Section 23 Podcast

This week's MLB topics include a rookie who announced his retirement, then came back the next day.  A former Red makes his debut with a new team.  The Cleveland baseball team has a new name.  And Team USA begins pool play this week.

The Reds were busy this week with trade deadline deals to improve the bullpen.  After bullpen arms blow leads in games against St. Louis and Chicago, they get some much needed help there.  Javy Baez and Amir Garrett get into it again and MLB mismanages another disciplinary action.  With Castellanos still hurt, the Reds needed to find someone to take that role in the lineup.  They found that person in Joey Votto and the answer is - YES - HE STILL BANGS!!!

Should the Reds be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline coming up in the next two weeks?  Games played the past week say one thing, but the players emotions say another thing.  The guys give their thoughts and reactions to that question and many more that the Reds need to answer soon to make the right decision.  

The Reds made it to the All-Star Break 4 games out of first in the NL Central.  In addition to the All-Star week events, the guys give their thoughts about the Reds first round draft picks as well as some sleepers to keep an eye on.  Then they revisit their pre-season over/under prop bets and set their expectations for the second half of the season.

After a disappointing series against San Diego, the Reds welcomed the Chicago Cubs to GABP the best way they know how - A SWEEP!!!  The guys discuss the bright moments from that series as well as the series in Kansas City where the Reds were two 9th inning errors away from sweeping that series also.  The guys also give their previews and expectations of the upcoming Milwaukee series that has HUGE implications on the NL Central standings.  Finally, with next week being All-Star Week, the guys preview the HR Derby and breakdown the NL and AL rosters.

The Reds have talked about not making any roster moves until this team gets healthy.  Will they ever get healthy?  There are a lot of roster holes if this team wants to make a playoff push.  The time is now to make those moves.  Meanwhile, the Reds have two players aimed for starting in this years All-Star Game and another first round pick making an appearance in the Futures Game.  We talk about all this as well as some of the fun stories around baseball this week.

They guys get together and fill out their All Star ballots with who they believe are deserving of playing in the Mid-Summer Classic in Colorado next month.

After a 7 game win streak, the Reds went on a 6 game losing streak on the road.  The boys are all back together and give their thoughts on the road trip as well as what to expect from the team leading up to the All Star Break.  They also talk about the first few days of MLBs new foreign substance policy for pitchers and the reactions around the league about the umpire checks.

Joe and Randy talk about the reaction to MLB announcing the guidelines on foreign substances. They also discuss the sweeps of both the Rockies and Brewers and take a look at Joey Votto's recent display of emotion. Finally, they discuss a very unique trade thought for later in the year.

The guys discuss Team USA qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.  Then get into MLB's action plan to enforce foreign substance use by pitchers on baseballs.  During our Reds segment they talk about the sweep of the Cardinals that didn't come easy thanks to some bullpen scares.  After the bullpen continued to struggle into the Brewers series, the guys give their recommendations for how the Reds should go about improving the bullpen and find some good trade candidates.  Finally, the guys talk about their expectations for the future series against the Rockies and Brewers.  If you are enjoying the show make sure you are following us on social media @Reds_Section23 or send us an email [email protected].  Thanks for listening!

Joe and Randy talk about the games from the past week and other baseball topics.