Guest tonight at 8:05: Author Adam Goldstein

Adam will be signing the book Tuesday night at Roosters in Springdale.
Order the book HERE

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Bengals

The Bengals today waived rookie WR Kashif Moore of Connecticut. Moore (first name pronounced ‘KAH-sheef’) signed with Cincinnati as a college free agent on May 2. He played in the first three preseason games, with one reception for five yards.
            Today’s move brings the Bengals roster to the NFL limit of 75 players.


Reedy: Saints will use PBS on Tuesday and Wednesday

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Reds

Do you feel as good about this team as you did a week ago?
I labeled last week a "tester" for the Reds. I viewed it as a quiz, a PSAT, a playoff primer. Last week was a step up in class. The Reds had played 30 of their previous 33 games vs sub .500 team. While the Phillies were below .500, they were tossing Hamels, Lee and Halladay vs the Reds. The Reds managed a split of the four game series. Then, the Reds hosted a desperate rival in St Louis. The Reds, owners of the best home record in MLB, lost 2 of 3 to the Cards.
The Reds have made a habit of clearing hurdle after hurdle this season.
They just went throught a gauntlet of playing 17 consecutive days with record of 11-6.
In May they played 20 consecutive days with record of 12-8.
In May they went 9-5 over 14 consecutive games vs teams with a winning record.
They went 6-5 on their West Coast trip.
They've gone 27-14 without Joey Votto.
They just finished their most recent quiz 3-4.
They are a .500 team over their last 22 games: 11-11.
I'm not panicked. I am concerned. This team appears worn out. They followed 17 games in 17 days with 18 games in 16 days. That's 34 games in 34 days. Cracks are appearing in the foundation. Starting pitchers are not going as deep into games, leaving the bullpen to pick up the pieces. Dusty is forced to avoid, hide and protect guys in the pen. Homer Bailey has been good once in his last six starts. Drew Stubbs is in another funk and lost. Miguel Cairo is taking a roster spot while hitting .169 in 125 AB. The return of Joey Votto should be a huge lift for this team. But the return also starts a lineup roulette for Dusty to figure out.
The Cardinals lineup is impressive, and scary. Their rotation is better than the Reds. Fortunately their bullpen and defense is not nearly as impressive. A six game lead with 33 remaining is good. The math points to an NL Central title for the Reds. But I'm thinking bigger picture, the playoff picture.  I don't feel as good about this team today, as I did a week ago. I'm not panicked. I am concerned.

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UC basketball

CINCINNATI – David Nyarsuk (pronounced NAHR-suk), a 7-1, 230-pound center from Juba, Sudan, has signed a letter of financial aid to attend the University of Cincinnati and play basketball for the Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin announced Monday.
Nyarsuk has been cleared to play immediately by the NCAA and will have two years of eligibility at UC, beginning with the 2012-13 campaign. He played the last two seasons at Mountain State University, an NAIA school in Beckley, W.Va.
“We are very excited to add David to the Bearcat family,” UC head coach Mick Cronin said. “He was a top 20 prospect at his position coming out of high school and has proven to be a great shot blocker as a college player. He is a wonderful person and will be a great addition to our team.”
During his stay with the Cougars, Nyarsuk helped guide the program to the 2011 NAIA Division I national championship game, the 2012 national semifinals and a 59-15 combined record. He ranked second in the nation in blocks as a freshman (97) and sophomore (102) while averaging 10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during his two seasons. During the 2011-12 campaign, Nyarsuk averaged 9.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and recording eight double-doubles. The Cougars finished last year ranked fourth in the final coaches’ top 25 poll.
Nyarsuk ranked as the 19th-best center in the 2010 recruiting class according to ESPN. Prior to Mountain State University, Nyarsuk attended Mountain State Academy, also in Beckley, W.Va., where he averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks during the 2009-10 season. He averaged 10.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks at The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C. during the 2008-09 campaign.
At 7-1, Nyarsuk will be the tallest player in program history. Previously, only three players have been listed as tall as 7-0 at UC: Marty Dow (1987), Anthony McClain (2008-11) and Mike Reicheneker (1991-92).

More on Nyarsuk


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Reds

If the playoffs started today

Wild Card: Cards at Braves
Washington gets Wild Card winner

Reds vs Giants: Giants host Games 1, 2...Reds host Games 3, *4, *5
*If needed

Kind of staggering
Joey Votto has missed 41 games with his knee injury. That means, so far, the Reds have played 32% of their season without their best player. They are 27-14 without Votto. The Reds led the NL Central by one game when Votto went down July 16.
The Reds lead the NL Central by six games with 33 remaining.

Batting practice for Cardinals
The Cardinals can flat out mash the baseball. They pounded out 42 hits and 18 runs in the three game series. Reds pitching allowed a season high 17 hits on Sunday.
Reds starting pitching in series: 17.2 IN, 28 H, 14 R (7.32).
Reds bullpen in series: 9.1 IN, 14 H, 4 R.
Cardinals hit .362 for the weekend (42 for 116).

Pitching, pitching, pitching...tired, tired, tired

Tired and weary
The Reds ERA in August is 4.03. Here is the monthly ERA of Reds pitching/ML rank.
April: 3.53 (10)
May: 3.29 (4)
June: 3.62 (9)
July: 3.03 (T3)
August: 4.02 (16)

In past 9 games, Reds have given up 8 or more runs 4 times.
In previous 54 games, Reds gave up 8 or more runs only 2 times.
(listener Jeff)

August ERA
6.75 Ondrusek
6.43 Broxton
6.04 Bailey
6.00 Marshall

Bullepn last week
vs Phillies: 18 hits,  8 ER in 12.2 innings
vs Cards:   14 hits, 4 ER in 9.1 innings
Total: 32 hits, 12 ER, 22 innings (4.90)

Homer woes
Last six starts: 32 IN, 51 H, 7.03 ERA, .359 BAA
He has thrown 159.1 innings in 2012.
Last year he threw 162 innings (132 ML/30 AAA)
His career high is 203 innings in 2009 (113.1 ML/89.2 AAA)

Oh for a day off
The Reds wrap up a stretch of 34 games in 34 days after Wednesday's game vs Arizona. The Reds only day off since July 27 was August 13. They had a make-up double-header vs Cubs August 18.
The Reds get a day off Thursday before their weekend series in Houston. Starting Thursday the Reds will get four days off in a span of 35 days to end the regular season.

What to do when Votto returns? Can we add the DH for September?
The most asked question I've gotten over the last couple week is:
What do you do when Joey Votto returns? There seems to be a great deal of hand- wringing and concern that Dusty might send Todd Frazier to the bench. I don't think it is that hard to figure out what should happen. Dusty will rotate guys, keep guys fresh and put them in positions for the best match-up. At least I hope he does that.
Votto: If he returns Saturday, there will be 29 games remaining. A day off a week would probably help his knee. The Reds already have a schedule day off, one day each week in September. Give Frazier one of Votto's starts every 10 days or so.
Rolen: I thought he was done. Since the All-Star break he's hitting .357-3 HR, 17 RBI). In his last 14 appearances .383-1 HR, 9 RBI. I'd start him 3-4 days a week.
Frazier: I'd give him Rolen's other 3-4 days a week at 3B. I'd give him 1-2 days a week in LF for Ludwick. I might consider giving him RF once a week. But I think it's easier to have Todd in LF and have Ludwick pick up games in RF. Ludwick has made 422 career starts in RF, including 120 in 2010. That's 5-7 starts a week for Frazier. Make sense? Keep in mind, you can't drive Frazier into the ground and wear him out.
On days Dusty wants to keep Bruce-Votto-Rolen-Ludwick and Frazier in lineup he could give Bruce a start in CF. I would tread lightly with that idea. Putting Bruce in CF and Frazier in RF weakens two OF spots on defense. Bruce has played 35 in his ML/minor league career in CF, all in 2008. Frazier has not appeared in RF in the minors or the majors.
The downside to playing musical chairs is weakening a top 5 defense in NL with a pitching staff that is wearing down.
The upside is keeping all your sticks in the lineup more often.
While we are at it, Phillips can finally return to leaoff upon the return of Votto to the lineup. Cozart can bat second.
Attendance
The Reds drew 109,406 for the three game weekend series.
Friday: 36,162
Saturday: 41,680
Sunday: 31,564
The Reds Sunday attendance ranked 9th of 13 ML games played Sunday.
The average MLB attendance Sunday was 34,341.
The Reds are averaging 29,768 for the season, up from 27,953 from a year.
They are up 1,815 per game more than a year ago at this time.
That is the 11th biggest gain in MLB from 2011.
Overall, attendance is up 117,972 fans.
The Reds have 15 more home dates. It wil be interesting to see what attendance will be like down the stretch with kids back in school and the Reds in contention.
The Reds averaged 24,415 over their final 15 home games of 2011.

Stubbs
Drew Stubbs is in one of his funks. He struck out four times Saturday.
He has 14 K in his last 24 AB with strikeout games of 4, 3, 1, 3, 3.
Last 19 games: 13 for 75, .175/.215, with 31 K.
I've wondered for years why Drew Stubbs plays so much vs RH pitching.
If the job of a manager is to put his players in the best position to succeed, clearly Drew Stubbs is better vs LHP and Chris Heisey is better vs RHP pitching.
Stubbs last 2 yrs: hitting .217 in 780 AB vs RHP.....hitting .307 in 225 AB vs LHP
Heisey last 2 yrs: Hitting .277 in 423 AB vs RHP.....hitting .228 in 127 AB vs LHP
You saw the downside to Heisey in CF yesterday on the ball he misplayed into a triple. He simply does not have the CF instincts Drew has. You saw the upsdie to Heisey over Stubbs with the RBI single.

Things noticed
Here's how the two pitchers involved in the Jonathan Broxton deal have done for Kansas City, since the trade.
Donnie Joseph at AAA: 5.73 ERA in 8 G, 11 ING, 13 K, 10 BB
JC Sulbaran at AA: 0-2, 4 starts, 10.43 ERA, 20 H, 15 BB, 15 K in 14.2 IN

Votto to rehab in Dayton
From Dayton Dragons
Dayton, Ohio – Cincinnati Reds all-star first baseman Joey Votto is scheduled to begin a two-day major league injury rehabilitation assignment for the Dayton Dragons on Tuesday, August 28 when the Dragons host the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.  Votto is also scheduled to play for the Dragons on Wednesday, August 29.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on both nights.



(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Ludwick has revival in Cincinnati
St Louis Post Dispatch
"The reports last year on him were just OK," said Jocketty. "But I've always liked him and I thought he would do well in our park, more so than he did in San Diego.
"I talked to him and I could see he had a burning desire to try to prove he was capable of playing at a high level and that the last couple of years were a fluke."
Whether regular playing time bred more success or success elicited more playing time, Jocketty said Ludwick's confidence has returned.
"He's talked to me a couple of times," said Jocketty, "and he said, 'I'm back.' "
Jocketty said he replied, kiddingly, "It's about time."

Egraphs adds Reds


Egraphs
Remember the topic we discussed a couple of months ago about the next generation of autographs? Egraphs has added Bronson Arroyo, Drew Stubbs, Bill Bray and Mat Latos. Click HERE to see gallery of players.

 "An egraph is a shared moment between you and Bronson Arroyo. It is immortalized forever with a beautiful high resolution photograph, handwritten note, autograph, and personalized voice message. It's his voice, his handwriting, his time — every egraph is one-of-a-kind. Share it, print it, play it ... whatever you want – it’s your egraph.
This is how it works:"


Check out this egraph from CJ Wilson to a fan

Click HERE for egraph from RA Dickey to a fan

Jimmy Rollins egraph is HERE

Bronson Arroyo=Reds Hall of Famer?
He is 89-79 4.11 in his 7th season with the Reds. He has been a model of consistency. He's taken the ball in rain, sleet, snow, sickness and health.
He has pitched at least 200 innings in 5 of 6 seasons.
He tossed 199 innings last season. He's on pace for 205 innings this year.
He's won double digit games five times...winning 14, 15, 15, 17 and 10 this year.
Since being acquired in 2006:
1st NL/T-1st MLB with 226 starts
1st NL/7th MLB with 1,44.1 innings
He's not missed a start as a Red.
Franchise rank
T-23rd wins
T-14th starts
24th innings
More wins than Reds HOF pitchers: Billingham, Seaver, Jay, Blackwell
More starts than Reds HOF pitchers: Seaver, Soto, Purkey, Rijo, Billingham
More innings than Reds HOF pitchers:  Jay, Seaver, Billingham, Gullett, Blackwell

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Down on the Farm

Billy Hamilton recorded his 150th stolen base of the season last night.
This photo is from ESPN The Magazine:

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Bengals


Hobson: Dalton upbeat with one series left


Hoard: A Stanford reunion and a big game for Whalen


Kelly: Marvin Jones making his mark

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UC

Toughness runs in family for Bearcat LB Blair

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Stuff

Captain Clutch the new Hit King?

Madden '13

How about Bubba Watson!?

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Listener photos

From Brooke Riesenbeck
My husband was able to snap this picture of our 4 year old son Landry at the Hall of Fame after Saturday afternoon's game.  Pretty cool.  
Go Reds!

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