Archive for October, 2011

Are there any treats from the Cards?

Last evening was beggar’s night in my neighborhood. It never fails that I can never predict the turnout as far as the number of kids that trod up to the front door to utter those three words…”Trick or treat”. You can either almost or completely run out of candy (and wear that stigma for a whole year) or you have so much candy left over that if you eat it all, your stomach hurts for days. Well, the NL Central teams played some trick or treat with us for the 2011 season. Continuing on that, here’s the Brewers…

The Pirates tricked the Reds in 2011…a lot!

I was tricked by the 2011 Cubbies, but treated as well.

Since the MLB season is officially over, we can now focus completely on the offseason. Here’s a Reds update from the Arizona Fall League: Brad Boxberger – in two appearances since our last update, Boxberger has appeared in two games going 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out five, giving up two total hits, and walking none. Those numbers lower his ERA to 3.48 over 10.1 IP with 18 strikeouts to just four walks. Aroldis Chapman – threw 1.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit and a walk. It was Chapman’s second appearance since joining the Desert Dogs.

The onset of the 2011 season may have been a fright for a lot of fans of the Houston Astros. I, for one, did see a little hope for it. When I say little, I referred to the Astros pitching. I mean they had Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris. I figured there’s 40-45 wins right there. Tricked? I sure was. I have the feeling I was far from the only one that felt that way, too. The trio combined for a record of 24-36. Not quite what I was expecting. Maybe I exercised too much confidence when I [...]

With a tip of the hat to alliterative author Kerry Moss I borrow a title from his bailiwick. For those of you keeping score at home, the possibilities at closer are extensive and somewhat expensive.  But a basic knowledge of the laws of supply and demand have to favor team owners don’t they?  The supply this year seems to be unusually large and with a lot of focus on the First Base sweepstakes there may be a valuable play to be made in the bullpen.  Let’s see what demonstrated closers are available via free agency:

The 2011 campaign is a tale of two seasons for the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates.  Mired in futility for the previous 18 seasons Clint Hurdle swept into Pittsburgh this year and brought with him a different attitude and a desire to wipe away the past. If you took a poll around Pittsburgh on opening day asking where everyone figured the Pirates would be in the standings 100 games into the season and there is a strong chance no one would have suggested the Pirates would be in first place.  No one.  Yet on July 27th that is where the Pirates found [...]

  As I watched the ball sail just over Nelson Cruz‘ outstretched glove as he momentarily took his eyes from the ball to see how close to the wall he was I immediately began lamenting the lost art of defense.  It is easy for me to suggest Cruz should have caught the ball given the Texas Rangers their long sought after World Series victory but the mind plays tricks and an individuals survival instinct is strong.  I would guess that 7 out of 10 times Nelson would have reeled that ball in and secured the series victory but in the [...]

For your Friday afternoon pleasure, here’s our update on players/prospects in the Venezuelan League and Mexican League: Carlos Fisher – so far this fall, Fisher has given up just one run (on 10/20), however he didn’t record an out on 10/25 while giving up two hits to the only two batters he faced. Fisher has been used as a spot guy by manager Julio Franco as four of his six outings haven’t lasted a full inning. Fisher has a 2.45 ERA in 6 games (3.2 total IP).

On July 3rd, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was kind enough to answer a few questions for Blog Red Machine, to help preview the upcoming Reds-Cardinals series. At that time, the Cardinals were tied with the Brewers, 2 games in front of the Reds for first place in the NL Central. Despite several key injuries, the Cardinals looked like a force to be reckoned with in the division. To open to the interview, I asked Bernie: The Cardinals have fought through what seems like a never ending string of injuries, managing to stay in or around 1st place [...]

A Thursday afternoon update on Reds players/prospects in the Dominican League: Tom Cochran – Since my last update, Cochran has started two games and been lights out. In 10.1 IP Cochran hasn’t surrendered an earned run (gave up four unearned runs on 10/25) and given up just eight hits and four walks while striking out 12. Cochran is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three games so far.