The Reds are two games under .500 and now they’re off to New York to battle the Mets, where I predict the Reds will lose two of three. Then we head into the All-Star break where the Reds will surely make some kind of underwhelming trade or deal (like this one) that will do nothing to improve the team long-term and will leave fans frustrated and confused.
Sounds like a perfect time for Chris Sabo’s Goggles to take a vacation. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Unless something big happens next week — and let’s be honest, nothing will — coverage will be scarce to non-existent until July 20th. Deal with it.
I’m going to start it off with Bobby Bonilla and Ray Knight (heh).
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Cincinnati Reds, David Weathers, Edwin Encarnacion, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce
I’m not even close to being ready to eat some crow about Homer Bailey, but I will admit that he has pitched well the last two games. Too bad the Reds’ _________ can’t give him anything to show for it.
On the other hand… if I knew David Weathers when I was sending out my wedding invitations, he wouldn’t get one.
Jay Bruce is getting dangerously close to hitting under .200 at the All-Star Break. How would that sit with you, because I know I’m not too happy about it. Can this team afford to suck even more by sending Bruce down to Louisville (Lew-ih-vul) until he works things out?
Let’s put it this way: would the Reds be any worse off without him right now?
And then there’s Edwin Encarnacion. Boy, it’s good to have him back.
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Cincinnati Reds, David Weathers, Jonny Gomes, Willy Taveras
After yesterday’s ass-kicking, Jonny Gomes had this to say:
“…tomorrow will determine what kind of team we are.”
Well, tomorrow is today, and the Reds won. So, what does that say about the 2009 Cincinnati Reds?
Not a whole lot.
Willy Patterson attempted to bunt his way on base three times tonight and failed. What does that say?
It says that Willy Patterson sucks.
UPDATE:
My bigger/younger brother went to see the mighty Cincinnati Reds take on the Philadelphia Phillies last night. Despite the fact that the Reds were coming off a 22-1 loss. Truth be told, my brother couldn’t pass up the 1/2 price tickets (nor the opportunity to see David Weathers get a win).
My brother was kind enough to print out one of those hilarious It’s Probably Gonna Happen (Maybe) signs and bring it to the game for all the Phillie fans to admire:
Did you seriously print it out in black & white? Dork.
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds, Corey Patterson, Dusty Baker, Edinson Volquez, Eric Milton, Gary Majewski, Johnny Cueto, Josh Fogg, Michah Owings, Walt Jocketty
(AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday
Worst loss in Cincinnati Reds history. And neither Eric Milton, Josh Fogg or Gary Majewski were part of the box score.
Johnny Cueto had a bad day. Shit happens. But when the bullpen comes in and gives up an additional 13 runs one has to wonder if Monday’s game officially marks the end of the 2009 season for the Reds.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — STOP LOOKING AT THE STANDINGS!
The Reds are barely an average baseball team and they are lucky to even be mentioned in conversations about the NL Central. It’s completely irrelevant how many games out of first place the Reds are right now because, trust me, this team is not going to win anything this year.
So, whom do we blame?
DUSTY BAKER?
Believe me, I don’t like the guy, but even I can’t blame him for the Reds mediocrity. Well, not all of it.
WALT JOCKETTY?
Maybe. Building a competitive baseball team in a small market takes time (generations?). Jocketty has done it before — albeit in a “small” market that drew 40,000/game — but can he do it here?
That promised “strong” rotation of Harang, Arroyo, Volquez, Cueto and Owings has turned into a pretty average of collection of pitchers.
Harang still has his moments, but he’s no longer AARON HARANG. Bronson Arroyo… who the hell knows what’s up with him? We may have already seen the best we’re ever going to get out of Edinson Volquez. I like Johnny Cueto (as long as we agree to never mention last night’s game again). And Micah Owings is much more interesting with a bat in his hand than a glove and ball.
I guess what I’m saying is that the Reds rotation is going to look a whole lot different in 2010.
In other words: More rebuilding.
COREY PATTERSON?
Sure, why the hell not?
Remember this day, folks. It’s when you look at the calendar and start counting the days until college football starts.
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, Philadelphia Phillies
I haven’t had a chance to check the final score of tonight’s game. Did I miss anything?
After the not-so-successful “big” series against the Cardinals I bet the Reds were anxious to take the field and start the road trip off on a positive note.
The first game was the most intriguing of the series with Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto taking the mound. Lots of strikeouts, not too many hits — a low-scoring game, I’m sure. I love a good ol’ fashioned pitcher’s duel.
Let me stroll on over to ESPN.com and see how the Reds did…
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds, Edwin Encarnacion
I really wish the Reds would stop declaring an upcoming series as a “big” series, because every time they do that, they fall flat on their face. The Reds did just that this weekend by losing two of three against the Cardinals. The series loss brings them back to .500 and three games out of first place.
By the way, the Reds have absolutely no business being three games out of first place.
I’ve never really had a problem with Bronson Arroyo, but for those of you who weren’t willing to trade him for some offense, thanks for your loyalty. It’s really paying off now.
Does anyone else find it interesting that Arroyo’s most recent slide coincides exactly with the announcement that Creed is reuniting?
But it’s not all bad news. Edwin Encarnacion returned from the DL this weekend. He went 1-9, lowering his average to an inexplicable .125.
Okay, maybe it is all bad news.
Next up the Reds get to play the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. On the road. Should be a cake-walk.
Of all the people who could throw out the first-pitch at a Reds game (*cough* Chris Sabo’s Goggles *cough*), the best the Reds could do was A.C. Slater?
The game should’ve never made it to extra innings, but it did, which just gave Joey Votto additional opportunities to show off his studness. Game-winning hit, 4-6 on the day, .366 average — I take back what I said about Votto yesterday. We should keep him.
After seeing Votto unload in today’s game, one has to wonder if he took offense to A.C. Slater calling him “preppy” during batting practice.
I’m going off the grid until Sunday night. Maybe Monday. Why? Well, let’s face it, I don’t get paid to do this and I have better things to do on a holiday weekend than constantly check ESPN GameCast to see how the Reds are doing.
No offense to those of you who have nothing better to do on a holiday weekend than constantly check ESPN GameCast to see how the Reds are doing.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone. Don’t blow yourself (let me finish…) up. Fireworks are dangerous.
(AP Photo/Al Behrman)
The Reds were finally involved in a shutout game in which they were the one scoring the runs run. Good for them.
The win has created an unusual balance in the universe:
- Home Record: 18-18
- Away Record: 20-20
- Total Record: 38-38
George Harrison would be proud.
Can I be the first to suggest that the Reds need to get rid of Joey Votto? He’s only hitting, like, .354 now. The bum.
Proving that he’s a glutton for punishment, Mark over at Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove once again asked me for my thoughts on a few Reds-related topics. I’m sure he’ll need an abacus to calculate the increase in traffic to his site because of my contribution.
I’m still trying to convince Mark to post my 5,000-word diatribe titled:
Daddy, What’s a Leadoff Hitter?
He’s not an easy shell to crack.
Filed under: Regular Season | Tags: Alex Gonzalez, Cincinnati Reds, Dusty Baker, Willy Taveras
According to the Dayton Daily News Dusty Baker doesn’t mind that his bullpen hasn’t been used much this season:
“That’s how you want it,” Baker said. “That means they’ll be strong down the stretch. You have a light workload the first half and you can be strong the second half.”
Maybe it’s just me, but Dusty Baker shouldn’t be saying things like this in the press. It only gives Willy Patterson a way to justify the first half of his season:
“You see coach, I’m just saving myself for the stretch-run. Come September I’ll be an offensive beast. I’ll get on base and everything!”
Lastly, Baker believes that Alex Gonzalez must have “good blood” because he’s healing so quickly. Which also marks the first and last time you’ll see me use “Alex Gonzalez” and “good” in the same sentence.
It’s worth noting that Gonzalez’s good blood means the Reds obviously have bad karma, because why else would Alex Gonzalez be the fastest-healing player on the team?
