As the First Half Comes to an End...

Lets talk...firing staff:

As we head into the All-Star break, we've had a lot to ponder over the past week. On Monday, the Reds decided to fire pitching coach Mark Riggins. No doubt our pitching is atrocious, but this was his first season with that title. We have the league's worst ERA at 5.51. We all get that an overall ERA that high isn't going to win you many games, but can we not look at the bigger issue? Bryan Price is making these decisions to have unsteady pitchers come in at the most inopportune times. And guess what? They usually end up giving up the game. I think Mark Riggins was used as a scape goat, and the real problem lies in Price. I've said it once, and I'll say it again; Price has a pitching background! Not too long ago he held the same title. I feel bad for Riggins because he's been in the Reds organization for many years as a minor league pitching coordinator, and he didn't even get one damn season.

Lets talk...first half:

32-54. That's our record, and it ain't pretty. We are last in the Central division, which is usually a spot reserved for the Brewers. I've tried to stay positive because it is a rebuilding year and sucking was expected, but it is difficult to watch a losing team. It's not like there haven't been shining moments though. I mean the last two games we beat the Cubs who have been on fire this year...just not as of late. I'm trying to stay POSITIVE I said. Cozart hit three homers in each of the three games against the Cubbies, that's exciting! And hey, lets not forget the big news this week: Adam Duvall is going to

the All-Star Game! Sure he may not play, but by god he made the NL roster. That's right, the Reds have their left fielder on the All-Star roster. For all these analysts that are saying he doesn't belong, screw you! The man has 22 homers on the season. That may be the highlight of his season, but we have been dogged on for the entire year. Can you give us a break on this one, please? Do I think Duvall is one of the most elite outfielders in baseball? Meh, probably not, but I'm glad he made the cut. It's his first All-Star appearance and I say enjoy it! Hell who knows, he may wind up in the Home Run Derby, which he did say he would love to do. Wouldn't that be a story? "Reds bats take home the trophy in two straight Home Run Derbies". I'm a little ahead of myself, but what else do I have to look forward to? Besides college football! Which just so happens to be exactly 50 days away :)

Cueto gets Rocked, Reds Still Lose; Plus Thoughts on the Draft

Lets talk...Cueto's Return:

 
 Johnny Cueto made his return to Great American Ballpark last night as the starter for the San Fransisco Giants. Usually not someone you want to see as an opposing pitcher, but Cueto had a rough start to say the least. Although he was welcomed back graciously by fans and former teammates alike, the Reds didn't take it easy on their former All Star. Joey Votto hit a 425 foot bomb that plated 3 of the 6 runs the Redlegs scored in the third inning alone. Six runs; should be enough offense to win a game right? WRONG. Not with this bullpen anyway. True to fashion, the pen let another lead slip away, resulting in a 9-6 loss. If you can recall we had just snapped a six game losing streak on Sunday in extras over the Pirates. Now that we're on this home stand, I'd hope we could avoid another losing streak, but this team's relief is so god awful it's embarrassing.

Once again, I know this is a rebuilding year and that we aren't too expect the Reds to define the odds. But really, this team could have a winning record if not for the relief pitching. Half of last year's starters are still banged up on the DL. The ones that are starting are young, but for the most part have shown great promise. If you take out the dreadful series with the Cubs where we lost 13-0 and 9-0, our offense has been producing runs more than they have the past couple years. So we're left with the bullpen. Bryan Price being a former pitching coach, to me, should be able to MANAGE PITCHERS a little better. So glad Dusty Baker is out of here because he had no chance of getting us deep into the playoffs. Where's Dusty now you say? Oh just tearing it up with the Nationals this season. Yeah, but that's something that can't be changed. However; If I see Bryan Price looking dazed and confused as to why JJ Hoover is giving up run after run yet again I'm going to scream. The man has an ERA of 13.97!!!!! That's absurd. Send him down for the love of God. He can regain confidence in Triple A, but giving up runs every outing in the majors isn't going to do it.

Lets talk...Bengals draft picks:

With the 24th pick of the 2016 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select...William Jackson III, cornerback, Houston. Ok, I like the help in the defensive secondary which we will need with the loss of Reggie Nelson at safety. We'll also have to address the more than likely loss of free agent, Leon Hall, at the cornerback position. He will come into a young team of cornerbacks with the exception of veteran Adam Jones, who clearly still has some maturing to do  after last season. Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard will be mentoring the rookie and Kirkpatrick has strong thoughts on Jackson starting day one. He believes Jackson needs major development and it will take time to adjust into his role on the roster. We'll see, but I'd definitely like to see our first round draft pick making an impact sooner rather than later.

I think the Bengals came away with decent WRs too. They didn't reach in the first round when most of the top receivers had already gone off the board. They picked up Tyler Boyd out of Pittsburgh and Cody Core out of SEC powerhouse Ole Miss. These two will cushion the blow of losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency this off-season. Lets not forget, our offense is still quite strong. We have an elite WR in A.J. Green still, a standout TE in Tyler Eifert, and a great duo in the backfield with Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Also, a lot of the experts are saying we got a steal in Andrew Billings, defensive tackle out of Baylor. Billings already has a chip on his shoulder from falling so far in the draft, so hopefully he can use that to the team's advantage.

A Red Hot Start; How Sweep it is

Lets talk...the first series:

What a way to kick off the season! A sweep of the Phillies, including two comeback wins on opening day and night. I'm not saying we'll go 162-0, or 182-0 according to the drunk gal at the bar & grill I was at on Monday night, but the Reds have gotten off to one heck of a start. It always seems like we lose on opening day to me, so I figured that was how it was going to end. The Reds proved me wrong and went on a five-run rally in the eighth that lead to our first victory. This run production was backed up by a pretty good outing from starter Raisel Iglesias. In all reality he only made one big mistake by giving up a two-run homer. Other than that, he looked like he has potential to be a big asset. Definitely exciting.

On a frigid, rainy Wednesday IN APRIL, the Redlegs rallied again behind a double in the ninth by Scott Schebler. He hadn't seen the ball well all game, tallying a total of three strikeouts in his previous at bats. Low and behold he would have the game winner. With the bases loaded, he brought em' in to push the Reds past the Phillies for the second straight night, 3-2. Brandon Finnegan, who we acquired from the Royals in the Cueto trade, had a nice night himself including a career-high nine strikeouts. He's no Cueto yet, but it's refreshing to see we did get someone useful out of that heartbreaking trade.


No comeback needed in game number three. Cincy rolled Philadelphia in a 10-6 win today. Now, if you read my previous post, I was a bit harsh on ol' Brucey boy, but I also said he needs to become the power hitter that we know he is capable of being. Would you look at that, the kid jacks out two homers, AND grabs five RBIs. I like what I see, and I want to see more of it. Eugenio Suarez had a big day with a grand salami. The battle of the big league debut went to the Reds. Both starting pitchers took the mound in the majors for the first time today, and our top prospect Robert Stephenson recorded the first win of his MLB career.

Lets talk...perspective:

I know it's the first series of the year people, I'm not delusional. However; when you're franchise is throwing words around like, "rebuilding year", you get a little down before the season even begins. It's refreshing to come out guns-a-blazin. Do I expect us to win the division? Probably not. Do I expect us to be in the hunt for a wildcard spot? Ehh. But guess what...we're 3-0 and I'm going to relish in that. And to make it that much sweeter, the Cardinals are at the bottom of the division at 0-3!

Opening Day FOMO

Lets talk...the festivities:

As I'm sitting here watching the parade, I'm thinking back to last year's Opening Day. It was about the same temperature, maybe a little warmer, and I had a delicious adult beverage in my hand. I was most likely intoxicated, if not well on my there :) Oh how I wish I was doing the same thing right about now. It's awesome that most work places allow you to dress in your Reds gear, and have the parade on TV, but I want to be there!!! I'm suffering from some serious FOMO right now, (fear of missing out for those of you who don't know). Nothing gets you in the spirit of baseball season more than Opening Day in Cincinnati. The Banks is a huge part of the celebration. It's like being surrounded by thousands of your drunk best friends because everyone is a Reds fan. And it's the first game of the season, therefore nobody is disappointed...yet.

Lets talk...the team:

I will admit that I'm not as pumped for the team that will take the field today against the Phillies. Mostly because I've never seen half of them play. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but Frazier is gone from third. The Cuban Missile is with the Yanks. Yes, we still have our staple players: Bruce, Votto, and Phillips. However; if Bruce continues to hit like he has the past couple seasons, so what if he's been here his whole career. He's got to step it up, become the power hitter he has the ability to be. If he's not going to jack out homers, than at least consistently be a threat of getting on base. Again, I'm going to try to maintain a positive attitude as the season gets underway, but with half of our starting pitching on the DL, I reserve the right to be skeptical.

I'm all about that Tourney, bout' that Tourney, No Bubble

Lets talk...this past week:

Wednesday was rough to watch. I was at Fifth Third Arena when the Bearcats PUMMELED Tulsa in their first meeting, and then an overtime loss to them on the road? Tough to stomach, that's for sure. Especially since the Cats are battling for an at-large bid to the tourney. Yes, 95% of their losses this season have come down to the wire. The only problem with that is, they have eight of them. The sad truth being that after watching this team all season, I almost expect them to lose in a close game. I need a cushy 10-point lead to feel comfortable that they'll snag a victory. It's definitely not what I would have predicted in the pre-season. I mean, on paper this team is the best Cronin has had in his head coaching stint at UC.


The Cats redeemed their loss to Tulsa with a big win over Connecticut on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd. UConn had just beaten top 25 opponent SMU prior to this game which helps the Cats' cause. Also, the fact that they swept Kevin Ollie's team this season doesn't hurt.

Lets talk...the bubble:

UC is smack dab in the middle of the bubble conversation. With the regular season winding down, I think they can solidify an at-large bid if they win out. They have East Carolina next, which should be an easy W. Then, they face a tough Houston squad on the road and round out their season with big, bad SMU. When they faced #15 ranked SMU in the beginning of January, they narrowly lost on the road, 59-57. This time they'll need a win on their home court.  It helps us bubble teams that there are teams like SMU that have been ranked all season, but because of NCAA sanctions are unable to participate in the tournament. Hey, every little thing counts. The Bearcats also need to make a convincing run in the American Conference tournament to make a trip to March Madness.

If they can make it to the NCAA Tournament, I think they can do some real damage. If Gary Clark can keep being a dominant presence underneath and keep playing great defense, he's going to do big things. They've got Troy Caupain as their floor general who somehow hits the biggest shots at just the right times. The freshmen have been a delight to watch this year. Justin Jennifer can handle the point when Caupain needs a breather, and Jacob Evans III looks more and more confident with each game I watch. Throw in our other big men, Ellis and DeBerry, and it's a recipe for success! As long as Ellis can keep that attitude of his in check.  I know I'm a little biased, but I'm not the only one that thinks this team has a real shot. ESPN's Myron Medcalf believes that out of all the teams in the American, Cincinnati has the best chance to make a run at the Final Four. They could easily have 4 more wins on the season if not more, they just have to learn to finish in close games.

Lets talk...baseball...only because we have to:

Pitchers and Catchers have reported! Usually that would be an exciting statement, but I'm keeping my hopes low for this season. After last season's ugly ending, and all the liquidation of assets they had this offseason, the Reds cease to excite me. Of course I'll watch the games and cheer on my hometown team as always, but being a pessimist by nature, I don't expect much. I assume I won't even know half the 25-man roster because of all the "prospects" we've received. And Bryan Price, much like other professional coaches in this town...has another chance to show what he can do when in reality, he doesn't deserve it. He's a pitching coach. That's what he's good at, and that's what he should return to. He's not a team manager and I don't have faith that he'll turn it around.

Speaking of turning it around. Jay Bruce, after trade rumors swirled around all offseason, still remains on the team. I've loved Bruce since he came up, but my love is running short. He needs to step up or get out for how much money we threw at him. I'm almost embarrassed to own the man's jersey. He's only 29, and I feel like he's already washed up. He did show good faith to the team by showing up to spring training two days early this year. However, the only thing that will really get my attention, is if he shows up batting in the high .200's for longer than a week.

Cincinnati Sports World Rocked this Week

Lets talk...the latest:

Todd Frazier traded his Red Stockings in for White Sox. The update I read on my phone yesterday had me downright depressed. I love Todd Frazier, and everything he's done for this city. He was a great ambassador for the All-Star Game this summer, and took home the Home Run Derby crown for god's sake. Overall he is a great player, and a guy that really no one could hate. Sadly, he has been traded and even more sad, I'm not quite sure if the crew we got for him will ever pan out.

"Who'd we even get?", you ask...that's a great question. In a three-way trade, the Reds acquired infielders Jose Peraza and Brandon Dixon, and outfielder Scott Scheblerand from the Dodgers. Peraza looks to be the most promising of the three. At age 21, he hit .293 this year with 33 stolen bases in triple A. Schlebler, 25, spent the majority of last season in triple A, but did make it into the big leagues in 19 games for the Dodgers. In those 19 games he had 3 home runs and 4 RBI. Finally, Dixon, age 23, spent most of last season bouncing between single and double A clubs. He put up decent numbers in each, but nothing that will knock your white sox off. Not sure if the Reds are in rebuild mode, but I'm not seeing the big picture here. Hopefully, I'll eat my words and it'll all become clear in April.

Lets talk...QB situation:

Losing to the Steelers was bad, but losing our starting quarterback didn't do anything to help soften the blow. Andy Dalton, after a "what the f$%@" interception, throws himself into a lineman and ends up with a fractured thumb. The good news, if you can call it that, is that Dalton won't need surgery on that thumb. Facing the mighty 49ers this Sunday, (notice the sarcasm), this just may be the perfect full start for AJ McCarron.

Lets face it, with Andy Dalton's return not probable until the post-season, if this season at all, McCarron is going to be our guy. Even if Andy is healthy enough for post-season play, the game will most likely be played in cold weather, and a thumb injury proves quite problematic on the throwing hand of a QB. We need McCarron to get as many reps as possible with this offense. Yes, the playbook will be a much shortened version with him at the helm, no matter what Hue Jackson says. The Bengals offense is so skilled and has so many threats, but they're used to the QB they've been working with all season, so the switch will be a heck of an adjustment. Although, we've seen it is possible to make the big plays with that touchdown from AJ to AJ Green. He will need to connect with the offensive weapons he will have to work with on Sunday because Tyler Eifert did not participate in practice today. Out with a concussion, the Bengals' tight end has been a huge asset this year, and will be missed if he sits out on Sunday against the niners.

Am I nervous, heck yes. But there are a few things on our side. First, two out of our last three games are against sub par opponents. Second, Denver is also playing with their back-up quarterback awaiting the return of a beat up Peyton Manning. The two seed is not out of our reach whatsoever, and that means a bye week. One more week for either Andy to heal and prepare to come back, or one more week of practice with the offense for McCarron. Lastly, McCarron knows what it's like to be a winner, a champion. The kid came out of one of the most highly acclaimed collegiate programs in the last decade...ALABAMA. He also played behind an offensive line that would probably measure up to most in the NFL, but a winner he is nonetheless. And we need that man to show up for us these next three weeks.

Lets talk...my beloved Bearcats:

Well, as if losing the Crosstown Shootout wasn't enough to put me in sports depression, the football team has joined in on the Cincinnati sports downfall this past week. Star running back from Lasalle, Jeremy Larkin, de-commits from UC and is now bound for Northwestern. Having a hometown kid that had the high school stats that he has had would have been huge for the cats.

On top of ALL OF THAT, there are reports that Gunner Kiel will not be playing in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve due to a personal matter. The Cats will face off against San Diego State likely with freshmen QB Hayden Moore. I am upset that Gunner won't get to finish out this season. His years at UC have been plagued with injury, and it would be nice to see the guy finish on a strong note; However, Hayden threw for over 500 yards in the Memphis game when he replaced an injured Kiel. And, he's going to be our QB for the next three years so ending his freshmen year in a bowl game is just more experience to bank for the future.

Unlucky 13

Lets talk...how we got to extras:

Reds starting pitcher, Raisel Iglesias, only gave up three hits and one walk to the Royals through seven innings last night. Every game I've watched that he's pitched I've been impressed. He's got a streak going of 12 scoreless innings after last night's outing. Of course when we have a great pitching day, we can't score runs. The only offense produced through the ninth inning was a solo shot by Eugenio Suarez in the first. Oddly enough, the pitcher who gave up the Suarez homer was former Red, Edison Volquez. Volquez wasn't the only former Reds pitcher in attendance. Our beloved Johnny Cueto was in the dugout last night too. Unfortunately we will just miss seeing him on the mound. Then again, that may be fortunate for the Reds.

The game was tied after a home run ball given up by closer Aroldis Chapman. Yes, that's not an error on my part. Although Chapman has converted 56 consecutive saves at home, last night he made a mistake. The man is human. You have to reach way back for the last blown save of his at home back on September 7th of 2012. The Royals went on to win the game 3-1 after a single and a throwing error by Ryan Mattheus.

Lets talk highlight reel:

Lets not beat around the bush. I'm not going to act like the Reds are going to make the playoffs this year. Even if they did have a winning the record, the Central is killing it. So when I watch games, I'm mostly thinking about how close football season is, but I also like to see players who still make the extra effort. Billy Hamilton gets an A for effort after that diving catch and stop out at second. Throw Billy throw! He almost made the catch, but luckily stopped the ball from trailing into the outfield and threw out Alcides Escobar at second. Royal's manager, Ned Yost, didn't like the call so he opted for it to be reviewed. After review the call would stand, out at second. Yost, still not happy with the decision, came out to chat with the umpire. He ended up being ejected from the game in the 11th. Personally I think he just wanted an early shower. Unfortunately every great play can come with injury. Hamilton left the game early due to shoulder pain from the dive.

The Wild, Wild West

Lets talk...west coast probs:

I'd venture to guess that the Reds are happy to be heading home after an abysmal road trip out west. They only took one game from each series against the Diamondbacks, Padres and Dodgers; yikes. For as long as I can remember, the Reds have struggled on the West coast. It's nothing new to fans that when they hit that long road trip out to the other side of the country, it's probably going to end in disappointment. This whole season has been quite the disappointment really. After the past couple years of being in contention, sitting at the bottom of the Central is not something we've grown accustomed to. It feels like the world has turned upside down, with the exception of the Cardinals who always seem to find their way to the top. But the Pirates and Cubs battling for playoff spots?! If you told me that at the beginning of the season I would've laughed in your face.

Lets talk...the Central division:

Never in my life would I have thought I would envy the Chicago Cubs, but I found myself watching the SportsCenter Featured on Joe Maddon this morning oozing with it. The Cubs, so young and so dominant and Maddon having just the right mix of passion and quirkiness to make an awesome manager. They showed his press conference from when he was officially hired as Cubs' manager and he said that next year they would be in the playoff race. Again, I laughed. I swallow my laughter painfully now as the Cubs stand atop the Reds in the Central.

Watching Maddon's life story on SC made me like him even more, and it got me thinking, what qualities do I enjoy about Bryan Price? The answer is, not many. We don't have a leader at the helm of our ship. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Price is the reason for our less-than-stellar season, but I don't think he is going to lead us back to the winner's circle. We need a guy like Maddon with experience and pizazz, but most of all we need a guy with a winning attitude!

Lets talk...football: 

Football is back! The Bengals with the W this past Friday against the Giants. Yes, I know it's only pre-season, but that doesn't make me any less excited. I saw exactly what I wanted to see from this football team. The starters, including Dalton, came out on that first drive and took care of business. They put points on the board which is what you expect from your first team.
The starters weren't the only stars of the show, a lot of defensive guys looking to earn a spot showed they have what it takes.

In other news, the next time you find yourself at Paul Brown Stadium, there will be a few upgrades you'll notice. They have finally upgraded those outdated video scoreboards. The food in the concession stands has been revamped along with the décor. For you upper-class ticket holders, there will be all new furniture in the club seat lounges. And if you were accustomed to visiting the Pigskin Pub during a game, it will now be the Queen City Tap Room. Who Dey!

So Long Johnny Beisbol

Lets talk...the inevitable:

To say that we all didn't see this coming would be a lie. Johnny Cueto was going to be eligible for free-agency at the end of the season. We don't have the money to pay him the kind of dough he deserves. We are in fourth place in the Central, with virtually no hope of making the playoffs. Last, but not least, the Royals who are very much contenders to get back to the World Series desperately needed to add an ace to their starting rotation. Of course, that doesn't make losing our ace hurt any less. I'm sure Cueto didn't appreciate the way the trade was handled either. For a player that has spent his whole career in the Reds' organization, he was treated like dirt. Michael Lorenzen telling Cueto before a start that he had been traded. Unacceptable. Cueto was a key ingredient in the Reds' success while he was in Cincinnati. The front office should be ashamed with the way they shoved him out the door. Just classless.

Lets talk...who we got:

As a fan, it's frustrating when we deal away our best starter for three guys who will not immediately be out on the big league field. It feels like we got cheated, but who's to say that these lefties won't be our next big aces. The Reds acquired  minor league left-handers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed.  Finnegan and Lamb were sent to Triple-A Louisville and Reed to Double-A in Pensacola. Only time will tell if they can help get this club back on track. Don't be surprised if more pitchers get the boot before the trade deadline. There have been talks about dealing starter Mike Leake and reliever Aroldis Chapman.

The Todd Father is Crowned in the Queen City

Lets talk...Todd Frazier:

Well obviously he's the highlight of this post! From last year's runner-up, to this year's Derby champ, it was a heck of a night for the Reds' third basemen. I have never heard such an electric crowd down at Great American Ballpark, and I was watching on TV! Man, the love for Frazier in this town is unmatched. It's been an amazing journey starting all the way at the beginning of the all-star voting process. From the fans rallying behind him and boosting him past all the other candidates, to cheering on louder than ever to push him to a victory in the Home Run Derby! You couldn't ask for a better ending, and we still have the All-Star Game to look forward to tonight.

Lets talk...round by round:

Frazier's first round opponent was no easy task; two-time Derby champ Prince Fielder. Fielder smashed out 13 bombs with ease, and nonchalantly chomped on some cotton candy during his timeout. I was nervous for Todd, and although they would never admit it, so was the hometown crowd. Heck, even Todd was worried! "Once he had 13," Frazier said with a sigh afterward, "I said, 'Oh man.'" (ESPN.com). It was a slow start, but eventually he got going and blasted his 14th long ball out of the park just as time expired to propel him past Fielder. On a side note, with Fielder no longer a contender, Ken Griffey Jr. is still the only player to win three Derby titles.

Next up, Toronto Blue Jay, Josh Donaldson. Donaldson looking to become the first Blue Jays' player to win the title, and Frazier slams that door shut! In a low scoring second round, Frazier fell behind early. He only hit two deep in his first 12 swings, (thank god for the new format, right?). It looked like he wasn't going to be able to pull it off. Down one, he hits the ball 424 feet. To seal the deal, he lasers one 444 feet at the buzzer again!

One more round to go, and the crowd is behind him with full force. The last opponent, Joc Pederson, a young rookie from Los Angeles. If Pederson were to win he'd be the youngest player in Derby history to hold the title. He wasn't going down without a fight. After stepping over Albert Pujols to make it to the finals, Pederson had a short break before he was back in the batter's box. That youth prevailed because he didn't need much rest, blasting out an insane 14 homers and all of them were bombs. This kid has got power for days, averaging the longest home-run distance this year in the majors. Frazier had his hands full, but come on, it's All-Star Week in the Queen City! We got this.

With the Jersey boy's favorite Frank Sinatra song playing throughout the stadium, it was shaping up to be a storybook ending. Again, he was off to another slow start, down seven with only 1:30 left on the clock. But just like the last two rounds, he fired off four dingers in five swings. Two more colossal swats and it's tied! Alright, bonus time. If he can just muster up enough energy for one more, the place would erupt. Seriously, it couldn't have played out better. First swing in bonus and that baby was outta there! My boyfriend, (an Indians fan), sound asleep in the bed awakes after I jump out of the bed with excitement. He'll get over it because the Hometown Hero did it!

Lets talk...this new format:

I'll admit, when they revealed the new rules for the Derby this year I was less than thrilled. Timed rounds, bracket match ups? C'mon lets keep it the way it is. Well, I stand corrected. That was one of the most exciting derbies I have ever seen. This format keeps things moving much more quickly which keeps the fans interested. The only thing I could do without is the bonus round. I'm pretty sure every player got the bonus in every round, I mean they are in the Home Run Derby for a reason. They can obviously jack the ball out of the park, so the distance bonus would be my only revision for the future. Either give them an additional 30 seconds in the regular round, or be done with it altogether. All in all, well done MLB.

Down to the Wire

Lets talk...the series at Wrigley:

It was a series full of close games. Unfortunately, three of those games did not play out in our favor. Say goodbye to the days of old when we used to beat up on the Cubbies. At a season-high seven games over .500, they are a young team here to play. Meanwhile, Cincinnati sadly sits at six games under. Starlin Castro has become the king of game-winning hits, at least against the Reds that is. In two straight games he has drove in the winning run. Last night particularly stung with Castro striking an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to seal the deal. After a rough first inning, Anthony DeSclafani pitched a decent game going 6 2/3 innings and allowing only one run. It wasn't enough, we just didn't have the run support in the 2-1 loss.

Lets talk...Billy the kid:

FIVE STOLEN BASES! Billy Hamilton was insane last night with a career-high, and I'll say it again, FIVE STOLEN BASES that tied the Reds' record! Granted, Billy's base stealing didn't help in the run production category, but his ability to run is unmatched by any other player. He now leads the majors in the category with a total of 31.  Hamilton told the press, "I finally got on base to even get a chance to steal a couple of bases. Lately I haven't been getting on base. I haven't been doing my job at the plate," he continued, "If I get on base more, I'll have more opportunities to do this." He's exactly right. After last night's game his average bumped up slightly to .224, but we NEED our lead-off hitter to get on base more often.

Lets talk...Bearcat football commitments:

A great snag, LaSalle's star running back, Jeremy Larkin, commits to being a Cincinnati Bearcat. According to Rivals, Larkin was receiving offers from big name schools including Boston College and Northwestern. He helped the Lancers win the Ohio Division II state championship last year. Unfortunately, LaSalle had to defeat my alma mater, the Harrison Wildcats, on the road to their championship. But that's neither here nor there. In the championship game, Larkin rushed for an impressive 104 yards and two TDs. Needless to say, this hometown boy will be a great asset to the team. He tweeted the news out to the public on Sunday night with the picture below:

JEREMY LARKIN @Deuce__8              

I want to say that I am blessed to have officially committed to play football at the University of Cincinnati

Votto Joins Great Company with Three Home Run Game

Lets talk...the record books:

Joey Votto did something yesterday that the average player won't ever do; hit three home runs in a single game. This is the third game in which Votto has gone yard three times, matching Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench. To be in a category with one of the most prolific players in Reds' history and one of the best catchers to play the game must be something special. Two of the historic homers came off of former Red, Aaron Harang. The final blast came off of relief pitcher, Dustin McGowan. Votto wasn't the only one digging the long ball last night. As a team, the Reds put up five home runs, a season high. Shockingly, Harang had only given up four total home runs all season before last night's game. Ironically, the last time he allowed four home runs in a single game was back in 2007 when he was pitching for Cincinnati.

Lets talk...Bearcats' baseball:

Congrats to Ian Happ! He became the highest draft pick in Bearcat history when he was selected ninth overall in the first round on Monday by the Chicago Cubs. Happ was named the 2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He finished his junior season with a .369 batting average. All the best to this young outfielder, even though he will be coming up in the Cubs' system ;)

Lets Talk...familiar faces:

TJ Houshmandzadeh joins the Bengals once again, but this time as a part of their coaching staff. Thanks to the Bill Walsh minority coaching program, Houshmandzadeh will serve as a coaching intern on the staff. You may remember him from his time as a wide receiver with the Bengals, although he was a quiet contributor compared to his counter wide-out, Chad Johnson. He was a great player for the Bengals, and I think he will be an asset to the coaching staff as well as the wide receivers.

Bruce Hits for the Deuce

Lets talk...Bruuuuuuuce:

This is why we gave Jay Bruce that big fat contract, to hit the long ball. Frankly, it needs to happen more often but I'll take two in one game any day. The first homer came in the second inning. Fast-forward to the sixth with Votto and Frazier on base, Bruce jacked another one to right field. That gives him nine on the year. Fun fact; with those two yesterday, Bruce now has 116 home runs in GABP. Second only to former Red, Adam Dunn, who has 126.

Lets talk...Cueto:

What Johnny has been hoping and praying for...run support! Finally he received some help from the offense on Sunday. The main highlights of the game were obviously Bruce's two home runs, but lets not forget, Cueto pitched a heck of a game. He only gave up four hits in seven innings, striking out nine Padres' hitters. Both manager Bryan Price and Cueto wanted to err on the side of caution due to him recently coming off an elbow injury. Price says the next game he pitches will be a full go.

Miraculously, the bullpen did their job! J.J Hoover and Aroldis Chapman came in for relief and combined to retire the last 15 batters, giving Cueto the W. Speaking of bullpen, they did some revamping over the weekend. Jumbo Diaz got a big ol' see ya later and will be headed to Triple A in Louisville. The Reds also picked up the contract of right-handed reliever, Nate Adcock.

Lets talk...Mesoraco:

Big changes are in Devin's future as he can no longer catch due to the aggravation in his hip. The organization has decided to still utilize him, but in left field. The Reds have been making strides to get Mesoraco ready to play left and it has come time for the next step. He's headed to Triple A in Louisville to get some actual game experience in his new position.

Did that Really Just Chapman?

Lets talk...the Phillies' series:

As I'm watching the game last night, I turned the television off in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Leake was pitching a gem, the Reds had a 2-0 lead and frankly, I was dead tired. I thought I'd wake up in the morning and catch some SportsCenter highlights of the Reds getting the win, but of course I should know not to assume anything with this club. For the second night in a row they lose on a walk-off hit. Same score too! After the sweep of the Nationals this past weekend, fans were wondering if it was just a fluke, myself included. They've got one more shot against the Phils to prove that this is not the start of another abysmal losing streak.

Lets talk...pitching:

Mike Leake! Welcome back sir. With his previous three starts leaving all of us grimacing, he was the shining light of last night's game.  His stuff was working, there was movement on the ball and he took a no-hitter into the seventh. Leake gave up to singles in the ninth, but walked away confident with a 4-0 lead under his belt. Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the game, and he did everything but; giving up a three-run shot to Maikel Franco. Chapman has always been more reliable than not, but correct me if I'm wrong. Yes, the man can throw insanely hard, but when a pitcher throws that hard, they throw mostly fast balls. It's better odds for hitters because like Franco said, "I know he throws hard and wasn't going to throw many breaking balls, so I waited for one pitch". One fastball right down the pipe is all you need because that thing's coming in so fast if you get even a little bit of the bat on it, it's going to fly.

On the other side, Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels pitched a decent game, only allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out eight in seven innings. Hamels was not awarded the win, but still remains a flawless 10-0 against our Redlegs.

Lets talk...what's next:

They wrap up a three-game series with the Phillies tonight. Anthony DeSclafani is on the mound for the good guys, with a familiar face on the opposing mound. Aaron Harang gets the start for the Phillies. Yes, he's still hanging around the majors, and not doing too shabby. Not a stellar record at 4-5, but a decent ERA, 2.02. The Harangutang was a heck of a guy and gave eight great seasons to the Reds' organization, but we need a win tonight so I'm kind of hoping he bombs! No hard feelings Aaron. First pitch goes out at 7:05PM, go Reds!

Reds Rally around Rookie

Lets talk...Rasiel Iglesias:

You may remember Rasiel Iglesias from his first start back in April. He went five innings and gave up three earned runs and five hits in a 5-7 loss. The Reds sent him down after his performance against the Cardinals, but that is not the same young man we saw last night. The Cuban native was DEALING. In only his second career start, the 25-year-old rookie pitched eight solid innings, only allowing two hits the whole game. Almost every hitter he faced he would get ahead of them 0-2. Iglesias admitted that it was a good thing for him to head back down to AAA, and it helped him gain the confidence he needed for his second start in the majors. One of the best moments of the night was seeing Iglesias' reaction when the Reds got the W.

Lets talk...the dilemma:

When Bailey went out for the season for Tommy John surgery, I admit, I was frightened for our starting rotation. The only experienced pitchers we had left were Cueto and Leake, but now we've got a different problem on our hands. A good problem to have, mind you, but now we've got one too many pitchers and not enough roster spots open.  Manager Bryan Price does seem optimistic though saying, "There is a scenario that he (Iglesias) can stay with us," he continued, "he has a better understanding of where he needs to go with his pitches than most pitchers his age". After last night's performance I don't know how you could send him down again. There's talks of Iglesias and Lorenzen, (who's also only made a handful of starts), switching between the starting rotation. Both would work out of the bullpen when they were not starting. We'll see what the front office decides to do.

Lets talk...what's next:

After the win last night, we are once again sitting at .500. There are worse places to be, just ask the Braves. Todd Frazier continues to crank out the homers. He's now tied for the lead with none other than Bryce Harper of the Nationals for most HRs in the NL.  Now, we've got the Giants coming into town for a four-game series. Cueto takes the mound at 7:10 tonight, looking to improve his 3-3 record. Go Redlegs!

Two Grand Salamis and...Football? Never too Early

Lets talk...grand slams:

The grand slam is not something you see everyday at the ballpark, much less three in one game. It's probably something we won't see again in a long time. Both of the Reds' grand slams came with two outs in the inning, one from Jay Bruce and the other from Todd Frazier. We really need Bruce to come alive at the plate like that more often to round out the offensive production. The Brewers had just called up Elian Herrera early yesterday which I'd say was a good call, seeing as he hit the grand slam for the Brewers in the sixth. Zack Cozart is really having me question all the trash I talked about him last year with the way he's been swinging the bat lately. He hit two homers last night! He already has four for the year which matches his total home runs for all of 2014. All the long balls were a bit of a shock to me because Miller Park is not known for giving up a whole lot of homers.

Lets talk...about that score:

Were they playing baseball or football last night? The final score was 16-10. At least the Reds were on the winning side because Jason Marquis didn't have a stellar game. He gave up nine hits and five runs in just five innings. Despite the numbers, Marquis did get the win. That puts the Reds at an even .500 now at 7-7, winning two straight against the Brew Crew. The Brewers have the worst record in the majors at 2-12, and the Reds have two more games at Milwaukee before they make the trip back home. Cueto's on the mound tonight, so all we need is the offense to keep rolling. I hate to say it, but maybe Bryan Price's profanity-filled rant was just what this team needed. By the way, Price did publicly apologize for his language, but not the message he was trying to convey.

Lets talk...football:

I didn't fall and hit my head, I know that it's still the month of April; however the 2015-2016 Bengals schedule has been announced! Now, this schedule definitely has some beef to it. There are two NFC West teams, the 49ers and the Seahawks this year, the Broncos are back on the docket in December, and FOUR primetime games. I'm not sure if primetime equals good time given our recent bad luck under the big lights. Andy Dalton does anything but thrive in primetime, but a new year brings new expectations. Personally, I can't wait to see how the season unfolds for the Bengals.

Here's a link to the full schedule:
http://www.bengals.com/schedule/season-schedule.html

What the F#@! is Bryan Price Thinking?

Lets talk...about the crazy rant:

Alright, if you haven't heard the five and a half minute rant filled with 77 "F" bombs from the Reds' Bryan Price, then you probably have been living under a rock the past two days. I'll catch you up to speed anyway. Basically, a writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer was doing his job and just so happened to be on the same plane to St. Louis as Reds' catcher Devin Mesoraco and minor league catcher Tucker Barnhart. Being the inquisitive journalist that he is, this writer reported that both would be joining the Reds on their road trip against the Cardinals. Price did not appreciate the fact that the opposing team could easily learn the availability of these players. Plus, the organization had not had time to inform Kyle Skipworth, another catcher on the roster, that he would be sent back down to the minors. Do I understand Price's frustration? Yes. The Reds road trip has been horrendous, but don't take it out on a reporter who is...REPORTING. Price also could have used a more vast vocabulary in his tirade. Do I believe he should be suspended? No. Baseball managers are not placed on a pedestal in which they cannot curse, or throw bases, or scream at umpires. It's not that it's acceptable, but the fans understand the frustration. If anything good can come from this, hopefully it can light a fire under a 6-7 Reds team that started the year 4-0.

Lets talk...last night's game:

Another one in the "W" column, thank god! The Brewers are projected to be basement dwellers of the Central Division, but we'll take a win anyway we can right now. DeSclafani pitched another gem, holding onto a shutout through the eighth inning. He could be solidifying himself as a future ace, but I don't want to jinx the kid. The offense was working more last night than it has been this whole road trip. Zack Cozart hit a three-run bomb, yes I did say Zack Cozart. Joey Votto continues to smash the ball, hitting a two-run homer that gave the Reds a 6-0 lead. The bullpen did give up a solo home run to Ryan Braun in the ninth inning as he was sweating out what's left of the steroids. Oops, did I say that? All in all, a good win for the good guys. 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Lets talk...the good:

Devin Mesoraco will be making the trip to St. Louis after missing the Chicago series with a left hip injury. Another catcher is also coming to St. Louie. Standout Triple-A stud, Tucker Barnhart, hitched a ride but was not told if he is officially called up or not; we shall see.

Cueto will be on the mound! Although he is currently sitting at 0-1, both of Cueto's outings thus far this year have been above average.  We're going to need another strong showing from him if we want to start this series off on the right foot. If we can have Cueto pitch through seven solid innings, AND have some run support, the bullpen will hopefully come to play tonight.

The Reds' offense is the shining light in this young season. Joey Votto finally looks like he's back to performing at MVP level. "The Todd Father" has been swinging the bat exceptionally well, and even Zack Cozart, who I admit is usually frustrating to watch at the plate, is hitting .389 in the last five games. He's 6 for 14 with a double and a triple against Cardinals' pitcher Michael Wacha, who just so happens to be on the mound tonight.

Lets talk...the bad:

After Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs, the Reds are looking to avoid their fifth loss in six games. I know it's still early, but how early was it when everyone was hooting and hollering about sweeping the Pirates in the first series? You can't win a pennant in April, but you sure can lose it.

Kevin Gregg. The name is now synonymous in my head with the word bad. Giving up two, two-run home runs in his appearances, I'm hoping we don't see him AT ALL this series. Sorry Kevin.

Lets talk...the ugly:

It's no secret that the Reds have had their struggles against the Cardinals in the past. It's even more well known that they can't get it done in Busch Stadium, "where they've dropped eight straight series and 20 of the last 22," (espn.go.com). The last time the Reds have won a series in St. Louis, it was in September of 2011, OUCH! Lets hope that stat changes this weekend. First pitch goes out at 8:15 tonight. GO REDLEGS!

Goodbye Latos, Hello DeSclafani

Lets talk...DeSclafani:

Like me, I'm sure many of you were unfamiliar with the name Anthony DeSclafani before he killed it on the mound last night. The Reds acquired DeSclafani from the Miami Marlins in a trade for starter Mat Latos. The twenty-four-year-old righty from New Jersey had his stuff working against the Cubs. Sure, it's his first start, but have you seen what Latos has done thus far this young season? It hasn't been pretty. Not to mention him dogging our whole team publicly. I say good riddance to Latos and his poor attitude, (and ERA), especially if DeSclafani can continue to give the Reds solid outings. I remember watching and thinking, "Man, this kid has thrown 44 pitches and he's through the fourth already". I put a lot of emphasis on pitch count, especially with these young kids who are out there trying to give you seven or eight good innings each night, and throwing hard in the mid 90s.

Lets talk...bullpen:

Kevin Gregg replaced DeSclafani in the eighth and gave the same kind of performance we saw from him the last time he came in for relief. Another two-run home-run to cut the Reds' lead to one. So far, I'm not overly impressed with anyone in our bullpen except for Aroldis Chapman. The Cuban Missile Crisis did give up a lead-off single and a walk, but managed to get his third save of the year! Reds won 3-2, ending a three game losing streak.

Lets talk...Brandon Phillips:

Moving up in the batting order, Brandon's bat has been connecting more in this series with the Cubs. Of course when his offense starts heating up, the injury cloud looms. Phillips' was running to third as the Cubs' defender crashed into him. Brandon left in the fifth inning after he started feeling light headed. He has passed the concussion test though, so hopefully he'll be back in the line-up today.

Check out the highlights, courtesy of espn.go.com:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12692844

Reds Suffer First Loss of the Season

Lets talk...offense:

Well, there wasn't much. Todd Frazier's solo shot to left field came in the bottom of the first, (on his bobblehead day), and that was all the excitement fans got from the Reds' bats. The Reds left five runners stranded in scoring position, twice we had a man on third! The top of the order has had the hot streak. As for hitters four through eight, they are hitting .200 or less (espn.go.com). I can't wrap my head around Phillips hitting so low in the batting order. We need dat dude's bat!

Lets talk...pitching:

Johnny Cueto took the mound again today after a spectacular opening day performance. Another tough one to stomach for our ace. Other than a home run by Matt Adams in the fourth, Cueto did not give up an earned run in seven innings pitched. His record is now 0-1 on the season.

Lets talk...what's next:

The great weather we had today brought a sell-out crowd to Great American Ballpark. With sun and warm temperatures in the forecast for Sunday, it should be another big attendance day. Raisel Iglesias is the probable starter for tomorrow's match-up. He'll go up against Carlos Martinez, who will take the mound for St. Louis. We've got a chance to win two and take the series against the Cardinals tomorrow, and we all know that doesn't happen often! A win will put the Reds at 5-2, and sustain their spot atop the Central Division. 

Here's a link to deals for Sunday games that may come in handy for you:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ticketing/family_fun.jsp