Tagged: Laynce Nix

Some Reds news, most of it not so good

Dusty Baker announced today that Harang may be starting on Tuesday which would make him eligible for the playoffs.  Am I the only one that thinks this is terrible news?  He can’t get out AAA hitters so what makes the team feel like he can make a quality start in the Bigs, especially during this final stretch.  Mike Leake was also placed on the 15-Day DL for shoulder fatigue and Juan Francisco was called up to take his spot giving the Reds another bat with Laynce Nix ailing with a sore ankle.  The final news is that Brandon Phillips is not in the starting lineup with his sore wrist.  Leading off in his place is Jay Bruce who hasn’t lead off since his rookie season.  Valaika will be making his first big league start tonight.  I’m not sure if Bruce and Valaika give us the best hitters to get on for Votto but we’ll see tonight.

Tonight’s Lineup

Bruce 9

Valaika 4

Votto 3

Rolen 5

Gomes 7

Hernandez 2

Stubbs 8

Janish 6

Cueto 1

Good news and then some more

The x-rays came back on Brandon Phillips negative so he’ll be available for the Cubs series.  The Reds can’t afford to go an extended time without Phillips, as important as he’s been with his bat I would argue he is even more vital with his glove.  He makes the hard plays look easy and should win the gold glove for the second time this season.  Hopefully he won’t miss any starts and the bruising subsides. Laynce Nix is also unlikely to be put on the DL with his  Finally (I’m only awake right now because I had a late night simulator flight) the Nationals made my day by beating Chris “the instigator” Carpenter and the Cardinals.  The Reds are now back up 4 games in the Central. 

Go Reds!

Streak snapped at 1, Did we just find the rotation’s weak link?

So last night was a disaster, Volquez lasted 2/3 of an inning, Laynce Nix injured his ankle and Ankiel looks like he’s heading to the DL.  If the score from last night’s game wasn’t enough to depress the average Reds fan, the horrible outing by Volquez, most importantly his lack of control, and the injuries to two of our go to bench players, I don’t know what will.  The rotation has been pretty consistent all year and has been the single most important part in getting us to where we now stand, ok, and Joey Votto.  So where do we go from here?  Run Volquez out there again, replace him with Harang, bring Mike Leake back in?  I’m really not sure which option is best, but I do know that option two is the worst.  I don’t know what is wrong with Harang, and I appreciate all he has given the team, he toiled through some rough years, but he just doesn’t have it right now.  I honestly don’t even like moving him to the bullpen.  Not when Chapman is tearing up AAA and could really use the extra experience leading up to the postseason that he could get playing for the Reds NOW!  I say give Volquez one more start but setup Mike Leake to be ready for the next turn in the rotation if he has another poor outing.  If Edmonds goes on the DL than call up Chapman and make the future now.