As a Reds fan, I do need to be honest about one thing. If they would have finished the job of blowing that nine-run lead and letting them get swept, having given up double-digit runs and at least 17 hits in three consecutive games, I would be scared for my team's chances for the first time this season. I would be much more convinced that the Cardinals would come back and win the division or get a playoff spot.
Thankfully, the sky didn't fall today, the Reds, and specifically Joey Votto, came up clutch again, and the Pirates did us another favor and allowed our lead to grow back to 3.5 games. I felt a lot better at 11 PM last night about the division than I could have possibly felt at 7 PM, that's for sure! I don't really give a crap if Colin Cowherd thinks the Reds are frauds, in the end, doing what they are supposed to do is going to be enough for them to win this division, and no Reds fan should ever be disappointed about going 6-3 on a West Coast swing.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, illustrated two reasons why they may not win the Central: They're not beating teams they should, and they're not winning on the road. For the reason, the Reds are 7.5 games better than the Cardinals in road tilts, and the Cardinals have no business losing a series in Pittsburgh, even if the Pirates are not abysmal at home (30-36, .454). Ironically, the Cards are now worse than that on the road (27-33, .450). It's an apples and oranges comparison, but any way you slice it, these are games the Cardinals need to win, and they didn't. Letting the Reds thus play with house money and getting a win they maybe had no business getting is only a bonus.
Back to the Reds though. There's certainly cause for concern here. The bullpen is starting to show some major signs of wear, and that deep starting rotation that initially had 7 strong candidates when all healthy (Arroyo, Wood, Leake, Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Harang) is suddenly down to possibly only four based on the Reds own comments of shutting down Leake, and maybe placing Volquez and Harang in the bullpen. Suddenly, Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney are viable in a stretch run?! They've been solid when the team has needed them, but it's not the proposition that the team really wanted at this point. It's going to be important for them to get some good starting pitching, not just in the quality, but quantity of innings, to give this bullpen a rest on this homestand. If they can make it to September 1st, you likely can get some extra arms (Herrera, Del Roasrio, Smith, and most importantly Aroldis Chapman) to help take some load off of the guys you'll need in October.
Hitting? The Reds have (and will continue to be) fine. Maybe they bring up Balentien for depth after the 1st of September, but until then, the four outfielders they have will be just fine. Just an excuse to play Chris Heisey more, and that's something I like.
It all comes down to this. Go 4-2 or better at home this week, do what you do so well (win series), and force the Cardinals to beat teams they should, and this team will be fine. A little confidence going into the series against them on Labor Day would be nice.
Stats & Thoughts on the series:
Enjoy the day off, it'll be good for everyone to collect their breath a little!
Reds vs. Giants – The Sky Fails To Fall Again
As a Reds fan, I do need to be honest about one thing. If they would have finished the job of blowing that nine-run lead and letting them get swept, having given up double-digit runs and at least 17 hits in three consecutive games, I would be scared for my team's chances for the first time this season. I would be much more convinced that the Cardinals would come back and win the division or get a playoff spot.
Thankfully, the sky didn't fall today, the Reds, and specifically Joey Votto, came up clutch again, and the Pirates did us another favor and allowed our lead to grow back to 3.5 games. I felt a lot better at 11 PM last night about the division than I could have possibly felt at 7 PM, that's for sure! I don't really give a crap if Colin Cowherd thinks the Reds are frauds, in the end, doing what they are supposed to do is going to be enough for them to win this division, and no Reds fan should ever be disappointed about going 6-3 on a West Coast swing.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, illustrated two reasons why they may not win the Central: They're not beating teams they should, and they're not winning on the road. For the reason, the Reds are 7.5 games better than the Cardinals in road tilts, and the Cardinals have no business losing a series in Pittsburgh, even if the Pirates are not abysmal at home (30-36, .454). Ironically, the Cards are now worse than that on the road (27-33, .450). It's an apples and oranges comparison, but any way you slice it, these are games the Cardinals need to win, and they didn't. Letting the Reds thus play with house money and getting a win they maybe had no business getting is only a bonus.
Back to the Reds though. There's certainly cause for concern here. The bullpen is starting to show some major signs of wear, and that deep starting rotation that initially had 7 strong candidates when all healthy (Arroyo, Wood, Leake, Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Harang) is suddenly down to possibly only four based on the Reds own comments of shutting down Leake, and maybe placing Volquez and Harang in the bullpen. Suddenly, Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney are viable in a stretch run?! They've been solid when the team has needed them, but it's not the proposition that the team really wanted at this point. It's going to be important for them to get some good starting pitching, not just in the quality, but quantity of innings, to give this bullpen a rest on this homestand. If they can make it to September 1st, you likely can get some extra arms (Herrera, Del Roasrio, Smith, and most importantly Aroldis Chapman) to help take some load off of the guys you'll need in October.
Hitting? The Reds have (and will continue to be) fine. Maybe they bring up Balentien for depth after the 1st of September, but until then, the four outfielders they have will be just fine. Just an excuse to play Chris Heisey more, and that's something I like.
It all comes down to this. Go 4-2 or better at home this week, do what you do so well (win series), and force the Cardinals to beat teams they should, and this team will be fine. A little confidence going into the series against them on Labor Day would be nice.
Stats & Thoughts on the series:
Enjoy the day off, it'll be good for everyone to collect their breath a little!
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