Scouting Report: Diamondbacks: With Monday's off-day, the D-backs had the luxury of skipping the fifth starter's spot, and that's a good thing since they optioned their fifth starter -- Billy Buckner -- to Triple-A Reno after his last start. Davis(3-8, 3.28) has pitched better than his record indicates. His last two times out are prime examples of that. Davis allowed just one run over seven innings, but walked away with a no-decision, on June 21 against the Mariners. In his last start, Davis gave up one unearned run over seven innings but once again took a no-decision as the D-backs lost, 2-1. Davis' name has come up in trade rumors because he is in the final year of his contract.
Reds: Harang (5-8,3.95) is usually one of the Reds' most reliable starters. But he was shelled in a 9-2 loss to Cleveland on Friday. He allowed five earned runs on 10 hits while walking one and striking out three batters in just 4 2/3 innings. Harang will look to get back on track Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He is 2-4 with a 1.66 ERA in eight starts against Arizona in his career.
1.66 ERA and Harang is 2-4. That seems like his typical luck ever since he came to the Reds. Now that we actually score him some runs (sometimes), he has forgotten how to pitch effectively. Personally, I think something minor is wrong with his arm, because his velocity is down and his command is not as sharp.
We need this game against the Dbacks to take the series win and move with some momentum into our series against the Cardinals. Doug Davis is not a bad pitcher, and he's a lefty, but this is still a game we should win.
Yes definately need seven strong out of Aaron Harang today, I think he may need it to for his confidence. Lets take the series and nwelcome the Cards into town!!!
Yeah, Aaron Harang needs this one just as much as the Reds themselves. His confidence has got to be pretty low right now, and he has to have noticed that his stuff has been declining. Hopefully he has been taking good care of himself the last few days, and has been working one on one with Dick Pole. He needs to come out, give us 7 innings, and keep us in this game. Our offense is improved, but you still can't expect more than 4 or 5 runs, especially not on a consistent basis.
Today, we also need Brandon Phillips to step up... He is the clean-up hitter, so he should be bringing more guys in. Hopefully he can do some of that tonight.
Yes, Brandon does lead this team in RBI's however he hasn't done it consistently he'll drive three in there, then four over there, etc. I'm please with his play, but want to see him step up a lot this weekend against the Red Birds.
I feel Dusty is starting to have confidence in his entire pen. Not just the big 3. Roenicke and herrera have both been lights out so far in this campaign. I for one hope it continues.
We need the bat to come alive. We will not have our top 2 pitching in the Cardinal series. So the bats have to pick up the slack.
We need to hit better than 2-11 with runners in scoring position. That is a disgrace. The amount of strikeouts with runners in scoring position is awful. We need to make contact. It is ok to make an out. Just make it a productive out. To waste an AB wirth runners in scoring position is inexcusable.
I don't think we have anything to worry about today. Harang will be lights out. He has dominated Arizona in his career, he has a WHIP of less than 1 against them (to go along with his 1.66 ERA). He is pitching at home, 2.87 ERA. And he is pitching during the day, 1.91 ERA.
But this is a question. Doesn't the ball fly out of GABP better during the day than at Night. harang is a fly ball pitcher. It is my hope he can keep the ball down and out of the seats.
With the Reds win last night compounded by the Brewers loss. We picked up a game on the leading Brewers. We are no 3 games back in the standings.
The Brewers are set to face the Cubs tonight in Wrigley. It is my hope that the Cubs will beta the brewers tonight and we can take care of business ourself.
It would be nice to be 2 games back with the Cardinals coming to town tomorrow night.
I can understand that. I hate all things about Chicago. But I have to root for them if we have any chance at inching closer to the promised land which is the playoffs.
I will be satisfied if we get to the playoffs. But I would love it within the next 3 years we inch closer to the World Series.
Hey fellas, I got to see some real offense last night. My dad and brother are down here in Texas from Ohio. We went to the Rangers- Angels game. My brother caught the first home run off the bat of Hank Blalock. It was awesome. There was 16 runs and 3 home runs. I didn't know what to do with myself. I thought there was some rule against scoring multiple runs in the same game. There was some very bad pitching as well. The whole time I was there, I was watching the Reds on my phone, though.
