BigTen's Fantasy Baseball Blog

What is going on with the Reds? After taking 2 of 3 from one of the best teams in baseball (Diamondbacks), 2 out of 4 from the Phillies, and 2 out of 3 from the Brewers the Reds have lost two in a row to the Pirates?

The Pirates?

It took the Reds 14 innings to score on the Pirates after losing hte first game of the series 1-0. The Reds lost the second game of the series 4-3. The pitchers for the Reds were Edinson Volquez who pitched well but was taken out after a lengthy rain delay, and Bronson Arroyo threw today. Johnny Cueto will pitch the finale on Sunday.

If the Reds want to seriously compete for the NL Central they are going to have win the games they are supposed to win. They are supposed to beat the Pirates. Winning close games is also important if the team wants to compete for a division.

The offense for the Reds which was thought to be a strength has struggled thus far, but should improve as the season goes on. Scoring three runs against the Pirates in 18 innings is unacceptable. Luckily the Reds are getting pretty good pitching which is keeping them in a lot of games.

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??

The Reds lose three in a row to the Pirates. Johnny Cueto didn't have a game like he did his first two games. The Reds bats are as cold as the Northeast this season. When you leave 32 men on base in a three game series, you are bound to lose. The middle of the Reds lineup is just pitiful right now. Griffey, Dunn and Encarnacion are struggling to make contact, let alone drive in runs. As I said in my post on the Reds message board, Encarnacion needs another wake up call this year in Louisville. He has no clue what to do at the plate or in the field. I still think the Reds have a good ball club. Enough to possibly contend in the Central, but if this keeps up, we could be wondering if the Baker decision was a good one. The Reds just need to get it together fast and start hitting the ball. All Reds fans and sportswriters alike questioned the Reds pitching as the big question mark. The starting pitching has been pretty good. The middle relief has been a bit shaky due to Weathers and Coffey, and the closing has been good when given the chance. The Reds just need to bring the bats to life.

DDriver80 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 9, 2007	Posted on: April 12, 2008 11:48 pm Score: 96 Reds struggling....against the Pirates?? BigTenBoy, the Pirates are much better than you think. Their Pitching is still green, like yours, and their bullpen is suspect, as is yours, they have been close games that could have gone either way. The Reds weren't supposed to win these games, they were supposed to be close [ Reply to Comment ]
CaptainBronxBro Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 28, 2006	Posted on: April 13, 2008 12:40 pm Score: 95 Reds struggling....against the Pirates?? I don't think its that their stuggling but its there not getting any runs across. The pitching has been great and so has the hitting. They need to execute with RISP. The past two losses have been very tough. There is nothing to be worried about. I still believe they will make the playoffs. [ Reply to Comment ]
donbedouin Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 26, 2006	Posted on: April 13, 2008 8:43 pm Score: 93 Reds struggling....against the Pirates?? Well the Pirates have to beat somebody... [ Reply to Comment ]
jzinger34 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 15, 2006	Posted on: April 14, 2008 7:16 am Score: 94 Reds struggling....against the Pirates?? The Reds lose three in a row to the Pirates. Johnny Cueto didn't have a game like he did his first two games. The Reds bats are as cold as the Northeast this season. When you leave 32 men on base in a three game series, you are bound to lose. The middle of the Reds lineup is just pitiful right now. Griffey, Dunn and Encarnacion are struggling to make contact, let alone drive in runs. As I said in my post on the Reds message board, Encarnacion needs another wake up call this year in Louisville. He has no clue what to do at the plate or in the field. I still think the Reds have a good ball club. Enough to possibly contend in the Central, but if this keeps up, we could be wondering if the Baker decision was a good one. The Reds just need to get it together fast and start hitting the ball. All Reds fans and sportswriters alike questioned the Reds pitching as the big question mark. The starting pitching has been pretty good. The middle relief has been a bit shaky due to Weathers and Coffey, and the closing has been good when given the chance. The Reds just need to bring the bats to life. [ Reply to Comment ]
bigtenboy07 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 3, 2006

bigtenboy07

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??

Reds struggling....against the Pirates??