Bingo. Things are going way too well with Chapman right now to put him into that situation. If he continues to progress and the days of 4 straight balls is behind him, then he'll be ready for that type of situation. Not yet.

It's season #2, how long before he is allowed to pitch in that situation?

 

Listen to your own logic. He's pitching too well to be in that situation. Replay that in your head for a minute.

While season #2, he hasn't been lights out all season long. IMO, when he's ready for that role, he'll be the Reds closer.

 

It's totally mental, not physical.

Bingo. Things are going way too well with Chapman right now to put him into that situation. If he continues to progress and the days of 4 straight balls is behind him, then he'll be ready for that type of situation. Not yet.

Chapman is a major league pitcher, a talented one at that, and he was signed for $30 million. If he can't pitch in a tight situation, how is he supposed to help the team?

Reminds me of Michael Keaton in Nightshift.

 

"they kicked you out of a casino?"

"yep, kicked me out, banned. Banned me for being too good a player"

While season #2, he hasn't been lights out all season long. IMO, when he's ready for that role, he'll be the Reds closer.

 

It's totally mental, not physical.

Yes, and on the flip side, if you bring him in, he waxes the first 2 and induces a ground ball to bail Ondrusek out and the Reds go on to win, then what? How do you know he's not down there in the pen wondering if toothpick will ever have confidence to put him in that situation? Goes both ways.

Chapman is a major league pitcher, a talented one at that, and he was signed for $30 million. If he can't pitch in a tight situation, how is he supposed to help the team?

 

He's not helping the team? I've read it multiple times on here, "Dusty just doesn't put guys in a position to be successful." Again, he doesn't put a guy in a bad situation and STILL gets bashed.

He's not helping the team? I've read it multiple times on here, "Dusty just doesn't put guys in a position to be successful." Again, he doesn't put a guy in a bad situation and STILL gets bashed.

I'm not arguing either way, but you seem to be advocating that as well as Chapman is doing, he doesn't need to be put in stressful situations. When is he supposed to be ready for that?

 

What Dusty doesn't do, especially with hitters, is put them in a position where they have the best chance to be successful. That's what he does by hitting Stubbs leadoff because he's fast and can steal bases and Renteria or Janish in the #2 spot on occasion, just because they're "bat control" guys that look like #2 hitters.

 

Ultimately, though, success and/or failure depends on the player. I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of the situation last night, but as highly-touted and talented as Chapman is and as much as it cost the Reds to sign him, I would hope he's able to pitch in high-stress situations.

Yes, and on the flip side, if you bring him in, he waxes the first 2 and induces a ground ball to bail Ondrusek out and the Reds go on to win, then what? How do you know he's not down there in the pen wondering if toothpick will ever have confidence to put him in that situation? Goes both ways.

 

I don't. The same way I don't know if Aroldis is showing signs of not being comfortable in those situations. Which, again, is the reason I'm not a fan of second guessing because we don't know 100% of the story.

 

I'm sure Dusty has had many conversations with him about that. Who knows, maybe a few more really good outings and he AND Dusty will have the confidence to throw him in there.

I am missing something here. We wanted Dusty to bring Chapman in with bases juiced and no outs? I missed the game, who loaded the bases? Masset?

I'm not arguing either way, but you seem to be advocating that as well as Chapman is doing, he doesn't need to be put in stressful situations. When is he supposed to be ready for that?

 

I would think soon. I mean, he's had a good couple of weeks but he is fresh off a trip to Louisville to get things right. It's not like he's been lights out since he got here last season.

I am missing something here. We wanted Dusty to bring Chapman in with bases juiced and no outs? I missed the game, who loaded the bases? Masset?

 

Big O...

I am missing something here. We wanted Dusty to bring Chapman in with bases juiced and no outs? I missed the game, who loaded the bases? Masset?

 

Last night. 10th inning. Tie game. Ondrusek comes in to start inning. Leadoff man gets on (can't remember how). Next guy hits a single. 1st and 3rd, no outs. Intentional walk to load the bases and set up the force out at the plate. Infield in. So the debate is stay with Ondrusek or bring in Chapman.

Everyone should've known the game was over the second Ondrusek took the mound. He is the king of blowing it in important situations anymore.

Last night. 10th inning. Tie game. Ondrusek comes in to start inning. Leadoff man gets on (can't remember how). Next guy hits a single. 1st and 3rd, no outs. Intentional walk to load the bases and set up the force out at the plate. Infield in. So the debate is stay with Ondrusek or bring in Chapman.

 

Thanks. But did they not get what they wanted? A force at the plate? Hannigan simply catches the throw and it may a different story. Back the infield up. DP ball and out of the inning. I have more of a problem with idiot Hannigan dropping throw after BP makes a spectacular play to gun the man down at home. Any way it's not worth getting to worked up about. Pretty much the whole team blew that game last night.

Drew Stubbs 8

Edgar Renteria 6

Joey Votto 3

Brandon Phillips 4

Miguel Cairo 5

Chris Heisey 9

Ramon Hernandez 2

Todd Frazier 7

Homer Bailey 1

 

Interesting to see Frazier out in left.

 

Before anyone complains Bruce is batting .043 against Wandy...