That game probably shows where the Reds land in the Playoffs. Wild Card on the road. This game also shows why the Reds cannot go on a long winning streak.

You said he folds like a 10 cent accordian.

 

I did. I said crunch time. Let's make that in the throes of a very tight pennant race, and in playoff games. Again, I ask, is he one of those guys that puts up big stats, but puts his head in the sand when they need him. I do hope you're correct about being in a slump. Not a good time for it though. Hopefully come Sept. 29th my concerns with him are found to be unwarranted.

When you are the marquee super star on a small market club. You're going to draw a lot of scrutiny from the base.

Got this from LRCW this morning after he had time to digest the loss:

 

Ask SSC why the Cardinals pitch to MVPVotto in the 15th with a man on 2nd, and walked Bruce.

Because other teams know he's a freaking head case, and he sucks.

Ask him what his saber tooth tiger stats say about that: Was Matheny managing by stats or by eyeball test? He was 0-6, stats say he had to get a hit.

 

My man!

When you are the marquee super star on a small market club. You're going to draw a lot of scrutiny from the base.

 

Agreed, probably his worst game as a pro.

The good news is that when it's going this bad, someone as good as Votto usually gets out of it in a big way. Hopefully it's for the next 35 days.

Got this from LRCW this morning after he had time to digest the loss:

 

Ask SSC why the Cardinals pitch to MVPVotto in the 15th with a man on 2nd, and walked Bruce.

Because other teams know he's a freaking head case, and he sucks.

Ask him what his saber tooth tiger stats say about that: Was Matheny managing by stats or by eyeball test? He was 0-6, stats say he had to get a hit.

When Votto had knee surgery in July last year, he was leading the league in extra-base hits and batting .349. Hasn't been the same since. Wonder if his problem is more physical than mental.

In all the games you have seen the Cardinals in this year, have they ever swung at a bad pitch? Have you seen any hitter swing at a high fastball? At a breaking ball 6 inches off the outside corner? If they swing and miss on a ball out of the strike zone, it is usually a nasty low breaking ball that was just one heck of pitch. They have the most disciplined hitters with good eye and good approaches that I have seen in quite a while. How often do they take a good pitch? If it is a fastball strike, they are usually right on it. Meanwhile I watch Votto look lost at the plate and Bruce striking out on a fastball that may a foot high. And those are the best hitters on the Reds team.

 

PS ... that is all eye test stuff ... I love stats and sabermetrics but you can't see that by sabermetrics.

In all the games you have seen the Cardinals in this year, have they ever swung at a bad pitch? Have you seen any hitter swing at a high fastball? At a breaking ball 6 inches off the outside corner? If they swing and miss on a ball out of the strike zone, it is usually a nasty low breaking ball that was just one heck of pitch. They have the most disciplined hitters with good eye and good approaches that I have seen in quite a while. How often do they take a good pitch? If it is a fastball strike, they are usually right on it. Meanwhile I watch Votto look lost at the plate and Bruce striking out on a fastball that may a foot high. And those are the best hitters on the Reds team.

 

PS ... that is all eye test stuff ... I love stats and sabermetrics but you can't see that by sabermetrics.

 

Sure you can, they lead the world in BA with RISP.

Sure you can, they lead the world in BA with RISP.

 

And how are they doing that?

And how are they doing that?

 

The eye test?

Why would the MLB not have all day games today. No chance they can compete with the football game tonight.

Why would the MLB not have all day games today. No chance they can compete with the football game tonight.

 

Seriously? I know many people who are baseball fans, but not football...or at least not football junkies (where they'll watch any game they can). Not saying I won't turn over and watch bits and pieces of the Broncos/Ravens game...but, if the Reds aren't getting blown out, I'll be primarily watching them. I'm more invested in how they do than Flacco or Manning. Now, if it were the Bengals, it might be a harder decision.

PIP baby. Only way to go.

Ya'll could come down to the park and pay a visit to Ol' MJ...maybe buy some peanuts haha!