Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 22, 2020 11:34:55 GMT -5
Cincinnati Reds (32-59) @ Chicago Cubs (61-32)
CIN: Bernardo Flores (2-3, 3.67)
CHC: Cody Anderson (4-2, 2.60)
After last season’s surprise strength, the Cincinnati Reds were bounding with optimism heading into 2024. The club was coming off its first winning season, had a good deal of youth, and with the Cardinals and Brewers not making major changes, saw at least a path to second place and a chance to continue building.
The 2024 season has not provided the Reds with the path and the team is in rebuilding mode, a tough place to be when they face the division leader Chicago Cubs in today’s Game of the Week.
Cincinnati’s offense sputtered to 10th on the year and 12th in home runs as the club has fallen to a 32-59 record. With nothing to play for this season, the team had to sell off All-Star Emmanuel Tapia, leaving the team currently with one player with double-digit home runs. Worse, top prospect Xavier Edwards was hurt trying to break up a double play on Friday, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. Edwards had not improved offensively upon his 2023 rookie campaign, a factor in Cincinnati’s disappointment, but he was a standout defender at Shortstop and won’t get the reps to improve at the plate for the remainder of the year.
That leaves Cincinnati with a roster of some prospects who mostly excel defensively, some serviceable veterans, and Evan Skoug. Injuries have wrecked the bullpen, and the staff has regressed mightily after strong 2023 seasons.
The only pitcher to improve his ERA will at least be pitching today, Bernardo Flores. The lefty was a fringe player on Cleveland’s 2020 World Series Championship team, and he’s served as a swingman the past three seasons. He was called into the rotation after starting the year in the pen, and has held his own as a starter. He’s been replacement level according to WAR, but has yielded a 3.98 ERA as a starter, which will play. However, there’s a huge cause for concern. Flores has allowed 10 home runs in 40.2 innings as a starter, and has allowed a .208 BABIP against. Both numbers should normalize somewhat, but it will be tough for it to come today against the Cubs.
Chicago continues to pace itself towards an eighth straight NL Central Championship, as they are the undisputed king of that domain. This season’s offense is a little bit more tepid than prior versions though. The Cubs are only fifth in home runs and sixth in runs scored, though on paper, their lineup is still ferocious. The bottom of Chicago’s lineup is weak, especially with Greg Allen injured, as Jonathan Sierra and Darry Wilson are each fifth outfielders pressed into starting duty. The Cubs are overbudget though and the youngsters are cheap, hence why they start. However, with much of the offense performing a little worse than expected, it makes Chicago’s offense unusually mortal. Regression could change that, and will be something to watch as the season moves forward.
Chicago has compensated by having a great pitching staff. Marco Gonzalez has provided a high-end arm to replace the Sonny Grays, Kyle Hendricks, Chris Sales, Jake Arrietas and Jon Lesters that paced the team in the past. However, with the team’s budget stretched, Chicago has done great work to find more budget options to lead the rotation. Today’s starter is one such example.
Cody Anderson rode the shuttle between Triple-A and the majors, the rotation and the bullpen, for much of his career. After four straight negative-WAR years, he had a serviceable campaign for a rebuilding Orioles team in 2022. Chicago pounced in 2023, acquiring him to make six starts and serve as a longman, where he excelled. This year, Anderson has made 13 starts to a 2.60 ERA. He’s had good control over his career, and has prevented home runs, allowing a good defense to track down the balls put in play. Chicago has found a ton of success with high-control pitchers the past few seasons, and their scouting, coaching staff, and Brandon Hillebrand deserve a ton of credit for identifying a player and a philosophy that could succeed.
The Cubs also continue to build a deep, talented bullpen. Even with a number of talented arms injured, Bonkers Carrizales and Zach Britton continue to form the backbone of an excellent late-inning core. Ernesto Arriaga, selected in the Rule V from the Reds, has been a wild but effective middle-man, Skylar Arias continues to dominate lefties, and Cobi Johnson has been good in long relief. By building up such a deep pen, the Cubs could continue to thrive despite losing Joe Caulder.
Questions for the GMs:
For Alberto Luque, this season has not gone according to plan. What was the biggest factor that caused the 2023 momentum to dissipate this year?
What players on your team would you like to closely analyze today and going forward as players who could have a good future?
Vinny Escudero looks like a player who could have a nice future for the Reds. Will you call him up at any point this year?
For Brandon Hillebrand, your main offensive players are all 29-years-old or older and the collective has slightly underperformed. Are you worried this could be the beginning of a downward trend?
You’ve given a lot of responsibility to Cletus Draves, but he has more walks than strikeouts. What are your thoughts on the wild relief arm?
With Francisco Lindor getting older, and Greg Allen getting hurt, you don’t have a lot of stolen base ability on your team. Are you worried that could hurt you going forward?
TRIVIA: Who is the All-Time leader in Stolen Bases?
CIN: Bernardo Flores (2-3, 3.67)
CHC: Cody Anderson (4-2, 2.60)
After last season’s surprise strength, the Cincinnati Reds were bounding with optimism heading into 2024. The club was coming off its first winning season, had a good deal of youth, and with the Cardinals and Brewers not making major changes, saw at least a path to second place and a chance to continue building.
The 2024 season has not provided the Reds with the path and the team is in rebuilding mode, a tough place to be when they face the division leader Chicago Cubs in today’s Game of the Week.
Cincinnati’s offense sputtered to 10th on the year and 12th in home runs as the club has fallen to a 32-59 record. With nothing to play for this season, the team had to sell off All-Star Emmanuel Tapia, leaving the team currently with one player with double-digit home runs. Worse, top prospect Xavier Edwards was hurt trying to break up a double play on Friday, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. Edwards had not improved offensively upon his 2023 rookie campaign, a factor in Cincinnati’s disappointment, but he was a standout defender at Shortstop and won’t get the reps to improve at the plate for the remainder of the year.
That leaves Cincinnati with a roster of some prospects who mostly excel defensively, some serviceable veterans, and Evan Skoug. Injuries have wrecked the bullpen, and the staff has regressed mightily after strong 2023 seasons.
The only pitcher to improve his ERA will at least be pitching today, Bernardo Flores. The lefty was a fringe player on Cleveland’s 2020 World Series Championship team, and he’s served as a swingman the past three seasons. He was called into the rotation after starting the year in the pen, and has held his own as a starter. He’s been replacement level according to WAR, but has yielded a 3.98 ERA as a starter, which will play. However, there’s a huge cause for concern. Flores has allowed 10 home runs in 40.2 innings as a starter, and has allowed a .208 BABIP against. Both numbers should normalize somewhat, but it will be tough for it to come today against the Cubs.
Chicago continues to pace itself towards an eighth straight NL Central Championship, as they are the undisputed king of that domain. This season’s offense is a little bit more tepid than prior versions though. The Cubs are only fifth in home runs and sixth in runs scored, though on paper, their lineup is still ferocious. The bottom of Chicago’s lineup is weak, especially with Greg Allen injured, as Jonathan Sierra and Darry Wilson are each fifth outfielders pressed into starting duty. The Cubs are overbudget though and the youngsters are cheap, hence why they start. However, with much of the offense performing a little worse than expected, it makes Chicago’s offense unusually mortal. Regression could change that, and will be something to watch as the season moves forward.
Chicago has compensated by having a great pitching staff. Marco Gonzalez has provided a high-end arm to replace the Sonny Grays, Kyle Hendricks, Chris Sales, Jake Arrietas and Jon Lesters that paced the team in the past. However, with the team’s budget stretched, Chicago has done great work to find more budget options to lead the rotation. Today’s starter is one such example.
Cody Anderson rode the shuttle between Triple-A and the majors, the rotation and the bullpen, for much of his career. After four straight negative-WAR years, he had a serviceable campaign for a rebuilding Orioles team in 2022. Chicago pounced in 2023, acquiring him to make six starts and serve as a longman, where he excelled. This year, Anderson has made 13 starts to a 2.60 ERA. He’s had good control over his career, and has prevented home runs, allowing a good defense to track down the balls put in play. Chicago has found a ton of success with high-control pitchers the past few seasons, and their scouting, coaching staff, and Brandon Hillebrand deserve a ton of credit for identifying a player and a philosophy that could succeed.
The Cubs also continue to build a deep, talented bullpen. Even with a number of talented arms injured, Bonkers Carrizales and Zach Britton continue to form the backbone of an excellent late-inning core. Ernesto Arriaga, selected in the Rule V from the Reds, has been a wild but effective middle-man, Skylar Arias continues to dominate lefties, and Cobi Johnson has been good in long relief. By building up such a deep pen, the Cubs could continue to thrive despite losing Joe Caulder.
Questions for the GMs:
For Alberto Luque, this season has not gone according to plan. What was the biggest factor that caused the 2023 momentum to dissipate this year?
What players on your team would you like to closely analyze today and going forward as players who could have a good future?
Vinny Escudero looks like a player who could have a nice future for the Reds. Will you call him up at any point this year?
For Brandon Hillebrand, your main offensive players are all 29-years-old or older and the collective has slightly underperformed. Are you worried this could be the beginning of a downward trend?
You’ve given a lot of responsibility to Cletus Draves, but he has more walks than strikeouts. What are your thoughts on the wild relief arm?
With Francisco Lindor getting older, and Greg Allen getting hurt, you don’t have a lot of stolen base ability on your team. Are you worried that could hurt you going forward?
TRIVIA: Who is the All-Time leader in Stolen Bases?
