Matt’s Take – Mets put playoffs on a silver platter for the Reds
By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist
Just when I thought about waving the white flag and declaring it football season, the Mets decide to lose 11 of their last 12 games and put the Reds right back in the race.
At just 1.5 games back, Cincinnati can find themselves in an even better position if they find a way to win at least 4 of 6 games against the Phillies and Brewers. Tall task, I know, but with Snoop Dogg in attendance on Monday and with the return of Hunter Greene, I think this rotation and pitching staff is ready to go on a run.
Want to be a playoff team? Then play like one over the next 6 games. As for the fans, the Reds are in the race in mid-August. Head to the ballpark and show this team why Cincinnati is a baseball town. They could use some big weekday and weekend crowds at GABP. While the NFL preseason may have started, I’m not ready quite yet to write about football.
Quick facts and comments
Miguel Andujar’s first seven games as a Red – .375 BA, .500 OBP, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBI. Give Krall some credit.
Noelvi Marte is “Red Hot.” I remember when many fans gave up on the kid. He is the exact reason why CES, Hinds, Benson, and others shouldn’t be given up on. Baseball is weird, and it takes time to get a feel for MLB pitching.
Will Benson should be on the MLB roster over Santiago Espinal. With Hayes on the roster, there isn’t a need for Espinal to be on this team.
It’s time we are honest with ourselves about Matt McLain and his struggles. Sal Stewart should be called up and McLain should take some time in AAA to figure out his swing. In August, McLain doesn’t have a single extra-base hit. It’s time to give Stewart a chance. He’s batting .313 in AAA, 10 doubles, and 4 home runs. We could use some XBH consistency in this lineup, and he is more than capable of playing second base.
Chase Burns will be the best pitcher in baseball in the next two seasons. He already is tied for fifth most 10-strikeout games in all of baseball (four). He debuted roughly 50 days ago.
I don’t care what Francona or Larkin says in regard to home runs. They win games in today’s baseball. Cincinnati hasn’t had anyone hit over 25 home runs since 2021. This is a direct reflection of the lack of success in a small ballpark.
Austin Hays has been horrendous at the plate as of late. He is swinging at everything out of the zone, swings on nearly every first pitch, is batting below .220 since returning from the IL, and is batting .190 against right-handed pitching in that span. He needs to remain out of the cleanup spot, and if he is hurt at all, an IL stint should happen.
While I know the Reds aren’t playing their best baseball, they are in the race. I’m going to enjoy every inning of it, as we all know the feeling of being out of the race in August far too well. I am rooting for ownership, the team and this fan base. It’s time to fire off a few series’ victories in a row. Just keep winning.