It's looking more and more like the Reds are just going to go out with a whimper. But as Caleb said in the comments, they got us to football season, and I'm completely serious when I say that's an improvement and I'll take it.
Quick thoughts:
- The Reds offense has deteriorated quite a bit as this season's gone on. Part of it is normal slumping, part is losing Kearns and Lopez, part is injuries, but it's distressing to see. The Reds explosive offense is something we've all been able to hang our hat on for quite awhile. If nothing else the Reds were always exciting because you never knew when they might go off and destroy another team, or come back from a huge deficit late in the game. They've now got a pretty mediocre offense to go along with their mediocre defense, mediocre starting pitching, and mediocre bullpen. I guess it adds up to more wins (it has this year anyway), but it's not fun rooting for over the hill guys with no upside like Royce Clayton. No offense to Clayton really, he's just the poster boy for what I'm talking about. I hope that Krivsky is more of a fan of youth than he's shown this year, but it's not looking good. And by youth I'm not talking about 23 year olds. Under 30 works for me.
- I only listened to the game, but it seemed like everything was hit pretty hard off of Sun-Woo Kim. I don't mind the pickup, but I'm not sure I like the idea of him starting another game. Not that we have any options that are more palatable. I could maybe see Kim becoming a useful reliever, maybe, but that's probably a best case scenario.
- Listening to Marty yesterday, I found it amusing that he's completely and utterly already given up on Chris Denorfia, even going so far as to say that Norris Hopper deserves more of a shot. I don't really have an opinion on Hopper vs. Denorfia, but it seems to me like Denorfia still hasn't gotten a fair shake. He needs to start every day for at least a couple of months before we know if it's time to give up on him or not, and even if he's not a starter I don't see why he can't be a useful bench player. If nothing else the guy's a plus defender.
- Ryan Franklin has done as much as any other one player to keep the Reds out of the playoffs. And that's really saying something. I would've quit using the guy weeks ago, but not our Jerry. I realize he hasn't had much to work with when it comes to the bullpen, but he's still managed it about as poorly as possible.