You guys know your team....here is an in depth rundown of your opponent.
Starting pitchers:
DeSclafani....not been back long but he is solid. Doesn’t throw above 93-94 but can battle and give a good game. I expect him to go 6 allowing 3 runs.
Romano...big dude, good dude. He’s not been as good as hoped and frankly just not very good yet. You should expect to win this game and probably expect 4-5 runs in about 5 innings off him
Mahle....kid is a competitor and gets it up there better than you’d guess. Though very young...kinda the staff bulldog imo. I expect him to give the Reds a good chance to win.
Typical lineup:
LH Schebler....he’s a linebacker that is pretty good at baseball. Good power, average RF. When he started leading off, the Reds started going.
Tucker Barnhart....been batting 2nd but has struggled last 10 games. He might get moved. GG catcher on defense.
Votto...he’ll remind you of Pete Rose at the plate than the slugger he was. Really chokes up high with two strikes and lives to hit a pullable pitch oppo. Worst baserunner I have seen and his footwork at 1st is awful...but you don’t want him up in a big spot. Way more fun than he used to be.
Scooter....the last 3 weeks he’s been swinging wildly early in counts but battles and still leads NL in average. His arm/shoulder is banged up and he can’t throw but laredo and has cost him some. Beware walking Votto because Scooter is very good at making you pay in that situation. Way better this year off lefties than his past. He probably should DH but IMO should play 2nd and let you scouts and front office watch to see what they think.
Eugenio Suarez. Stud. Most unknown star in the game. He missed 10 or so games early on or his numbers would be even greater. He is the Reds best player and best hitter. OPS is above Jose Ramirez and even Arenado. In the NL his OPS only trail Jesus. He can flat out rake. RBI machine with RISP.
Jesse Winker...terrible terrible OF but good bat. He ought to DH and he’s made to DH. Young Scott Hatteberg is my comparison. Knows strike zone well. Slowest 26 year old guy ever.
Peraza SS....he’s solid all around, nothing great but we like him.
Billy. He’s coming on. He’s a terror on the bases doing crap simply no other player can do. The AL is LOADED with great CF but they aren’t better in CF than Billy
Duvall....great OF and a power RBI guy that might hit .220. He’s irritating and then hits a 3 run bomb.
Bench...Casali, Blandino...no mucho
Bullpen...I fear you caught them at perfect time. They have been awesome for 2 months but now really seem to need ASB. Iglesias is sweet, Garrett isn’t far behind. David Hernandez and Jared Hughes have been A pitcher’s all year long but in last few games look like the B- pitchers I expected them to be.
Our two teams have been very very similar the last month. I expect an excellent series but not sure either of these teams will look great like we expect when they are playing well. I’ve seen a lot of botchy defense, meh baserunning and too many mental gaffes.
I say Cleveland takes 2. I’m truly worried the effing Cubs zapped this team with back to back comeback/heartbreaking losses.....The Sooner I see a Reds win and solid game, the better.
Both coaches bunt too often.