RC+ Recap: Here we are

The Reds entered this 4-game series trailing the first-place Cubs by 7 games. They’d won a few recent series and swept the LA Angels earlier this week. But they really, really needed to gain ground this weekend. That meant winning at least three of the four games. 48 hours ago, that didn’t seem likely. The Cubs pounded Reds pitching and won the opening game by the score of 12-5.

Yet, here we are.

The Reds won 10-1 tonight. Take yer’ pick on the headline. Maybe it was the outstanding starting pitching by Trevor Bauer last night and Sonny Gray tonight. Over 13 innings, the pair held the Cubs to 1 run and 5 hits while striking out 18 batters. Or maybe you could point to the offense, which put up 15 runs. The Reds hit three homers last night and six tonight. No one could argue with putting the spotlight on Aristides Aquino, who followed up his Superman performance last night with three more home runs tonight. Aquino wears #44, by the way, same as Eric Davis.

Here we are.

Tomorrow afternoon, Luis Castillo takes the mound against Jon Lester. When you see Bauer and Gray followed by Castillo in a big series, you’re reminded that the Reds Got The Pitching. Even better, the Reds didn’t have to use their three top relievers tonight.

A few quick notes:

  • The Reds are 9-6 this season against the Cubs
  • Other Reds homers tonight: Eugenio Suarez (#32), Nick Senzel (#9) and Kyle Farmer (#7)
  • Aquino’s third home run traveled 452 feet
  • Jose Peraza had three hits
  • Tonight’s defeat was so thorough that Joe Maddon replaced his best players before the end of the 5th inning
  • After Aquino’s third home run, the Reds win probability was 99.4%
  • Joey Votto doubled in the first inning, giving him the most hits of any player in GABP, passing Brandon Phillips
  • Jesse Winker made a terrific diving catch on a ball hooking away from him, saving an extra-base hit and runs
  • Sonny Gray no-hit the Cubs through 4 innings, he has a 13-inning scoreless streak
  • Sal Romano earned a Save by finishing the game with three innings of relief
  • Brian O’Grady got his first major league hit
  • The Cubs have a pitcher on their roster who throws in the 60s and isn’t a position player

Now, Aquino fan service:

ONE

TWO

THREE

https://twitter.com/ericdroseberry/status/1160352673545240579

Win tomorrow and the Reds will be five games out of FIRST PLACE in the NL Central.

Here we are.

Reds Most Valuable Players

  • Sonny Gray (.161 WPA) Win Probability Added
  • Aristides Aquino (.158 WPA)
  • Nick Senzel (.082 WPA)

Reds Least Valuable Players

  • N/A

Plays of the Game

  • Josh VanMeter (.101 WPA) 2-run double in 1st inning

Hardest-Hit Balls

  • Aristides Aquino (107.4 mph) home run, 4th inning
  • Joey Votto (104.7 mph) ground out, 3rd inning
  • Kyle Farmer (103.7 mph) home run, 6th inning

Luckiest Reds Hit of the Day

  • Aristides Aquino (8% hit probability), home run 2nd inning, 344 feet

Unluckiest Reds Out of the Day

  • Jesse Winker (82% hit probability), line out, 7th inning, 100.1 mph

Highest Pitch Velocities by Pitcher

  • Sal Romano (97.8 mph)
  • Sonny Gray (95.1 mph)

Links

Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.