Cincinnati Reds (70-73 / 3rd in the NL Central / 14 GB)
2011 Record vs. Colorado: 2-2 (14 runs scored, 16 runs allowed)
Last Series vs. Rockies: August 8-11 (Split 2-2 at Great American Ballpark)
After dropping the first two games of their home series against Colorado, the Reds bounced back to take the next two - something the Rockies have allowed to happen on multiple occasions throughout the 2011 campaign.
The first game of the series saw the Rockies win 10-7 behind the strength of the long ball - four, to be exact - and some great bullpen work. Colorado's 'pen allowed just a run on three hits in five innings, while Cincy's imploded, as they gave up five runs on eight hits and five walks in six innings of work. Neither starting pitcher was any good; Jason Hammel allowed six runs on four hits and a couple of walks while Homer Bailey surrendered five runs on six hits. Both starters allowed two home runs. Todd Helton, Seth Smith (twice), and Carlos Gonzalez homered for Colorado while Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, and Drew Stubbs each left the yard for the Red Stockings.
Despite a tremendous outing by Dontrelle Willis in game two, the Reds fell once again, this time by a score of 3-2. Willis struck out ten batters in eight innings of work, but a two-run homer by Troy Tulowitzki in the fourth inning ultimately ended up saddling the D-Train with a loss. Esmil Rogers, on the other hand, was solid for the Rox in six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while racking up six K's. Ramon Hernandez (3) and Edgar Renteria (2) each had multiple hits, but none resulted in any runs.
The Reds turned the tables in game three by winning their own 3-2 decision, spoiling Kevin Millwood's Rockies debut in the process. Millwood was very good in seven innings, allowing just three runs on six hits while striking out six. However, all three runs were the result of solo homers as Renteria, Bruce, and Joey Votto each went deep off of Millwood. Mike Leake picked up the win despite being tagged for 11 hits in 7.1 innings. Luckily for him, Colorado was dreadful with runners in scoring position. Tulowitzki homered again, but it was only a solo shot.
In the finale, Johnny Cueto (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 9 K) out-dueled Jhoulys Chacin (CG, 6 H, 2 R, 9 K), allowing the Reds to salvage a split at home. Bruce had two more hits, including a two-out RBI single in the first. Smith hit another homer for Colorado, this time in the ninth inning off of Francisco Cordero, but it was only a solo shot and the Rox didn't do anything after that.
Latest Series Results: W 2-1 at St. Louis; L 1-2 at Chicago (NL)
Despite outscoring their opponents by 34 runs this season, Dusty Baker's club finds themselves three games below .500. Their main problem has been starting pitching; only Cueto has an ERA under 4.00. As such, Cueto is their only above-average pitcher in terms of ERA+. His is a rather-astounding 166.
On the flip side, offense isn't really much of a problem for the Reds (aside from the fact that Drew Stubbs strikes out too much and Scott Rolen has been largely ineffective when not on the DL). Joey Votto continues to be the reincarnation of early-2000's Todd Helton (just look at their triple-slash lines...eerily similar), while Jay Bruce keeps on hitting for power and Brandon Phillips remains Brandon Phillips, in that he's one of the most solid offensive and defensive second basemen in the game. However, similar to the Rockies, they're auditioning a couple of solid prospects and have been for a few weeks. Devin Mesoraco, who is comparable to Wilin Rosario, is a stud catcher with power and on-base potential. He has seen some work already and it has been suggested that he'll continue to get a long look at the big league level for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, Yonder Alonso is a first baseman by trade but since he's blocked by Votto, he's getting looks at third base and left field. He's kind of like a younger, better Ty Wigginton. And, he has absolutely mashed at the AAA and major league levels in 2011 (although the latter has been in a small sample size, of course).
It will be very interesting to see what the Reds decide to do with Alonso beyond this season. If he continues to look out of place in left field and third base, there's a strong possibility the Reds could decide to shop him. At just 24 years old, he is a very valuable trade chip if the Reds decide to look for some rotation help (as was rumored in July when they were looking at Ubaldo Jimenez), or for help elsewhere on the field. I, for one, would not mind seeing him in a Rockies uniform whatsoever - especially if Todd Helton's pattern of production/health continues.
The usual stuff after the jump...
Friday through Sunday: 3-game series at Coors Field
Expected Pitching Matchups
Friday, September 9, 2011 @ 6:40 PM MT
Saturday, September 10, 2011 @ 2:10 PM MT (No TV)
Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ 1:10 PM MT
*2011 Minor League stats
Expected Lineup
| Name | Position | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ | HR | RBI |
| Brandon Phillips | 2B | .298 | .345 | .432 | .336 | 108 | 12 | 74 |
| Edgar Renteria | SS | .252 | .310 | .357 | .298 | 82 | 5 | 33 |
| Joey Votto | 1B | .317 | .427 | .543 | .415 | 162 | 26 | 91 |
| Jay Bruce | RF | .266 | .345 | .490 | .355 | 121 | 29 | 89 |
| Yonder Alonso | LF | .407 | .470 | .678 | .491 | 215 | 4 | 13 |
| Drew Stubbs | CF | .252 | .326 | .379 | .322 | 98 | 15 | 42 |
| Miguel Cairo | 3B | .267 | .335 | .409 | .321 | 98 | 7 | 32 |
| Devin Mesoraco | C | .182 | .182 | .273 | .196 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
Bench
| Name | Position | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ | HR | RBI |
| Ryan Hanigan | C | .265 | .357 | .358 | .321 | 98 | 6 | 29 |
| Ramon Hernandez | C | .281 | .336 | .441 | .333 | 106 | 11 | 33 |
| Juan Francisco | IF | .250 | .302 | .375 | .291 | 77 | 1 | 8 |
| Todd Frazier | IF | .225 | .281 | .472 | .326 | 101 | 6 | 13 |
|
Paul Janish |
IF | .208 | .254 | .256 | .229 | 35 | 0 | 19 |
|
Chris Valaika |
IF | .250 | .318 | .400 | .315 | 93 | 0 | 0 |
|
Chris Heisey |
OF | .242 | .299 | .449 | .324 | 100 | 13 | 41 |
|
Dave Sappelt |
OF | .270 | .299 | .338 | .276 | 67 | 0 | 3 |
Closer
Injuries