The Reds and Goose Eggs

How can the best offense in the National League get shut out a dozen times this season???? I just don’t get it. The Reds lead the league in a bunch of offensive categories.
They lead the National League in batting, hitting .270. They are also first in runs scored, hits, rbis, and slugging percentage. They are second in the league in at bats, homeruns, and total bases. These are all keys to having an amazing offense but where do we go wrong?

Here is the list of starting pitchers that shut us out this season and their records:
Wade Leblanc 5-8
Chris Carpenter 11-3
Felipe Paulino 1-8
Matt Cain 8-8
Hiroki Kuroda 8-8
Cliff Lee 9-4
Ryan Rowland-Smith 1-9
Johan Santana 8-5
Roy “Doc” Halladay 11-8
Cole Hamels 7-7
Aaron Cook 4-6
Wandy Rodriguez 8-11

That is the Reds conquering dozen. They have a combined record of 83-85. Two of the pitchers only have one win which of course is a shutout of the Reds. They have also been shutout 8 times since June 15th. And, four times in the past twelve games. Although, three of the games were missed by clean-up hitter Scott Rolen.

I feel like the problem is our lead-off hitter or hitters. We have tried Drew Stubbs, Orlando Cabrera, and most recently Brandon Phillips. None of these guys is a true leadoff type of player. I was hoping the Reds landed a leadoff hitter in a trade. I like Drew Stubbs as a young player and he can drive in runs and play a great outfield but….he is the one expendable guy in the lineup. I heard a rumor that Michael Bourne of the Houston Astros could be available and he would be a nice addition. Maybe he and Stubbs could platoon. Just a wish!!!

Anyhow, the Reds have to end this shutout nonsense. They have to do the little things when they are experiencing a power outage. Such as, moving runners over with bunts and sacrificing and/or making the right managerial moves. These mental/physical errors are costing us bases and runs.

Tags: baseball, Chris Carpenter, Cincinnati Reds, Cole Hamels, Doc Halladay, Houston Astros, Matt Cain, Roy Halladay, Scott Rolen