Friday, April 08, 2005
Step Right Up and Sweep the Mets
Okay, who had the Reds sweeping the "New Mets"? Anyone? Bueller? Well, regardless of your level of faith and expectation for this year's Cincinnati squad, it was an impressive three games and while the Mets big offseason grabs shined (Beltran 5-13, HR, 3 RBI; Pedro 6 IP, 12 K, 2 BB), plenty of other Mets didn't (Glavine, Looper, DeJean). So, with the first 3-0 start since the Reds went wire-to-wire in 1990 under their belts, can Cincy fans expect another 91-71 regular season followed by a 6th world championship? Don't look at me--I didn't think they could beat the Mets 3 in a row. But after taking in the series, there were sure a lot of things to like.
Randa-Lamma-Ham-Dam
The big story is, of course, Randa. Chicks may dig the long ball but so does the media. Miley mentioned that Sean Casey may have to forfeit his "Mayor" nickname. Randa isn't quite so sure. "Nobody recognized me," he told the Dayton Daily News, when asked if he'd been offered any free meals by fans for his heroics. Randa's numbers after 3 games have him looking like he's re-emerged. Not so fast. His career HR high is 16 and I'd view that as a ceiling this year. Remember his career SLG% is .426, so he's not going to discover a power stroke at 35. He can still hit for a decent average, but the reason for this surge could lie in his increased FB% (up to 41). We all know that GABP is a place where lazy flies become dingers. Still, don't get too excited about Joe.
Ken Griffey is Not an Anti-Dentite
But he's already missed game #1. Griffey didn't play in Thursday's series finale because of what Miley called a "dental problem, a crown problem". What? His appointment was in the early morning. The game was at 12:35. Oral surgery or a really slow dentist? Whatley! I realize this is a small thing, but here's a guy who's had every leg injury (and re-injury) known to man in the last 4 seasons, and he can't even make it through the first series without popping a tooth? Look, I'm not poking fun--teeth problems hurt. I've had several teeth pulled (wisdom included, which explains my lack of knowledge). But if fantasy owners have to start worrying about Griffey's teeth, then I'm betting we're gonna see white flags everywhere. What's more painful? He's started 4-7.
Aaron Won't Be Harang-ing Around the FA List
Let's take a look at the box score--6 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 3 BB, 0 ER--and win numero uno. Other than, say, more walks than you'd like to see, there was nothing not to like about Harang's first trip to the mound. Before his start, he was owned in a grand total of 0% of mixed leagues. With more starts like Thursday's, that will change fast. In the Reds Rotation Preview (Vol. 3 at The Red Letters--theredletters.blogspot.com), I mentioned that Harang could have the best year of any starter on the team, including Milton. He did nothing to prove me wrong yesterday, looking solid on almost every count. He's not going to take the fantasy world by storm, but if you need pitching, don't get in late on Harang. He won't be at 0% that much longer.
A Huge Disappointment
Like a lot of Reds fans, Ryan Freel has been a favorite of mine since he first saw action in 2003. On Monday night, what came as a huge surprise to myself--and probably many others--soon turned to huge disappointment. Freel was arrested for DUI and other related charges. Freel has done all the right things so far--apologized, taken full responsibility, and basically not acted like an entitled athlete through the process. I have no sympathy for those who get behind the wheel and drive. Zero. It is a bad choice that can alter lives forever. While he should be forgiven, this is the kind of thing that can never happen again--and I'm sure O'Brien and Miley told him as much. As far as PT is concerned, it shouldn't change things. He went 0-1 with 2 BB, 1 R, and 1 RBI on Thursday.
Striking Out at the Plate, But Not on the Scoreboard
The last 2 seasons in Major League Baseball has seen a team strike out 16+ times at the plate yet still manage to win the game 11 times. Five of those 11 times the team was the Cincinnati Reds. This doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Pedro whiffed 12 Reds and the bullpen fanned 4 more in the Reds comeback 7-6 Opening Day win. There really isn't anyone outside of Casey and maybe Randa who will make better than average contact, so it's easy to see the Reds whiffing a lot of rallies away. Also, if you've got a good K pitcher against the Reds, make sure he's active. Dunn has fanned in 7 of 11 ABs so far, with only 1 walk. That's the worst of the worst, but the rest of the team doesn't look much better. They've led the majors in Ks the last 2 years. Expect a 3-peat.
Houston, St. Louis, and Pitching to Contact
The Reds now head out on a 5-game, 2-city road trip, both foes in the division. The Houston pitching matchups don't favor the Reds to say the least. But then, facing Clemens and Oswalt in a 3-game series doesn't really favor anyone (except the Astros). The good news is that the Houston offense is much weaker than last year's right now. The bad news is that they'll be better than most think. St. Louis is still the team to beat in the NL Central though. Two fun games at Busch on tap. Also, next time, we'll look at the now well-known "pitch to contact" philosophy of pitching coach Don Gullett and manager Dave Miley. Let me say that the approach is misguided at best. I'll tell you why. Until then, I'm Matt Allen, and this one belongs to the Red Letters.
Randa-Lamma-Ham-Dam
The big story is, of course, Randa. Chicks may dig the long ball but so does the media. Miley mentioned that Sean Casey may have to forfeit his "Mayor" nickname. Randa isn't quite so sure. "Nobody recognized me," he told the Dayton Daily News, when asked if he'd been offered any free meals by fans for his heroics. Randa's numbers after 3 games have him looking like he's re-emerged. Not so fast. His career HR high is 16 and I'd view that as a ceiling this year. Remember his career SLG% is .426, so he's not going to discover a power stroke at 35. He can still hit for a decent average, but the reason for this surge could lie in his increased FB% (up to 41). We all know that GABP is a place where lazy flies become dingers. Still, don't get too excited about Joe.
Ken Griffey is Not an Anti-Dentite
But he's already missed game #1. Griffey didn't play in Thursday's series finale because of what Miley called a "dental problem, a crown problem". What? His appointment was in the early morning. The game was at 12:35. Oral surgery or a really slow dentist? Whatley! I realize this is a small thing, but here's a guy who's had every leg injury (and re-injury) known to man in the last 4 seasons, and he can't even make it through the first series without popping a tooth? Look, I'm not poking fun--teeth problems hurt. I've had several teeth pulled (wisdom included, which explains my lack of knowledge). But if fantasy owners have to start worrying about Griffey's teeth, then I'm betting we're gonna see white flags everywhere. What's more painful? He's started 4-7.
Aaron Won't Be Harang-ing Around the FA List
Let's take a look at the box score--6 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 3 BB, 0 ER--and win numero uno. Other than, say, more walks than you'd like to see, there was nothing not to like about Harang's first trip to the mound. Before his start, he was owned in a grand total of 0% of mixed leagues. With more starts like Thursday's, that will change fast. In the Reds Rotation Preview (Vol. 3 at The Red Letters--theredletters.blogspot.com), I mentioned that Harang could have the best year of any starter on the team, including Milton. He did nothing to prove me wrong yesterday, looking solid on almost every count. He's not going to take the fantasy world by storm, but if you need pitching, don't get in late on Harang. He won't be at 0% that much longer.
A Huge Disappointment
Like a lot of Reds fans, Ryan Freel has been a favorite of mine since he first saw action in 2003. On Monday night, what came as a huge surprise to myself--and probably many others--soon turned to huge disappointment. Freel was arrested for DUI and other related charges. Freel has done all the right things so far--apologized, taken full responsibility, and basically not acted like an entitled athlete through the process. I have no sympathy for those who get behind the wheel and drive. Zero. It is a bad choice that can alter lives forever. While he should be forgiven, this is the kind of thing that can never happen again--and I'm sure O'Brien and Miley told him as much. As far as PT is concerned, it shouldn't change things. He went 0-1 with 2 BB, 1 R, and 1 RBI on Thursday.
Striking Out at the Plate, But Not on the Scoreboard
The last 2 seasons in Major League Baseball has seen a team strike out 16+ times at the plate yet still manage to win the game 11 times. Five of those 11 times the team was the Cincinnati Reds. This doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Pedro whiffed 12 Reds and the bullpen fanned 4 more in the Reds comeback 7-6 Opening Day win. There really isn't anyone outside of Casey and maybe Randa who will make better than average contact, so it's easy to see the Reds whiffing a lot of rallies away. Also, if you've got a good K pitcher against the Reds, make sure he's active. Dunn has fanned in 7 of 11 ABs so far, with only 1 walk. That's the worst of the worst, but the rest of the team doesn't look much better. They've led the majors in Ks the last 2 years. Expect a 3-peat.
Houston, St. Louis, and Pitching to Contact
The Reds now head out on a 5-game, 2-city road trip, both foes in the division. The Houston pitching matchups don't favor the Reds to say the least. But then, facing Clemens and Oswalt in a 3-game series doesn't really favor anyone (except the Astros). The good news is that the Houston offense is much weaker than last year's right now. The bad news is that they'll be better than most think. St. Louis is still the team to beat in the NL Central though. Two fun games at Busch on tap. Also, next time, we'll look at the now well-known "pitch to contact" philosophy of pitching coach Don Gullett and manager Dave Miley. Let me say that the approach is misguided at best. I'll tell you why. Until then, I'm Matt Allen, and this one belongs to the Red Letters.
