I would almost rather see them not make the playoffs than be one and done like the past few years. I think everyone is just tired of being let down, especially after last year.

They can always pull a 2011 St Louis. lol

Dusty at Eli's:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151513101635670&set=pb.99867020669.-2207520000.1375795530.&type=3&theater

^Pretty cool story. I saw it the other night.

 

One of my biggest problems with Reds games is that they don't have the mascots actually race. Why can't the mascots race? Those video clips of them racing in those cars is really lame.

Reds win today. Schedule for August is manageable. 2 in a row over the A's.

Currently watching the end of the Cardinals/Dodgers game. Few things make me happier than seeing the Cardinals on the losing end of a 13-4 game.

I can't believe the Reds go back into the race for the division.

Really?  They led the division at one point and were never more than some 7 games out. 

 

I never lost faith. ;)

 

The schedule has helped.

Like I posted after the St. Louis blow out..........look at the schedule.

Soriano is tearing it up. The Reds should have rented him the last 2 months of the year.

My lord. Is St Louis collapsing?  They got shelled by the Cubs 7-0. If the Reds win tonight, they will be in 2nd place.

Champman is not a good closer.  All someone has to do is just wait for a fastball they can handle.

WOW Chapman was brought in, in the 8th.

WOW Chapman was brought in, in the 8th.

 

He also had a plate appearance in the bottom of the eight. It looked like he was swinging for his first career HR. :roll:

WOW Chapman was brought in, in the 8th.

 

He also had a plate appearance in the bottom of the eight. It looked like he was swinging for his first career HR. :roll:

 

I was at the game, that's the only time I've seen someone get a standing ovation for striking out. His first bunt attempt looked like he'd never held a baseball bat in his life. He looked decent enough through the rest of the at-bat, though.  Managed to get a full count before the swing and miss on the third strike (which probably would have been a ball had he not swung).

I was there too.  I was beside myself that they didn't double-switch, though I heard later you can't double-switch when replacing a pitcher due to injury, like they were doing. 

 

Serious lack of depth in the 'pen right now. 

This season can't end fast enough. Why on earth would you sit Ludwick the day after he hits his first home run? The Reds make 5 area pitchers look like cy young candidates.  That why this team will not win the division or a one game playoff.

This season can't end fast enough. Why on earth would you sit Ludwick the day after he hits his first home run? The Reds make 5 area pitchers look like cy young candidates.  That why this team will not win the division or a one game playoff.

 

No idea why you sit him

Is Chapman hurt? Every time he blows a save is because he was not on the mound for a lengthy period of time. And now it will be over a week.

Of course. Ludwick has monster game and sit him the next.

Votto does not want to play for Dusty. It shows in his play. He see what is happening. He's playing everyday. Ludwick has been off 4+ months and gets a day off after an awesome day at the plate in the middle of a pennant chase????

Reds struggled last night to lose it in the 16th inning. The hitting was definitely off with many players not getting a hit in what ended up being almost two full games worth of baseball. Exciting game overall, though. It's unfortunate Heisey couldn't make contact with the pitch that threw out Choo for what would have been the game-winning run.

 

We still have another game tonight against the Cards and 6 of our last 9 games are against the Pirates. Win tomorrow, play well in September, and take 4 of 6 from the Pirates and we could have the division at the end of the season. I've really enjoyed watching Billy Hamilton get a couple runs in as many games. Great addition to the team in a playoff race.

Billy Hamilton: 4GP - 0 AB - 4 SB - 3 runs (2 game winning runs)

^With that post they will lose tonight. When we don't post they win.

Swept the Dodgers!  Now tied with Pitt in second, 1.5 games back from the Cards!

Wish they hadn't given up that 16-inning game to the Cards, but hey the Reds are Red Hot right now. Can't really complain. What a pennant race this is -- amazing. Great baseball!

Yeah, the 16-inning game is huge right now.  After such an irritating wave of luck, would love to see Pittsburgh finish 5 games behind us. 

With the Cards pushing ahead and the Pirates flailing a bit, it would be nice if we had 6 remaining v. the Cards instead of the Bucs.  The Reds still have three off-days left.  Most among the three principle teams.  Looking at pitching match-ups for the Cards and the face-to-face the Reds have with the Bucs, the Reds will have nobody to blame if they aren't able to take advantage and win the division.  Exciting stuff!

Yeah, the 16-inning game is huge right now.  After such an irritating wave of luck, would love to see Pittsburgh finish 5 games behind us. 

 

This is dead on.  The Pirates are +39 in run differential, and the Reds are +103.  Based on those run differentials, the Pirates have an expected win-loss record of 76-66; in reality they are 81-61.  The Reds have an expected win-loss of 85-59; in reality they are 82-62.  So the Pirates have outperformed by 5 games and the Reds have underperformed by 3 games. 

 

The Pirates luck this year has been great.  Glad to see the Reds finally winning a string of one-run games. 

I wish Billy Hamilton had been brought in before Sept 1 so he could play post season. I guess for the 25 man roster though there is no room...?

^ He can play in the postseason, and Rosecrans says he likely will.

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/09/09/bar-9-9-yes-billy-hamilton-is-eligible-for-the-postseason-roster/

>The Pirates luck this year has been great.  Glad to see the Reds finally winning a string of one-run games. 

 

That's why baseball's season is so long -- to equalize for all the unlucky/lucky bounces.  But now we've got this stupid 1-game wildcard, which introduces an element of chance to a game that has been all about eliminating it.  I'd love to go back to 2 divisions per league with a 7-game NLCS/ALCS then a 9-game world series. 

 

Is the Cubs purposely starting Wood against the Reds at the detriment of their other pitchers?  I know they don't like being sweep by the Reds. But he had not pitched in a week and another starting  pitcher pitched in between that time twice.  Is this the main reason why these teams always has  losing seasons, because no pitcher is pitching on regular schedule(4 days rest)?

Pathetic display. They will not catch the Cards.

Incredible game last night to sweep the Astros. The most notable player of the game was Billy Hamilton who went 3-4 and had four stolen bases. I realize this is against a stuggling (to say the least) Astros team, but if he can reliably get on base he is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

 

His presence on base seems to rattle the pitcher and energize the batter behind him.

Work on his batting all winter and start him in the number one batting slot next season for sure.

How about that comeback against the Pirates tonight? Down 5-2 in the 9th but still manage a clutch win. The Votto homer in the 10th and Billy Hamilton's 10/10 stolen base were icing on the cake :clap:

We're now back in 2nd place and only 1.5 games back of the Cards with them tied up in a matchup against the Brewers now

Wow.  That was something.  Go Redlegs!

Dusty Baker is not longer the Reds' manager. He still has one year left on his contract though. No word on who will replace him.

 

Part of me hopes that they hire Tony La Russa our of retirement.

More about this from ESPN: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9767640/manager-dusty-baker-3-days-cincinnati-reds-ouster

 

I personally wouldn't want to see La Russa manage the Reds.  Even though he's a "baseball genius" (just ask him and he'll tell you).  Wouldn't mind seeing Girardi or pitching coach Bryan Price get the job.

I think the Reds need a managing change that is going to get both the fans and players motivated and excited for next year. I don't believe simply bringing Price up as manager will do that. To fire Baker (and pay him for next year) just to have someone who has been with the club take over his duties would be foolish in my opinion. Price might be a great manager, but I don't think that would be the appropriate decision. It would seem as if nothing has changed and we should expect the same results.

The Reds put all their money in winning now. They have nothing in the farm system. This is the right move. Batting Ludwick 2nd really???

Ludwick went 3-4 during the Wild Card game. He is the only one who showed up to bat that day. I can't believe people are still griping about that decision after his performance.

HE did nothing before that game they lost every time he was placed #2.

I wasn't surprised after another too brief appearance in the playoffs. I expected more and it's nice to see management did also.

 

As for the next manager, I wouldn't mind Price, but I would love to see them make a run at Joe Maddon. I can't believe he couldn't be lured away from the Rays.

Hmm Phillips headed to Atlanta for Dan Uggla and a prospect? I would trade Votto before Phillips.

Bryan Price is the new manager.

I would prefer someone from the outside come in for a fresh perspective.

Mattingly isn't happy in LA, oh well I hope Price does well.

http://www.wcpo.com/sports/baseball/reds/cincinnati-reds-shin-soo-choo-turns-down-qualifying-offer