5-20-18 Cubs @ Reds

[Ron Madden]

1. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
2. Albert Almora Jr. (R) CF
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Willson Contreras (R) C
5. Ian Happ (S) 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
7. Javier Baez (R) SS
8. Jason Heyward (L) RF
9. Yu Darvish (R)


1. Alex Blandino (R) SS
2. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
5. Adam Duvall (R) LF
6. Scott Schebler (L) RF
7. Tucker Barnhart (S) C
8. Tyler Mahle (R) P
9. Billy Hamilton (S) CF

[JaxRed]

Like to see a full game of Blandino at SS. I've been impressed by him this year. Good, solid player capable of several positions.

[Mitri]

Like to see a full game of Blandino at SS. I've been impressed by him this year. Good, solid player capable of several positions.

With fantastic hair.

[BCubb2003]

It takes a pretty good offense to lead the league in leaving runners on base.

[Tom Servo]

I wish the Reds had Almora, that's a solid ballplayer.

[Tom Servo]

Mahle with a pair of K's in a scoreless first.

[NebraskaRed]

I hope not, but the Reds are a team that could really help Darvish look like he got everything figured out

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Nice AB by Blandino

[Ron Madden]

I like it when our leadoff man gets on base

[JaxRed]

It wouldn't bother me at all if Darvish continued to be a 5.56 ERA pitcher for the duration of his 6 year, 126 million dollar contract.....

[GADawg]

I wish the Reds had Almora, that's a solid ballplayer.

Not me....the entire Cubs team is dead to me....I've put them in the Edmonds file

[JaxRed]

- - - Updated - - -

Nice AB by Blandino

Anyone know where he went to college?

[Tom Servo]

Anyone know where he went college?
well...it's hard to say

[Tom Servo]

I still have the Cubs announcers, has Thom started complaining about Darvish's pace yet?

[Ron Madden]

Runners on the corners for Scooter

[NebraskaRed]

I still have the Cubs announcers, has Thom started complaining about Darvish's pace yet?

Not yet. He's been doing a pretty bland play by play.

[RedsfaninMT]

I still have the Cubs announcers, has Thom started complaining about Darvish's pace yet?

Yep!

[Ron Madden]

Scooter HBP bases loaded for Duvall

[Tom Servo]

That was a tad predictable

[NebraskaRed]

Duvall is like, "come on, you all know how this is gonna turn out"

[Maldez]

What a pathetic A for Duvall.

[Kc61]

This is where the OF rotation goes wrong.

Duvall shouldn’t be playing against Darvish, Winker should. Strictly a left/righty thing IMO. Duvall against this very tough RH pitcher doesn’t make sense to me.

Similarly, Hamilton played a great deal on the West Coast. He could have sat out two games in this home series, not just one.

I wish they were a bit more flexible with it.

[Tom Servo]

Wow, coming up on pitch 35 of the inning for Darvish.

But still please score a run.

They do! Infield RBI single for Scheb. 1-0 Redlegs.

[Ron Madden]

RBI infield single for Scheb

[NebraskaRed]

Thanks Baez

[BluegrassRedleg]

Great job by Schebler hanging in there and putting ball I play.


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[BCubb2003]

An infield Scheb.

[kaldaniels]

This is where the OF rotation goes wrong.

Duvall shouldn’t be playing against Darvish, Winker should. Strictly a left/righty thing IMO. Duvall against this very tough RH pitcher doesn’t make sense to me.

Similarly, Hamilton played a great deal on the West Coast. He could have sat out two games in this home series, not just one.

I wish they were a bit more flexible with it.

I like Winker as much as anyone but riding the hot (and cool) hand is acceptable here, and flexible I must say.

[NebraskaRed]

Here comes Ian Happ's requisite double/home run

- - - Updated - - -

or walk

[Tom Servo]

Happ has done almost nothing all year except for when he plays the Reds.

[NebraskaRed]

Where is Kyle Schwarber from?

[ochoa30]

Mahle barely hitting 90 on the gun. Saving it for later I hope

[RedsfaninMT]

Thom uses "unbelievable" A LOT. That word should be used a whole lot less. If it's "unbelievable" it ought to a once-in-a-great-while event.

[Tom Servo]

Ugh. Ugh. Schwarber HR.

2-1 Cubs.

[Kc61]

I like Winker as much as anyone but riding the hot (and cool) hand is acceptable here, and flexible I must say.

Duvall is hot against RHP? I forgot, he’s up in the .190s now.

Anyone who’s watched Duvall over these years would realize that a strikeout right hander like Darvish isn’t a good matchup.

[Ron Madden]

I hate the Cubs and their Sillya$$ Fans

[Tom Servo]

Cool, Baez with a moonshot. 3-1 game.

[NebraskaRed]

did someone slip Mahle a sedative during that long bottom of the first?

[Tom Servo]

Being a groundball pitcher at GABP gets you Romano's struggles, being a flyball pitcher at GABP gets you Mahle's struggles.

https://i.imgur.com/e7dxmKX.png?1

[BluegrassRedleg]

Cubs playing well in front of their home fans.


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[BluegrassRedleg]

Happ has done almost nothing all year except for when he plays the Reds.

Copy and paste for Middletown’s Own.


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[NebraskaRed]

the ghost of Jason Heyward pops out to second

[Boston Red]

Didn't see the Baez shot, but the Schwarber HR wasn't a fly ball. That thing was about 15 feet off the ground the whole way. That was a line drive rocket.

[ochoa30]

Didn't see the Baez shot, but the Schwarber HR wasn't a fly ball. That thing was about 15 feet off the ground the whole way. That was a line drive rocket.

Both balls were destroyed

[NebraskaRed]

that second pitch to Zobrist was a ball? lol ok

[WrongVerb]

Is Mahle still tipping his pitches? His delivery speed changes depending on what pitch he's throwing.

[NebraskaRed]

27 batters

[Tom Servo]

Another missed strike call, cool

[NebraskaRed]

that second pitch to Zobrist was a ball? lol ok

13661

[Kc61]

I don’t mind Mahle allowing the homers. He’s a young fly ball pitcher at GABP.

But if he’s going to pitch at GABP he has to cut down on the walks.

The BB/HR combo is a serious problem.

Edit: looking at the numbers, too many home runs too.

[Tom Servo]

I don’t mind Mahle allowing the homers.
I do. I like him a lot but 12 HRs in 50 innings is John Lamb stuff.

[Kc61]

I do. I like him a lot but 12 HRs in 50 innings is John Lamb stuff.

Yeah, I checked the numbers, he’s up near 2 homers per nine inning. Too much.

[WrongVerb]

27 batters

twenty! Seven! Batters!!!

[RedTeamGo!]

Being a groundball pitcher at GABP gets you Romano's struggles, being a flyball pitcher at GABP gets you Mahle's struggles.

https://i.imgur.com/e7dxmKX.png?1

GABP sucks

[BCubb2003]

Jumbo Díaz was the slowest working pitcher I ever saw.

[Big Klu]

I really like how THom repeats things for emphasis.

THom: "In three games and two innings, the Reds have walked 27 batters! TWENTY-SEVEN!"

Chris: "You're counting intentional walks in that total."

THom: "Yes, but we're talking about only, let's see...one, two, three, four...five...six...seven, ok, seven is a pretty good chunk, but STILL!"

[NebraskaRed]

I was trying not to get irritated by it, but after an almost 40 pitch first inning by Darvish where he clearly struggled with comman, Billy comes up and swings at the first pitch?

[Tom Servo]

GABP sucks
I really think it's become a major issue, like 90s Coors level.

[NebraskaRed]

I really like how THom repeats things for emphasis.

THom: "In three games and two innings, the Reds have walked 27 batters! TWENTY-SEVEN!"

Chris: "You're counting intentional walks in that total."

THom: "Yes, but we're talking about only, let's see...one, two, three, four...five...six...seven, ok, seven is a pretty good chunk, but STILL!"

Similar to what he did yesterday when he tried to say that Rizzo wasn't talking to Joey at first. Then he clearly was talking to him so Thom quickly added "Well, he's not talking much"

[WrongVerb]

I really think it's become a major issue, like 90s Coors level.

Maybe the Reds need to install a humidor?

- - - Updated - - -


Similar to what he did yesterday when he tried to say that Rizzo wasn't talking to Joey at first. Then he clearly was talking to him so Thom quickly added "Well, he's not talking much"

Thom sucks.

[Ron Madden]

GABP sucks

The ball Baez hit woulda been ot of any Park in MLB

[NebraskaRed]

Thom is that friend that never fails to remind you of something embarrassing you once did.

[Boston Red]

The ball Baez hit woulda been ot of any Park in MLB

But would it have been out of Yellowstone?

[Tadasimha]

Thom is that friend that never fails to remind you of something embarrassing you once did.

Like listening to Thom

[BluegrassRedleg]

Announcers for a team 15 games under .500 talking about how bad a .500 team sucks and has nothing to lose.


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[Ron Madden]

But would it have been out of Yellowstone?

LOL, Is Yellowstone a part of MLB..;)

[Tadasimha]

LOL, Is Yellowstone a part of MLB..;)

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[Tony Cloninger]

So you get a bunt hit and then you still have to have other hitters drive you in by hitting the ball. Not bunting.

[NebraskaRed]

even numbered inning Mahle is becoming my least favorite Mahle.

[WrongVerb]

Schwarber just bunted for a base hit. I'm assuming Thom needs to go change his underwear now.

[Tom Servo]

Yesiree

[Ron Madden]

Scooter hung right in there and turned the DP but man it takes him a long time to get the ball outta his glove to turn it.

[CWRed]

Is anyone else concerned that Mahle is barely reaching 90 the last 2 games? My guess is he's on the DL soon.

[Tadasimha]

Schwarber just bunted for a base hit. I'm assuming Thom needs to go change his underwear now.

Ew
13663

[Tom Servo]

My guess is he's on the DL soon.
I'd be lying if I didn't think this is a possibility, because it's the Reds.

[BCubb2003]

The closest ballpark to Yellowstone is probably Billings.

[NebraskaRed]

UNBELIEVABLE that Duvall struck out. I cannot believe it.

[Maldez]

I hate the Cubs and their Sillya$$ Fans

Agreed...somebody outta dump a beer on 'em.

[Tadasimha]

Is anyone else concerned that Mahle is barely reaching 90 the last 2 games? My guess is he's on the DL soon.

Depends on how many fastballs hes been throwing - Brooks says average 4-seamer for tyler is 93

[CWRed]

Depends on how many fastballs hes been throwing - Brooks says average 4-seamer for tyler is 93


Interesting. Highest I've seen on MLB is 90.

[Tony Cloninger]

Is anyone else concerned that Mahle is barely reaching 90 the last 2 games? My guess is he's on the DL soon.

Every time a pitchers MHP goes down a couole of Miles you people think the worst. Same thing with Luis because he’s down 2 miles.

[NebraskaRed]

Will Billy swing at the first pitch again?

[Ron Madden]

4 pitch walk to Mahle, runners on 1st and 2nd for Billy hope he takes a few pitches

[Tom Servo]

Will Billy swing at the first pitch again?
Yep.

[Tony Cloninger]

So is Billy going to be an idiot again and swing at the first pitch.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Great approach, Billy.


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[Ron Madden]

Dang Billy!!!!

[NebraskaRed]

would it be bad for someone (Riggleman?) to yell "Don't swing at the first pitch" to him as he walks up? I'm serious.

[JaxRed]

I'm serious..... do they ever give the "take" sign?

[WrongVerb]

I think Mahle just v got pitched around to get to Billy.

[Tony Cloninger]

Him and Tucker. You need the take sign for these 2 morons when you swing at the first pitch after a 4 pitch walk.

[Tadasimha]

Yep.

He's been taking walks lately - that's annoying

[Rolando]

Bill has no baseball IQ

[Tom Servo]

Another HR, Zobrist.

4-1

[Rolando]

Tyler throwing home run derby today

[Tony Cloninger]

Billy is basically useful like Cesar Geronimo was useful in 1978 after The month of May and basically 1979-80. But at least Sparky used him less as 1978 went on and McNamara realized Dave Collins was a better option going into the 1979 season.

[NebraskaRed]

They were clearly trying to deal Billy in the off-season, but didn't get any offers they felt worthwhile.

And if they're playing him as much as they are in hopes of attracting other teams, that clearly isn't working.

The outfield is a mess.

[BCubb2003]

Tyler throwing home run derby today

Slaughter of the rallies.

[NebraskaRed]

20 or more games.

[Ron Madden]

Blandino HBP

[Tony Cloninger]

They were clearly trying to deal Billy in the off-season, but didn't get any offers they felt worthwhile.

And if they're playing him as much as they are in hopes of attracting other teams, that clearly isn't working.

The outfield is a mess.

I believe good old Bob C had something to do with that as well

[NebraskaRed]

Suarez and Billy have swung at the first pitch twice this game.

[ochoa30]

This team is rough. Just not a fun team to watch pretty much ever.

[NebraskaRed]

Dilson Herrera with another home run in Louisville.

[Rolando]

Two awful at bats by Suarez and votto

[Tony Cloninger]

Have you never seen Rey Ordonez play SS Thom?

[Ron Madden]

I believe good old Bob C had something to do with that as well

@jcrasnick
The #Reds have listened to Billy Hamilton trade offers all winter (most notably from #SFGiants), but owner Bob Castellini would have to approve any deal. "I hope Billy Hamilton is with us forever,'' Castellini said last January. I'm told his feelings on the topic haven't changed.

[Tom Servo]

@jcrasnick
"I hope Billy Hamilton is with us forever,'' Castellini said last January.
https://media1.tenor.com/images/f569d3e0fe7ffcdab1208ea4112a190e/tenor.gif?itemid=5186782

[Ironman92]

Slobberfest

[Boston Red]

Not a HORRIBLE outing for Mahle, but we obviously need better from him.

[NebraskaRed]

40 pitch first inning, struggling with command, but everyone on the Reds can't wait to swing at the first pitch

[Ron Madden]

Whole lotta first pitch outs by the Reds since the 1st inning it seems

[ochoa30]

Duvall, lol

[WrongVerb]

Whoever decided on the "swing at the first pitch" tactic today needs to realize it isn't working.

[Boston Red]

Duvall is terrible.

[NebraskaRed]

The outfield is...NOT GOOD

[Boston Red]

The winning streak fooled me into believing this team wasn't going to be 100 loss bad. They are.

[BCubb2003]

The Scwarbing is going better than the Schebling.

[WrongVerb]

The outfield is...NOT GOOD

This team is not good.

Right now I could live with replacing every player on the roster except Votto, Suarez, Barnhart, and Castillo.

[NebraskaRed]

5 total hits in the last 15 innings

[WrongVerb]

The winning streak fooled me into believing this team wasn't going to be 100 loss bad. They are.

I said in another thread that the team is good enough to beat decent teams playing badly, and other bad teams, but that's it.

[Boston Red]

This team is not good.

Right now I could live with replacing every player on the roster except Votto, Suarez, Barnhart, and Castillo.

I would keep Mahle, but otherwise sure. And if "replacing" = trading, I'd be okay with replacing Votto, too.

[Ron Madden]

Oh My God!!!

Terrible throw Joey!

[ochoa30]

Votto has been awful in the field this year. That right side D is scary if you're a pitcher on this team

[NebraskaRed]

That was such a "Eh, who cares?" throw by Joey. Can't have that.

[ochoa30]

That was such a "Eh, who cares?" throw by Joey. Can't have that.

You could have stacked blandino 3 times and he still probably couldn't have reached that. How does that even happen? Crazy

[NebraskaRed]

I told myself I'd go mow the lawn when the game got out of hand. Well...

[Baseballdad37]

This is one sad team! Our young pitchers are just not as good as we think.

[Tony Cloninger]

I still remember when Joey and his Steve Garvey like throw caused Cozart to get hurt when he landed on his shoulder.

[Ironman92]

I still remember when Joey and his Steve Garvey like throw caused Cozart to get hurt when he landed on his shoulder.

I think that every time Joey makes a bad throw....he doesn’t really that often. If I remember he was just too aggressive on that play that doomed Cozart

[Maldez]

This team is rough. Just not a fun team to watch pretty much ever.

There was that wonderful 6-game winning streak....I'll treasure it always.

[Ironman92]

Well Thom...Dawson also didn’t walk much in the first place. But heaven forbid Thom know a guy he covered.

[Kinsm]

The Reds continue to live and die by the homerun...it's the same thing I've witnessed since the late 90's - nothing changes.

[Big Klu]

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye!

[BCubb2003]

Tweenburg’s Kyle Schwarber,

[Tony Cloninger]

Kyle the whiner from nearby Cincinnati

[Ironman92]

Very disappointing that Billy Hamilton looked like good Otis Nixon, but in reality he’s bad Donell Nixon [emoji853]

[Tony Cloninger]

Action Jackson!

The Diamondbacks have traded away some good pitchers.

[Ron Madden]

Doesn't it look like the Reds are just goin through the motions today?

[Tony Cloninger]

Doesn't it look like the Reds are just goin through the motions today?

Yes. After the 1st inning they got over aggressive hitting. Maybe they figured after those 3 runs scored there was no hope.

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Very disappointing that Billy Hamilton looked like good Otis Nixon, but in reality he’s bad Donell Nixon [emoji853]

Right now he looks like Curtis Goodwin.

[NebraskaRed]

Will Duvall get a 4th K for the day?

[Ron Madden]

Will Duvall get a 4th K for the day?

I hope not but I wouldn't bet against it

[NebraskaRed]

and he did

[Ron Madden]

Dang

[Big Klu]

Peraza shaved off the beard!

[Tony Cloninger]

He swung at balls. His dropping off a cliff started really early this year. I was hoping more rest would help him not tire out so much by August

[NebraskaRed]

Reds lost.

6 hits in 18 innings.

1 run.

[Big Klu]

On pace for 54-108.

[Ron Madden]

I've never seen a Reds club play with less energy than this Team today. :(

[NebraskaRed]

6 hits over 2 games, all singles

[Ron Madden]

Box Score

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-reds/2018/05/20/530094#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab= box,game=530094

[Tom Servo]

6 hits over 2 games, all singles

Is that bad

[Mutaman]

I hereby demand that the old Redlegs start playing some decent baseball.

[Big Klu]

I've never seen a Reds club play with less energy than this Team today. :(

It seems apparent that this club is afraid of the Chicago Cubs.

[Mutaman]

It seems apparent that this club is afraid of the Chicago Cubs.


Except for young Garrett. Reds get into a fight with their hated rivals and it turns them into sleepwalkers. Well, its been a long season.

[Big Klu]

Except for young Garrett. Reds get into a fight with their hated rivals and it turns them into sleepwalkers. Well, its been a long season.

And it's still only May. :(

[cumberlandreds]

All I will say about this game is that I am shocked! Shocked! That the fine young man from Middletown was thrown out of the game. Middletown mourns this shocking development and I'm Mama Schwarber had to send him to bed without his supper last night. Just a shame that happened.

[Umkubas]

Former Stanford Cardinal, Alex Blandino goes 0 for 2 in at bats but in his first plate appearance, Blandino walks and scores his 5th run of the 2018 season. Blandino’s batting average falls to .273 but his on base percentage rises to a MLB career best .364.

Go Stanford Cardinal baseball

[Umkubas]

Former Stanford Cardinal, Alex Blandino goes 0 for 2 in at bats but in his first plate appearance, Blandino walks and scores his 9th run of the 2018 season. Blandino’s batting average falls to .273 but his on base percentage rises to a MLB career best .364.

Go Stanford Cardinal baseball