year. BABIP or no, at 38 with pretty much no defensive value, he doesn't get a sniff against a RHP.

IMO, a question mark is preferable to a guy who is known to be poor. If we're throwing spots away with a Sunday Special, I'd rather see the LH kids play against a RHP. If not H-Rod, then Didi.

Wow, Bruce. Woo Hoo.

Fine, I never said he was a great hitter (nor have I had anything to say about his defense). But he's still a better hitter right now than Henry Rodriguez is.