Yesterday’s post about the Reds’ lost weekend in Pittsburgh brought this rebuttal from P.W., who wrote:
"Yes there is no denying this was a lost weekend (swept by the Pirates???!!) But even after this weekend, there are many signs of hope with this year’s team:
1. Despite a stagnant offense so far this season, the Reds are 6-7 and are winning with pitching.
2. As odd as it is to see Dusty Baker in a Reds uniform, you have to like the job he has done so far. The Reds are playing more fundamental sound on defense, the running game looks good, and he has done an excellent job of developing a strong bench.
3. The offense will heat up (probably as soon as the weather does). And Junior, Dunn, Phillips and crew won’t have to drive in 7 to 8 runs a game to win.
The only change I would make would be to switch Phillips with Dunn or Junior in the lineup. What do you think about that? Oh, and don’t get me wrong, I like the pitcher the Reds got from Texas, but is there anyway we can get Josh "Roy Hobbs" Hamilton back?"
What do I think about Phillips hitting clean-up? Not a big fan of that, because of Brandon’s speed. I’d move him up in the order. I think you’re suggestion of Phillips hitting third, would be a good one.
And you’re right. There is hope. Part of that hope comes from the farm report, where Homer Bailey and Bill Bray have both pitched well in Louisville.
- Bray has allowed just one hit in 4 1/3 innings. His WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) is a terrific 0.92. It’s easy to forget that Bray is just 24 years old. If Todd Coffey continues to struggle, as he did Sunday in Pittsburgh, we could see Bray in place of Coffey, even though Bray is a lefty.
- Bailey pitched 6 1/3 innings of five-hit, two-run baseball on Monday for the Bats. He has a 1.42 ERA and an 0.89 WHIP for his three starts thus far. Best news, Bailey is throwing strikes. He has walked just three, while fanning 13. He threw 81 pitches on Monday, with 54 of those for strikes.
By the way, Reds and Cubs are on Fox Sports Ohio tonight at 8:05.
The Reds are 6-7 because they aren’t hitting. I suppose that is farily obvious, but they will start hitting. They have too many proven major league hitters to struggle for an extended period of time.
I am excited about this year. I don’t necessarily think they will win the Central, but an 85 win season isn’t an out-of-line expectation, in my opinion.
I’m really excited about Cincinnati’s starting pitching so far and I agree the hitting will come around. One concern though is I’m concerned that the Red’s hitting against left handed pitching will be a huge problem for the entire season. It may get to the point where Dunn and Griffey need to sit some games.
Maybe having to watch Volquez and Cueto mow down hitters in the bigs while he’s back in AAA is just the wake-up call Homer Bailey needed. I think he’ll be back in Cincy by the end of May.