Well Reds fans, I have a big announcement as we begin this edition of The Reds Report.
The Reds won a game this week. I repeat, THE REDS WON A GAME THIS WEEK.
Sure it was only one win. Yes, they're 1-12 over the past few weeks. But it's nice to have something to feel good about for a change.
Here's everything you need to know about the Cincinnati Reds this week.
1. Brandon Finnegan pitched well enough for the Reds to win on Monday night against the Dodgers. Unfortunately, Cincinnati's offense was going up against the best pitcher on the planet. In 2016 Kershaw is 7-1 with a league leading 1.48 ERA. He's also leading the league in strikeouts (95) and WHIP (0.658). If you haven't taken the time to watch Kershaw this season,
then enjoy this short recap of his performance against the Reds.
That curveball had me like...
2. A little off the field news broke for the Reds this week. Since 1974 Marty Brennaman has been the voice of Reds baseball on the radio. This week he announced he will return for next season.
C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer broke down the decision, and Brennaman's history with the club.
3. It's hard to fault Reds fans for losing interest in the club during an eleven game losing streak that finally ended on Saturday. However, one thing they haven't lost interest in is Joey Votto. In particular, Votto is in the midst of a heel turn that Paul Heyman would be proud of. Last week we detailed Votto's struggles at the plate, and it appears he's turned his frustration toward opposing fan bases. Two weeks ago he taunted Phillies fans. This week a Dodgers fan threw a paper airplane on the field. How did Votto respond? You can see
right here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e69iWCOJkLE
After this incident I got a few texts from people wondering if Votto had "snapped." It's more likely that Votto knew how this season was going to go. During a season in which Reds fans will endure a lot of disappointment, the all-star first baseman is doing his best to give fans something to smile about.
4. Adam Duvall continued his hot hitting this week. The Reds left fielder leads the National League in home runs for the month of May with nine. While there hasn't been a lot to cheer for this season, Duvall has been a breath of fresh air.
5. Another bright spot for Cincinnati has been the offensive development of Zack Cozart. For several years baseball fans knew he was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball, although many wondered if he would ever be productive at the plate. Up to this point he's actually been the Reds best offensive player.
Zach Buchanan took some time to write about how this has happened.
Cozart's slick fielding
was on display against the Dodgers earlier in the week.
6. Cincinnati's pitching has been a sore spot with fans this season. One of the few players to give the Reds hope when he takes the mound has been Dan Straily. The 27 year-old was picked up by the Reds on April 1, and most didn't expect much out of him this season. As of now he's 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA.
On Wednesday he gave up three runs over seven innings and struck out 11 against the Dodgers. Unfortunately the Reds could only muster one run.
7. Somehow we've made it this far without mentioning the bullpen by name. Part of that is due to the fact that there were fewer opportunities for them to blow games this week. They still have the worst ERA in baseball (6.46), have given up the most runs (136), and surrendered the most homers (38). They didn't blow a lot of games this week, but that doesn't mean they were good.
8. The Reds finally got a win on Saturday against the Brewers but it almost ended in disaster. Cincinnati trailed 2-1 heading in to the fifth. Reds pitcher Alfredo Simon had been hit by a pitch an inning earlier, and Milwaukee pitcher Chase Anderson led off the inning.
Simon plunked Anderson, was ejected, and put the bullpen in a bad spot. The Brewers expanded their lead to 6-1 off of Reds reliever A.J. Morris, but the Reds used a five run seventh to tie the game.
9. To get that win on Saturday Cincinnati needed a little help from replay. In the 9th inning the Reds had the bases loaded with one out. It looked like Adam Duvall hit into an inning-ending double play, but replay revealed that Brewers second baseman never touched the bag.
The Reds scored on review, and won the game 7-6.
10. Yes, the Reds are 16-34. I can see you getting frustrated with the team.
Why not let Brandon Phillips' son warm your heart?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NReir7dggHA
This week the Reds head to Colorado for a four game series starting on Monday. They close the week facing the Nationals at home. If you've never seen Bryce Harper in person, it would be a great weekend to get to Great American Ball Park.
You can follow the Reds, and Eric's writing, all season long at Red Reporter.
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