5/25/13 Redlegs v. Cub-paws

[NebraskaRed]

Reds:
Shin-Soo Choo
Zack Cozart
Joey Votto
Brandon Phillips
Jay Bruce
Todd Frazier
Derrick Robinson
Ryan Hanigan
Homer Bailey

Cubs:
David DeJesus
Starlin Castro
Anthony Rizzo
Alfonso Soriano
Nate Schierholtz
Welington Castillo
Luis Valbuena
Darwin Barney
Travis Wood

[malcontent]

Three fewer LHH in the Chicago lineup than the seven Arroyo had to face.

Probably a good thing.

[PuffyPig]

Time for Travis Wood to take a drive down reality Highway, much like Feldman did last night.

Travis Wood has a xFIP of 4.58 with an ERA of 2.24.

He's striking out less guys, but has a BABIP .193 and a HR/FB rate of 6.5%.

A little dose of correction is in order.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I can't figure out how to post it here directly, but check out C. Trent's version of our lineup today. LOVE IT!

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/05/25/reds-cubs-lineups-5-25-13/

[757690]

Time for Travis Wood to take a drive down reality Highway, much like Feldman did last night.

Travis Wood has a xFIP of 4.58 with an ERA of 2.24.

He's striking out less guys, but has a BABIP .193 and a HR/FB rate of 6.5%.

A little dose of correction is in order.

Well, a similar post worked last night :thumbup:

[TheBigLebowski]

Bailey loses the free-swinging Rizzo.

[ProfessorTofty]

Homer Bailey faces four in the first inning. Walked the third, all others retired, including one strikeout.

[TheBigLebowski]

F8 from Soriano. Headed to the Reds' half.

[Red in Chicago]

i'd like to see choo get back into the groove today...

[ProfessorTofty]

Votto strikes out and the Reds go down 1-2-3 in the first.

[ProfessorTofty]

Man, this game is intense. So far we've had a ball hit Bailey on the leg and Bruce & Choo collide in the outfield running down a catch.

[Magdal]

Choo had it in his mind to run that ball down! But he should have called out.

[Raisor]

Votto strikes out and the Reds go down 1-2-3 in the first.

Lies!

[ProfessorTofty]

Lies!
Yep. And they most definitely didn't go down 1-2-3 in the second.

[redsfaninbsg]

How about throwing one in the dirt?

[redsfaninbsg]

That works too!

[Gunner44]

Very quiet in here today

[Gizmo]

Very quiet in here today

nice day. got the bar-b-q on, so i've been in and out.

[OnBaseMachine]

Bailey has awful command today, and paid for it there.

[ProfessorTofty]

Cubs score. 1-0.

[redsfaninbsg]

Homer can't put the hitters away today.

[redsfaninbsg]

Homer really laboring it seems.

[ProfessorTofty]

Soriano now, single to make 2-0.

[OnBaseMachine]

Yet another three ball count, and Bailey throws a pitch right over the middle resulting in another run.

[NebraskaRed]

Yeah, not Bailey's best outing so far. Cubs 2-0

[redsfaninbsg]

2-0 Chicago, Reds are going to have to play catch up again today.

[KittyDuran]

Up over 60 pitches now... :(

[Magdal]

Very quiet in here today

It will pick up later on.

[OnBaseMachine]

And now he gives up a hit on an 0-2 pitch

[ProfessorTofty]

And the inning ends, but the Reds will have to play catch-up again.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Up over 60 pitches now... :(

Btw....happy birthday Kitty. Hope the Reds give you a win today (and everybody else too).

[757690]

Wood looks tough again today. Those two runs might hold up for the Cubbies.

[ProfessorTofty]

Robinson singles to start the inning.

[_Sir_Charles_]

There we go. Good start. Leadoff single by Robinson.

[TheBigLebowski]

I've been saying that I firmly believe Walt's going to have to choo-choo-choose between Homer and Shin-Soo when the season ends. With Hamilton's struggles, the arms in our system, most notably Tony C, and season Homer's having as opposed to the season Choo's producing...it's going to be an easy choice. Especially considering Homer will likely cost more to bring back.

[Magdal]

Wood looks tough again today. Those two runs might hold up for the Cubbies.Would you bet on it?

[mth123]

Robinson continues to hit beyond expectations.

[TheBigLebowski]

'Nother nice piece of hitting from Ryan...1st & 2nd, no outs.

[mth123]

OK. I'm not a bunt guy, but get one down Homer.

[TheBigLebowski]

Watch HR boner this sac.

[TheBigLebowski]

Awful bunt.

[TheBigLebowski]

What a waste of an opportunity.

[ProfessorTofty]

Strikeout and a groundout ends the inning, still 2-0 in favor of the Cubs.

[Red in Chicago]

what started out so promising, ended up so ugly.

[mth123]

Choo 1 for last 18

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKK

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wood drills one to the wall but Derrick hauls it in. Good swing. 2-0 it stays.

[TheBigLebowski]

Lot to like about Derrick Robinson. Not saying he's the next Kenny Lofton but he could really stick here as a 4th OF. Course, I'm biased as he committed to play football at UF and hails from God's Country aka Gainesville, FL.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Missed a double by like 6 inches. Crap.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1 out (Votto K) Phillips walk.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jay 1 for last 12. Time to get back on the hot streak!

[_Sir_Charles_]

Single to right for Jay, hit and run. Phillips to third. 1 out threat!

[ProfessorTofty]

First and third now on a single from Bruce.

[TheBigLebowski]

The way Castillo had his arm around Wood there...it was as if he'd had a few and he was saying "Bro...you shoulda seen this chick I was talkin' to at da club last night..."

[ProfessorTofty]

Phillips scores on a sacrifice fly, 2-1.

[_Sir_Charles_]

2-1 now after the Frazier sac fly.

[TheBigLebowski]

BB to my boy.

[ProfessorTofty]

Okay, Robinson walked, now two on. Coaching visit to the mound.

[_Sir_Charles_]

BB to Robinson. 1st and 2nd with 2 down for Hanny.

[_Sir_Charles_]

That was odd. Why would the pitching coach call in the infield?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Sure would love to see Hanigan step up right here. Nice little double down the line would be nice.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Or not. Ground out to short. 2-1 Cubs after 4 full.

[ProfessorTofty]

Instead, a groundout, and that ends the inning.

[Gizmo]

Sure would love to see Hanigan step up right here. Nice little double down the line would be nice.

would you settle for a groundout to ss? :(

[Magdal]

LOL. A fan throws a FOUL ball back on the field!

[ProfessorTofty]

Anthony Rizzo out trying for two on a hit that was really only a single. Cubs half of the inning over.

[Magdal]

Perfect throw.

[Kc61]

Reds with nice leather in the fifth. Good play by Frazier and then Choo cuts down Rizzo at second.

Bailey has 91 pitches. I know he can throw many more, but today doesn't seem like his day.

Can't push Homer too far too often. Just my instinct today would be to use, say, Simon and give Homer a shorter day.

[_Sir_Charles_]

3 for last 28 for Choo after a K. 0 for 3 today.

[Kc61]

3 for last 28 for Choo after a K. 0 for 3 today.

Yeah, and Choo's bat looked slow on that second strike. He's not hit lefties all year, but now he's slumping against everyone.

Cozart pops to Soriano. Sixth inning coming up. 2-1 Cubs.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1-2-3 for Wood

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dunn & ARod are no-brainers. Last one has to be somebody with a VERY long career thus far. Is Giambi still playing somewhere?

~edit~ Sorry, trivia question was 3 active players with more strikeouts than Soriano.

[TheBigLebowski]

Is Rob Deer still active? Balboni?

[_Sir_Charles_]

KKKKKKKK

[_Sir_Charles_]

Is Rob Deer still active? Balboni?

LOL. Yeah, I don't think so.

Jeter's been around for a long time, but he's not really a big strikeout guy that I recall. I'd want to say Ryan Howard, but he's been injured so much I think Soriano has flown past him.

Torri Hunter?

[Kc61]

Dunn & ARod are no-brainers. Last one has to be somebody with a VERY long career thus far. Is Giambi still playing somewhere?

~edit~ Sorry, trivia question was 3 active players with more strikeouts than Soriano.

I looked it up. Suprising. Spoiler alert.

Jeter.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow. I did mention Jeter, but he's certainly not who you think of as a high K guy. Must just be the innings accumulated.

[Kc61]

Wow. I did mention Jeter, but he's certainly not who you think of as a high K guy. Must just be the innings accumulated.

If you mentioned him, that's a good guess. Never would have occurred to me.

[_Sir_Charles_]

If you mentioned him, that's a good guess. Never would have occurred to me.

Well I was just thinking longevity. That's why I mentioned Torri Hunter too.

[_Sir_Charles_]

LeCure warming. Castillo walks. Really good ab for him.

[_Sir_Charles_]

113 for Homer. Alright, get this guy (Valbuena) here.

[Tom Servo]

damn you wellington castillo

[Wonderful Monds]

Dunn & ARod are no-brainers. Last one has to be somebody with a VERY long career thus far. Is Giambi still playing somewhere?

~edit~ Sorry, trivia question was 3 active players with more strikeouts than Soriano.

Jeter

[_Sir_Charles_]

Shallow fly out to Bruce. 2-1 Cubs. 115 pitches for Homer. I'll assume he's done and LeCure is coming in. Let's get some runs here boys. I'd love to see them steal a W for Homer.

[NebraskaRed]

Come on now, score some runs and get Homer a win

[Kc61]

Well I was just thinking longevity. That's why I mentioned Torri Hunter too.

The list I found (which I assume is current) has two other active players in the top fifty career strikeouts: Giambi and Carlos Pena are in the top fifty also.

[ProfessorTofty]

Yeah, actually not a bad outing for Homer, overall, but now we need to see some offense.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jeter

Yep. Kc looked it up. Dunn, Arod & Jeter.

~edit~ although I'm going to look it up too. It's got me wondering where Hunter is.

[Kc61]

Yep. Kc looked it up. Dunn, Arod & Jeter.

~edit~ although I'm going to look it up too. It's got me wondering where Hunter is.

Hunter is at 59 on the list I found.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Carlos Pena about 100 behind Soriano. Torii Hunter about 150 behind Soriano.

Some surprising names on that list. Guys I didn't realize hung around as long as they did.
Mike Cameron & Reggie Sanders. I never would've thought they'd be that high.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_career.shtml

[_Sir_Charles_]

The list I found (which I assume is current) has two other active players in the top fifty career strikeouts: Giambi and Carlos Pena are in the top fifty also.

Is Giambi playing with someone?

~edit~ Wow, he IS. He's with the Indians. I had no idea they had him.

[ProfessorTofty]

Phillips on with a single, 1st and 2nd now.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Phillips with a single to right. Joey thought about 1st to third but slammed on the breaks. 2 on, no outs.

[ProfessorTofty]

Jay Bruce, infield fly popout, one out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Jay pops out to 2nd.

[Tadasimha]

Nice hard single, Todd - don't need to swing for the fences

[TheBigLebowski]

TODDFATHER

[Tadasimha]

Rip!

[ProfessorTofty]

A good single it is. 2-2.

[_Sir_Charles_]

NICE! Single up the box! 2-2! Way to go Todd!

[RedsfaninMT]

Nice hard single, Todd - don't need to swing for the fences

Well done! Next?

[ProfessorTofty]

Runners on the corners now and Robinson up. He's come through for us earlier today, let's see what we can get now...

[TheBigLebowski]

DROB!!!! Love that guy...

[_Sir_Charles_]

LOVE IT! SQUEEZE! 3-2 Reds!

[ProfessorTofty]

Squeeze bunt - sacrifice, out, Reds have the lead!

[Tadasimha]

Wish I had thought to suggest a squeeze - but that one caught me by surprise!

Nice call, Dusty

[Red in Chicago]

perfect execution

[NebraskaRed]

Robinson is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

[757690]

My favorite play!

[Billy_Bearcat]

Dusty=Genius :)

[Gizmo]

I didn't even realize Brandon went to 3rd, I thought what the hell are they doing sacrificing with 1 out! LOL

[ProfessorTofty]

And there's a sweet insurance run on a double.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hanny! This is great. Double to plate Frazier. 4-2 Reds.

His 1st double of the year.

[757690]

So glad the Reds have such a strong RH bat off the bench as Izturis

[Gizmo]

Hail Cesar!

[ProfessorTofty]

Izturis RBI base hit, that was unexpected! 5-2!

[_Sir_Charles_]

LOL. A bloop over Castro's head by Izturis. Soriano bobbles it and Hanny scores. 5-2 Reds.

Wood is done for the day. Homer in line for the W.

[Tadasimha]

love how the bats are heating up all along the lineup right now.

[TheBigLebowski]

Yeah baby

[BluegrassRedleg]

Very nice inning here. Contributions up and down the lineup.

[Mutaman]

Methinks Scheuvvem went a little too long with the lefthander. Good job boys.

[PuffyPig]

Wood's BABIP today is 7-19, .368.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Dolis on the bump. Borbon in right.

[757690]

Wood's BABIP today is 7-19, .368.

So when did you kidnap Chris Welsh and brainwash him with your own thoughts?

[TheBigLebowski]

Wood's BABIP today is 7-19, .368.

You called it, sir. Kudos and a tip of my Amber Bock to you.

[ProfessorTofty]

Walk to continue the inning.

[_Sir_Charles_]

BB to Choo. 2 on, 2 outs for Cozart.

[reds44]

The Paul/Robinson platoon has been amazingly productive.

They really should bat 2nd, but whatever.

[ProfessorTofty]

Hard line drive to Votto, one down.

[50YrRedsFan]

The Paul/Robinson platoon has been amazingly productive.

They really should bat 2nd, but whatever.

I hope Dusty gives Robinson more playing time...He deserves more than he's been getting.

[ProfessorTofty]

Long fly to Robinson and that's the end of the top of the seventh.

[OGB]

Wish I had thought to suggest a squeeze - but that one caught me by surprise!

Nice call, Dusty

Not nearly enough of this kind of chatter. That was a superb call by the Lizard. Even those that don't like Baker should be objective enough to acknowledge when he makes an exceptional call, because you certainly hold him accountable when he makes a questionable call.

[Stray]

Man I love the suicide squeeze that dusty called. I know he'll put that on on occasion but it even caught me by surprise. Great execution. This team is so fun to watch, they're a big inning waiting to happen.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

[mth123]

Broxton in there now. Castro with a FO to Bruce.

[ProfessorTofty]

Rizzo gets a double and the Cubs have one on with one out in the eighth.

[mth123]

Rizzo doubles into the RF corner.

[TheBigLebowski]

Broxton is just so freaking hittable.

[ProfessorTofty]

BTW, the Pirates game has just gone final and the Pirates won 5-2.

[mth123]

Soriano flies to Choo. 2 outs.

[ProfessorTofty]

And now a walk and there are two on. Tying run at the plate.

[mth123]

Broxton walks Sweeney. Looks awful.

[_Sir_Charles_]

While I love it when the Reds are playing winning baseball, there IS a down side to it. The "woo"'ers come out of the woodwork. *sigh*

[Red Raindog]

While I love it when the Reds are playing winning baseball, there IS a down side to it. The "woo"'ers come out of the woodwork. *sigh*

beat me to it.

[Tadasimha]

Broxton is just so freaking hittable.

yeah, he was getting rocked that inning, every batter hitting the ball on the button. :rolleyes:

[50YrRedsFan]

Cordero, uh, I mean Broxton with an adventurous inning.

[Mutaman]

Wasn't Broxton throwing a lot harder when he first came over here?

[mth123]

Wasn't Broxton throwing a lot harder when he first came over here?

I was wondering the same thing. He was shaking his arm a little as he walked off the mound. I wonder ....

[redsfaninbsg]

Something is wrong with Broxton (physically), at least that is what I'm hoping. If not, it's a serious problem. Sam LeCure really has been a saving grace for this club and I'm not sure he shouldn't be the eighth inning man based on his performance.

[ProfessorTofty]

Reds down in order, but still up 5-2. Time to lock this one away.

[malcontent]

Really good to see Hanigan hitting the ball hard.

[OGB]

Something is wrong with Broxton (physically), at least that is what I'm hoping. If not, it's a serious problem. Sam LeCure really has been a saving grace for this club and I'm not sure he shouldn't be the eighth inning man based on his performance.

We can thank our lucky stars that Ondrusek is apparently showing a return to form. More strikeouts, keeping the ball in the zone, commanding a bit of a presence on the mound.

[malcontent]

Wasn't Broxton throwing a lot harder when he first came over here?
Lost maybe 3 mph. Hopefully he's a warm-weather guy.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Back just in time for the 9th. Nice.

[Stray]

No luddy, Chapman having issues, brox not pitching as well as he can, Marshall injury concerns, cueto with time on the dl, and a ton of other probs early in the year...and we're still mowing teams down. Just think how good we can be at full strength.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

[Tadasimha]

effing whinerbirds already up 1-0 on the da bums

[ProfessorTofty]

Fly ball, and the Cubs are down to their last out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

LOL. Juuuuuuuuust a bit high.

/Uecker

[Tadasimha]

Couple of the fans behind the homeplate going to need a change of underwear after that 100 mph wild one

[ProfessorTofty]

Strike 3, and the fans get their free pizza, and we get the win.

[Stray]

Larosas wondering what they got themselves into...

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

[_Sir_Charles_]

And this one belongs to the Reds!

[TheBigLebowski]

yeah, he was getting rocked that inning, every batter hitting the ball on the button. :rolleyes:

Just to be sure...were you "rolling your eyes" at me, or Broxton?

ATOBTTR!!! Great to see Chappy working that slider...

[Red in Chicago]

intentional or not, i liked the up high pitch to scott h

[TheBigLebowski]

Larosas wondering what they got themselves into...

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

Read an article about that...apparently they're making lots of money on the promotion.

[ProfessorTofty]

Well, I won't be around for tomorrow's game, so here's hoping it's another good one. Maybe we should wish for the Cubs to score first again, that seems to be working out for the Reds.

[mth123]

I've lost track. Who pitches tomorrow?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Read an article about that...apparently they're making lots of money on the promotion.

Without a doubt. The pizzas cost VERY little in truth and nobody goes in there and ONLY gets the free pizza. Restaurants make a huge percentage of their profits on drinks and sides.

[Norm Chortleton]

Hairston should have walked back to the dugout after that first pitch. He didn't have a chance after that.

:lol:

[_Sir_Charles_]

I've lost track. Who pitches tomorrow?

Cueto vs. Garza

They've got it broken up soft tosser / hard tosser.

Cueto/Leake/Latos/Arroyo/Bailey

[mth123]

Cueto vs. Garza

Thanks. Hope he can go 7. Chapman and Broxton both look like they need a day off.

[Norm Chortleton]

I've lost track. Who pitches tomorrow?

Cueto

[_Sir_Charles_]

Thanks. Hope he can go 7. Chapman and Broxton both look like they need a day off.

Well, Parra, Ondrusek and Simon should all be good to go.

[NebraskaRed]

Well, Parra, Ondrusek and Simon should all be good to go.

Hoover as well, no? I half-expected to see him today.

[757690]

Well, Parra, Ondrusek and Simon should all be good to go.

You say that like its a good thing.

[NebraskaRed]

You say that like its a good thing.

Simon's got a 2.66 ERA, Ondrusek's at 3.50. Nothing wrong with that.

[Big Klu]

http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CubsLFlag.jpg

http://www.sowerbyandluff.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/goat.jpg

[Mutaman]

Homer didn't let the bad inning bother him. The right handed hitters got the job done against the tough lefty.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hoover as well, no? I half-expected to see him today.

Yeah, forgot JJ.

And Simon, Hoover and Ondrusek have all been VERY good of late. Parra...he's gonna pitch eventually, no matter HOW MUCH we don't want him to.

[Redlegs Homer]

My first game of the year. Fun as hell. Great D by Choo, good batting by the bottom of the order.

[texasdave]

And the beatdowns go on.

[holster10]

interesting stats on Homer thus far:

home 2.32 era (guess he's finally learned how to pitch at GABP)
away 3.78 era

day 4.60 era (he's labored through almost every day start)
night 1.80 era