Improving Reds Sweep Three Game Series From Astros

The Cincinnati Reds scored two runs off of Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Houston 3-2 on June 19th in Cincinnati. With the win, the Reds completed a three game series sweep over the American League West leading Astros.

The Reds started the 2019 season in about the same way they’ve been playing the last couple of years, losing eight of their first nine games. Since then, Cincinnati has gone 33-30, and is 34-38 on the season, five games behind the Cubs and Brewers in the National League Central standings.

The Reds don’t have a lot of household names in their lineup–thanks at least in part to being an afterthought in the N.L. Central the last few years. Their best player in the last decade plus has been first baseman Joey Votto. In 2017, Votto his .320 with 36 homers and 100 RBIs on a club that was 68-94. But the 35 year old Toronto native slipped to .284 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs last year, and is at .257 with six homers and just 15 RBIs in 65 games. But Votto, who has drawn 33 walks this year, leads the club in on base percentage at .351, and is tied for the lead in runs scored with 34. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez has emerged the last couple of years and had a huge 2018; he has 15 homers and a club leading 43 RBIs. Outfielder Yasiel Puig was picked up from the Dodgers in the offseason, and has 14 homers and 38 RBIs, but is hitting just .230; Outfielder Derek Dietrich, picked up from Miami in the off season, has already hit a career high 18 homers and driven in 39 runs, but is hitting .235. The Reds as a team are hitting .232, 14th in the N.L, and have an on base percentage of .304 and have scored 303 runs this season; both stats are 13th in the league so there’s a need for improvement there.

Cincinnati’s pitching has played a big role in the Reds’ bounce back to the fringes of contention. Again, there aren’t too many names that stand out, with the exception of righthander Luis Castillo, who is 7-1 with a 2.26 ERA. The staff as a whole does stand out, with a team ERA of 3.55 and seven shutouts; opposing batters are hitting .232 against Reds pitching. All three stats are second in the league behind the Dodgers.

The Reds have at least an outside shot at the post season, something they have not attained since a Wild Card in 2013. Since then , they’ve finished well below .500 every year, but ending that string is a reachable goal.

The Reds open a four game series in Milwaukee on June 20th. Following an interleague two game set in L.A. against the Angels, the Red return home to face the Cubs for three games and then the Brewers for four games ending on July 4th. Cincinnati could greatly improve its position in the N.L. Central, or be knocked down several notches by the time the fireworks go off on Independence Day.