2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Son of Sam99]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I have a strange feeling that Hamilton is going to mean more to this team than anyone during the playoffs (assuming they add him and assuming they make it). He is game changer, even in a limited role.

The attention he is bringing to the team added to his ability to stress the opponent manager, pitcher and catcher plus getting Cueto and Mashall back has seemed to re-energize the team (even if the IQ level isn't always the highest). Has me cautiously optimistic about our potential playoff success.

There was an article a month or so ago that talked about how the Reds have good playoff potential due to their excellent pitching & defense. It threw out several examples of teams who do those two things well and the playoff success they had thanks to it.

I would put the Reds against any of the playoff bound teams right now and say we have a very good chance of beating them in a series but this Wild Card game scares the ever living s**t out of me.

Either way to your point, Hamilton will be big. Think about the difference he could have potentially made in game 3 of the NLDS last season which the Reds lost by 1 run in 10 innings. If the Reds get into close games like that they'll have probably the biggest game changer on either side ready to go on their bench.

[slickdtc]

2013 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Hopefully Dusty utilizes him right, as well. Pick your spots, Baker.

The playoffs are wide open. My friend (Braves fan) were discussing this yesterday. There's really no front runner in either league. We gave the edge to DET for it all due to experience but that's the only thing we could come up with. I said ATL/CIN last year for the NLCS and I'll stick with it this year. Beyond that, who knows.

The one game play-in scares me too. It scares everyone. I love the excitement it brings, though. Yes it sucks if you lose it like ATL last year. But you're a wild card to begin with, you really can't complain because you aren't owed anything. And if there's a year where it works, it's this year with such a strong NLC where the three of us deserve a shot at the playoffs.

Can't believe we have 6 of our remaining 9 against PIT. Let's take care of business.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I'm interested in how the playoff roster ends up. At this point there is no way Hamilton can't make the roster, because he is MUCH more valuable than Robinson, Heisey and Paul. Even if he is nothing more than a late inning pinch runner.

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I wonder if Marty is happy that Joey Votto drove himself in?

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Biggest win of the year. Billy Hamilton is a game changer. Scored from second base on an infield hit, insane.

[SlimKibbles]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Biggest win of the year. Billy Hamilton is a game changer. Scored from second base on an infield hit, insane.

I agree. I was at the Hooters in Florence watching the game with friends and the Directv feed kept cutting out because of the rain. It was driving me nuts trying to keep up on my phone. We saw the Reds tie it but lost the feed when Votto homered and Chapman closed it out. I was so happy Mes came through in his AB though. Yeah Alvarez, or whoever was playing 3B, kind of booted it but it was hit in a good spot. Too bad the freakin Brewers don't play against the Cards at Miller Park like they do against the Reds.

[CaseIH]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I'm interested in how the playoff roster ends up. At this point there is no way Hamilton can't make the roster, because he is MUCH more valuable than Robinson, Heisey and Paul. Even if he is nothing more than a late inning pinch runner.

I cant imagine Billy not being on the Reds postseason roster. He has shown his value to the team. Not only can he be used as a PR late in games, but he can also be used as a defensive replacement in CF late in games. They can either take Choo out or move Choo to LF and take Luddy out.
I was not sure that Billy would be ready next year, but I think he will be on the OD roster next year. Even if we resign Choo I still see Billy on the OD roster in 14. My guess is D-Rob will be left off the postseason roster and Billy takes his place. Even though D-Rob has speed he isnt very good at stealing bases. XP defense is not good but his bat is better than D-Rob so XP should get the nod.

[HustlinOwl]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

big win last night great call by Dusty to utilize Hamilton when did

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Choo banged up after diving into first base, so Derrick Robinson gets the start in center and leads off?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Dusty continues to baffle me. And it wouldn't shock me if he picked Robinson over Billy Hamilton for the post season roster.

[HustlinOwl]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Choo banged up after diving into first base, so Derrick Robinson gets the start in center and leads off?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Dusty continues to baffle me. And it wouldn't shock me if he picked Robinson over Billy Hamilton for the post season roster.

let me guess you were also baffled at him using Mez as a pinch hitter in 9th to right smh

[SlimKibbles]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Choo banged up after diving into first base, so Derrick Robinson gets the start in center and leads off?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Dusty continues to baffle me. And it wouldn't shock me if he picked Robinson over Billy Hamilton for the post season roster.

1. I don't get it either. Robinson is a switch hitter but he's only hitting .216 against righties this season and never faced Burnett. Maybe he thought it was a lot to throw on Billy? I don't know. I think Billy can handle it. He's a confident guy.

2. I can't see that happening. Just can't.

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Dusty's bullpen management is just atrocious at times. High leverage situation in the sixth inning, lefty coming up, so you bring in a lefty. Sounds like a time for Sean Marshall, right?

Nope...Zach Duke.

Hopefully Dusty fields the A team tomorrow.

[CaseIH]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Dusty's bullpen management is just atrocious at times. High leverage situation in the sixth inning, lefty coming up, so you bring in a lefty. Sounds like a time for Sean Marshall, right?

Nope...Zach Duke.

Hopefully Dusty fields the A team tomorrow.

Marshall is just coming back from the DL, so Dusty probably didnt want to put him in just yet at a critical time. Im sure before to long we will see Marshall in more of those situations than we do Duke, or I hope so anyway.
I was kind of confused on why Dusty didnt PR for Luddy with Billy in the 9th. If he had and Billy stole 2nd then a DP ball wouldnt of ended it. Oh well we will getem tomorrow.

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Marshall is just coming back from the DL, so Dusty probably didnt want to put him in just yet at a critical time. Im sure before to long we will see Marshall in more of those situations than we do Duke, or I hope so anyway.
I was kind of confused on why Dusty didnt PR for Luddy with Billy in the 9th. If he had and Billy stole 2nd then a DP ball wouldnt of ended it. Oh well we will getem tomorrow.

That was another decision that had me scratching my head.

[slickdtc]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

That's the type of **** that makes people hate Dusty.

I know not every manager is gonna make the right call every time, but Hamilton is basically our exclusive late game PR. He should never end the game on the bench.