4/8/2015 Reds vs Bucs

[cumberlandreds]

Here is the Reds lineup for tonight.

https://mlblogsramsey.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/gametwo.jpg

[757690]

I would have loved to see Leake batting 8th.

[swaisuc]

I'll give credit where due. I like the lineup.

Nobody getting off days weeks before they need them. 1 subtle change that is logical based on the RHP. Keeps everyone else in a reasonable spot. Works for me

[texasdave]

Opening Day win? Check! Nothing left to do now but go Wire-2-Wire.

[Reds Fanatic]

Pirates lineup:


3B Josh Harrison (R)
RF Gregory Polanco (L)
CF A. McCutchen (R)
2B Neil Walker (S)
LF Starling Marte (R)
1B Pedro Alvarez (L)
C F. Cervelli (S)
SS Jordy Mercer (R)
P Gerrit Cole (R)

Weather wise looks like a wet one tonight there is a flood watch for heavy rain coming in tonight

[WildcatFan]

Pirates lineup:


3B Josh Harrison (R)
RF Gregory Polanco (L)
CF A. McCutchen (R)
2B Neil Walker (S)
LF Starling Marte (R)
1B Pedro Alvarez (L)
C F. Cervelli (S)
SS Jordy Mercer (R)
P Gerrit Cole (R)

Boooooooo! What a buncha bums!

[Tom Servo]

pirates lineup:


3b josh harrison (r)
rf gregory polanco (l)
cf a. Mccutchen (r)
2b neil walker (s)
lf starling marte (r)
1b pedro alvarez (l)
c f. Cervelli (s)
ss jordy mercer (r)
p gerrit cole (r)

Decimate the Weak!

[villain612]

Cardinals lost today so we have sole possession of 1st place. heh

[KronoRed]

Tarp on the field.

[KYExtemper]

At least an hour of rain delays. Awful weather week.

[SirFelixCat]

For those of us not local, please update so the rest of us know how long to extend the DVR for, please?

[Tom Servo]

Bowtie Wednesday, ya'll

[Larkin Fan]

Rain delays suck. And April is always full of them. :(

[villain612]

Ugh...I guess I'll watch the Phillies/Red sox for now.

Harang is pitching.

[Larkin Fan]

Ugh...I guess I'll watch the Phillies/Red sox for now.

Harang is pitching.

That should be a slugfest for the BoSox in that bandbox.

[Reds Fanatic]

For those of us not local, please update so the rest of us know how long to extend the DVR for, please?

They think in around an hour they may get a window to try to get the game in

[_Sir_Charles_]

Any idea on how long the delay's supposed to be?

Nevermind. Thanks RF.

[cumberlandreds]

They think in around an hour they may get a window to try to get the game in

Thanks. I won't be watching much or any tonight.

[KittyDuran]

BIG clap of thunder!!! Waiting it out in the car/parking garage. When it's starts to lightning those of us in the upper deck have to move to the corridors to wait-might as well be comfortable! [emoji4]

[villain612]

That should be a slugfest for the BoSox in that bandbox.

6 K's for Harang through 3 innings.

[Larkin Fan]

6 K's for Harang through 3 innings.

Wow, nice. Hopefully the second time through the order is as kind to him.

[TheBigLebowski]

Hope we get to play some ball tonight.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rain should stop in about 30 minutes and after that it should be ok

[Gandalf the Red]

Ironic that the "Cup of Coffee with George Grande" segments also work as a cure for insomnia.

[JoshBresser]

I wish Grande would re-retire.

[Tony Cloninger]

Rain delays suck. And April is always full of them. :(

I agree. Waited long enough for games to get going and now this crap.

At least IF you have to play a DH, you can schedule it in September when rosters are expanded.

[JoshBresser]

I agree. Waited long enough for games to get going and now this crap.

At least IF you have to play a DH, you can schedule it in September when rosters are expanded.

I wish all stadiums had roofs.

[gilpdawg]

Tarp coming off according to some random twitter dude.

[Tom Servo]

I want reds baseball :(

[fielder's choice]

This Bob Castellini interview is pretty weird.

[Gandalf the Red]

Bob Cast looks like he'd rather be having a root canal without anesthesia.

[JoshBresser]

This Bob Castellini interview is pretty weird.

At least he isn't eating this time.

[westofyou]

I wish all stadiums had roofs.
Ughh, Seattle roof is fine, Midwest pass

[villain612]

Mesoraco is gonna put one over the fence tonight.

[cumberlandreds]

Ughh, Seattle roof is fine, Midwest pass

I like retractable roofs. I think that's the way to go.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Mesoraco is gonna put one over the fence tonight.

Whose fence? Somebody who lives in Covington?

[_Sir_Charles_]

I like retractable roofs. I think that's the way to go.

Almost mandatory in Houston. It's fine now, but come summer....good lord. How the Colt 45's managed it I have NO CLUE.

[villain612]

Whose fence? Somebody who lives in Covington?


Yes. Just like Frazier did on Monday.

[WrongVerb]

Whose fence? Somebody who lives in Covington?

His own backyard...with one of his trees.

[_Sir_Charles_]

His own backyard...with one of his trees.

Wrong direction. That'd be foul. Come on, get realistic. Sheesh! :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

have they said any kind of start time? Still no audio for me (not doing MLB.tv this year...budget simply wouldn't allow it)

[villain612]

Updates are nowhere to be found for us out of state folk.

[50YrRedsFan]

Wow, nice. Hopefully the second time through the order is as kind to him.

Harang has allowed 1 hit through 6 innings

[KronoRed]

have they said any kind of start time? Still no audio for me (not doing MLB.tv this year...budget simply wouldn't allow it)

Nope.

[villain612]

When I'm stalking John Fay's twitter for a weather update, I feel like I'm definitely slumming.

[cumberlandreds]

Weather.com says there is severe thunderstorm warning until 9:30. Doesn't sound good to me. Maybe after 10 pm.

[VottoFan54]

Jamie Ramsey (@Jamieblog) just tweeted this:


#Reds officials expect more rain, but are going to start the Ohio State football presentation followed by the Star Spangled Banner.

[Larkin Fan]

Harang has allowed 1 hit through 6 innings

It's been an impressive performance. I've always liked Harang, so it's been nice to see.

[redsfaninbsg]

Jamie Ramsey (@Jamieblog) just tweeted this:

Why are they so hellbent on playing? Seems kind of foolish to me.

[Chip R]

Harang has allowed 1 hit through 6 innings

It's a shame Dusty ruined him.

[villain612]

Why are they so hellbent on playing? Seems kind of foolish to me.

shhh

I'm an addict and I need a Reds game.

[Chip R]

Why are they so hellbent on playing? Seems kind of foolish to me.

No rain checks.

[KYExtemper]

Why are they so hellbent on playing? Seems kind of foolish to me.

More bad weather expected tomorrow and trying to get at least two games of the series in.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Too late for my tastes. I have to work at 5am so I'm out guys. If they play, bring home a W!

[reds1869]

More bad weather expected tomorrow and trying to get at least two games of the series in.

Yep. Starting the season with two make ups to schedule would be a headache.

[Gandalf the Red]

shhh

I'm an addict and I need a Reds game.

"You . . . you've earned it." /Venkman

[reds1869]

More lightning down here now. I'm not feeling confident we'll see much baseball.

[KronoRed]

It's been an impressive performance. I've always liked Harang, so it's been nice to see.

Always good reading when talking about Harang.
http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?31420-Guillen-to-Oakland

[Roy Tucker]

Nice interview with Joey Votto and George Grande on FSO.

[Gapper]

First pitch at 9:45

[Chuckie]

They are removing the tarp! Yessir!

[Roy Tucker]

Tarp coming off.

[Reds Fanatic]

Marc Sheldon says first pitch 9:45

[villain612]

Marc Sheldon says first pitch 9:45

http://www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.house.gov/files/UploadedFiles/gif7.gif

[reds1869]

Let's play two!

[GADawg]

Long rain delay....put Browning in!

[Crumbley]

Bryan Price's shirt is enormous

[Gandalf the Red]

Long rain delay....put Browning in!

Alas, Tom fled to South America upon receiving a summons to appear on "Cup of Coffee with George."

[GADawg]

Bryan Price's shirt is enormous

Sound turned down....I thought Grande was interviewing Mickelson about the Masters

[reds44]

Man, they really need to keep Grande out of the sun. He looks like a cooked turkey. #SkinCancer

[GADawg]

Btw until someone tears up and cries a little Grande is no Roy Firestone

[Tom Servo]

First pitch! Time to go to bed. :bash:

[reds1869]

Play ball!

[kbrake]

First game thread of the year for me. Figures it would start about 10.

[villain612]

6 pitch inning for Leake.

[Tom Servo]

Vintage Leake first inning. :)

[Gandalf the Red]

Thom Brennaman : Josh Harrison :: George Grande : Jim Edmonds

[KYExtemper]

The worst thing about delays is MLB audio just cuts out the feed and they still haven't got it up yet. Anyone else having this issue?

[Tom Servo]

C. Trent Rosecrans ‏@ctrent 1m 1 minute ago
Mike Leake has somewhere to be — 6 pitch first. You’re a hero, Mike #Reds

Ryan Bartoe ‏@RyanBartoe 55s 56 seconds ago
@ctrent what time do the malls close?



I laughed.

[Kilgore_Trout]

I love a late-night ball game. It helps that I'm a night-owl, but there's nothing like it. Solid crowd, too.

[villain612]

Not a good AB for Joey

[KronoRed]

Not a good AB for Joey

Swung at some real garbage.

[Kilgore_Trout]

Atta boy, Todd!

[KronoRed]

Frazier..the anti-pirate.

[Tom Servo]

Frazier! :jump:

[villain612]

Frazier again baby

[Larkin Fan]

Hey, that Frazier guy is pretty good.

[Ironman92]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/08/172bffdae54196076b135694cbf64c8c.jpg

[WrongVerb]

Toddfather!!!!!!

[Razor Shines]

Frazier..the anti-pirate.

He's always been against them. He boycotted "Captain Phillips" because it was too easy on the pirates.

[villain612]

Water is wet.

The sky is blue.

And the mlb.tv feed sucks.

[thatcoolguy_22]

When he was a prospect, did anyone predict Frazier's ceiling to be anywhere close to what the player he is now?

[Gandalf the Red]

Instead of Roy Hobbs lightning bolt patches, I think the Reds should all start wearing Todd Frazier-inspired french fries patches on their sleeves.

[durl]

I'm happy with Frazier batting 3rd.

[GADawg]

On a 162 HR pace.....somebody had to say it

[Larry Schuler]

Frazier is turning GABP into his own personal souvenir shop.

[gilpdawg]

When he was a prospect, did anyone predict Frazier's ceiling to be anywhere close to what the player he is now?

I think IIRC that the hit tool was highly regarded but that the power wouldn't be like it has been. People were saying 15ish HR. I could be misremembering though.

[Tom Servo]

When he was a prospect, did anyone predict Frazier's ceiling to be anywhere close to what the player he is now?
Everything I remember was that he supposedly didn't have a position and thus projected as a utility man with a good but not great bat, like a Jeff Keppinger. I don't remember anybody suggesting he would be an All-Star infielder.

[villain612]

Never gets old:


https://youtu.be/LdhVmx2iQ9E

[redsmetz]

Did I just hear Thom say Neil Walker grew up in Pittsburgh and met Roberto Clemente as a kid? Walker qas born 13 years after Clemente died.

[KYExtemper]

Back to blowing leads!

[villain612]

Well this inning sucks

[Tom Servo]

Did I just hear Thom say Neil Walker grew up in Pittsburgh and met Roberto Clemente as a kid? Walker qas born 13 years after Clemente died.
And that little boy who nobody liked grew up to be...Thom Brennaman.

And now you know the rest of the story.


1-1 game. Leake against lefties with runners on = bad.

[thatcoolguy_22]

Everything I remember was that he supposedly didn't have a position and thus projected as a utility man with a good but not great bat, like a Jeff Keppinger. I don't remember anybody suggesting he would be an All-Star infielder.

For some reason that makes me like him more.

Leake getting sketch. On game tracker his pitches are up. Not a recipe for success.

[Chuckie]

How is that a wild pitch? Here is a term the official scorer needs to learn: "Passed ball."

- - - Updated - - -

Big K right there, y'allz

[nemesis]

Did Thom just say Neil Walker had a chance to meet Roberto Clemente as a kid? :facepalm:

[Tony Cloninger]

Back to blowing leads!

You expected the game to end 1-0? It's the freaking 2nd inning.

[nemesis]

Did I just hear Thom say Neil Walker grew up in Pittsburgh and met Roberto Clemente as a kid? Walker qas born 13 years after Clemente died.

I just posted the same thing... Just wow. Freaking wow.

[Falcon7]

Did I just hear Thom say Neil Walker grew up in Pittsburgh and met Roberto Clemente as a kid? Walker qas born 13 years after Clemente died.

Yea he did, I said what... ????????????

[RedTeamGo!]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

[KronoRed]

Did I just hear Thom say Neil Walker grew up in Pittsburgh and met Roberto Clemente as a kid? Walker qas born 13 years after Clemente died.

Yes he did, ran it back to hear it again.

Good grief Thom.

[Tom Servo]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?
Hopefully he looks as good as Roberto Clemente did when Neil Walker met him as a kid.

[kbrake]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

Definitely not just you.

[Kilgore_Trout]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

I told my brother on opening day that I thought Joey looked considerably thinner at the plate.

[Gandalf the Red]

Did Thom just say Neil Walker had a chance to meet Roberto Clemente as a kid? :facepalm:

Brian Williams is very proud of the long hours he's spent working on the Pirates' media guide.

[RedsLvr]

Excellent job by Leake there to minimize damage.

[Razor Shines]

Water is wet.

The sky is blue.

And the mlb.tv feed sucks.

What are you watching on? I wasn't real impressed with the Fire Stick app for the few innings I tried it on opening day. I have a laptop hooked up to my TV and Windows 8 actually has a MLB.tv app and it is incredible. It's so much better than the web app.

[Roy Tucker]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

Lost a lot of hair.

[Kc61]

Whew, I was worried that it was time for a long man. Or maybe a high leverage man. Maybe Kevin Gregg. Or maybe Chapman if this was the high leverage point of the game. Or maybe Hoover, if the good Hoover, not the off-year Hoover.

Price did the right thing sticking with Leake. Glad he did that.

[KYExtemper]

Is Phillips cool with hitting 7th? Strange to see him that low (although that's where he should be).

[JaxRed]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

Noticed that yesterday also

[villain612]

What are you watching on? I wasn't real impressed with the Fire Stick app for the few innings I tried it on opening day. I have a laptop hooked up to my TV and Windows 8 actually has a MLB.tv app and it is incredible. It's so much better than the web app.

I have my iMac hooked up to my TV.

[BCubb2003]

Shortly after meeting Roberto Clemente, Neil Walker stepped on a butterfly and ruined everything.

[villain612]

Lost a lot of hair.

With Votto's new physique and shaved head, it looks like he's trying out for Fight Club.

[Tom Servo]

For me MLB.tv is working like a peach on my laptop but not very well on my Playstation/TV, which is weird cause it's the same network and in the same room.

[Gandalf the Red]

With Votto's new physique and shaved head, it looks like he's trying out for Fight Club.

Maybe I'm misremembering, but pretty sure he's already broken the first rule: "Do not talk to George Grande."

[Chuckie]

Good work by Dat Dude at working the count as usual. (Nope.)

[dubc47834]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

I thought the same thing until I noticed he isn't wearing the baggy pants this year!

[KYExtemper]

For me MLB.tv is working like a peach on my laptop but not very well on my Playstation/TV, which is weird cause it's the same network and in the same room.

Same for me (although I'm blacked out for the Reds so I listen to the audio feed for those games). But the laptop works for all other games, but not the Playstation.

[Razor Shines]

I have my iMac hooked up to my TV.

Oh. Yeah, the web app is not very good.

[durl]

Did Thom just say Neil Walker had a chance to meet Roberto Clemente as a kid? :facepalm:
He's channeling Brian Williams from NBC.

[villain612]

Oh. Yeah, the web app is not very good.

Downloading now. :thumbup:

Had no idea the app for a desktop existed.

[dfs]

When he was a prospect, did anyone predict Frazier's ceiling to be anywhere close to what the player he is now?

It was just a matter of how far down the defensive spectrum he would slide.
He was going to hit well enough to be a regular if he could play shortstop....but he couldn't play shortstop.
He wasn't a match at center.
He couldn't play second.
Could he hit well enough to carry left field or first base?
He's a good fit at third.
He stung the ball at Dayton. 321/397/619 When he got moved off shortstop, he didn't hit as well.

[KYExtemper]

Leake making short work of the top of the Pirates order.

[Tony Cloninger]

Is it just me or does Votto look like he lost between 10-20 lbs?

I think shaving his head lost him at least 10 lbs alone. He had very thick manly hair. He could have been a Bee Gee.

[WrongVerb]

My FireTV can't seem to keep up with the stream, but I'm watching it with my PC (Windows 7) connected to the TV and it's fine. Same TV, same room, same network. Weird.

[KYExtemper]

With the lineup coming up this inning, Mr. Gonzalez isn't winning that truck....

[villain612]

Cozart will save us all

[BluegrassRedleg]

That's some Cozy pop from like three years ago.

[redsmetz]

That's what Cozart needs to do. Doubles.

[WrongVerb]

I can't believe I'm stringing these words together: Cozart hits one off the top of the CF wall.

[durl]

Cozart's blast looked like it was on it's way out. Wow.

[Tom Servo]

Cozy 2B!

[Razor Shines]

Cozy 2B!

I had a warm feeling about it as well.

[durl]

Am I crazy for wishing that Leake would have swung away?

[Kilgore_Trout]

Knock him in, Billy.

[757690]

I don't understand bunting. Leake to get to Hamilton.

[Kc61]

Hamilton, no strike outs, no pop ups.

C'mon Hamilton, hit the grounder in a hole.

[WVRedsFan]

We're still bunting, but this time I understand

[RedTeamGo!]

Hamilton = overmatched

[Kilgore_Trout]

Yikes. Not a good AB.

[WVRedsFan]

Billy, Billy, Billy.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Yikes, what an awful AB for Hamilton.

[villain612]

That was a 2014 Billy Hamilton-esque at bat.

[dubc47834]

Damnit Joey...lol

[durl]

Anyway we can get them, people.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Joey V, plating runs. :D

[WVRedsFan]

Reds lead 2-1 on wild pitch

[Kilgore_Trout]

Thanks, man! :thumbup:

[Tom Servo]

Selfish of Votto not to drive that run in himself.

[durl]

That's a huge shift on Votto. He ain't a typical pull hitter.

[dubc47834]

Joeys talkin in a higher octave this year....tight pants

[villain612]

Damn shift

[PuffyPig]

All of the Reds runs this year have been driven in by either HR's, or by the hitter skillfully inducing the balk or wild pitch.

[Kc61]

Shift should be banned.

Hate the shift.

That was a hit.

[schmidty622]

Votto! PLEASE BUNT TO BEAT THE SHIFT!

[KYExtemper]

Shift should be banned.

Hate the shift.

That was a hit.

If pitching dominance continues, the shift will probably be banned in the next few years.

[dubc47834]

votto! Bunt to beat the shift!

no way....just hit

[Kc61]

All of the Reds runs this year have been driven in by either HR's, or by the hitter skillfully inducing the balk or wild pitch.

It's funny but also cautionary.

I can see the team's long ball potential. Harder to see this team stringing hits and walks together. Just not a lot of on base guys.

[Ironman92]

Is Phillips cool with hitting 7th? Strange to see him that low (although that's where he should be).

I watched BP closely after the opening day exciting win....didn't crack a smile after the game and almost looked to by pouting.....maybe not but everyone one else on the field was noticeable happy.

[schmidty622]

no way....just hit

If the goal is preventing outs, hitting grounders into the shift aint the way to do it. Start beating the shift with a few bunts and they'll start respecting it.

[Ironman92]

Billy is worrying me at the plate

[dubc47834]

It's funny but also cautionary.

I can see the team's long ball potential. Harder to see this team stringing hits and walks together. Just not a lot of on base guys.

I think it's a product of being 12+ innings into the season

[villain612]

Haha, Thom just got corrected about Clemente.

[Tom Servo]

In regards to the discussion of Frazier as a prospect earlier, here are the guys we here on Redszone after the 2011 season picked ahead of #10 prospect Todd Frazier.

#1 C Devin Mesoraco
#2 1B/OF Yonder Alonso
#3 C Yasmani Grandal
#4 SS Billy Hamilton
#5 SS Zack Cozart
#6 RHP Dan Corcino
#7 RHP Robert Stephenson
#8 RHP Brad Boxberger
#9 1B Neftali Soto

And a few comments on him from 2008:


Todd Frazier
He might as well be called 'god' on RedsZone. No one seems to think he can do any wrong. The thing is, he's fated for a corner spot, where his bat will just be average (not that that doesn't have value). He's just not the future superstar many are predicting him to be.


Todd Frazier. Don't really see position, speed or exceptional power. I see a major-leaguer, I suppose, but not the 1 or 2 guy in the system.

[Kc61]

I think it's a product of being 12+ innings into the season

Just look at the players on the team.

[dubc47834]

If the goal is preventing outs, hitting grounders into the shift aint the way to do it. Start beating the shift with a few bunts and they'll start respecting it.

Not gonna get me with that response.....:mooner:....lol

[dubc47834]

Just look at the players on the team.

I like this team offensively this year...it's the pitching I'm worried about!!!

[schmidty622]

Not gonna get me with that response.....:mooner:....lol

I don't understand? Sorry, but i really don't follow the ORG discussion usually, if this is a sour point I apologize.

[Roy Tucker]

Frazier surprised me. I didn't think he'd be anything like his current level. Glad to be wrong.

[Chuckie]

Leake throwing batting practice. Jeez.

[WVRedsFan]

Leake serving up hits to the Bucs. 2-2

[durl]

After a couple of pitches that would have been called strikes if the Reds were batting, the guy slams a double.

[kbrake]

Leake just struggling to locate.

[Kc61]

I like this team offensively this year...it's the pitching I'm worried about!!!

There's no doubt about the power potential.

But the OBP potential is an issue. Walt said at the end of last year they needed more baserunners.

He chose to fill LF with a power guy. Good player, but perhaps more OBP would have helped the lineup.

Particularly with Hamilton leading off, a guy who is not yet a consistent bat.

[757690]

I'm gonna give both starting pitchers a mulligan tonight. Pitching after a long rain delay is never easy.

[dubc47834]

I don't understand? Sorry, but i really don't follow the ORG discussion usually, if this is a sour point I apologize.

You're good man. That topic can be contentious sometimes on here. In that situation I just like Votto hitting. Others I would agree with bunting.

[Tom Servo]

I have no idea if the stats back this up but I feel like Leake and Arroyo both have struggled against the Pirates ever since they stopped being terrible. I'm just glad that Michael McKendry guy isn't still with them.

[Kc61]

Bruce will homer next inning.

[villain612]

There's no doubt about the power potential.

But the OBP potential is an issue. Walt said at the end of last year they needed more baserunners.

He chose to fill LF with a power guy. Good player, but perhaps more OBP would have helped the lineup.

Particularly with Hamilton leading off, a guy who is not yet a consistent bat.

Incredibly small sample size but Hamilton's AB's this year have pretty much looked just like last year.

We'll see I guess.

[757690]

Hamilton looks fine so far. That was his first strikeout of the season. He had a hit Monday and scored two runs.

[RedTeamGo!]

Billy is worrying me at the plate

Billy Hamilton is not a good offensive player.

The sooner people realize this the better off they will be while watching him fail at the plate.

[Kc61]

Incredibly small sample size but Hamilton's AB's this year have pretty much looked just like last year.

We'll see I guess.

Yeah, the result in a small sample is unimportant. But I just don't see him slapping the ball to make contact, or hitting grounders to use his speed. Don't see much change in approach. But it's early.

[BluegrassRedleg]

In regards to the discussion of Frazier as a prospect earlier, here are the guys we here on Redszone after the 2011 season picked ahead of #10 prospect Todd Frazier.

#9 1B Neftali Soto



:bang:

[KYExtemper]

Bruce will homer next inning.

My fantasy team would appreciate that! I took a flyer on Bruce after he stayed on the board forever late in my league's draft.

[schmidty622]

You're good man. That topic can be contentious sometimes on here. In that situation I just like Votto hitting. Others I would agree with bunting.

Understood. Just feel like if you want the shift to change as the season goes on might as well outsmart it early. However with two outs, and no one on (after the wild pitch) I can see the rational behind having him swing away and hoping that he runs into one.

[kbrake]

Billy Hamilton is not a good offensive player.

The sooner people realize this the better off they will be while watching him fail at the plate.

No possible way he improves?

[KronoRed]

Haha, Thom just got corrected about Clemente.

Chris enjoyed pointing that out.

[GADawg]

Ok so I despise Cervelli and I've seen cleaner looking beards on homeless men(and women) than Alvarez'

[villain612]

Frazier is locked in like the Terminator.

[dubc47834]

Frazier is hot to start the season!!!

[Kc61]

No possible way he improves?

I think he'll get better offensively, but the approach seems similar to last year. That's what I think people are reacting to.

[dubc47834]

Frazier is hot to start the season!!!

Mez...not so much

[Kc61]

Mes seems to be fooled a lot so far. Probably throwing him off speed. Needs to adjust.

[kaldaniels]

If Frazier is a near-elite bat for the next 3 years, it could change everything.

[Falcon7]

I think shaving his head lost him at least 10 lbs alone. He had very thick manly hair. He could have been a Bee Gee.

I don't think you can use the word "Manly" with the Bee Gees...

8879

[757690]

Yeah, the result in a small sample is unimportant. But I just don't see him slapping the ball to make contact, or hitting grounders to use his speed. Don't see much change in approach. But it's early.

It's super early, but he's make much more contact. In the long run, if he keeps that up, that will pay dividends.

[Kc61]

Bruce couldn't homer because they walked him.

[villain612]

Bruce has had some good AB's these two games

[Tom Servo]

dis 2015 Jay Bruce plate approach so far tho

http://pix.iemoji.com/bemojix2/0803.png

[BluegrassRedleg]

If that Tundra survived Adam Dunn, it's gonna stay up there forever.

[RedsfaninMT]

dis 2015 Jay Bruce plate approach so far tho

http://pix.iemoji.com/bemojix2/0803.png

Amen

[BluegrassRedleg]

Byrd, Byrd, Byrd's not been the word.

[villain612]

DatdudeRBI

[dubc47834]

Rbi datdude bp

[BluegrassRedleg]

DatDudeRBI :beerme:

[JMO]

Byrd couldn't start much worse. 0-6 with 4 K's, DP and a weak GB to SS

[Tom Servo]

Re: Byrd. On the one hand it's been 6 at-bats. On the other hand they've all been terrible.


DatDudeDelivers

[Crumbley]

Bruce has had some good AB's these two games

Good eye and swinging thunder, going to ball this year.

DAT DUDE!

[Chuckie]

Dat Dude!

[KYExtemper]

Glad to see BP come through there.

[durl]

Well, Phillips' RBI guarantees the Pirates scoring in the next inning...

[Chuckie]

Cole finally starting to rack up some pitches here (64 total).

[Kc61]

Byrd will smash lefties, which is good, and will hit some righties.

Price might want to give Boesch an occasional game, or Schumaker, against certain righties who miss bats.

[schmidty622]

I think I'd rather see BP in that 5/6 mix with Bruce. Let Byrd hit 7th till he proves he can hit with us. 37 year old hitters shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt.

[durl]

If that Tundra survived Adam Dunn, it's gonna stay up there forever.
I just wanna know If someone wins it, will the Reds fix the dent the homer makes?

[dubc47834]

Cole finally starting to rack up some pitches here (64 total).

Good job....ur watching the broadcast...lol

[Chuckie]

Not your typical pitcher on deck. Nothing wrong with a walk here.

And there we go.

[villain612]

I know its early but this offense already feels a lot more competent than last year's version.

Taking pitches, having good AB's, etc.

[Kc61]

I think I'd rather see BP in that 5/6 mix with Bruce. Let Byrd hit 7th till he proves he can hit with us. 37 year old hitters shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt.

Not sure the batting order is the issue. I would just be a bit selective using Byrd. Cole is a tough righty, I might sometimes use a lefty hitter instead of Marlon.

Still will be plenty of opportunity for Byrd to get 450 at bats.

[durl]

Not often you see a conference on the mound with 67 pitches on the arm and facing the pitcher with 2 outs.

[kbrake]

I think I'd rather see BP in that 5/6 mix with Bruce. Let Byrd hit 7th till he proves he can hit with us. 37 year old hitters shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt.

Hitters with BP's track record the last 3 or 4 years shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt. Nothing wrong with this lineup.

[RedTeamGo!]

Yeah, let's just give away a strike for no reason. Makes sense.

[Norm Chortleton]

Marlon Byrdwick

[schmidty622]

I know its early but this offense already feels a lot more competent than last year's version.

Taking pitches, having good AB's, etc.

Agree. Votto, Frahtz, Meso, Bruce makes for a pretty nice run of bats. Provided Bruce is back to his old self.

[Chuckie]

Damn. Leake was going for the grand salami there. LOL. Oh well.

[Tom Servo]

Marlon Byrdwick
*Myran Byrdwick

[dubc47834]

Yeah, let's just give away a strike for no reason. Makes sense.

If he gets that down we are all praising him!!!

[WVRedsFan]

I might have Leake on a short leash from now on. He doesn't look sharp.

[villain612]

We got a run and the lineup turned over. We're gonna score more.

[villain612]

I might have Leake on a short leash from now on. He doesn't look sharp.

I agree. He's been hit hard.

Have Cingrani ready to go a few innings?

[Tom Servo]

This is still a pretty damn good GABP crowd for a Wednesday night game delayed for nearly 3 hours

[schmidty622]

Hitters with BP's track record the last 3 or 4 years shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt. Nothing wrong with this lineup.

I agree, he's been on a gradual decline. I just think that you have to manage the human part too, and the difference between 7th and 5th or 6th strikes me as something that would mean a lot to a player like Brandon.

[Tom Servo]

leadoff walk. leake pls.


also I think Thom just subtly suggested a wife-swap situation with Welsh.

[Chuckie]

That was awful Leake. Walk the leadoff hitter after taking the lead.

[Red Raindog]

do these babblers even know Leake walks the first guy?

[dubc47834]

I agree, he's been on a gradual decline. I just think that you have to manage the human part too, and the difference between 7th and 5th or 6th strikes me as something that would mean a lot to a player like Brandon.

I'm a BP guy, but I don't think his feelings go into the decision. I would still have him probly 6th tho.

[Cedric]

The Reds young starting pitching depth is going to come in handy when deciding to not pay Mike Leake.

[Chuckie]

All I can say about Leake right now is I'm glad the Reds didn't invest a LTC with him.

[villain612]

Jesus