Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from doubleheader vs KC Royals

1. The long ball may be the Reds only means to score runs.

The Cincinnati Reds are third in the National League in home runs (37), yet 11th in runs scored (96). Is the long ball the only way the Reds can get on the board? Last night, it sure seemed that way, as all five of Cincinnati’s runs came via the big fly. If the Reds can’t figure out a way to manufacture runs another way, they may be in a bit of a pickle as the season progresses.

I’m not anti-home run. In fact, in today’s game, it’s quite affective. However, it cannot be the only method for scoring runs. As a team, the Reds are hitting just .219, third-worst in the NL. Their .324 on-base percentage, good enough for seventh-best in the league, is greatly helped by Jesse Winker’s MLB-leading .493 OBP.

The Reds were blanked in Game 1 against Royals righty Brad Keller, managing just three hits. Other than Winker, who drew three walks, the Cincinnati offense managed just three base runners off Keller. Tucker Barnhart, Shogo Akiyama and Mike Moustakas all reached base after the fifth inning, but no one advanced further than second base.

This Reds offense is built around the long ball, but that can’t be the only manner in which they score runs. Nick Castellanos leads the way after slugging his ninth homer of the season last night, and Eugenio Suárez broke out of his slump, going deep in the top of the third.

For the Reds to have success, the likes of Joey Votto, Shogo Akiyama and Nick Senzel, when he returns, must get on base. Votto went 1-for-6 leading off last night and going into the doubleheader was 10-for-60 (.167). I think it’s time for that experiment to be over and done with.