Reds Series Recap: Are You Not Entertained?

Redlegs take 3-of-4 from the Cardinals at GABP

Games 1, 2, and 4:

The Good Guys won the first two games of the series 7-2 and 1-0 which included a number of highlights and excitement. After a crazy Game 3 affair that went a GABP-record 16 innings (see below) resulted in a loss, The Reds took control of Game 4 quickly behind four home runs (including two from Todd Frazier) and clinched the series victory in a 6-2 win. Here are some musings on the week...

--Billy Hamilton appeared in his first major league game, stole a base on the best defensive catcher in baseball, and scored the winning run on Tuesday's Game 2. A day later, he appeared in his second major league game, stole a base on the best defensive catcher in baseball, and scored the tying run in extra innings. It was an exciting weekend to see the electrifying prospect finally hit a major league diamond. With the expanded playoff rosters, there's some hope that he can contribute to a playoff run.

--Mat Latos and Homer Bailey have dominated the Cards the last 2 series
Bailey: 14.1 IP, 7H, 0ER, 3BB, 15K
Latos: 15 IP, 13 H, 6ER, 1 BB, 6K

I see you, Homer
The Reds' pitching staff has been lights out all year, I tip my hat to the best pitching coach in baseball Brian Price.

--The reemergence of Todd Frazier and Zach Cozart? Let's hope.
4-Game Series Statistics:
Frazier: 8-of-16, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 strikeout
Cozart: 6-of-17, 2 RBI, 3 R

--What's wrong with Joey Votto?
Votto: 2-of-18, 1 HR, 3 BB, 6 K
Joey looked completely clueless at the plate this week but people should really not be freaking out just yet. Game 3's 0-for-7 performance was dreadful and Cardinals pitchers were not afraid to pitch right at Votto with runners in scoring position. Hopefully it will just take a day off for him to clear his head.

--Charlie Sheen wanted the Reds to win for his birthday. they did.

--Dominance over Adam Wainwright (knock on wood)
8/28: 2.0IP, 8H, 9ER, 2BB, 2K, L
9/2: 6.0IP, 9H, 6ER, 2BB, 3K, L
This is a pitcher who many consider to be a Cy Young candidate.... before he played the Reds. If we do end up playing in the Wild Card Playoff Game against the Cardinals, this is who will likely be on the mound.

--Cincinnati (79-62) is currently 3 games behind the Pirates and 1.5 games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central, with six games against the Pirates remaining on the schedule. There's still time. Believe.

Game 3 AKA The Bunt Punch:
AKA BuntyGate AKA The Bunt Ultimatum AKA Bunting Private Cozart AKA A Clockwork Bunt AKA The Silence of the Bunts AKA One Bunt Over the Cuckoo's Nest..

Pour one out for Ryan Freel there 

I will not talk about this day at length, but throughout the never-ending 16-inning Game 3, Dusty called for different players to bunt on six occasions. The prevailing evidence in the statistical community shows that bunting almost always reduces the expected run probability when the play results in a sacrificed out. (I.e. it is more likely that a run with be scored with a man on first base and one out than with a man on second base with two outs).

Dusty, the ol' skip, is an old school manager so do not expect him to change his mindset on bunting, but in cases like that tight contest against the Cardinals, it can be a decision that really comes back to haunt the team.

Even Grantland's Baseball Guru Jonah Keri couldn't understand Dusty's "management" strategies

What's Coming Up: 

The competition will not be getting any easier this weekend when the red hot Los Angeles Dodgers (83-56) come to town. The Dodgers have a firm grasp on the NL West title while the Reds still need to make up crucial ground on the Cardinals and Pirates. Expect big crowds at GABP this weekend.

Also, it's Joe Morgan Weekend at Great American Ball Park and on Friday and Saturday, the starting 8 members of the 1975-76 World Series Champion Big Red Machine will be present at the stadium for the festivities.


Legends Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Ken Griffey Sr., and Cesar Geronimo will all grace the field and hopefully it lights a fire under Dusty Baker's squad to push through the pennant race.

Let's get wild

On another celebratory note, Third Base Coach Mark Berry (who was diagnosed with cancer in March) has been told by physicians that he is cancer-free, so hopefully he'll be around to keep waving Billy Hamilton home this October. 

All in all, it was an exciting series and The Good Guys are now seriously in contention for the NL Central title.

And as a good friend of mine once said....

Have a safe weekend,

Albert