"This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

[Son of Sam99]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

I don't think anyone is worrying. It's being cautiously optimistic.

I get that. I just haven't seen anything from the Cardinals to think they're going to make a run and the Reds just continue to handle their business so well I just feel like its gravy.

Baseballprospectus.com has the, winning 33 more games this season making them 91-68 and finishing 3 games ahead of the Cardinals by their projection... Obviously not full proof but they usually have pretty legit numbers.

Finally, I don't buy into the idea that a baseball team with superior talent should beat an inferior team by more runs than if the teams were evenly matched. Its not football or basketball where that tends to hold true. If it were the case than the Reds wouldn't have swept the As in 1990

[jake44np]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

Not only that but we if you pay attention, we are barely beating some of the worst teams around. I am very happy with the Reds overall but we need Votto healthy and the young guys to stay hot. The starting pitching has been good to very good all year and the relief pitching has for the most part been very good.

But as happy as I am with the Reds at the moment, I am tempering my excitement a bit. We are beating, just barely in some cases, some really bad teams at the moment. If we continue this against great pitchers, that we are sure to face, then my excitement for the team will grow.

Either way, right now we are in first and I am enjoying it.

Yes but i just read in the Cincy paper today that the Reds have the easiest schedule of the "3" contenders. The wining % of the remaining teams on their schedule is .460 and they only play 21 games the rest of the year vs teams over .500.

[slickdtc]

Usually that type of stuff scares me into thinking we're being set up to bomb. But we've had a lead going into the late months with largely the same cast of players in 2010. We ended up winning the division running away. If we stay atop these guys like we are currently, I feel like we can do the same thing this year.

The NL is wide open, too. If we make the playoffs, I like us against anyone.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

Look if you guys want to have the standard Cincinnati attitude and worry your way through September so be it. Thats what I did in 2010 and then realized it didn't even really enjoy the season so I'm gonna chug the cool aid this years and have fun.

And another thing; the Reds have the second most wins in the NL and are the hottest team in baseball (besides maybe the As) and based on the national media you'd have no damn idea!

Also you'll thank me for this if you hadn't already discovered it: http://www.700wlw.com/cc-common/news...ticle=10295888

I'm just saying it's too early to count out the Cardinals and the Pirates. They are good teams, and are still in the hunt with the Reds for the NL Central crown. I'm excited about the Reds and I'm certain we will make the postseason, but I'm not ready to crown us division champs. And I think the majority of Reds fans are enjoying the season, how can you not? I'm loving this season.

If the Reds pitching continues to be great and the injuries are minimal the Reds have a great opportunity to go far in the playoffs.

I'm with you about the Reds beating bad teams by not many runs. This isn't college football, style point do not matter. A win is a win. The Reds have consistently found a way to win ballgames this year.

[redsrule]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

What do you think the biggest need on the Reds is?
I think they need a SS, bad.

[PhantomPain]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

What do you think the biggest need on the Reds is?
I think they need a SS, bad.

I disagree. Cozart is hitting in a spot he shouldn't be hitting at and is one of the better defensive shortstops in the league. He is young and is probably a guy, hitting in the right spot, that will hit around .260 or so. That's fine for me.

Leadoff hitter is what they need the most, IMO. Someone that can consistently get on base so Phillips and Votto can get them in.

[slickdtc]

WWWWWWWW

That's 8 straight homies! Don't break 'em up!

[redsrule]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

I disagree. Cozart is hitting in a spot he shouldn't be hitting at and is one of the better defensive shortstops in the league. He is young and is probably a guy, hitting in the right spot, that will hit around .260 or so. That's fine for me.

Leadoff hitter is what they need the most, IMO. Someone that can consistently get on base so Phillips and Votto can get them in.

I actually agree that he is one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball, but his offense has been abysmal. If he can hit .260+ I would have no problem with him, but he definitely should be at the bottom of the order, not 1st or 2nd.
Regarding needing a leadoff hitter, who would you suggest? It has seemed lately both Stubbs & Ludwick have been hitting the ball a lot better. Bruce hasn't, but I doubt they will bench him.

WWWWWWWW

That's 8 straight homies! Don't break 'em up!

Very happy as well, and they have their ace on the mound tonight so it should be 9! (Cueto will probably bomb tonight since I posted this though)

[PhantomPain]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

I actually agree that he is one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball, but his offense has been abysmal. If he can hit .260+ I would have no problem with him, but he definitely should be at the bottom of the order, not 1st or 2nd.
Regarding needing a leadoff hitter, who would you suggest? It has seemed lately both Stubbs & Ludwick have been hitting the ball a lot better. Bruce hasn't, but I doubt they will bench him.


Very happy as well, and they have their ace on the mound tonight so it should be 9! (Cueto will probably bomb tonight since I posted this though)

Between all the guys mentioned in rumors (Victorino, Pierre and Span) I like Span the most. Still young and seems to be back on track after a couple of disappointing years. I am just not high on Stubbs eventhough he has been hitting lately. I feel like it is fool's gold. If he will ever listen to the staff, cut down on his swing, stop trying to hit home runs and generally just be more protective of the plate, I think he has the potential to be a great player. But he has shown time and time again that he is not willing to listen for the long haul.

I like the potential of Stubbs. He can be an elite player. I just think he will likely end up being one of those guys that "should" have been great instead of "is" great. If we keep him going forward, then I can only hope I'm wrong.

And yeah, Cozart is terrible at the top of the lineup, especially the leadoff hitter. I think if he is batting 8th he can and should be that .260-.270 hitter. But he has to bat there for an extended of amount of time to learn if he can do it or not. Remember, he is only a rookie and just like Mes, they are trying to adjust to pitchers adjusting. Usually takes a year or two.

[Motown]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

I disagree. Cozart is hitting in a spot he shouldn't be hitting at and is one of the better defensive shortstops in the league. He is young and is probably a guy, hitting in the right spot, that will hit around .260 or so. That's fine for me.

Leadoff hitter is what they need the most, IMO. Someone that can consistently get on base so Phillips and Votto can get them in.

Why not bring up Billy Hamilton, & see where he's at in terms of hitting & fielding @ the ML level...great lead off hitter w/ speed & oh yeah...he plays SS :wink: he could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

[Motown]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

20 games over 500... consistency
9 game winning streak? Impressive...
9 game winning streak WITHOUT Joey Votto?...Priceless

[slickdtc]

Shut 'em out one day, the next outhit 'em. I see you, Cincinnati.

[PhantomPain]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

Why not bring up Billy Hamilton, & see where he's at in terms of hitting & fielding @ the ML level...great lead off hitter w/ speed & oh yeah...he plays SS :wink: he could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

He has only been in double A for about a month, and while he is doing well, it isn't triple A or the majors. I do believe he can play at the MLB level though. But I don't think he will be playing ss when he gets there. He is a well below average fielder at ss so he will likely come up as an outfielder.

Maybe we can get Pierre or Victorino as a rental player until Hamilton is ready and he will then take over leadoff hitter role.

Must be hard for management to decide this at this time (trades) because of how much of a glaring hole leadoff and power has been all year and now we are winning like crazy. You don't want to fix what isn't broken but you also want to make a deep run in the playoffs. If they don't make a trade and our guys stop producing, then it's a "what if" scenario. Same thing if you make a trade and they stop producing. Very difficult situation.

[PhantomPain]

Re: "This one belongs to Reds fans" Official 2012 Cincinnati Reds

Stubbs is doing a great job making me look bad right now. I'll take it. Like I said, if he ever figures it out he can be a great player. Small sample size, but he has been hitting very well since he came back. Maybe he has figured it out? Hope so.

On a side note, saw some rumors the Reds may not be content with their starting pitcher. Not sure I understand. I am starting to get a bad feeling about this trade deadline and hope the Reds don't trade Bailey. We have waited many years for Bailey to be the pitcher he is today and now that he is finally there it would be a real shame if they traded him. I can see trading Leake, but only if he is packaged in a trade that would bring someone that can make an outstanding difference to the team. Like a .280/35/100 kind of guy.

[slickdtc]

10 straight! Marty's getting a haircut!