Aaron_Kennelly

horsefeathers a walk!

I love that creepy weirdo.

Let's actually score this time.

Nice throw.

Well, that was more drama than necessary, but thanks for getting out of it.

Thanks, Freese.

Damn, just missed.

Nice PA, Addi.

Albert Almora and Javier Baez just walked in the same game!

Hurdle went out to argue that Rizzo swung at the pitch.

Arrieta's giving us 7 scoreless.

It's too bad we let Liriano get settled in.

Javy fouled one off his leg. He's fine. Fine enough to rip a double down the line.

It might be the camera angle, but Javy seems to be really far on top of the plate today.

Do you expect them to score multiple runs in every inning?

Ah, so it was Almora that introduced Muni to Outkast. Or maybe it was the other way around.

Don't even care about the elevated pitch counts. He's a boss, is in God-mode, and he'll figure that stuff out in time. I was just worried we might not see him in complete God-mode this year. And then there are some minor concerns with his release point being a little higher. But, he's just so good. He'll iron any issues out.

Scissors!

And our long T-Fed Nightmare is over, too! Rejoice.

This is fun. I can't believe how much he's improved, to the point where he is now possibly a part of the core.

Ian Rice homer for South Bend. He's looking like a nice late-round find, and is another interesting catching prospect.

Add Doolittle and the bullpen is already looking good. I'm really only concerned with those last three guys. As far as it pertains to the rest of the guys, keep things copacetic unless one of those guys in the sweepstakes really forces your hand, or there's an injury or whatever. Then, just throw all of them out there in September and let them fight for the remaining playoff spots.

Nice start for Stinnett. 7IP 8H 0R 2BB 7K

Yeah the bullpen isn't exactly bad. It's not good. But, Rondon and Strop have been good at the back-end. And the other guys are just kinda... meh. They're not Reds Bullpen Bad or anything. Grimm and Warren have not lived up to expectations, which stinks. But, we've seen the 'pen step up at times. It's the times they haven't that are more obvious. They always are. Fans, generally, always hate their bullpen. I don't think it's been much of an issue. For one, the starting pitching has been so great, and they've worked deep into games. So we haven't had to rely on the bullpen that much. And, also, we've blown out a ton of teams, so it hasn't really mattered anyway. We could go through the rest of this season with these same guys and occasionally have a bullpen meltdown and it won't matter, since we have such a large cushion and are such a good team. That being said, it would be nice to have a Miller or Chapman thrown in for reinforcement. I would be fine with either. Chapman would cost less. Miller would be nice, because he would ensure a tough 'pen in the future, too. It's an easy place to upgrade, though. So I'm not too worried about it right now. I expect the pen will be upgraded, possibly through a number of avenues. There's Nathan and Matusz chilling out in the minors. There's a few decent options like Edwards already in Iowa. If one of those guys sticks, you add a Miller, maybe a smaller move for a good loogy or something... that's a damn good 'pen. So I'm not going to get too worked up about it right now. If we were in a race, it would be more frustrating. As it is, I'm content to wait it out. I think it's an obvious place to upgrade, though. We're so good everywhere else that you can find an upgrade there much easier than somewhere else on the roster. So make the 'pen as good as everything else, Theo.

You're a piece of work.