Three pops to first.  Weird.

Votto went a whole decade without popping out on the infield once lol.

nice turn boys.

Man so nice to see Shane Smith pitching well again. Does he start the 7th ? I say yes. Keep the pen fresh for the other 2 games.

Edited August 26, 2025Aug 26 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

These games have been so refreshing to watch. I love the offense.

Michael Taylor is the only position player that I have zero desire to see play. Benintendi is borderline because he at least gives a professional at bat, but I hate to see him take ABs from Baldwin.

 

3 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Man so nice to see Shane Smith pitching well again. Does he start the 7th ? I say yes. Keep the pen fresh for the other 2 games.

Absolutely. Only at 70 pitches and throwing a gem

Z.Collins and Engel lol?

Collins is now retired and selling something or other, real estate, stock broker, insurance lol.

Lee gunning for the pitcher with that shot.

2 minutes ago, Middle Buffalo said:

Michael Taylor is the only position player that I have zero desire to see play. Benintendi is borderline because he at least gives a professional at bat, but I hate to see him take ABs from Baldwin.

 

Taylor isn't part of the future and Baldwin might be. They need to play Baldwin the rest of the way to see who is and if he can be part of this team moving forward.

What do you do with Lee, Teel, and Quero. I like all 3 of them.  

Jac Caglianone 1.126 ops in AAA, just .485 in the majors this year.

Like he's playing in Charlotte...except an Omaha Storm Chased.

3 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

Taylor isn't part of the future and Baldwin might be. They need to play Baldwin the rest of the way to see who is and if he can be part of this team moving forward.

The funny thing is that Taylor was supposed to be insurance in CF for a Robert trade and they're essentially in the exact same situation heading into 2026.

2 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

What do you do with Lee, Teel, and Quero. I like all 3 of them.  

Good question and a good problem to have

Robert just making it look easy in OF.

5 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

What do you do with Lee, Teel, and Quero. I like all 3 of them.  

Teel needs to dust off his old OF glove if it's up to me

1 minute ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Robert just making it look easy in OF.

He just glides out there. So fun to watch

2 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

Good question and a good problem to have

you find 1200 AB, shouldn't be too hard given the handiness.

Smith #1 starter heading into 2026...barring an unforeseen FA spending binge on Zack Gallen and a more veteran closer.

Great outing. Looks like he has more left but that last pitch he Blue Bayou Perez  tells me he's done. 

29 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

Incredibly efficient work from Smith, could be even better without the error.

I wonder how long they let him go if he continues to stay out of trouble. I assume 6 is still the limit, but he could make it difficult.

Man I'd maybe even go batter to batter in the 8th at this point...but probably safer to call it a (very good) night.

5 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

Teel needs to dust off his old OF glove if it's up to me

He just doesn't profile as a corner OF.

Up until recently, Baldwin really didn't either, however.

Lee's likely traded for bullpen help.

 

Then there's really no point to bring back Tauchman with Benintendi dh and Baldwin lf.

Unless it's as a bench player.

Edited August 26, 2025Aug 26 by caulfield12

Give Shane the 8th too. Or just let him go until someone reaches.

Only 80 pitches and a 6 run lead. He's gone more than that in almost all his starts. But w/e they gonna play safe and pull him i get that too

8 minutes ago, brijames1957 said:

What do you do with Lee, Teel, and Quero. I like all 3 of them.  

I still would like to see Teel become our 1B guy, Quero and Lee would make a good catching tandem with Teel as the emergency catcher.

DEJA VU? 

Vargas on his hustle tonight.