Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from series victory vs Brewers

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 08: The Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Reds took 2-of-3 versus the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Sunday’s finale didn’t end quite as the Cincinnati Reds had hoped, but David Bell’s crew still upended the Milwaukee Brewers two times in three days during a visit to the Cream City. The series victory has Cincinnati clinging to the final playoff spot in the National League as the team returns home to Great American Ball Park.

Sonny Gray took his first loss of the 2020 season yesterday, but after getting blanked by the Indians in Cleveland, the Reds rebounded to score 15 runs in three games, including an 8-run performance on Friday night. The bats appear to have awoken from their slumber, which has to bring a smile to a starting rotation that’s carried this team in the early-going.

Unfortunately, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine for the Reds, who saw their prize free agent acquisition head to injured list yesterday. Mike Moustakas, who’s been nursing a sore quad, was put on the 10-day IL and the team recalled rookie pitcher Tejay Antone. David Bell revealed his starting rotation yesterday, and it appears as though Antone will be coming out of the bullpen.

While a sweep would’ve been nice, and brought the Reds back up to .500, a series win at Miller Park is a good start. Hopefully Cincinnati can build on its success with a six-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Two more series wins would mean the Reds could be sitting pretty by the end of the week.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 09: Michael Lorenzen #21 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after being relieved in the sixth inning (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen needs a boost of confidence.

Let’s get the bad out of the way first, shall we? What in world has happened to Michael Lorenzen? The Cincinnati Reds top relief pitcher from a year ago has hit rock bottom. It continued yesterday when Lorenzen entered the game with the score knotted at two runs. Lorenzen could not record and out and left with the Reds facing a three-run deficit.

Last season, Lorenzen was the super-sub for David Bell. Playing in 100 games last season, the Zen Master pitched in 73 contests and put up a 2.92 ERA while striking out a career-high 85 batters. This season, Lorenzen’s ERA is sitting at 16.88 and he’s allowed 10 runs through 5.1 innings of work.

Bell would know better than me, but it looks like Lorenzen needs a boost of confidence and should be removed from high-leverage situations. In the past, Lorenzen has certainly looked the part, but the 2020 season is a different story. With the hapless Royals and Pirates coming to town, perhaps Bell can find a scenario in which to turn to Lorenzen with a six or seven run lead.

Whatever is ailing the young pitcher, this team needs him back on track. The Reds bullpen is shaky is best, with Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims and Raisel Iglesias providing some measure of consistency thus far. In order to compete for a spot in the postseason, Michael Lorenzen needs to be right. Hopefully we see a return to normalcy for Mikey Biceps this week.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 08: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds strikes out (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Jesse Winker is adapting to being the Reds DH.

By hook or by crook, Jesse Winker is getting on base at an amazing clip. The Buffalo native went 3-for-4 yesterday and had five hits, two RBIs and three runs scored during the series versus the Brewers. Over his last seven games, Winker has an on-base percentage of .522. He’s also been drilled by opposing pitchers four times this season.

Reds fans have been patiently waiting for Winker to emerge as the offensive threat that we all knew he could be. The addition of the universal designated hitter during baseball’s abbreviated 2020 season seemed like the perfect scenario for Winker, who’s not an elite defender nor is he fleet of foot.

The early returns were not promising, as Winker had just one hit through his first 10 games, and was hitting just .087. Still, Winker was getting on base by drawing four walks and being hit by a pitch on two separate occasions during that stretch. Something seems to have clicked lately, however, as Winker has a hit in five of his past six games, including three multi-hit games.

The Cincinnati Reds offense needs Winker to produce. Joey Votto has been solid, but unspectacular at the dish, Eugenio Suárez appears to be picking himself up off the mat, and Nick Castellanos has been everything Reds Country was hoping for. If Jesse Winker continues to get on base, this Cincinnati offense could take off.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 08: Anthony DeSclafani #28 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Anthony DeSclafani is making his case for the Reds to re-sign him.

Anthony DeSclafani is a free agent at the end of the 2020 season. No one knows what the offseason is going to look like, and it’s hard to see the Cincinnati Reds spending heavily after doling out $165M to free agents this past winter. But, DeSclafani is going to make it difficult for the Reds to let him leave.

Disco has not allowed a single runner to score this season. Granted, because of minor injury to start the season, DeSclafani has only started two games. However, the Reds right-hander has looked dominant when he’s on the bump with eight strikeouts in 11 innings of work an a ridiculously impressive WHIP of 0.545.

Anthony DeSclafani is coming off his first healthy season since 2015. In 2019, the Florida-native started 31 games and was among the Top 20 in the National League in both strikeouts (167) and ERA (3.98). But, will the Cincinnati Reds keep Disco beyond the 2020 season?

The Reds starting rotation has been the strength of this year’s team so far in 2020. Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo will be in a Reds uniform for at least the next couple of years. Wade Miley has just one start on the season, but looks to return this week. Tyler Mahle and Tejay Antone have shown promise as well.

Next. Iggy is on track in August

Trevor Bauer is a free agent as well, and will command a high price on the open market and one the Reds are likely unwilling to match. Disco on the other hand could come a bit cheaper, but with stating pitching always at a premium, the right-hander could be in high demand too when the offseason begins.

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