9-18-20 Reds vs White Sox

[Ron Madden]

First Pitch 7:10PM

Reds
1. Shogo Akiyama (L) LF
2. Nick Castellanos (R) RF
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
5. Mike Moustakas (L) 2B
6. Jesse Winker (L) DH
7. Brian Goodwin (L) CF
8. Jose Garcia (R) SS
9. Tucker Barnhart (L) C
SP Tyler Mahle (R)


White Sox
1. Nick Madrigal (R) 2B
2. Yasmani Grandal (S) C
3. Jose Abreu (R) 1B
4. Eloy Jimenez (R) LF
5. Edwin Encarnacion (R) DH
6. Yoan Moncada (S) 3B
7. Luis Robert (R) CF
8. Nomar Mazara (L) RF
9. Yolmer Sanchez (S) SS
SP Jonathan Stiever (R)

[JP321]

Like this lineup. Like Mahle on the mound. Goodwin needs to go rest of the way in CF, Senzel just doesnt have a feel this yr with being out of the lineup so often.

[RedlegJ]

Still no stephenson. And with Bauer likely throwing tomorrow, I can only assume Casali will be catching

[JP321]

Still no stephenson. And with Bauer likely throwing tomorrow, I can only assume Casali will be catching

I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that.

[757690]

I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that.

I think when he was brought up, the plan was to play him, he started twice in five days. But the Reds swept the Pirates, got into the race, so they changed the plan.

[UPRedsFan]

I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that.

He might DH against a lefty for half a game. They need Barnhart and Casali to call the game and help the pitchers.

[RedsBrick]

"I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that."

They don't seem to mind putting that kind of pressure on a kid who hasn't played above high-A before plugging him in at SS.

[mth123]

"I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that."

They don't seem to mind putting that kind of pressure on a kid who hasn't played above high-A before plugging him in at SS.

I really hate to agree with David Bell, but:

The options at SS are way worse than the options at Catcher. Garcia is far and away the best defensive player. He should play every game the rest of the way IMO. I don't care if he goes 0 for the rest of the season.

At Catcher, Casali and Barnhart are established with the staff and both strong defenders. Hard to take that out of the line-up in hopes of a kid who has had 14 big league PAs can boost the offense. If the top 7, who should all produce some offense, fall flat, whatever marginal offense they may get from Stephenson and Galvis isn't going to help. If those guys hit, then the offense from SS and Catcher isn't going to matter. I'd rather see Stephenson as well, but now is not the time IMO.

[RedsBrick]

I really hate to agree with David Bell, but:

The options at SS are way worse than the options at Catcher. Garcia is far and away the best defensive player. He should play every game the rest of the way IMO. I don't care if he goes 0 for the rest of the season.

At Catcher, Casali and Barnhart are established with the staff and both strong defenders. Hard to take that out of the line-up in hopes of a kid who has had 14 big league PAs can boost the offense. If the top 7, who should all produce some offense, fall flat, whatever marginal offense they may get from Stephenson and Galvis isn't going to help. If those guys hit, then the offense from SS and Catcher isn't going to matter. I'd rather see Stephenson as well, bit now is not the time IMO.

Which is fine, but that's a completely different discussion than worried about putting that kind of pressure on Stephenson vs. Garcia.

[JP321]

"I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that."

They don't seem to mind putting that kind of pressure on a kid who hasn't played above high-A before plugging him in at SS.

I may get killed for this, but I would be playing Kyle Farmer. Why he doesnt get opportunities is beyond me. Hes a decent glove and has been a good bat this yr. Maybe he doesnt have the range for SS, I dunno, but hes a flat out ballplayer.

[UPRedsFan]

I may get killed for this, but I would be playing Kyle Farmer. Why he doesnt get opportunities is beyond me. Hes a decent glove and has been a good bat this yr. Maybe he doesnt have the range for SS, I dunno, but hes a flat out ballplayer.

Farmer in 2020
.171/.275/.200 against rhp
.421/.450/.474 against lhp

Farmer in 2019
.207/.248/.372 against rhp
.274/.338/.484 against lhp

[CaiGuy]

I may get killed for this, but I would be playing Kyle Farmer. Why he doesnt get opportunities is beyond me. Hes a decent glove and has been a good bat this yr. Maybe he doesnt have the range for SS, I dunno, but hes a flat out ballplayer.

Look at Farmer's career stats, also bearing in mimd he is 29.

He isn't a good hitter.

[Mitri]

I think fans need to realize Stephenson isnt going to start a game. He is strictly going to be a bench bat at this point. We are in the thick of playoff race and we arent going to put that kind of pressure on him now. I would love to see him too, but I dont see Bell doing that.

Yeah, I am fine with that. And I've been screaming for Stephenson and Garcia all season long. It makes sense with the way Casali/Barnhart have been handling the staff. Plus, Casali looks pretty good at the plate and Tucker is back on track. I think Stephenson is a much more dangerous weapon at the plate overall, but there are a lot of factors that go into the starting catcher decision. And as we all know Bell is okay with pulling a switch mid-game, even at C, so Tyler will get some abs.

Glad to see they're sticking with Garcia at least. He's as good as Galvis is at the plate and a much better defensive option. And Galvis is better player in a bench role.

[Kc61]

The Reds pitchers are more used to throwing to Barnhart and Casali. If it was just about hitting, then Stephenson would play more.

[Jomama]

The Reds pitchers are more used to throwing to Barnhart and Casali. If it was just about hitting, then Stephenson would play more.

DH