Reds thread

[cincygrad]

I hate playing Philly. I'm just glad we didn't get swept! Tomorrow is going to be tough.

 

[cincygrad]

Day off Thursday followed by the Astros! Good times!

 

[Servo]

Good to have Votto back. With the way that Stubbs is swinging the bat I'd be in favor of sacrificing defense and putting Bruce in Center field for some games. That way we keep Frazier, Ludwick and Rolen (who has played well since coming back) all in the lineup with Joey.

 

[BigBlueNation111]

Good to have Votto back. With the way that Stubbs is swinging the bat I'd be in favor of sacrificing defense and putting Bruce in Center field for some games. That way we keep Frazier, Ludwick and Rolen (who has played well since coming back) all in the lineup with Joey.

I like the way Votto came out his first game back,looked really good out there.Stubbs....i'm not sure what to say about him anymore!

 

[Cincyfan78]

I'd only move bruce to CF once or twice a week. Rolen is going to need his rest. But, I agree...bruce in CF with either Heisey in RF/LF and Ludwick in LF/RF and Frazier (when not a 3B) in LF/RF would put the best offensive team on the field.

Bruce came up a CF. So, it's not like he doesn't know how to do it, and at GABP, it's not like there's a ton of ground to cover. Though, the ball Bruce caught against the wall the other night in RF, I don't think anyone else makes that play, but that's some of the tradeoff for getting better hitters into the lineup.

 

[bengaldoug]

I think Heisey has earned a shot at the CF job. Frazier is going to get plenty of playing time spelling Rolen (old) Ludwick (old) and Votto (injured and coming back slowly). I agree that Stubbs simply isn't getting it done offensively, and Heisey's defense is pretty good, though he can't cover the ground Stubbs can. Heisey is hitting nearly .290 and has been rolling lately when in the lineup. Stubbs can be used as a late inning defensive replacement when we have the lead. Bruce is very solid in RF and has the cannon arm RFs need. He needs to stay there imho.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The problem with Heisey is that when he gets to start a lot...he sucks.

He reminds me of Michael Tucker. A great hitter off the bench and for a few spot starts here and there, but then when you give him the starting job, he chokes on it and goes back to being a super sub.

Nothing wrong with it, but I just think that is his nitch in MLB. He's never going to be a guy who can produce as a full-time starter, but will always tease you with what he can do when he comes off the bench. Teams need a bench guy/sub like that, so he fills that void/need nicely.

Sucks for him, but it's what he is at this point.

 

[bengaldoug]

The problem with Heisey is that when he gets to start a lot...he sucks.

He reminds me of Michael Tucker. A great hitter off the bench and for a few spot starts here and there, but then when you give him the starting job, he chokes on it and goes back to being a super sub.

Nothing wrong with it, but I just think that is his nitch in MLB. He's never going to be a guy who can produce as a full-time starter, but will always tease you with what he can do when he comes off the bench. Teams need a bench guy/sub like that, so he fills that void/need nicely.

Sucks for him, but it's what he is at this point.

Your point is well taken, but he's been so hot lately he has earned another shot.....if he gets it and screws the pooch again, well, we can always make another adjustment....it's worth a shot and if it should work, we've significantly upgraded the offense with only a minimal defensive loss at one position.....the good thing about this situation is we're going to clinch the division no matter who plays where, so now is the time for trying things.....

 

[Cincyfan78]

Your point is well taken, but he's been so hot lately he has earned another shot.....if he gets it and screws the pooch again, well, we can always make another adjustment....it's worth a shot and if it should work, we've significantly upgraded the offense with only a minimal defensive loss at one position.....the good thing about this situation is we're going to clinch the division no matter who plays where, so now is the time for trying things.....

Couldn't agree more with this.

I would try Bruce in CF along with a combination of Heisey/Frazier/Ludwick in LF/RF depending on when Rolen is playing.

I would use Stubbs once or twice a week as well, and then use him as a defensive replacement late in the game in CF and simply move Bruce back to RF.

Of course, with Votto expected to receive days off as well as Rolen...Frazier will probably never really see the OF much...so it will continue to be a rotation of Heisey/Stubbs/Bruce/Ludwick in the OF to keep everyone Fresh...though, I don't see Bruce really getting many days off.

 

[bengaldoug]

Couldn't agree more with this.

I would try Bruce in CF along with a combination of Heisey/Frazier/Ludwick in LF/RF depending on when Rolen is playing.

I would use Stubbs once or twice a week as well, and then use him as a defensive replacement late in the game in CF and simply move Bruce back to RF.

Of course, with Votto expected to receive days off as well as Rolen...Frazier will probably never really see the OF much...so it will continue to be a rotation of Heisey/Stubbs/Bruce/Ludwick in the OF to keep everyone Fresh...though, I don't see Bruce really getting many days off.

Bruce needs to play every day, and twice on Sunday, as long as he's this hot....if he stays hot he could easily get to 40 homers...

 

[bengaldoug]

Random musings....magic number now 10.....should clinch by Sept 22-23......Pirates appear dead....too bad....dirty birds are in trouble too, if someone would just bother to catch them.....Dodgers are the most likely candidates, but the Phillies and Brewers are both closing strong and within four games of the final wildcard.....playing the Phillies in the playoffs has to be the Reds' worst nightmare....Halladay, Lee, and Hamels makes for a very formidable playoff rotation.....hopefully a week's rest will help Chapman find his heater again....Broxton can close just fine for now but we need Chappie on top of his game for the playoffs if we're going anywhere......

 

[cincygrad]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that is terrified that the Phillies will get that last wild card!

 

[BigBlueNation111]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that is terrified that the Phillies will get that last wild card!

I hear that!!

 

[ckhokie]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that is terrified that the Phillies will get that last wild card!

God that would be worst case scenario. The Phillies and the Cardinals need to stay as far out of the WC as possible

 

[bengaldoug]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that is terrified that the Phillies will get that last wild card!

Given a choice between the Cards and Phillies, bring on them dirty birds....we just don't match up well with the Phillies starting pitchers.....we might have a say in it since we close the season out in St Louis....if the Phillies are close at that point we should lay down....if not, and we have a chance to knock the Cards out, that would be way cool if we could do it.....think I'll have to drink on it ....

 

[BigBlueNation111]

God that would be worst case scenario. The Phillies and the Cardinals need to stay as far out of the WC as possible

Amen to that!!

 

[bengaldoug]

Boys, the Bengals suck, but pay attention to our Reds....magic number reduces to 8, Bailey pitches a gem with JJ Hoover getting the save.....hope that kid makes the postseason roster.....he brings some serious gas.....looks like another candidate for closer next year when Chappie goes into the rotation......

 

[kramer1]

I have no interest in baseball at this point...I can't even bring myself to watch. So, so boring. I'll watch when the playoffs start.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I actually fear the Cardinals more than the Phillies. Yes the Phils have had our number, but honestly they are not that great of an offensive team.

The worst would be starting out with 2 games at STL. Losing 2 games there would be insufferable.

Losing 2 in Philly would suck, but, eh.

Regardless, I'd much rather just finish #2 in the race, and head out west. The past few years the Reds have played out west much better, and the matchups against either the Giants or LA is much more favorable.

 

[bengaldoug]

I no longer fear the Cards....this bunch just doesn't have it....last year at this time they were coming on strong and were lucky to get in because Atl choked....this year they are trying to hang on, and have lost 6 of 7......I doubt they hang on but I hope they do, at least long enough so that we can knock them out the last series of the season....I think we will finish #2, and I think we can beat the Giants, though they are a good team.....Washington will probably have to deal with the wildcard winner, and if it's the Phillies they'll have their hands full.....if we get to the NLCC I could care less who we play by then....whoever it is they'll be tough to beat, but once we've won a series we'll be tougher too.....