(via Twitter: @Reds)
And this one belongs to the reds!
These beautiful words were spoken on Saturday evening and this afternoon as The Reds defeated the Cardinals in two of three games and won the season’s opening streak. Cincinnati scored 27 runs in three games after scoring just 25 runs in their first nine games against St. Louis last season.
That type of offense was expected from this lineup a season ago, but instead a league-worst batting average of .212 was the result. Nick Castellanos got off to an incredible start, Tyler Stephenson added a three-goal game today and rookie Jonathan India is 5-11 on the plate to start his career in the big leagues.
After the season started with a series win against National League Central rival St. Louis Cardinals, there is a lot of optimism in Cincinnati. Not only was the offense incredible, but the pitching was pretty consistent outside of ace Luis Castillo on the opening day too. The Reds have a number of bullpen guns available and everyone had a chance to get some work this weekend. Bullpen depth will be key to surviving a full 162 schedule and making it into the postseason.
As we’ll do after each series, below is a breakdown of each game, as well as a quick look at the next series.
(via Twitter: @Reds)
On the coldest opening day in Cincinnati history, the Reds fell to the Cardinals 11-6. The cards occupied a six-point spot on the scoreboard in the first inning and never looked back from there. Eugenio Suarez made a mistake on his first fielding chance at shortstop and Tyler O’Neill cleared the bases with a triple home run to open the game wide.
Luis Castillo left the game after just 3 1/3 innings, allowing 10 runs, 8 earned, on 8 hits. It was Castillo’s first career game in which he didn’t turn down a punch. It was clear that the starter just wasn’t having his best stuff on Red’s Opening Day. The bullpen, however, performed for several innings of encouraging work. Sal Romano, Carson Fulmer and Sean Doolittle together allowed only one hit and no runs for the final five innings while defeating six batters.
On the plate, the Reds put together competitive bats throughout the game, which was easy to see. Jesse Winker had the two hardest hit balls in the game (110.9 and 112.6 exit speeds) with two runs scored 2-4. Nick Castellanos stayed hot from spring practice with a 3-5 day drive in two runs and scored two hits at the same time. Jonathan India scored 4-2 on his MLB debut while playing spectacular second base. In total, the Reds put together 10 hits and took five walks to record their six runs.
The Reds were good enough offensively to win this game and the bullpen did its job, but made a couple of early defensive mistakes and Luis Castillo, who wasn’t sharp, dug a hole too big to climb out.
(via Twitter: @Reds)
The Reds offensive ended in the third inning for six runs, including a two-part home run from catcher Tucker Barnhart. Aristides Aquino also added a home run in the eighth inning. Mike Moustakas and Jonathan India each contributed multi-hit games as the Reds had nine different players who received a basic hit.
On the hill, Tyler Mahle earned the win by hitting nine batters over five innings of work. Paul DeJong hit two home runs before Mahle, which were the only deserved runs he would give up.
The plot of the game ended with a bank clearance battle between the two rivals. Nick Castellanos was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning and landed on a wild pitch. When he crossed the plate He gave the sliding Jake Woodford a strong scream and flexion who tried to make a game on the plate. Castellanos was held back when tempers flared but still deserved an expectoration. The bad blood was felt throughout the rest of the series.
The benches in Cincy are empty after Nick hits Castellanos in a wild field?
(Over @BallySportsCIN)pic.twitter.com/fSsZQlgZpP
– Stadium (@Stadium) April 3, 2021
(via Twitter: @Reds)
In today’s rubber match, Cincinnati blew up the Cardinals to secure the series victory. Rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson was 3-4 on his first start to the season. Nick Castellanos continued his hot start to the season by starting a triple home run in the fifth inning and also had a triple in the game. Castellanos now beats .545 with a ridiculous beat rate of 1.364.
Jeff Hoffman made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds on the hill, delivering five quality innings with just three hits and one run while scoring six hits. For relief, Tejay Antone, Carson Fulmer and Sal Romano combined combined just two hits over the last four innings.
It is also noteworthy that Jesse Winker was taken off the line-up because of an illness. Winker left the game on Saturday after not feeling well. It is unclear when he can return and we will continue to monitor this situation.
The Reds stay at the Great American Ball Park for a three-game series against the Pirates that begins Monday night at 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time. Jose De Leon will get the ball for his first start as a red on Monday night. Then on Tuesday, Wade Miley is scheduled to start before rotation returns to Luis Castillo for a game on Escape Day at 12:35 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Pirates won against the Chicago Cubs on opening day before falling 5-1 and 4-3 that weekend. You have to do without rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes, who was put on the list of injured with an infection of his wrist. JT Brubaker, Trevor Cahill and Chad Kuhl will be the starting mugs for Pittsburg.
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