Defense or Offense?? - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

George Anderson · 02-14-2013, 10:58 PM

If you had your choice of going to a game and seeing either a defensive battle or an offensive battle what would you choose? Both scenarios will result in a Reds win.

For example, a defensive battle would be something along the lines of Johnny Cueto on the mound pitching lights out with 2-3 defensive gems by Brandon Phillips and Zach Cozart all worthy of being shown on ESPN. Then the closer (whoever that may be) has a lights out 1,2,3 performance in the 9th.

An offensive battle would be something along the lines of 3-4 homeruns on the day for the Reds. A couple of base clearing, extra basehits with the game ultimately being decided by a Jay Bruce walk off grand slamin the 9th.

Obviously there is no right or wrong answer here, just a matter of opinion. For the longest time I have had a hunch what Reds fans as a group would pick so this is as good as time as any to find out if I am right.

Redsfan320 · 02-14-2013, 11:11 PM

I love a good pitching duel, I really do, but for being at the game nothing beats a walk-off homer.

320

MrRedLegger · 02-14-2013, 11:22 PM

Between your two scenarios I picked offense. That kind of game would be incredible to be a part of. However, don't let it take away from the thrill of a high-tension defensive battle. The game before the ASB last year when we swept the Cardinals comes to mind, and by far that was my favorite game of the year that I attended. Wins from a defensive-type game feel much more earned, but a walk off HR to one of those games would taste much much sweeter.

bigredmechanism · 02-14-2013, 11:27 PM

8-7 games are the best, although 2-1 games come in a close second.

kaldaniels · 02-15-2013, 12:10 AM

I'd be more jazzed up to have watched the offensive battle end with a walk-off. (that's what I voted for)

However the purist in me would appreciate the defensive struggle more.

Either way it seems the Reds would have just won a great game so I'm happy regardless.

5TimeWSChamps · 02-15-2013, 01:25 AM

Game 3 was incredible to be at. Pitching duels in the playoffs are where it's at. Sucks Homer got no help though.

757690 · 02-15-2013, 02:15 AM

Defense.

There's much more strategy to a tight defensive game where every decision and play matters, where one mistake or one great play could decide the game. I love baseball because its the most intellectual, most strategic of all the major sports. If I want action, I'll turn on the NBA or NFL.

Superdude · 02-15-2013, 03:34 AM

A good pitching duel trumps all, but a pitching duel and a low scoring game can be two entirely different things IMO. Watching two aces match zeros for 7 or 8 innings is as entertaining as it gets. Watching a couple back-of-the-rotation noodle arms meander their way through dead lineups is just the worst kind of game for me. It's all context I guess. I love watching pretty much all of our pitchers, so I'd say defense for now. Back in the Jose Acevedo days, give me a 10-9 game every time.

5TimeWSChamps · 02-15-2013, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdude

A good pitching duel trumps all, but a pitching duel and a low scoring game can be two entirely different things IMO. Watching two aces match zeros for 7 or 8 innings is as entertaining as it gets. Watching a couple back-of-the-rotation noodle arms meander their way through dead lineups is just the worst kind of game for me. It's all context I guess. I love watching pretty much all of our pitchers, so I'd say defense for now. Back in the Jose Acevedo days, give me a 10-9 game every time.

Yep. The feeling when every pitch matters is greater than when teams trade HR's every half inning, IMO

RedFanAlways1966 · 02-15-2013, 07:31 AM

Offense? Reminds me of many lost years in Cincinnati. Scoring 8 runs, but giving up 11. As a matter of fact the entire first decade of the 21st century comes to mind.

Defense? Makes me think of playoff appearances in 2010 and 2012.

That is all the thinking I need to do revelant to this topic.

jojo · 02-15-2013, 07:44 AM

It depends upon my mood that day, who is managing and who is pitching.

Watching a bunch of ground balls hit right at infielders against a guy pitching to contact really isn't that riveting. Watching certain managers in situations where their decisions are in the spot light can be a bit maddening.

But truthfully, if I know how the game was going to turn out, I probably would find something else to do that day.

cumberlandreds · 02-15-2013, 07:59 AM

Both. Last season I witnessed in DC a 2-1 pitching duel that was a good game. Although the Reds were on the losing end of it. Later in the season I saw a 10-9 game between the Nats and Cards. It was equally fun to watch. The one downside to high scoring games is that often times there are a ton of walks and pitching changes that drag the game. So if you put a gun to my head I would say a low scoring defensive/pitching game.

TSJ55 · 02-15-2013, 08:43 AM

I had to go w/ defense. I love how thick the air gets at the yard when the zeros are piling up. The anticipation of seeing who will blink first is my favorite kind of ballgame.

lollipopcurve · 02-15-2013, 09:09 AM

I'll go with the pitcher's duel. But it's basically a draw.

marcshoe · 02-15-2013, 09:12 AM

I prefer a 10-0 game. Less stress.

View Poll Results: Defense or Offense?
Defense	23	46.94%
Offense	26	53.06%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

02-14-2013, 10:58 PM	#1
George Anderson Beer is good!! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,119	Defense or Offense?? If you had your choice of going to a game and seeing either a defensive battle or an offensive battle what would you choose? Both scenarios will result in a Reds win. For example, a defensive battle would be something along the lines of Johnny Cueto on the mound pitching lights out with 2-3 defensive gems by Brandon Phillips and Zach Cozart all worthy of being shown on ESPN. Then the closer (whoever that may be) has a lights out 1,2,3 performance in the 9th. An offensive battle would be something along the lines of 3-4 homeruns on the day for the Reds. A couple of base clearing, extra basehits with the game ultimately being decided by a Jay Bruce walk off grand slamin the 9th. Obviously there is no right or wrong answer here, just a matter of opinion. For the longest time I have had a hunch what Reds fans as a group would pick so this is as good as time as any to find out if I am right. __________________ "Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard

02-14-2013, 11:11 PM	#2
Redsfan320 2 in 3 years! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oxford, OH Posts: 2,277	Re: Defense or Offense?? I love a good pitching duel, I really do, but for being at the game nothing beats a walk-off homer. 320 __________________ I'd rather listen to Kelch read the phone book than suffer through Thom Brennaman's attempt to make every instance on the field the most important event since the discovery of manned space flight. -westofyou

02-14-2013, 11:22 PM	#3
MrRedLegger Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 436	Re: Defense or Offense?? Between your two scenarios I picked offense. That kind of game would be incredible to be a part of. However, don't let it take away from the thrill of a high-tension defensive battle. The game before the ASB last year when we swept the Cardinals comes to mind, and by far that was my favorite game of the year that I attended. Wins from a defensive-type game feel much more earned, but a walk off HR to one of those games would taste much much sweeter. __________________ There are only two seasons - Winter and Baseball.

02-14-2013, 11:27 PM	#4
bigredmechanism always ask questions Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: new jersey Posts: 2,029	Re: Defense or Offense?? 8-7 games are the best, although 2-1 games come in a close second.

02-15-2013, 12:10 AM	#5
kaldaniels Viva la Rolen Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,330	Re: Defense or Offense?? I'd be more jazzed up to have watched the offensive battle end with a walk-off. (that's what I voted for) However the purist in me would appreciate the defensive struggle more. Either way it seems the Reds would have just won a great game so I'm happy regardless.

02-15-2013, 01:25 AM	#6
5TimeWSChamps Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 709	Game 3 was incredible to be at. Pitching duels in the playoffs are where it's at. Sucks Homer got no help though.

02-15-2013, 02:15 AM	#7
757690 Hoping to be 75769013 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dayton Posts: 6,128	Re: Defense or Offense?? Defense. There's much more strategy to a tight defensive game where every decision and play matters, where one mistake or one great play could decide the game. I love baseball because its the most intellectual, most strategic of all the major sports. If I want action, I'll turn on the NBA or NFL. __________________ We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein

02-15-2013, 03:34 AM	#8
Superdude Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,431	Re: Defense or Offense?? A good pitching duel trumps all, but a pitching duel and a low scoring game can be two entirely different things IMO. Watching two aces match zeros for 7 or 8 innings is as entertaining as it gets. Watching a couple back-of-the-rotation noodle arms meander their way through dead lineups is just the worst kind of game for me. It's all context I guess. I love watching pretty much all of our pitchers, so I'd say defense for now. Back in the Jose Acevedo days, give me a 10-9 game every time.

02-15-2013, 07:31 AM	#10
RedFanAlways1966 For a Level Playing Field Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oakwood, OH Posts: 11,244	Re: Defense or Offense?? Offense? Reminds me of many lost years in Cincinnati. Scoring 8 runs, but giving up 11. As a matter of fact the entire first decade of the 21st century comes to mind. Defense? Makes me think of playoff appearances in 2010 and 2012. That is all the thinking I need to do revelant to this topic. __________________ Small market fan... always hoping, but never expecting.

02-15-2013, 07:44 AM	#11
jojo Five Tool Fool Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 16,569	Re: Defense or Offense?? It depends upon my mood that day, who is managing and who is pitching. Watching a bunch of ground balls hit right at infielders against a guy pitching to contact really isn't that riveting. Watching certain managers in situations where their decisions are in the spot light can be a bit maddening. But truthfully, if I know how the game was going to turn out, I probably would find something else to do that day. __________________ "This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner

02-15-2013, 07:59 AM	#12
cumberlandreds Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sterling VA Posts: 7,847	Re: Defense or Offense?? Both. Last season I witnessed in DC a 2-1 pitching duel that was a good game. Although the Reds were on the losing end of it. Later in the season I saw a 10-9 game between the Nats and Cards. It was equally fun to watch. The one downside to high scoring games is that often times there are a ton of walks and pitching changes that drag the game. So if you put a gun to my head I would say a low scoring defensive/pitching game. __________________ Reds Fan Since 1971

02-15-2013, 08:43 AM	#13
TSJ55 Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 387	Re: Defense or Offense?? I had to go w/ defense. I love how thick the air gets at the yard when the zeros are piling up. The anticipation of seeing who will blink first is my favorite kind of ballgame.

02-15-2013, 09:09 AM	#14
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,482	Re: Defense or Offense?? I'll go with the pitcher's duel. But it's basically a draw. __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

02-15-2013, 09:12 AM	#15
marcshoe Ex-tixe Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Just past Mars Posts: 4,470	Re: Defense or Offense?? I prefer a 10-0 game. Less stress. __________________ At the Edge of the Woods Preview Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down. --Ray Bradbury

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