FanPost

What's wrong with the offense?

A few interesting splits for your perusal:

I think most people here subscribe to the theory that the most important thing the top of the lineup can do is get on base.  Get to the big boppers, and give them somebody on base in front of them to drive in.  Seems pretty simple, but how are the Reds doing in that regard?

OBP from leadoff hitter: .324
OBP from #2 hitter: .311
OBP from #3 hitter: .304
OBP from #4 hitter: .306

Ouch.

Marty's constantly railing on the team's performance with Runners in Scoring Position.  Lack of situational hitting and what not.  He's kinda wrong, though.  Actually, he's really wrong.

Overall BA: .255
BA with Runners On: .268
BA with RISP: .262

Strikeouts must be the issue, then.  We all know that strikeouts are the debil, and we have a whole bunch of swing-and-miss bastards on this team.  Put the farking ball in play, am I right?

123 strikeouts, 2nd fewest in the NL.

Well, what the hell's the problem then?  If they're putting the ball in play, and hitting with ducks on the pond, they should be bringing runs home in bunches, right? 

# of AB with Runners On: 321, 11th in NL
# of AB with RISP: 183, 14th in NL

Oh, right.  That.

One good way to help yourself out is to see a lot of pitches.  Control that strike zone.  Take some walks, find something to hit.  Get the starter out of the game as soon as you can.

#P/PA: 3.74, T-14th in NL
# of PA's vs. opponent's relievers: 296, 14th in NL.

We're giving up outs, we're not working counts, we're doing exactly what the pitcher wants us to do.  We keep the opposing starter in the game too long.  We're trying to "manufacture runs" (3rd in NL in Sac Bunts)  It's not situational hitting or "selfish swinging" like Marty and Cowboy will tell you.  There's your problem with the offense.