Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from poor showing in Ohio Cup

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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 06: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

The Reds won just one game versus the Indians in the Ohio Cup.

Well, maybe the Cincinnati Reds are not as good as we thought they were. After $165M invested in free agents this offseason, the Reds are off to a 5-8 start with 47 games to go. Now, that’s more than enough time to makeup ground in the National League Central, but they better start soon. A 1-3 showing versus the Cleveland Indians in the Ohio Cup puts the Reds in fourth place.

In four games against the Tribe, the Reds managed to score just five runs. The Indians, on the other hand, put up 21 including a 13-run effort last night with one of the Reds best starters, Luis Castillo on the hill. Sonny Gray was the only Reds starter to earn a win, however, both Tyler Mahle and Tejay Antone had solid starts.

Cincinnati’s early-season struggles fell at the feet of the bullpen. And while those problems have yet to be fixed, now the offense appears to have fallen apart as well. In the past two games, the Reds were blanked by the Indians and picked up just six hits. While second baseman Mike Moustakas is out with injury, there’s more than enough firepower on this year’s team.

So what went right, if anything, and what went wrong against the Cleveland Indians? With the Chicago Cubs out to a terrific 10-3 start, Cincinnati’s 1-3 showing has them sitting behind both the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds have a three-game series against the former up next, so they better get things straightened out.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 28: Cody Reed #23 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Reds bullpen woes continue.

The Cincinnati Reds bullpen is not very good. This is hardly news to anyone who’s watched this team perform this year, but every time the bullpen gates open, Reds Country collectively holds their breath. Several solid outings from the starters have been wasted by a bullpen who ranks 29th in ERA (7.65), 3rd in home runs allowed (11) and 11th in walks (22).

Last night, José De León made his season debut, and most fans probably wish he was still on the taxi squad. De León came in relief of Luis Castillo after La Piedra allowed three runs on four hits. During his first appearance out of the Reds bullpen, De León retired his first three batters in order, but the following inning, De León allowed eight runs on four hits and four walks. Ouch!

De León isn’t the only culprit to have performed poorly. Michael Lorenzen continued his unexplainable 2020 by allowing a crucial run in Game 3 of the series. Lorenzen’s ERA currently sits at 12.46. Even Pedro Strop and Lucas Sims, who’d been the best relievers so far this season, struggled in Game 2, collectively walking three batters in one inning and giving up two runs.

Amir Garrett has been solid and Raisel Iglesias looks more like the pitcher we’re used to, but I can’t say that I trust a single arm in that bullpen. Cincinnati does not have any reinforcements at the alternate site who are likely to provide a boost. Other than Robert Stephenson, who’s currently on the injured list, this year’s team is set as far as relievers go. They’ve got to figure it out.

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

2. The Reds bats need to wake up, and quickly.

One game is a coincidence, two games is cause for concern, but given where the Reds offense is sitting right now, it’s almost time to hit the panic button. Cincinnati was scoreless against Cleveland during the past two games at Progressive Field, and even Nick Castellanos showed that he was human. The big free agent acquisition went just 1-for-7 the past two games.

But in no way are we going to demean Castellanos’ performance. Outside of he, Joey Votto and Nick Senzel, no one on this Reds club is hitting the ball. It’s especially troubling to see the struggles of Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker. Suárez is 4-for-44 (.091) and Winker is 6-for-32 (.188). However, both have shown some life recently and hopefully find their groove in the next series.

For those critical of David Bell’s managerial skills, the second-year skipper has kept the lineup virtually the same for the past several games. Any armchair managers want to give Bell more advice on how to get his bats to heat up, because keeping hitters at a consistent spot in the lineup hasn’t worked.

Castellanos is hitting .333 on the season with a ridiculous 1.212 OPS. That pace is unsustainable, but for now, that’s about the Reds have. Joey Votto is seeing the ball as he .383 on-base percentage suggests. But Cincinnati needs Shogo Akiyama to get on base and the likes of Suárez and Winker to drive runners in. Mike Moustakas’ absence has not helped either.

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 05: Starting pitcher Tejay Antone #70 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

3. Wade Miley has competition for his spot in the rotation.

Let’s give Wade Miley the benefit of the doubt. The veteran lefty got rocked in his first start of the 2020 season, but it appears as though injury might have had something to do with it. Miley was placed on the 10-day IL with an injured groin before his second start and was replaced by Tyler Mahle. Mahle looked very good against Cleveland on Tuesday night.

Let’s set the issue of how David Bell has handled his starters aside for a second. What Mahle did on Tuesday was outstanding. The right-hander went six innings, allowed just one hit and walked two batters. Mahle exited the game after 98 pitches.

Whether or not you agree with Bell’s decision is irrelevant. In case you were curious, only six teams in the major leagues have used their bullpen less. Oh, and four of those teams (St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals) have had a rash of games postponed due to concerns over COVID-19.

In addition to Tyler Mahle’s brilliance in Game 2, Tejay Antone showed what he was made of in Game 3. The right-hander from Texas made his first major league start and allowed just one run in 4.1 innings of work. Though Antone was optioned to the alternate site, expect to see him back in the rotation when the Reds inevitably play another seven-inning doubleheader.

Next. Reds roster moves include some surprises

The Reds bullpen needs a kick in the pants. Cincinnati’s big boppers need to make contact. And Wade Miley had better perform upon his return from the injured list. Time’s a wasting and the Reds need to pick up the pace before they fall out of contention all together.

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