13 days ago, the Cincinnati Reds woke up with a 20-26 record and a 17.1% probability of reaching the postseason.
Tonight, the Reds reached the postseason, beating the Minnesota Twins. The Reds have won 10 of their last 12 games behind the walls.
The twins were 23-5 at home this season. They put their stud Jose Jose Barrios on the mound today. Reds starter Tyler Mahal only managed 2.1 innings. None of them are important in this team, they are on a mission.
Mike Moustakas is a guy who made a really slow start and fought injuries. He hit two home runs on the night. Michael Lorenzen was a man who wanted some DFAs after the unfortunate start of the season, but David Bell continued to believe in him. Lorenz played 3..4 superb innings to stabilize the game to Red.
Fans of the Reds to soak this up. It has been a long way to get to this point, but here we are. The Cincinnati Reds are going to play postseason baseball again, and it’s hotter than any other team on the planet.
The biggest game of the game
According to Fangraphs WPA statistics (winning percentage added), was the most important play of the game. Mike Moustakas 2-run home run to give the Reds a 2-1 lead with 1 out in the 4th inning. That game has increased the Reds’ chances of winning by 20.5% (from 38.6% to 59.1%).
rich
Mike Moustakas Run the 7th and 8th house of the year. He entered the game today in September with .900 OPS. The moose is warming up at the right time.
Freddie Galvis Hit his 7th home run of the year. It’s very impressive for the guy who was bench for Jose Garcia while the Reds were trying to find a spark from the dying season. Looks like it will be a Galvis / Farmer platoon going into the postseason, which I like.
Michael Lorenzen One person wrote about each. He could be the Reds’ most important player under a stretch named Trevor Bauer. He threw 3.1 superb innings tonight.
Raisel Iglesias Only dominance continues. Lucas Sims may have saved the game after he left the game after a scary situation where he hit Buxton in the head. Raisel is taking the best season of his entire career. Imagine reading after the first week of the season.
Negative
There may be a little typo tonight. Sorry, I did my best. My hands were shaking all night.
Not so random thoughts.
How about some love David Bell? Almost everyone wanted him fired. Bell’s optimism and positivity was driving everyone crazy when the Reds were 20-26. That optimism and positivity can help a sinking ship run this incredibly late season. Pull down almost every string that the ballet passed with flying colors.
David Bell became the first Reds manager since Jack McCain, who led the Reds to a .500 record as captain in his two seasons.
The Giants won their first game of doubleheader, and as I write this they are losing 3-2 in the second game. The Reds will have a 1.0 game over the Giants for the # 7 seed if they hold. Anyone who finishes 7/8 is a big deal as the # 8 Dodgers play. NL Central # 2 still has to play for the Reds. There are still things to play for sure, but the big hurdle has passed.
Next up:
Reds on Twins
Saturday, 7:10 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio / FS1
Luis Castillo (2.86 ERA / 2.73 FIP) vs. Michael Pineda (3.18 ARA / 1.99 FIP)
