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Jun. 29—While the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen has gotten healthier and the rotation has stabilized, the lineup is now going through one of its worst ruts of the season. Even with the return of shortstop Elly De La Cruz from the injured list last week, the Reds' offensive struggles continued as they got swept by the Brewers.
They scored 15 runs in back-to-back victories over Pittsburgh — six on Friday, June 26, and nine more on Saturday — but face the Brewers in Milwaukee again this week.
They've lost nine straight series and 12 of 13 series against Milwaukee.
"They're a good baseball team," Reds catcher Jose Trevino said. "We've been in a lot of those games though. We just need that one thing to click. I don't think we hope for it. I think we just go and get it."
A lot of hitters in the lineup are cold. Spencer Steer entered the Pittsburgh series in an odd stretch that goes back to June 5 where four of his eight total hits are homers.
Eugenio Suárez hasn't been hitting for power this year — despite Saturday's game-winning home run in Pittsburgh — and he has one of the worst strikeout rates in the league.
JJ Bleday carried over a red-hot May into June.
One collective issue that the Reds' lineup is facing is their troubles against velocity. The Reds have the worst OPS in MLB against fastballs that are 95 mph or faster. They're scheduled to face flame-throwing Jacob Misiorowski on Thursday, July 2.
"It's something that starts in the minor leagues, making it a priority," hitting coach Chris Valaika said. "Spin is up in the major leagues. You see stuff getting better and better and velocity getting bigger and bigger. It's something we talk about. It's something we're stressing. We have to be accountable for it, take it in stride and continue to get better. It has been a weakness of ours. Teams are going to exploit that until we flip the narrative."
The Brewers also did a good job of capitalizing on self-inflicted mistakes from the Reds in last week's sweep.
On June 22 in the series opener, a wild pitch from Tony Santillan in the 10th inning was a turning point. On Tuesday, poor defense from Edwin Arroyo led to Nick Lodolo's pitch count adding up. Later in Game 2 of the series, Noelvi Marte failed to collect a ball in right field as a runner scored from first base. On Wednesday, Arroyo wasn't able to get a bunt down in a key spot in the ninth inning.
The Brewers have the Reds' number, winning 30 of 42 games against the Reds since the start of the 2023 season.
"Every game is different," manager Terry Francona said. "I always feel that way. They're a very good team. They're hard to beat because they challenge you in so many ways. We just have to be more consistent in a number of areas."
The Reds' struggles against the Brewers are especially alarming considering how much of the roster has changed. Elly De La Cruz, Tyler Stephenson, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain are the only Reds' players who have been consistent everyday guys in the lineup since the start of the 2023 season. Playing big roles in this week's series versus Milwaukee were a bunch of players — Blake Dunn, JJ Bleday, Noelvi Marte, Sal Stewart, Eugenio Suárez, Nathaniel Lowe, Edwin Arroyo, Dane Myers — who are new to the team or to the roles that they're currently in with the Reds.
A lot has changed, but the struggles against the Brewers have stayed the same. The Reds play them again next week.
"It's going to take all of us," Trevino said. "It's not just one individual person or plan. It's a team thing."
Continue reading...
They scored 15 runs in back-to-back victories over Pittsburgh — six on Friday, June 26, and nine more on Saturday — but face the Brewers in Milwaukee again this week.
They've lost nine straight series and 12 of 13 series against Milwaukee.
"They're a good baseball team," Reds catcher Jose Trevino said. "We've been in a lot of those games though. We just need that one thing to click. I don't think we hope for it. I think we just go and get it."
A lot of hitters in the lineup are cold. Spencer Steer entered the Pittsburgh series in an odd stretch that goes back to June 5 where four of his eight total hits are homers.
Eugenio Suárez hasn't been hitting for power this year — despite Saturday's game-winning home run in Pittsburgh — and he has one of the worst strikeout rates in the league.
JJ Bleday carried over a red-hot May into June.
One collective issue that the Reds' lineup is facing is their troubles against velocity. The Reds have the worst OPS in MLB against fastballs that are 95 mph or faster. They're scheduled to face flame-throwing Jacob Misiorowski on Thursday, July 2.
"It's something that starts in the minor leagues, making it a priority," hitting coach Chris Valaika said. "Spin is up in the major leagues. You see stuff getting better and better and velocity getting bigger and bigger. It's something we talk about. It's something we're stressing. We have to be accountable for it, take it in stride and continue to get better. It has been a weakness of ours. Teams are going to exploit that until we flip the narrative."
The Brewers also did a good job of capitalizing on self-inflicted mistakes from the Reds in last week's sweep.
On June 22 in the series opener, a wild pitch from Tony Santillan in the 10th inning was a turning point. On Tuesday, poor defense from Edwin Arroyo led to Nick Lodolo's pitch count adding up. Later in Game 2 of the series, Noelvi Marte failed to collect a ball in right field as a runner scored from first base. On Wednesday, Arroyo wasn't able to get a bunt down in a key spot in the ninth inning.
The Brewers have the Reds' number, winning 30 of 42 games against the Reds since the start of the 2023 season.
"Every game is different," manager Terry Francona said. "I always feel that way. They're a very good team. They're hard to beat because they challenge you in so many ways. We just have to be more consistent in a number of areas."
The Reds' struggles against the Brewers are especially alarming considering how much of the roster has changed. Elly De La Cruz, Tyler Stephenson, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain are the only Reds' players who have been consistent everyday guys in the lineup since the start of the 2023 season. Playing big roles in this week's series versus Milwaukee were a bunch of players — Blake Dunn, JJ Bleday, Noelvi Marte, Sal Stewart, Eugenio Suárez, Nathaniel Lowe, Edwin Arroyo, Dane Myers — who are new to the team or to the roles that they're currently in with the Reds.
A lot has changed, but the struggles against the Brewers have stayed the same. The Reds play them again next week.
"It's going to take all of us," Trevino said. "It's not just one individual person or plan. It's a team thing."
Continue reading...
