Cincinnati Reds win by the long ball, lose by the long ball

The Cincinnati Reds can out slug any team in the National League or lose to them just as easily.

The Cincinnati Reds are hitting home runs at what could be an historic rate.  They are also giving them up at what may an historic rate.  Which rate will rate the highest?

The Reds have hit 137 home runs this season, good for 11th in MLB.  That ties them for fifth in the National League with the Chicago Cubs.  The Cubs, though, are atop the NL Central, while the Reds are at the bottom.

This ranking is powered by first baseman Joey Votto.  The perennial MVP candidate is 8th in MLB in home runs.  He also ranked third in the NL in home runs.

Right fielder Scott Schebler is also in the top 20 in MLB in home runs.  He is fourth among NL right fielders only behind Bruce Harper of the Washington Nationals, Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins and Jay Bruce of the New York Mets.  Bruce, of course, was traded to open up right field for Schebler around this time last season.

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The last member of the Reds in the top 30 of home runs this season is former All-Star left fielder Adam Duvall.  Duvall is playing better than he did last year, despite not making the All-Star Game.  Duvall ranks 17th in home runs in the NL and there is also Scooter Gennett of the four home run game.

Despite all of the power that the Cincinnati Reds’ hitters have shown, it still isn’t enough to win.

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The good news is that Ricky Nolasco of the Los Angeles Angels leads MLB in home runs allowed.  The bad news is that the Reds have three of the top 25 in allowing home runs.  Even worse than that is who has allowed the most.

Tim Adleman ranks first on the Reds and second in the NL in home runs allowed, but he already pitched 100 innings so far this season.  The other two pitchers from the Reds in the top 25 are Bronson Arroyo and Amir Garrett.  No one else in the top 40 has pitched as few innings as either half of the duo.

Currently, the Reds have allowed 20 home runs more than the second place team.  Last year they set the record for the most home runs allowed in a single season.  This year they are on pace to break that record.

They threw 242 gopher balls in 2016.  This year they are on 280 home runs.  Even if they don’t get all the way to the record, they are dangerously close.

Next: Who's headed out the door?

The Reds need to keep the ball in the park.  Whether their offense hits home runs or not doesn’t seem to matter as much.  The Reds just need to find a way to win.