The Reds Series

[Frobby]

This is our only break from AL East play in the first 27 games of the season.    The Reds come into the series a surprising 8-5, leading the NL Central.    The pitching matchups:

Jimenez (0-0, 10.38 ) v. Arroyo (0-2, 9.90)

Gausman (1-0, 3.94) v. Garrett (2-0, 1.42)

Miley (1-0, 2.45) v. Feldman (1-1, 2.87)

Jimenez has been rocked in his first two starts, as has Arroyo.   Arroyo is homer-prone and pitching in a homer-friendly ballpark against a homer-hitting team.   This game figures to feature fireworks on both sides.

Gausman will be making his fourth start, the last of which was his best.   Garrett, a rookie, has been excellent in two road starts in St. Louis and Pittsburgh.   He's a highly-regarded prospect, ranked in the top 100 the last two years by BA, BP and MLB.com.

Miley has been pretty tough to hit in his two outings, and his command was much sharper last time out.   Feldman has pitched three times, getting knocked around a bit on Opening Day but looking solid since then.  

So far, the Reds' offense has been spearheaded by the unlikely trio of Zack Cozart (1.218 OPS), Eugenio Suarez (1.145) and Scooter Gennett (1.064).    Joey Votto (.749) hasn't really gotten going.   The Reds are 2nd in the NL in OPS and 3rd in runs/game.    They're also 3rd in the NL in ERA at 3.49.     The bullpen has been very sharp so far (2.65 ERA).    Last year the Reds had a 4.91 ERA and the bullpen was an even worse 5.09.    Hopefully, the law of averages catches up with them in this series.   

[El Gordo]

Looks like pretty even pitching match ups although I like Ubaldo over Arroyo.

[tntoriole]

Bronson Arroyo and Scott Feldman?   I wanted the first one three years ago I think and then his arm fell off and the other guy...hmmm...seems to me like we did something to get him years back???  We need to kick butt. 

[sportsfan8703]

Ubaldo needs to produce ASAP.  Tillman is making a rehab start in Bowie tonight.  Idk how much Tillman will need to do in the minors but the fact they are on the same day means it could be an easy swap for the rotation.  

I'd say Ubaldo needs to go 5 IP and 2ER to keep his spot.  

I hope he pitches well, but I hope Gausman, Bundy, Miley, Tillman and Asher is the rotation really soon.  Ubaldo might be able to be "insurance" in the pen for mop up duty for a month or so.  That'll allow Nuno to go to AAA and get stretched out for depth.  

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Ubaldo needs to produce ASAP.  Tillman is making a rehab start in Bowie tonight.  Idk how much Tillman will need to do in the minors but the fact they are on the same day means it could be an easy swap for the rotation.  

I'd say Ubaldo needs to go 5 IP and 2ER to keep his spot.  

I hope he pitches well, but I hope Gausman, Bundy, Miley, Tillman and Asher is the rotation really soon.  Ubaldo might be able to be "insurance" in the pen for mop up duty for a month or so.  That'll allow Nuno to go to AAA and get stretched out for depth.  

1.  They're not on the same day.   Ubaldo's start is tomorrow.  

2.  Tillman's going to need at least 3 rehab starts before he returns to the Orioles.   His projected return date is May 2, and that's only if everything goes well over the next two weeks.  

[sportsfan8703]

1 minute ago, Frobby said:

1.  They're not on the same day.   Ubaldo's start is tomorrow.  

2.  Tillman's going to need at least 3 rehab starts before he returns to the Orioles.   His projected return date is May 2, and that's only if everything goes well over the next two weeks.  

Forgot Tillman had no ST.  Also of note, I heard Bob Haynie on 105.7 say that Aquino had been named the starter for Saturday.  Anyone hear anything about that?

[backwardsk]

10 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Forgot Tillman had no ST.  Also of note, I heard Bob Haynie on 105.7 say that Aquino had been named the starter for Saturday.  Anyone hear anything about that?

I haven't.  But if that's the case, you can send Asher down when Rickard comes back.  Send a BP arm down and call up Aquino.  Send Aquino down and call up a new BP arm.  Then you could bring back Asher on May 2 if Tillman's not ready.

Still need to figure out what's going on with Santander.

[SteveA]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Forgot Tillman had no ST.  Also of note, I heard Bob Haynie on 105.7 say that Aquino had been named the starter for Saturday.  Anyone hear anything about that?

Maybe Haynie is reading the Baltimore Sun.   It shows Aquino as the starter Saturday, in the banner on top of the Oriole page that shows the next five games.

But it's worth noting that that banner is very poorly produced.   Often there will be a note in the article below that indicates who is starting in an upcoming game and the banner will contradict that.  

I believe last week Aquino was also listed as the starter for this past Saturday in at least one of the week's issues.

So if that banner is Bob's source, it is worthless and not to be trusted.   If someone can find a Buck quote or info from Kubatko or Brittney or Melewski on who is going to start, I would trust that a lot more.

[waroriole]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Forgot Tillman had no ST.  Also of note, I heard Bob Haynie on 105.7 say that Aquino had been named the starter for Saturday.  Anyone hear anything about that?

Doesn't sound like Buck to name a starter this far in advance. Probably speculation 

[24fps]

Jimenez (0-0, 10.38 ) v. Arroyo (0-2, 9.90)

Must-see TV.

[LA2]

48 minutes ago, 24fps said:

Jimenez (0-0, 10.38 ) v. Arroyo (0-2, 9.90)

Must-see TV.

Because you'd get whiplash watching at the stadium.

[Can_of_corn]

Watch their pen usage.  I am hopeful they start a sea change.

[eddie83]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

Watch their pen usage.  I am hopeful they start a sea change.

Easier to try it when you have less established players and aren't expected to contend. 

I just hope we take 2 of 3. 

[BohKnowsBmore]

6 hours ago, El Gordo said:

Looks like pretty even pitching match ups although I like Ubaldo over Arroyo.

The line for the game is a Baltimore -150. O's are the better team, but they're on the road. Often the most important determinant of the line is the pitching matchup. 

[eddie83]

I am curious how Buck manages this series. He is going to have to sit some good players every night.