Cincinnati Reds: Eugenio Suárez takes power surge to Oakland

The Cincinnati Reds are finally scoring some runs. Following a 4-game set in which they scored 37 runs, the Reds take their hitting show on the road for an interleague battle with the Oakland A’s.

Even though the Cincinnati Reds (15-20) lit up the scoreboard over the weekend, they only managed to gain a split with the visiting San Francisco Giants. Despite launching home runs to all corners of Great American Ballpark, the bullpen suffered meltdowns which saw the team blow leads of 8 and 4 runs in their two losses to the Giants.

Trailing the first place Chicago Cubs by 6 games in the NL Central, the Reds look to make up some ground during their 6 game visit to the Bay Area. The first stop is a 3-game set with the Oakland A’s followed by 3 with their neighbors across the bay, the aforementioned Giants.

For the first six weeks of the season, Reds fans were subjected to an anemic offense that squandered one good pitching performance after another. Through March and April the offense produced an embarrassing slash line of .212/.286/.380. Combine those numbers with an 8.5% walk rate and a 24.6% strikeout rate and things could only get better.

Over the past 2 weeks, the Redlegs’ bats have started to awaken from their extended hibernation.  The slash lines have improved across the board to .234/.327/.420. Reds’ hitters are also walking more (11.2%) rate and striking out slightly less (23.3%).

So what’s changed?  For starters, Matt Kemp is no longer employed and Scott Schebler is in the Louisville Bats starting lineup. Rookie center fielder Nick Senzel has made an immediate impact with 3 home runs in 4 games, while compiling a 1.146 OPS.

Third baseman Eugenio Suarez has found his power of late and has homered in 3 straight games. Apiarist/ utility man Derek Dietrich, when he’s not fighting bees, has added 4 round trippers of his own.

Pitching has continued to lead the way for Cincinnati. Going into play Monday, Reds hurlers lead the NL in ERA (3.50) and have allowed the fewest runs (120). In addition, the Reds pitching staff is leading the way in opponents slugging (.365) and OPS (.674).

One of the biggest contributors to the pitchers success has been the Cincinnati Reds ability to keep the ball in the ball park. The 27 long balls allowed by the staff is also the fewest in the National League.

The hosts Oakland A’s (16-21) enter the series in the basement of the AL West and are 6.5 games behind the division leading Houston Astros. Losers of 2 in a row and 8 of their last 10, the past 2 weeks have been particularly difficult for the Athletics.

Oakland hitters rank 6th in the AL with a 169 runs scored despite placing in the bottom third in the league in average, on-base percentage and OPS. One thing Athletics’ hitters absolutely don’t do is bunt. Oakland and Detroit are the only two teams in baseball who do not have a sacrifice hit on the season.

Mixed results are a common theme among the Oakland pitching staff as well. Their team ERA of 4.61 ranks them 9th among AL staffs, however, they have tossed 3 shutouts which is tied for the most in the league. On the other hand, late-inning situations have been nightmarish for the A’s faithful.

The Oakland bullpen has blown 7 of their 13 save opportunities. As a result, their 46.2% save percentage rate only bests Kansas City in the junior circuit. Adding to the A’s uncertainty is the availability of All-Star closer Blake Treinen.

The right-hander missed the final two games over the weekend in Pittsburgh due to elbow tendinitis. Good news for Oakland fans is their closer will likely avoid the IL, however, his availability against the Reds remains a question mark.

Previewing the pitching matchups

Tyler Mahle (0-4 4.09 ERA) will be opposed by the A’s Mike Fiers (2-3 6.81 ERA) in the series opener at the Oakland Coliseum. Mahle bounced back nicely in his last start against the New York Mets following a couple of rough outings.

The 24-year-old right-handed struck out 7 without allowing a free pass in 5 innings of work. His 33 strikeouts and 7 walks have produced a 4.71 K/BB rate which is the best among Cincinnati starters.

Oakland’s Mike Fiers has been getting hit hard to begin the 2019 campaign. The 9-year veteran has allowed 8 home runs in only 37 innings. The second time through the batting order has been particularly troublesome for the right-hander. Allowing a slash line of .333/.412/.650 and a whopping 1.062 OPS look for the middle three frames to be to the Reds’ hitters liking.

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Wednesday night will have Sonny Gray (0-4 3.89 ERA) facing his former team and southpaw Brett Anderson (4-2 3.89 ERA). Gray is still looking for his first victory in a Reds uniform. The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched much better than his record indicates. In 34.2 innings, Gray has only surrendered one home run. Combine that with a 55.1% ground ball rate and you have a recipe for success.

While Gray is winless, left-hander Brett Anderson is looking for his fifth victory in his second tour of duty in Oakland. However, don’t let the numbers fool you, Brett Anderson is very hittable. In 37 innings of work, the 31-year-old southpaw has allowed 38 hits and 14 base on balls.

Anderson also struggles to put away hitters. Collecting only 21 strikeouts, batters have put plenty of balls in play.  Opposing hitters have also compiled an impressive .333 OBP when facing Anderson.

Thursday afternoon’s finale has Tanner Roark (2-1 3.82 ERA) taking the mound against A’s right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-0 2.12 ERA). Roark is coming off an excellent start in his last outing against San Francisco.

Tossing 6.2 innings of 2 run ball the 32-year-old right-hander also fanned a season high 7 Giants. He’s been his best in high leverage situation. In 24 such at-bats, he’s induced a .125/.250/.125 slash line without allowing an extra base hit.

Chris Bassitt has been outstanding in this 3 starts this seasons. In 17 inning of work, he has whiffed 21 hitters while only allowing 6 base on balls.  He’s limited the opposition to a paltry .161/.246/.323 slash line along with a 0.941 WHIP.

Bassitt’s go to pitch is a sinker, which according to Fangraphs, he throws nearly 36% of the time.  His repertoire also includes a four seam fastball, slider, and a curve.

Reds sluggers are beginning to dial long distance

To say Derek Dietrich adds personality to the Cincinnati Reds is a great injustice. Whether he’s admiring his home runs at the plate, painting fake mustaches above his lip, or pretending to be a beekeeper, it’s impossible not to like the guy. Luckily for Reds fans he has the numbers to back up all the swagger.

In just 70 at-bats, Derek Dietrich has blasted 9 home runs and compiled a ridiculous 1.047 OPS and 165 OPS+. He’s absolutely destroying right-handed pitching. In 64 at-bats against right-handers he’s slashing .266/.377/.734. Expect to see Dietrich in the line-up against both Mike Fiers and Chris Bassitt.

Since Nick Senzel made his Major League debut on Friday, the Reds have scored 37 runs.  Coincidence? Maybe, but Senzel has been an active participant in the scoring onslaught. He’s already hit 3 home runs and contributed a 1.146 OPS. Just as importantly, he looks like a natural in center field.

All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez has had a strange beginning to his 2019 campaign. He’s not getting on-base or hitting for the average Reds fans have become accustomed, but he’s providing plenty of power.

The 27-year-old slugger has 28 hits on the season and 15 of those have gone for extra bases. Suáres’s 10 home runs and 5 doubles have been been major contributors to his team high 23 RBIs.

Don’t look now, but left-handed reliever Zach Duke has not been scored upon in his last 4 outings.  Over 4 innings, Duke has allowed 1 hit and has fanned 3 batters. Hopefully, Duke has found his footing after a miserable start to the season.

Prediction

The Reds pitchers’ eyes are going to light up when they see the dimensions of the Oakland Coliseum and it’s ample foul territory. After working in Great American Ball Park over the last four days, Oakland will seem like the Grand Canyon.

Having the designated hitter will be a benefit for the Redlegs as well. The ability to play Jesse Winker, Derek Dietrich, and Jose Peraza at the same time will pay dividends as the Cincinnati Reds take 2 of the 3 from the A’s.