The regular season has concluded as the Reds prepare to face the San Francisco Giants tomorrow night. For a franchise that has been around since Chester Arthur was president, it is tough for individual teams to distinguish themselves. Somehow, the 2012 Reds have done just that.
The Good
7 - The Reds finished the season with 97 wins. Just 7 times in 131 seasons have the Reds finished with more than 97 wins. Three of those Reds teams with over 97 wins won the World Series.
2,347,251 - The Reds are not selling out every game. Cincinnati still ranks in the bottom half of the league in terms of attendance. However, 2012 marked the 10th best attendance total in franchise history. The Reds sold the most tickets they've sold in a season since GABP opened in 2003.
588 - The Reds allowed opponents to score just 588 runs this season, the fewest runs allowed by a Reds team in over a decade. Since 1950, the Reds have allowed fewer than 588 runs in a season just 7 times.
12 - Reds' pitchers tossed 12 shutouts in 2012. The last time a Reds team combined for more than 12 shutouts in a season was 1988 (13).
7.73 - Reds' pitchers combined to average 7.73 strikeouts per 9 innings this year - best in franchise history. It worth noting that strikeouts have been on the rise across baseball in recent years. In fact, only 4 Reds teams have posted a K/9 over 7, and three of those teams have been since 2008.
.985 - The 2012 Reds fielding percentage, tied for 3rd best in franchise history. We all know that fielding percentage is not the best way to evaluate defense. But it does tell you something.
The Not-So-Good
.315 - The 2012 Reds managed to get on base just 31.5% of plate appearances. This represents the worst OBP for a Reds team in over 2 decades. Imagine where this team would rank without the likes of Joey Votto and Ryan Hanigan...
.693 - The Reds offense managed to OPS just .693 this season on the road. This is a bit disconcerting considering they open the playoffs with 2 road games, in the least homer-friendly park in MLB.
.870 > .686 - It's no secret that Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the Reds best hitters. Left-handed hitters have posted an OPS of .870 this year for the Reds while right-handed hitters come in at .686. This stat is a bit unfair because it includes Reds' pitchers, all of whom are right-handed. Still, the Reds' right-handed bats will have to perform at a higher level in the playoffs if the Reds want to score enough runs to win games.