NL Wild Card: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

[stickymitts]

No, I agree. I'm not sure how those #s stack up to how he does against the rest of the league, maybe that's one of the better lines for a team. Either way, I'm still more confident with him in there for both innings, than I am of using the mismash of guys like Simon, Duke, Ondrusek, Hoover, etc....

 

Agreed. That is a good point. 1.21 ERA could be an entire 1.00 higher than vs other teams.

[ekubum]

Reds pull it out. I see the Pirates having a meltdown.

[reds1921]

Agreed. That is a good point. 1.21 ERA could be an entire 1.00 higher than vs other teams.

 

Plus, better AB's doesnt necessarily mean more hits or runs. I agree. I have seen the same thing. Much more solid contact and better swings than you see from most hitting off Chapman. I think it was his last appearance in Pittsburgh where the Pirates hit 2 solid shots to the outfield off of Chappy.

[stickymitts]

Plus, better AB's doesnt necessarily mean more hits or runs. I agree. I have seen the same thing. Much more solid contact and better swings than you see from most hitting off Chapman. I think it was his last appearance in Pittsburgh where the Pirates hit 2 solid shots to the outfield off of Chappy.

 

That's what I was alluding to. They seem to have better AB's. Even some of the bottom of the lineup guys that traditionally are well over-matched.

 

But, as UKMF pointed out, I still feel more comfortable with him than anyone else. Plus, he should be good and rested. Last time that happened he was cruising at 103.

[LOOGY]

I am glad the Pirates get a home playoff game. I couldn't imagine going that long without a game of this importance. Too bad it's against the Reds.

[reds1921]

Just imagine if we had a healthy and primed Masset (who we have paid a fortune to not throw a pitch in 2 years), Broxton, and then Marshal and Chapman. Who needs 6 innings? Get Cueto through 5 and were cruising!

 

I think getting out of Cincy and getting rid of the bad JUJU is going to be good for the team. I feel a run coming on! and no that is not in reference to how many runs the Reds have scored this month..

[UKMustangFan]

Just imagine if we had a healthy and primed Masset (who we have paid a fortune to not throw a pitch in 2 years), Broxton, and then Marshal and Chapman. Who needs 6 innings? Get Cueto through 5 and were cruising!

 

I think getting out of Cincy and getting rid of the bad JUJU is going to be good for the team. I feel a run coming on! and no that is not in reference to how many runs the Reds have scored this month..

 

They cut Ludwick?

[reds1921]

Oh here we go again. :isurrender: Good thing for Ryan Ludwick is he plays in Cincinnati. AKA the most fickle fans in the universe. He hits a couple bombs Tuesday night and everybody will be singing his praises. Can i use the Cincinnati punchline here?? "Just wait till next year!"

[UKMustangFan]

Oh here we go again. :isurrender: Good thing for Ryan Ludwick is he plays in Cincinnati. AKA the most fickle fans in the universe. He hits a couple bombs Tuesday night and everybody will be singing his praises. Can i use the Cincinnati punchline here?? "Just wait till next year!"

 

Clearly, you missed the smiley face...

[Randy Parker]

I'm putting all my stock in the fact that GT is starting the actual game thread. Reds win 2-1.

[reds1921]

Clearly, you missed the smiley face...

 

Clearly, you missed the sarcasm...

[Capernicus41]

1 game playoff's are such a roll of the dice. Throw all the numbers out the window because anything can happen. The Reds are due to breakout.

 

One certainty is that PNC is going to be absolutely rocking. Liriano has to stay composed because if he lets the emotions and crowd fire him up too much he will over throw and may leave the ball up, and hopefully the Reds do something with it.

[CincySportsFan]

If Cueto pitches a shutout, they have a chance.

 

Seriously, it is all on Cueto. Although, for some odd reason I feel like the Reds are going to get a few off of Liriano.

 

Questions for everyone ... what is your bullpen lineup following Cueto? Obviously, Chapman is on the back end and if I have to use him two innings to preserve the win, I do it. He is well rested. Who is your first lefty and which lefty do you want for the crucial 8th inning lefthander face off? Or do you go ahead with Chapman if you need a lefty in the 8th? Going with Marshall or Parra first? Who is your setup guy? LeCure? Marshall? What righty is in front of LeCure ... Hoover? What matchups favor the Reds and which matchups favor the Pirates? These are all the things Dusty is planning out today on both sides so what are your thoughts. Let's talk it out now versus taking the easy way out and whining when whatever move Dusty makes doesn't work.

 

Just off the top of my head, here's how I'd have my pen prepared...

 

Duke: Early on, if damage has already been done, and you just need 1 out to get out of the inning, and facing someone who struggles against a lefty. Otherwise, he's saved for extra innings.

Ondrusek: Same thing, except for being a righty.

LeCure and Parra: Probably 6th or 7th inning availability

Hoover & Marshall: 8th

Chapman: 9th

Simon: Long man for extra innings (if Duke/Ondrusek are already gone)

 

Of course a lot of it will be determined by where you are in the Pirates lineup, and whether you're pitching with a tie/lead/deficit. If Cueto gets rocked in the 2nd, well, then that just throws everything into a jumble.

[nkuclubbaseball19]

Going back to the beginning of August (17 series) the Reds have scored 7 runs in a least one game every three series. In the past two (Mets and Pirates at home) the Reds have not met that mark so hopefully they can get atleast 7 tomorrow to continue the trend they're on.

[stickymitts]

1st: Cueto

2nd: Hoover

3rd: Duke

4th: Ondrusek

5th: Parra

6th: Simon

7th: Marshall

8th: LeCure

9th: Chapman

 

If it goes extras, Cingrani if healthy. Get 3 outs and take a shower. Put it on the next guy and don't let them down.

 

Seriously, it's tough to do when you don't know where you will be late in the game. I'd go with LeCure 7th, Marshall 8th and Chapman 9th but may need to switch the 7th and 8th based on matchups.

 

Prior to that, Duke can face any lefties and Hoover or Simon any righties.