Last Game
The Reds (and 21 other teams) had an off-day yesterday. For the Reds, it was their third day off in the last two weeks. It’s like watching baseball in France.

The Red Hot Family used the off-day to catch our local AAA team, the Indianapolis Indians (a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate). The Indians utterly spanked the Rochester Red Wings (a Minnesota Twins affiliate), 0-16.

Next Game
Tonight the Reds play host to their “in-state rival,” the Cleveland Indians. Johnny Cueto (6-3, 2.63 ERA) takes the mound against Jeanmar Gomez (4-4, 4.97 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Much Ado About Spit
Video footage from Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers provides compelling evidence that the Tiger’s closer, Jose Valverde, was blowing big ol’ nasty blobs of spit into his mitt, presumably for the purpose of throwing spittballs.

Now, it is obvious that the Reds lost this ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game because the bullpen blew a 4-run lead. The bullpen was aided and abetted in its sub-par work by a manager who reverted to his micromanaging ways and a home plate umpire who thought the strike zone started 6 inches above the ground, but ultimately, if the Reds’ bullpen had done its job, the Tigers’ bullpen would have been pitching from behind.

So, no excuses, but shame on you anyway, Valverde. That’s not only cheating, but completely disgusting. How would you like it if I spit on something and then threw it at you? Sicko.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Even after Aroldis Chapman’s two bad outings, he still has a 0.87 ERA and has struck out 55 in 31 innings. He may have set everyone’s expectations too high before, but it’s still disconcerting that he got so bad so suddenly. If he has a third bad outing in a row, they need to get that guy an MRI.