Matt McLain should not be a starter rest of this week. He’s so hit and miss but more likely than not, he’s a miss. Batting him behind Elly is just wrong. 

I don't understand why you don't put more pressure on that catcher. I don't understand why McLain is stepping to the plate in the 9th. It is going to take an absolute miracle to win tonight with who is on the hill. The Reds NEEDED that one last night. Tonight becomes a must win with Skenes on the bump. Ouch!

35 minutes ago, AvidSportsJunkie856 said:

I don't understand why you don't put more pressure on that catcher. I don't understand why McLain is stepping to the plate in the 9th. It is going to take an absolute miracle to win tonight with who is on the hill. The Reds NEEDED that one last night. Tonight becomes a must win with Skenes on the bump. Ouch!

Flores struggles to throw out anyone.

3 hours ago, TribeTime said:

Matt McLain should not be a starter rest of this week. He’s so hit and miss but more likely than not, he’s a miss. Batting him behind Elly is just wrong. 

 

32 minutes ago, AvidSportsJunkie856 said:

I don't understand why you don't put more pressure on that catcher. I don't understand why McLain is stepping to the plate in the 9th. It is going to take an absolute miracle to win tonight with who is on the hill. The Reds NEEDED that one last night. Tonight becomes a must win with Skenes on the bump. Ouch!

I agree hitting him behind Elly is a bad move, but as far as the 9th, how do you handle that? They had burned some guys already and were kind of stuck position-wise with who you could hit, I think anyway, I was half-watching with a sick kid at home. McLain is a better glove at 2B over anyone else you would put there, minus maybe Steer, but he's been so good at 1B you struggle with that then. I can deal with a light hitting 2B playing most days if he offers an advantage with the glove, but he can't hit above 8-9 if you're doing that. 

As for tonight, I don't hate their chances. Skenes only goes 5.5 innings on average in his career, hasn't gone into the 7th since August, and has gone 8.2 innings in his last 2 starts combined. They'll have a chance to win minus an implosion from Greene. 

4 minutes ago, cincyswords said:

Flores struggles to throw out anyone.

Right. I have no issue not starting the runner in the 9th. You needed 2 runs, so stealing 2nd does little. I'd have liked to see them put pressure on more early, but base runners were also at a premium, so not tons of chances. 

Just now, ChickenWyngz said:

Right. I have no issue not starting the runner in the 9th. You needed 2 runs, so stealing 2nd does little.

Except take the double play out of play.

7 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Except take the double play out of play.

It would have yes, but if you start him and get thrown out there, everyone's complaint today (myself included) is that you're running to tack on a run that didn't matter because you needed a 2nd one. All we have heard is about Elly's battle with a quad injury too; this may factor in, too. 

"They'll have a chance to win minus an implosion from Greene."

This is the fear.  He is known for the occasional implosion.  Someone (Cowboy?) has noted that his struggles usually occur when the plate umpire calls a tight strike zone.  He starts grooving pitches looking for strikes, and the other team tees off.  The problem tonight is that with a liberal strike zone, you might see Skenes throw a no-no.  

Baseball that matters in late September!  Skeenes vs Greene.  Expecting 20-k combined night.  True pitchers dual.  Can’t wait to watch.  

 

 

Maybe if he gets through 3 they'll pull him.

1 hour ago, Jumper_Dad said:

 

 

Maybe if he gets through 3 they'll pull him.

Last year in his last start vs. the Yankees and needed two scoreless innings to have a subpar 2 era and he was pulled and end 2024 with a 1.99 era.

So far Greene has threw 2 innings of 1 hit ball and Skenes has thrown 2 innings of no hit ball.

Pirates led 1-0 after 4 innings.

2 - 0 Pirates in the sixth.  Still time, but I thought Cincy would have more fight than this.

Reds still down 2-0 with 6 outs to go.