Reds March/April 2025 thread

[TecmoBengals]

Bob probably isn't getting any extra revenue from people buying tickets to see Tito after another 1-0 loss.

[*bengalfan74*]

"No MLB team has had three straight 1–0 defeats since the Philadelphia Phillies did so in May 1960. Only six teams in league history have ever had three straight 1–0 defeats, and no team has ever had four such defeats in a row – at least for now."

Our starting pitching has been awesome and our offense took the last train outta town!

[*ochocincos*]

Talk about a disappointing start. 2-5
Outside of one monster game on Monday, it's been a pretty lackluster offense.

3 games in a row of 0-1 baseball really takes the wind out of the sails.

Hopefully these guys start hitting, as the pitching has actually been rather solid so far.
Only 1 dude >.250 BA with 20+ ABs, and that's EDLC. But that was heavily influenced from that Monday game.
Greene, Lodolo, Singer, and Spiers all with 6.0 or better IP/game and under 2.5 ERA.
If Martinez can come around (or Abbott take his spot), Reds may end up having a good rotation.

[*ochocincos*]

(04-02-2025, 05:10 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: This week feels awfully bad.

Made even worse by 0 walks and 18 strikeouts over the last two games.... also both games EDLC with the final at-bat, down 1 run, runner on base. 0-2.

Saw someone mention it doesn't seem like there's a clubhouse leader still since Votto left.
With so many young guys, I feel the appropriate player would be either Candelario or Stephenson.
They also desperately need(ed) to get a consistent bat who can play corner IF or OF that can be in the lineup everyday.
The guys they got still are too hot and cold after 2+ seasons.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(Yesterday, 06:29 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Saw someone mention it doesn't seem like there's a clubhouse leader still since Votto left.
With so many young guys, I feel the appropriate player would be either Candelario or Stephenson.
They also desperately need(ed) to get a consistent bat who can play corner IF or OF that can be in the lineup everyday.
The guys they got still are too hot and cold after 2+ seasons.

Kind of seems like to be that guy you need to either have built up a lot of prior credibility around the league so that it doesn't matter as much that you're not at your peak anymore as a vet, or if you're younger you need to be a pretty good player (at least like the level Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier were at while in Cincinnati). Bonus points if you can stay healthy and play a lot because leading while on rehab assignments or as a backup is harder.

Candelario hasn't been good most of his career and all of his career in Cincinnati.
Stephensons best year he was hurt most of it, and even the last two years where he's been (mostly) healthy were very up-down and now hurt again. (Plus it hurts a bit being a catcher because you're much busier with the pitching staff and you're not an everyday player. I think Joe Mauer was a notable exception because he was so good and played so much.)

Similar to why Cody Ford and Dax Hill likely have zero chance at being Captains for the Bengals.

If the leadership must come from within rather than importing some, I feel like your two best options have some issues to overcome to be able to grow into that role with Elly needing to be sloppy less and McLain needing to be hurt less.

- - - - -

Agreed that they need to find some real contributors at 3B, LF, and RF. Plus a freaking real DH.  (Currently at 28, 54, -39, and -70 OPS+, respectively.)

[Nicomo Cosca]

Tee Higgins thinks Matt McLain gets hurt too much.

[*bengalfan74*]

(Yesterday, 09:19 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Tee Higgins thinks Matt McLain gets hurt too much.

Right

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/look-cincinnati-reds-second-baseman-matt-mclain-scratched-from-lineup-on-friday/ar-AA1CkdIq?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ASTS&cvid=5740e3fa4e904107bb4c1c18bcd72057&ei=8

[cinci4life]

Well 1-0 is on the table.

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

Watching these idiots pop up over and over with these lazy fly balls and the fielder camped out waiting for it to fall is getting annoying. Especially after watching their #8 hitter go with the pitch on the outside of the plate to knock in the lone run so far. They are trying to homer their way out of the slump. That's the quickest way to kill your batting average.

[Goalpost]

New hitting coach is useless

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

The "opener" is now heading out for his 5th inning . . . the opener . . . is almost eligible for the win.

Pathetic.

[*bengalfan74*]

(Yesterday, 10:16 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: The "opener" is now heading out for his 5th inning . . . the opener . . . is almost eligible for the win.

Pathetic.

Yep

A 30 year old with 17 career wins looks like prime Nolan Ryan vs. this crew. I'm trying hard to hold out hope but it's already fading fast.

[cinci4life]

IT'S A RUN!!!

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

Only took 35 innings to score a run.

Second highest paid player in Reds franchise history has a 5.91 ERA, making a confusing QO ever more confusing with each start.
After 3 straight shutouts McLain gets benched so Steer can bat 2nd? Batting a horribly struggling player 2nd to get them going? Is Terry F actually Dusty in disguise? (Nevermind, apparently McLain had some last minute hamstring tightness.)

[*bengalfan74*]

(Today, 03:07 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Only took 35 innings to score a run.

Second highest paid player in Reds franchise history has a 5.91 ERA, making a confusing QO ever more confusing with each start.
After 3 straight shutouts McLain gets benched so Steer can bat 2nd? Batting a horribly struggling player 2nd to get them going? Is Terry F actually Dusty in disguise? (Nevermind, apparently McLain had some last minute hamstring tightness.)

Spencer Steer has zero business being in the lineup. This season is reeking of 2024 all over again.

[cinci4life]

(Today, 03:07 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Only took 35 innings to score a run.

Second highest paid player in Reds franchise history has a 5.91 ERA, making a confusing QO ever more confusing with each start.
After 3 straight shutouts McLain gets benched so Steer can bat 2nd? Batting a horribly struggling player 2nd to get them going? Is Terry F actually Dusty in disguise? (Nevermind, apparently McLain had some last minute hamstring tightness.)

(6 hours ago)bengalfan74 Wrote: Spencer Steer has zero business being in the lineup. This season is reeking of 2024 all over again.

Especially since he's dealing with a shoulder issue. It's clear he's not right.

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

They said during the broadcast that McLain was scheduled to start but was scratched at the last minute due to the bug that was going through the Reds dugout. Steer was a last minute switch to the lineup.