A lot of analysts have gone into this in detail, but it boils down to four things (none of which appear to be steroids):
He’s getting full playing time, which obviously helps, not only in giving him more at bats but it might well have helped him relax and concentrate on his game.
The Jays brain trust changed Bautista’s swing quite substantially late last season and he immediately began hitting home runs. This started last September, not this year, precisely when he changed his swing; he hit 10 home runs last September. There is an excellent explanation here:
Bautista’s new approach is causing him to hit FAR more fly balls than he used to; he now has one of the highest fly ball percentages in the major leagues, whereas prior to changing his swing he hit many more grounders. And since he’s starting earlier, he’s hitting the fastballs that result in home runs when you get around on them.
Bautista was rushed through the minor leagues and wasn’t especially well handled as a young player. He was shuffled around an amazing amount - in 2004 he was employed by FIVE major league organizations, which is an all time record, and actually appeared in the majors for four of them - so although he’s 29, it may simply be that we’re seeing the sort of dramatic increase in production we often see in players, but usually around 25-27. Bautista was a power prospect in the minors, famous for tremendous bat speed; maybe he’s finally been given a chance to develop into what he always could have been.
There’s probably a large element of flukiness. Maybe he’s just getting more meatballs than usual.
Ah, you’re a Cardinals fan. You could have just said so. Also, Cueto will not be starting any of that series…he pitched last night. Brandon Philip’s comments were stupid (but I suspect somewhat true), but Molina started that crap, and then just when it seemed to be settled down, Chris Carpenter had to run over and say a bunch of crap to Dusty Baker, causing him to promptly get served by Rolen, whom up until that point was acting as a peacemaker. Then all hell broke loose.
Cueto was pinned up against the backstop wall. He shouldn’t have kicked out like he did. The whole thing shouldn’t have happened. I blame Phillips, Molina and Carpenter.
Anyway, being swept by the Cards then was supposed to be the turning point for them, not the Reds.
I thought my first comment pretty much did, what with the “season ended after the Cards swept the Reds” comment.
True enough. Not sure how I missed that, since I actually watched most of the Reds game at the bar - I blame the beer.
I’m just gonna say “I’m gonna have to disagree with you on that”. If someone calls me a bitch and then tries to tap my shin-guard all friendly-like the next day (even if he does that to everyone else), he knows that he’s starting trouble. If he does it a second time after I’ve kicked his bat away, he’s looking to get punched. And if you injure a player in a brawl you should be out as long as the player is (especially something as dangerous as kicking in the face). That suspension was ridiculously light.
Also, third in managerial wins all time. Just saying.
Anyways, enjoy the run in and good luck in the post-season. But not this weekend.
It was this: Oh trust me, I care about the Reds. I’m just too damn angry and disappointed to talk about baseball right now. Chapman was pretty damn amazing last night (caught it in a sports bar where everyone was transfixed, even though it was mainly despondent Cards fans). from you that made it sound like you were talking from a Reds fan’s perspective. Sorry for the confusion on my part.
And about the brawl: again, it should have never escalated beyond some word exchanges at the plate, tops. Even after the benches cleared and everyone was jawing, everything was calming down and appeared to be under control and Carpenter comes running in from nowhere and acting like a crazy man. That’s a fact. It was about to be over and Carpenter ran over and started shit again. Watch it again. It doesn’t excuse Cueto’s actions, but that’s what happened.
10 straight losses. In 7 of those 10 games, they’ve scored 2 runs or fewer. Their hitting has been mediocre all year, but right now it’s truly dire, and their pitching hasn’t been able to make up for it over the past couple of weeks.
Cards get the series win, and pick up a game on just about everybody in the WC standings. Only to have the big story being their 3rd best hitter asking for a trade a few months ago because he and TLR can’t get along. What a season…
Aroldis Chapman just came in vs. the Rockies. First pitch was at 99 mph, every other fastball was 100+, with one at 103 and four or five at 102. He threw one right past his catcher.
We can go decades without anybody seriously challenging for a Triple Crown, but this year the NL has three legitimate contenders.
The Cards have a long way to go and The Reds would have to really melt down for them to take the division. Aaron Harang has pitched his last for the Redlegs. He just can’t cut it anymore. We stake him a 4 run lead against Ubaldo Jiminez and he promptly gives it away in the 3rd inning. The guy just sucks anymore, and is making a shit-ton of money. Like 15 million this year.
I’m a little worried about the Reds glaring weakness: the inability to play well versus the better teams in the NL. If/when we make the playoffs, well…we’ll have to play more of them!
Chapman’s a keeper, but a little wild. When his slider is on, he’s unhittable.
And, I hope Votto wins the Triple Crown. Its been a long time since anyone’s won it, I want a Red to get it, and Votto is the quietest, most unassuming guy you’ll ever want to meet.
Players don’t generally go on the dl in September. With 40 man rosters their is usually no need. Given Texas comfortable lead and the fact that he said it felt like a car crash, I would suspect he won’t play again for a couple of weeks.
go reds, go cats.
i cannot believe that the reds have been so good the one year i have been unable to pay attention. if i was one of those fans i would say something stupid like it has something to do with me