Cincinnati Reds: It’s time to abandon the six-man rotation

After two abysmal outings by his starting pitchers, it’s time for Cincinnati Reds’ interim manager Jim Riggleman to abandon the six-man rotation.

Okay, the experiment is over. It didn’t work, and it’s time to scrap it. The Cincinnati Reds have tried a six-man starting rotation on two different occasions this season. We’ve seen it, it’s not good, and it’s time to abandon the failed experiment.

The Cincinnati Reds tried a six-man rotation back in late July when Homer Bailey returned from his rehab assignment. Tyler Mahle was part of that rotation for only two games. In those two games, Mahle went only 2.2 innings while allowing 6 runs on 10 hits. He was then sent down to Triple-A Louisville, and the Reds returned to a normal five-man rotation.

Now, the Reds’ front office thought it was time to see what Robert Stephenson has to offer. The answer through two starts is pretty clear, and it’s not good. Stephenson went only 4 innings in his first start against the Mets. He walked 5 batters in that game. Against the Indians, Stephenson couldn’t even get through the first two innings.

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Stephenson threw 57 pitches through 1.2 innings, walked 4 batters, and was replaced by Cody Reed, who just recently recalled to the Reds. Reed retired José Ramirez to end the second inning and mowed down the Indians in back-to-back innings after that. Reed finished the night after giving up a 2-run shot in the sixth inning. He went 3.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits.

The time has come for the Cincinnati Reds’ front office to come to their senses, and think logically about what they’ve got. We all know that Homer Bailey’s contract basically mandates that he starts. Like it or not Reds fans, that’s happening. Matt Harvey, unless he’s picked up on waivers soon, will finish the season in the starting rotation as well.

Now we’re looking at five guys for three spots. I think we can all agree that Stephenson is still not ready for the Major Leagues, and I think it’s fair to assume he might never be. Anthony DeSclafani has pitched very well of late and may be the Opening Day starter for the Reds next season. He’ll be a fixture in the rotation provided he stays healthy.

That’s three spots locked down, leaving us with three players left for the last two spots in the rotation. Luis Castillo may be the best young pitcher the Reds have. While he’s not having the same season this go-around that he did in 2017, his stuff is still solid. He just has to keep the ball in the ballpark. He’s a big part of the rotation going forward for the Reds.

So, that leaves us with Sal Romano and Cody Reed as the best remaining choices for the final spot in the Reds’ rotation to close out the 2018 season. Romano has started 23 games this season with a 7-10 record and 5.31 ERA. Romano has had his share of good outings and bad outings.

In his last start, Big Sally went only 1.2 innings allowing 6 runs on 7 hits with 2 walks. However, the game before, Romano went 6 innings and allowed only 2 hits while striking out 5 batters. Romano has actually appeared twice out of the bullpen this season. Both times he’s performed well, allowing only 1 hit in 2.1 innings of work.

Cody Reed looked like a different pitcher on the mound during his relief appearance on Wednesday night. He appeared calm and confident, did not hesitate, and retired some of the toughest hitters in the American League in Francisco Lindor and José Ramirez.

Reed gives the Reds something that no other potential starter can. He’s a left-handed pitcher. There is something to be said for having a power-throwing lefty on the mound. Reed’s fastball is consistently in the mid-90’s and his slider is his go-to pitch that drops in the bottom of the strike zone.

As the season comes to a close, it’s apparent that the Reds need to return to a standard five-man starting rotation. Their bench is one player short, and even though the September call-ups are just around the corner, there’s still no reason to continue with this failed experiment.