Reds: Recipe for redemption vs Rockies requires more Tyler Stephenson

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ST LOUIS, MO – JUNE 04: Eugenio Suarez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds bobbles a ground ball. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

The Reds continue their quest for the elusive .500 mark against the visiting Rockies.

It was deja vu all over again this week for the Cincinnati Reds (29-31) as the Milwaukee Brewers once again humbled the Redlegs at Great American Ball Park despite rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson posting a career-best 3-RBI performance on Wednesday night. Throughout the past four seasons, the Beer Makers have been made to feel much too comfortable in the Queen City.

Since the 2018 campaign, the Brewers are a ridiculous 19-10 against the Reds at GABP. There was little mystery during the disappointing three-game set as the usual suspects were on full display.

The Cincinnati bullpen continued to maintain their firm grasp of being the worst bullpen in the National League. Tossing 11.1 innings, the relief corps supplied anything but by allowing 10 runs, including three homers, and issuing a frustrating 11 free passes. Interestingly, the Reds best bullpen option, Tejay Antone, failed to make an appearance versus the first-place Brewers.

However, the bullpen should not shoulder the entire blame. Cincinnati’s erratic offense continued to be just that, scoring a combined three runs in the two defeats. Infielder Eugenio Suarez collected just one hit in nine at-bats as his average sits at .160 as we approach the middle of June.

To call the Colorado Rockies (25-38), a poor road team would be an insult to poor road teams. Entering tonight’s series opener, the Rockies are a ghastly 5-24 away from Coors Field. Mercy! Amazingly, recent history has been kind to the Rockies when they visit the Queen City. Since 2012 Colorado is 12-12 at GABP and has taken the series in two of their last three trips.

This will be the final time the two teams will face each other in 2021. The two clubs split a four-game set in Denver last month, and the Reds will try to capture the season series from the Rockies for just the third time in the last decade.

DENVER, CO – MAY 15: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by third base coach Stu Cole after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Reds look to slow Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon.

Ryan McMahon may not hit for a high average and reach base as much as you would like, but positive things happen when he does make contact. While the slash line of .253/.307/.484 is not necessarily newsworthy, his power will certainly garner headlines.

The left-handed-hitting second baseman leads the Rockies with 13 homers and 34 RBIs. McMahon’s contributions cannot be dismissed because this Rockies offense is hardly reminiscent of the Blake Street Bombers of years ago.

Entering play Thursday, the Colorado offense averages 4.27 runs per contest which places them slightly below the 4.33 league standard. What is probably most alarming is the Rockies’ lack of power. Colorado’s 54 round-trippers are the second-fewest in the senior circuit. The aforementioned McMahon is the only Rockie who has left the yard more than five times this season.

Unfortunately, the pitching side of the ledger isn’t producing many dividends as well for Rockies fans. As play began Thursday, Colorado pitchers have compiled a 4.71 ERA, placing them 13th among NL staffs.

The inability to throw strikes has been a persistent issue for Rockie hurlers. Their 227 free passes are the fourth-most in the National League. Additionally, the league’s second-highest of hit total of 538 allowed by Colorado pitching has led to an NL worst 1.42 WHIP as play began yesterday.

As a team, you don’t drop 24 of 29 road games by accident, and the Colorado pitching staff has more than added to the club’s road woes. Rockie pitching has compiled a 5.16 ERA away from Coors Field. Facing the NL’s best hitting team, runs should be aplenty this weekend for the Reds.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 30: Tyler Mahle #30 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Rockies

Cincinnati will send their 2021 ace Tyler Mahle (5-2 3.32 ERA) to the mound tonight, facing Kyle Freeland (0-1 6.23 ERA) of the Rockies. To put it mildly, Tyler Mahle is rolling. The Reds right-hander has allowed just two runs over his last 17.1 frames, allowing only eight hits and recording 18 punchouts. Let’s hope Mahle’s start resembles his last appearance versus the Rockies.

Tossing seven innings on May 15th in Denver, Tyler Mahle surrendered only two runs without walking a batter. The California native has yet to defeat Colorado in four career starts. Look for the 26-year-old to remedy that tonight.

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Southpaw Kyle Freeland will be making his fourth start of the 2021 season, and it’s been a struggle for the University of Evansville alum. In 13 innings of work, he’s allowed eight bases on balls and 19 hits. Look for Reds manager David Bell to load the lineup with right-handed bats.

Wade Miley (5-4 2.96 ERA) gets the call Saturday afternoon while Rockies manager Bud Black will counter with German Marquez (4-5 3.91 ERA). Much like Friday’s starter Tyler Mahle, Wade Miley has been in a groove as of late.

The left-hander has given up only two runs in his last 15.2 innings while recording 15 strikeouts. However, unlike Tyler Mahle, WadeMiley is seeking some redemption against the Rockies. Following his no-hitter versus the Cleveland Indians, Miley last just three innings in a May 14th start in Denver, allowing a whopping 11 hits and eight runs in easily his worst performance of the season.

A strong argument can be made German Marquez has been the ace of the Rockies staff this year. The right-hander leads the rotation in ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched. This is not news to Cincinnati. Marquez has won all three of his career starts versus the Reds with an excellent 3.15 ERA.

Since Sonny Gray was placed on the IL following Tuesday’s start against the Brewers, manager David Bell has been playing it close to the vest regarding Sunday’s starter. We should know more this afternoon, but could it be Tejay Antone or perhaps the MLB debut of Tony Santillan. Stay tuned.

What we do know regarding Sunday’s series finale is Antonio Senzatela (2-6 4.62 ER) will be toeing the rubber for the Rockies. The 26-year-old right-hander was lights out earlier this season against the Reds. Hurling seven frames of four-hit one-run ball, the Redlegs are clearly aware of what he’s capable of doing.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 01: Tyler Stephenson #37 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Reds rookie Tyler Stephenson is presenting a good problem for David Bell.

If there was one positive to Joey Votto’s month-long stint on the injured list it was the increased playing time for Cincinnati Reds rookie Tyler Stephenson. In addition to his regular backup catching duties, the right-handed slugger found himself playing first base for the first time in his professional career.

Even though he’s only hitting .227 over his past 15 games, Tyler Stephenson has a mature approach at the plate that belies his rookie status, as evidence by his .358 on-base percentage over that period. Wednesday night’s contest versus Milwaukee was a perfect example of what Stephenson brings to the club.

In four plate appearances, Tyler Stephenson doubled twice and drove in three runs leading the Reds to a 7-3 win over the Brewers. However, with the return of Votto to the active roster, will Stephenson garner the playing time he deserves?

My fear is that David Bell reduces Stephenson’s role to that of strictly a backup catcher where he receives the starts versus left-handers and the obligatory day start following a night game. This is absolutely the worst path Bell could choose.

Tyler Stephenson is going to be an integral part of the next contending Cincinnati Reds team. At 24-years of age, it’s time for him to develop at the major league level by receiving regular playing time. David Bell, I implore you, set Tyler Stephenson free.

Prediction

The 2021 Cincinnati Reds continue to tease Reds Country. Are they the team that swept a four-game set in St. Louis last weekend, or the one that appeared mostly overmatched versus the Milwaukee Brewers this week.

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This weekend will likely not be a defining moment for the Reds in 2021, but if they desire to compete in the NL Central race, this is the type of series where they need to take care of business against a lesser Colorado Rockies club. Look for the Reds to take two of three this weekend and inch closer to .500 before a challenging road trip that includes stops in Milwaukee and San Diego.

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