Cincinnati Reds: Some bright spots after losing the previous series

The Cincinnati Reds had an interesting 3-game homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week. Though Cincinnati lost 2 of the 3 games, there were some positives that Reds fans can take away from the series.

The Cincinnati Reds appear headed towards another losing season. They’re currently 20 games below .500 and would have to finish 25-3 (.893) over their final 28 games to finish with a winning record. Though the Reds dropped 2-of-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week, there were some positive takeaways for Reds fans to be excited about.

DeSclafani is a bonafide starter. Cincinnati won the first game of the series 9-7 in a game that featured Anthony DeSclafani as the Reds’ starting pitcher. Disco got his 7th win of the season, going 6.2 innings while allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits. It’s worth noting that one of those four runs scored after DeSclfani exited the game.

DeSclafani has been dominant in the month of August. He’s 3-1 with his lone loss coming in a tough outing against the Chicago Cubs. Disco’s ERA is sitting at 2.67 and he’s holding opposing batter to a .236 average.

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It’s debatable, but DeSclafani looks like the best young pitcher the Reds currently have on staff. After a rough July, in which Disco posted a 6.67 ERA and allowed 9 home runs, he’s settled in and appears fully recovered from the injuries that have sidelined him the previous two years. DeSclafani looks to be a big part of the rotation heading into 2019.

Scooter keeps hitting. If anyone is still questioning whether Scooter Gennett should be part of the Cincinnati Reds long-term plans, I’m going not sure what games you’ve been watching. Scooter is continuing to pound the ball, and he does it in clutch and key moments of games.

On Monday night, after Christian Yelich had brought the Brewers to within one run, Gennett drove a line drive deep to right field that bounced off the wall. Scooter netted a double and 2 RBIs after Mason Williams and Jose Peraza, who were aboard, scored on the play.

Gennett got the day off on Wednesday but still came in late in the game as a defensive replacement for Dilson Herrera. Scooter finished the series going 5-of-11 (.455) with a double, a triple and 4 RBIs.

The Reds can score. The Reds’ bats, that had been so quiet during their 1-6 road trip, returned to form in 2 of the 3 games. The Reds scored 22 runs during the 3-game set and had 34 hits as well. That was a welcome sight for Jim Riggleman who’d seen his club score only 9 runs during the 4-game series against the Cubs.

Unfortunately, the Brewers can score too. Believe it or not, both teams had 22 runs during the series. Milwaukee outhit the Reds, however, by five. Milwaukee won both Tuesday night’s and Wednesday afternoon’s games that went into extra innings.

While some fans may view this year as a lost season, I’m much more of an optimistic type of person. No, this wasn’t the season I was hoping for, but there are positives to take away from almost every game the Reds have played this season.

As Cincinnati gets set to expand the roster and head into September, let’s hope for some more positive moments as we begin to close the book on the 2018 season. The Reds begin a 6-game road trip tonight in St. Louis. Maybe Homer Bailey will get a win. Is that optimistic or crazy?

The Cincinnati Reds had an interesting 3-game homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week. Though Cincinnati lost 2 of the 3 games, there were some positives that Reds fans can take away from the series.

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