July 10, 200818 yr Does this mean that beating the Nationals wasn't that big of a deal? That's the point that I was trying to make on another thread. The Nationals are 16-30 on the road and are only averaging 3.6 runs per game. It didn't take great pitching to hold them down.
July 10, 200818 yr Six games on the road against the Cubs and Brewers. This has been touted as "make or break week" for the Reds by many...
July 10, 200818 yr Six games on the road against the Cubs and Brewers. This has been touted as "make or break week" for the Reds by many... Not me, I knew this Reds team would be lucky to go 2-4 on this trip, after these 2 games, they might be lucky to go 1-5. If dear ole Walt wasn't on the phone before, he better be now.
July 10, 200818 yr Dunn has been in the league since 2001, everyone knows what he does and doesn't do by now. Also the fact that he isn't signed beyond this year is going to prevent his trade value from going up due to a hot streak. This season is pretty much toast so there would be a lot less pressure on Bruce this season than to put him there when the rest of the team is ready to contend. So if Bruce figures out how to hit 3rd they're ready to contend next year? What's more likely to happen? Dunn traded by July 31st or the Reds contend next year?
July 10, 200818 yr Does this mean that beating the Nationals wasn't that big of a deal? Depends on who you ask. Some saw it for what it was worth, others went done and got in line for playoff tickets.
July 10, 200818 yr So if Bruce figures out how to hit 3rd they're ready to contend next year? What's more likely to happen? Dunn traded by July 31st or the Reds contend next year? Let's put it this way, if the Reds are ever going to contend with the group of young core players that they are developing they need Jay Bruce to hit in one of the prime run producing spots in the order and probably 3rd or 4th. With the Sabathia and Harden trades they are now 4th behind 3 much better teams so they aren't going to the playoffs this season. Dunn has been in the league since 2001 and has proven to be a career .222 hitter with runners in scoring positon and he is hitting his career average of .222 with runners in scoring position this season. Is there any legitimate reason to think that Dunn is suddenly going to develop into an RBI machine batting 3rd? No, there is not. Is Bruce going to do much better? Probably not this season but for the future of the franchise why not let him get used to the spot in a season where they don't have a chance at the playoffs and the pressure is less. Does this not make sense to you? Whether the Reds are contenders next season or not a large part of their future depends on Bruce becoming a big time run producer, now is the time to let him take his lumps. What if next year Harang returns to form, Cueto steps it up a notch and Thompson is ready? Now you've got 4 good pitchers and a chance to win but you'll need someone to drive in runs besides Phillips.
July 10, 200818 yr Let's put it this way, if the Reds are ever going to contend with the group of young core players that they are developing they need Jay Bruce to hit in one of the prime run producing spots in the order and probably 3rd or 4th. With the Sabathia and Harden trades they are now 4th behind 3 much better teams so they aren't going to the playoffs this season. Dunn has been in the league since 2001 and has proven to be a career .222 hitter with runners in scoring positon and he is hitting his career average of .222 with runners in scoring position this season. Is there any legitimate reason to think that Dunn is suddenly going to develop into an RBI machine batting 3rd? No, there is not. Is Bruce going to do much better? Probably not this season but for the future of the franchise why not let him get used to the spot in a season where they don't have a chance at the playoffs and the pressure is less. Does this not make sense to you? Whether the Reds are contenders next season or not a large part of their future depends on Bruce becoming a big time run producer, now is the time to let him take his lumps. What if next year Harang returns to form, Cueto steps it up a notch and Thompson is ready? Now you've got 4 good pitchers and a chance to win but you'll need someone to drive in runs besides Phillips. Why can't Bruce hit in the 3 hole from August 1st through the end of the season? I think Dunn would drive in more runs from the 3 hole than 5-7. Phillips is the only other real threat on the team so Dunn would see more fastballs b/c people know they can get him out.
July 10, 200818 yr Jerry Hairston Jr. cf Jeff Keppinger ss Ken Griffey Jr. rf Brandon Phillips 2b Adam Dunn lf Edwin Encarnacion 3b Joey Votto 1b David Ross c Bronson Arroyo p Homer Bailey will make the start Sunday in place of Aaron Harang.
July 10, 200818 yr So the Reds will lose Friday because Fogg is pitching, they will lose Sunday because Sabathia is pitching. Their best chance is Saturday with Voltron, going to be a fun weekend, let's start an over/under on bullpen innings this weekend. I say the bullpen will pitch somewhere around 10-15 innings this weekend.
July 10, 200818 yr Reds playing Jekyll and Hyde at the plate, leading 8-3 in the fourth. Oops, make it 8-5 after Bronson allows a 2-run shot to Fontenot.
July 10, 200818 yr Reds really need to hold on to this one! Might need a dozen runs to win. Just got another!!
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