It's been a trying road trip for the Reds and their fans and it could be a trying season. It's starting to feel like 2003 or any year between 2001-2008. The Reds are getting poor performances from their starters, thus taxing the bullpen. The offense is strong enough to rally from large deficits but unable to come through with a clutch hit to take the lead--especially with two out. The two staples that propelled the Reds to the NL Central Division title a year ago were strong starting pitching and clutch hitting.
It's clear the Reds are missing two things--a #1 starter to anchor the rotation and and a true clean-up hitter to bat behind Joey Votto. Neither is likely to be obtained on the trade market this season (and if they were not without costing the Reds all of its minor league talent). The answers won't come from the minor leagues either. If they were down there, they'd be in a Reds uniform by now.
It's easy to say it's a long season and that things will turn around. But there are just a lot of questions going into June. Can Homer Bailey and Aroldis Chapman stay healthy? Will Edinson Volquez ever find the form that made him a 2008 All-Star? Is Bronson Arroyo just on one of his "bad" stretches or is he in decline? And will this team ever start hitting with 2 out and runners in scoring position (team avg. 198)? The Reds lead the NL in runs scored at 265, just 60 have come with 2 out and runners in scoring position. Food for thought.
If you were to inject Dusty Baker with truth serum, he'd tell you they're just trying to tread water until they get healthy. Problem is, you can't tread water forever. At some point somebody's got to throw you a life line.
Your points are well taken, however at some point the Reds have to fish or cut bait, so do they wait until the All Star break or do they get more proactive?
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. Only time will tell. I believe that the club has grown and will be able to weather this storm and still contend for the central division crown. Injuries are a concern no doubt, but if things level out, I still have confidence that this club will rebound. I look for a big time outing from cueto tonight. Take then series and come back home.
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