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Saturday, September 22, 2012

MLB.com: Behind Latos, Reds regain reign of NL Central

Let the festivities commence in Cincinnati. The National League Central flag is back in the hands of the Reds, who earned the right to celebrate with Saturday’s 6-0 victory over the Dodgers.
...
It was Cincinnati’s second NL Central title in three seasons while manager Dusty Baker becomes only the third skipper in franchise history to lead the Reds to the postseason more than once, joining Bill McKechnie (1939-40) and Sparky Anderson (1970, ‘72, ‘73, ‘75 and ‘76).

Unfortunately, Baker could not be present to enjoy the moment. The 63-year-old remained hospitalized back in Chicago, where he was being treated for an irregular heartbeat.

NTNgod Posted: September 22, 2012 at 07:07 PM | 15 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: pennant race, reds

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1. JJ1986 Posted: September 22, 2012 at 07:20 PM (#4243266)

I did not realize this, but holy #### the Reds bullpen is deep. They have eight guys with significant innings pitched and the worst ERA+ is 128.

2. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: September 22, 2012 at 08:30 PM (#4243321)

Yeah, I don't think we should expect a "three and out" in the playoffs from the Reds this go around.

3. toratoratora Posted: September 22, 2012 at 10:24 PM (#4243356)

I did not realize this, but holy #### the Reds bullpen is deep. They have eight guys with significant innings pitched and the worst ERA+ is 128.

Yeah, the bullpen has been loaded all year. The Reds are a good team, and the pen has been their strongest asset

4. Andere Richtingen

Posted: September 22, 2012 at 11:52 PM (#4243388)

It's the perfect Dusty Baker team. Hitters running on all cylinders, and a pitching staff with no tough decisions to make.

The Reds have ONE pitching start this year made by someone outside their five-man rotation, and he isn't leaving his starters in forever for no good reason any more.

5. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 22, 2012 at 11:56 PM (#4243391)

reds are a fascinating team

6. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 23, 2012 at 01:34 AM (#4243413)

The Reds have ONE pitching start this year made by someone outside their five-man rotation

And that one was to start in the second game of a doubleheader.

7. zachtoma Posted: September 23, 2012 at 02:13 AM (#4243419)

Reds team ERA+ is 124. 124. Ummm....

8. Walt Davis Posted: September 23, 2012 at 03:11 AM (#4243429)

One thing different about this staff from other Dusty staffs is that they are not giving up walks.

Where I'd worry about the Reds in the playoffs is that (a) the offense is not strong and (b) the starters give up a lot of HR (partly park effect no doubt) which can kill you in the playoffs. The bullpen is might stingy but they might well be down 4-1 before the pen gets into the game.

But, in general, the NL playoffs look like a real crapshoot to me, especially if the Braves win the play-in game. I'd bet on the Nats if I had to but these teams look pretty close to me.

9. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 23, 2012 at 01:42 PM (#4243627)

congrats to the reds and their fans.

with the off days dusty could manage every game like it's a six inning affair since his bullpen is lights out.

10. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 23, 2012 at 02:55 PM (#4243663)

But, in general, the NL playoffs look like a real crapshoot to me, especially if the Braves win the play-in game. I'd bet on the Nats if I had to but these teams look pretty close to me.

Ftfy :)

The Reds have a decent enough offense when looking at their starters (Votto, Bruce, Frazier, Ludwick at the core.) But they don't much depth.

11. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: September 23, 2012 at 03:32 PM (#4243684)

That Latos-Vólquez swap has worked out pretty well for the Reds this year. A guy who has no problems dealing with the transition from Petco to the GAB and throws like an All-Star is pretty damn valuable. Vólquez has been, uh, not great for San Diego. It'll take a while to know if Alonso and Grandal pan out, but I doubt the Reds are ever going to look back upon this deal with any regret.

12. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 23, 2012 at 03:38 PM (#4243690)

latos started really throwing some gas in mid-may and never looked back. early in the year he was throwing 90 or so and looked out of sorts.

then boom he's throwing 93/94 and that was that

13. smileyy Posted: September 23, 2012 at 04:59 PM (#4243732)

It's not really accurate to call it Volquez for Latos. Volquez is a lottery ticket for recovering from injury and form, but Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal, two top prospects who were blocked in the Reds organization.

I think the trade will be win-win, but if Grandal turns into Joe Mauer or Mike Piazza, it might look different in the future. But I don't think either side will have regrets.

14. hokieneer Posted: September 24, 2012 at 09:17 AM (#4244015)

latos started really throwing some gas in mid-may and never looked back. early in the year he was throwing 90 or so and looked out of sorts.

then boom he's throwing 93/94 and that was that

I heard he was a slow starter, but he looked beyond awful in April. Since then he's been striking out a batter an inning, carrying a BB rate under 2.5, and an ERA around 3.20.

2 front line starters and an abundant number of quality arms in the pen make me feel comfortable about October this time around.

15. vivaelpujols Posted: September 24, 2012 at 09:25 AM (#4244020)

Reds are tied for second in the league in Pythag record with St. Louis and Atlanta. They are a good team, but the NL playoff teams all look around the same. Only the Nationals have played a lot better, but losing Strasburg pretty much negates that.

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Saturday, September 22, 2012

MLB.com: Behind Latos, Reds regain reign of NL Central

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