Regular Season

[JohnU]

Duvall is going to strike out 150 times, which is fairly much expected. I do think he's worth 30 HR over a whole season, maybe a right-handed version of Bruce. But he does have room to improve and I think he will beat bad pitchers over a season.

Iglesias didn't do the bullpen any favors but, yeah ... it was better than the starts in the last 3 games. If a guy can't go 6 innings at least, it's just meat being served the 3rd time through the order.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

If I had to compare Adam Duvall to another player it would be Mark Reynolds. Reynolds strikes out 31% of the time while Duvall has struck out 32% over a small sample size of 203 PA's. The reputation preceded his arrival and he's been as advertized.

Duvall is touted as making some adjustments over the winter. That's great, but the league will adjust to that and you're back to square one.

Reds fans bash Jay Bruce for strike outs, but his career whiff rate is 24%, which is a lot, but not in the same league of the likes of Adam Dunn or Mark Reynolds.

 

[eburg5000]

Billy Hamilton last night had a nice bunt for a hit, sold 2nd, sold 3rd, scores on Cozarts fly ball. If he could just get on base more he could really make an impact. He is or should be in last chance mode, before the Reds give up on him. I can also see him going to some other team and some coach makes a few adjustments with him and he will be everything we thought and hoped he would be. Only with another team.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

I think we all develop a opinion on a player based on our own personal perspective. I know I view some players differently than other fans and vice versa. I also know my opinion isn't fact. We're all probably wrong as much as we're right. I know I am.

Billy H serves as a source of frustration for most fans. As much as he's a blur on the bases, he's standing still in his developmental progression. I think the Reds have to at least explore the possibility of optional assignment before he reaches arbitration..

 

[JohnU]

If Hamilton was going to learn to hit, he'd have done it by now in those robust off-season training programs he allegedly finished. He clearly never expected big-league infielders to be this good.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

I think the defense is a big part of it. I've never seen a batter thrown out by a step as often as BH. Other than the occasional bunt hit he doesn't get near as many infield hits per groundball that you'd expect from the fastest player in the league.

 

[eburg5000]

Stubbs was the same way, if he would have learned or wanted to, hit the ball on the ground. He still might be in a Reds uniform. It's hard to believe but Stubbs was a better hitter than Hamilton. Not much but better. I don't think there is much Billy could learn in the minors, but being sent down could shake him up a little.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Finnegan has 60 pitches through 4 innings. He's on pace to pitch 7 innings. He's having a nice bounce back outing. Hopefully he can finish strong.

Duvall broke the K train with a hit. He was closing in on the NL record for consecutive strike outs.

Tyler Holt with two more hits tonight and what appeared to be a ill advised bunt attempt with runners on 1st and 3rd no out sandwiched in between. Didn't look like a play was on or someone missed a sign.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Duvall with a double down the 3B line for his second hit tonight. A nice slide to the back corner of the bag to beat the throw and tag. Nice to see him get that lead foot down on the bag. You see so many players today that can't slide properly

 

[JohnU]

Finny seems to have to adjust to the mound every inning. Let's hope that's not a career trend.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Yeah... Finnegan had trouble retiring the 1st batter of several innings tonight. Hasn't been much of a problem his other 4 starts. He's allowed 4 of 22 1st batters to reach entering tonights game.

 

[JohnU]

too many LOB with this bullpen. I wish they had 8 runs instead of 3.

 

[JohnU]

welll ..... so much for that.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Speaking of pitchers not getting the first batter they face out.....enter Cingrani.

7 of 11 first batters have reached against Tony C.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

All in all, still a good outing by Finnegan. A shitty bullpen will lead a manager to try and get a little more out of the starter. Finn was obviously tired after he walked Lagares and should have been pulled, but the end result may well have been the same with this quagmire we call the Reds' bullpen.

 

[JohnU]

Either way, Cingrani would have given up the runs.

We knew last October that the starters would not get 6 innings and that the bullpen would cough up everything else.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Caleb Cotham has quietly done a nice job since being acquired in the Chapman trade from the NYY. I think he's only been scored on in one appearance.

Lefthanded be damned, Cingrani should be on the short list to be sent out next.

 

[JohnU]

Cingrani and Simon should both be DFA. Hoover also.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Hmm...... Why does this game seem eerily familiar?

 

[JohnU]

I am one 5-game losing streak away from just not watching this train wreck for the rest of the year.