Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 13, 2023 16:48:16 GMT -5
Miami Marlins (21-20) @ Cincinnati Reds (15-25)
MIA: Felix Madrigal (1-4, 5.79)
CIN: Josh Campbell (0-3, 4.18)
Marlins 3 Key Stats
.402: Chris Newton’s OBP: Miami has a winning record in large part because of superstar youngster Chucky Newton. He’s been every good as billed with a .402 OBP that’s fourth in the league. He’s not just drawing walks though, he has a .310 average, 10 doubles, and seven homers, good for a .931 OPS. He’s also been excellent in Right Field with a pair of outfield assists and 2.1 arm runs. He’s been a superstar, and has given Miami hope for the present and the future.
20: Consecutive hitless at bats for Isaiah Stephen: Stephen was a first round pick in 2025, but didn’t make the PBA until he was 26. He had a -1.2 WAR in 2029 in just 60 games with a. 525 OPS. Last year, he had a .615 OPS and was worth -1.1 WAR in 150 games. He got off to a hot April start this year with a .333 average and 17 RBIs, but has had a rough start to May. With Jadon Ancrum signed, Stephen may not have much time left as a starting outfielder.
1.50: Omar Lara’s ERA: Lara has been exactly what Miami wanted in the back of the bullpen. He’s pitched in 17 games, saving nine. He has an elite BABIP against, .242, the same number he produced last year. He’s only allowed one homer, but with 28 strikeouts, he’s proven extremely tough to square up. His move was criticized last year as a luxury on a rebuilding team, but he’s been a major reason the Marlins have played solid ball this year.
Reds 3 Key Stats
52: Cincinnati’s home runs: Cincinnati has struggled to score and is only tied for 13th in runs. That doesn’t mean they can’t pop the ball over the fence though. Mike Wright already has 11, R. J. Jarrett has eight, and Kyle Jackson and Cortez Castaneda each have seventh. It’s the fifth most homers in the league. If the Reds can hold the Marlins to a reasonable score, they’re a threat to hit enough longballs to win.
.288: Cincinnati’s OBP: While the Reds have hit the long ball, they’re last in on-base percentage. Only two players with more than 58 plate appearances have an OBP over .300—Abdul Muhaimin bin Bilal is barely over at .309, and Andrew Knutsen has a decent .324 mark. The rest of the team simply does not hit for a high average and does not walk, limiting the effectiveness of the homers.
1: Doug Syversen Save: The Reds have changed around their bullpen, demoting long time Closer Syversen to middle relief. He lost 10 games with a 4.85 ERA in 2030, but still saved 24 contests and was worth 1.1 WAR. It hinted the beginning of a slip though, and the Reds have seen him put up a 4.50 ERA with four homers allowed in the early going. Ben Castle and James Gillen have the most saves on the club with three apiece, but Castle has an unsightly 7.04 ERA and Gillen isn’t much better at 5.40.
Questions for the GMs:
For Steven Luker, there were low expectations for your club coming out of Spring Training, but Miami has been one of the biggest surprises in the league. What’s led to the winning record?
You recently signed Jadon Ancrum. Why did you sign him and will he play today?
Your offense is humming, but you’re only ninth in run prevention. Will you try to upgrade the pitching staff?
For Steve Cox 2, your team is not getting on base. Is there anything you can do with your lineup to change that?
You traded for Cortez Castaneda last offseason. How would you judge that move roughly two months into his Reds tenure?
Doug Syversen is no longer your closer. Why did you make the change to demote him?
TRIVIA: Who are the two Reds to have hit 40 or more home runs in a season?
MIA: Felix Madrigal (1-4, 5.79)
CIN: Josh Campbell (0-3, 4.18)
Marlins 3 Key Stats
.402: Chris Newton’s OBP: Miami has a winning record in large part because of superstar youngster Chucky Newton. He’s been every good as billed with a .402 OBP that’s fourth in the league. He’s not just drawing walks though, he has a .310 average, 10 doubles, and seven homers, good for a .931 OPS. He’s also been excellent in Right Field with a pair of outfield assists and 2.1 arm runs. He’s been a superstar, and has given Miami hope for the present and the future.
20: Consecutive hitless at bats for Isaiah Stephen: Stephen was a first round pick in 2025, but didn’t make the PBA until he was 26. He had a -1.2 WAR in 2029 in just 60 games with a. 525 OPS. Last year, he had a .615 OPS and was worth -1.1 WAR in 150 games. He got off to a hot April start this year with a .333 average and 17 RBIs, but has had a rough start to May. With Jadon Ancrum signed, Stephen may not have much time left as a starting outfielder.
1.50: Omar Lara’s ERA: Lara has been exactly what Miami wanted in the back of the bullpen. He’s pitched in 17 games, saving nine. He has an elite BABIP against, .242, the same number he produced last year. He’s only allowed one homer, but with 28 strikeouts, he’s proven extremely tough to square up. His move was criticized last year as a luxury on a rebuilding team, but he’s been a major reason the Marlins have played solid ball this year.
Reds 3 Key Stats
52: Cincinnati’s home runs: Cincinnati has struggled to score and is only tied for 13th in runs. That doesn’t mean they can’t pop the ball over the fence though. Mike Wright already has 11, R. J. Jarrett has eight, and Kyle Jackson and Cortez Castaneda each have seventh. It’s the fifth most homers in the league. If the Reds can hold the Marlins to a reasonable score, they’re a threat to hit enough longballs to win.
.288: Cincinnati’s OBP: While the Reds have hit the long ball, they’re last in on-base percentage. Only two players with more than 58 plate appearances have an OBP over .300—Abdul Muhaimin bin Bilal is barely over at .309, and Andrew Knutsen has a decent .324 mark. The rest of the team simply does not hit for a high average and does not walk, limiting the effectiveness of the homers.
1: Doug Syversen Save: The Reds have changed around their bullpen, demoting long time Closer Syversen to middle relief. He lost 10 games with a 4.85 ERA in 2030, but still saved 24 contests and was worth 1.1 WAR. It hinted the beginning of a slip though, and the Reds have seen him put up a 4.50 ERA with four homers allowed in the early going. Ben Castle and James Gillen have the most saves on the club with three apiece, but Castle has an unsightly 7.04 ERA and Gillen isn’t much better at 5.40.
Questions for the GMs:
For Steven Luker, there were low expectations for your club coming out of Spring Training, but Miami has been one of the biggest surprises in the league. What’s led to the winning record?
You recently signed Jadon Ancrum. Why did you sign him and will he play today?
Your offense is humming, but you’re only ninth in run prevention. Will you try to upgrade the pitching staff?
For Steve Cox 2, your team is not getting on base. Is there anything you can do with your lineup to change that?
You traded for Cortez Castaneda last offseason. How would you judge that move roughly two months into his Reds tenure?
Doug Syversen is no longer your closer. Why did you make the change to demote him?
TRIVIA: Who are the two Reds to have hit 40 or more home runs in a season?
