The Reds can’t beat the Dodgers, said Johnny Obviously, while simultaneously admiring an eastern sunrise and water flowing downstream.
After last night’s rote 4-8 drubbing, the Club is 0-6 v. LA, outscored 42-13. Not close, in other words. It looked like what it was: Broadway playing Peoria.
But the Pirates can beat the Dodgers. The Bucs swept them in three games three weeks ago. The Giants held them to four runs in three games two weeks back.
The Dodgers are a good example of what money can buy. They’re equally good at growing their own. But they’re 9-9 in June.
Their hitters are smart and patient. They lead the NL in walks and are 2nd in on-base.
But Mookie Betts, arguably their best all-around hitter, is out. And once you get past the middle of the order, the bottom half is order-nary.
MLB’s split between Haves and Have Nots could not be more plain. It extends to the Reds record generally.
Against current sub-.500 teams, they’re 11-11. Against everyone else? 12-34. In those 46 games, they’ve been outscored by 85 runs.
How many Reds pitchers might the Dodgers covet? You could suggest Hunter Greene.
I’d suggest their pitching depth is littered with young arms who, for the moment anyway, have better numbers than Greene.
Luis Castillo? Maybe, if a current rotation member goes down with an injury.
The last two relatively unheralded guys are a combined 17-0. Andrew Heaney, fresh off the IL, is their nominal 6th starter.
He’d be the Reds No.1. For LA, Luis Castillo would be just another pearl on the necklace.