Of those three gentlemen, one needs to make his way to the Queen City, and two need to hit the road.
Since one is down on the farm and two are already with the big club, it's a question most third grade Reds' fans can answer correctly.
For the Cincinnati Reds to compete this season Aroldis Chapman must be brought up before his next scheduled start in Louisville.
Aaron Harang either needs to come down with sudden a sudden arm ailment that lands him on the disabled list, be flat out released, or sent to the pen for mop-up duty...serious mop-up duty.
Like when the Reds are leading or are down by 12 or more runs.
Dusty Baker needs to be fired.
Last Sunday, Chapman struck out nine in four and two-thirds innings of work. He allowed five hits—four of which were infield singles. While he was limited to only 85 pitches, those are phenomenal numbers.
What's with the wait?
Chapman is already locked into a six-year deal. So there are no arbitration or free agent issues involved. Get him to Great American Ball Park where he will be the ace of the staff—replacing the slack jawed Harang.
Harang is done. He is one of those rare Reds' players who could play for any team and be equally inefficient.
How many saw Thursday nights debacle but needed to turn it off out of pure disgust?
Harang pitched a great inning and a third. Four up, four down.
After that he gave up a double to left that was misplayed, and the rest of his two and two-thirds rank as the worst pitching performance of this young season—certainly by a Reds' starter, and most likely by any other in the Majors.
Counting the double, he went on to allow nine more hits, two walks, and a whopping eight earned runs. Enough to give fantasy owners (dumb enough to start him) a ruined week in a head-to-head league.
Total: four innings, 12 base runners, and eight earned runs.
And this guy was the opening day starter?
Cliff Eastham would have pitched better...Left-handed (assuming he is a righty).
What in the name of Shoeless Joe Jackson was Reds' manager Dusty Baker thinking when he started him on opening day?
Especially knowing that their schedule most likely meant Harang would be facing aces.
Dusty is a dolt who needs to be removed in favor of Triple-A manager, Rick Sweet. Tomorrow!
Or even better tonight.
Shortstop, Paul Janish had the teams best game on Wednesday. He went 2-for-3, drew a walk, smacked a double, and popped a two-run homer. To top things off he played, per usual, gold glove caliber defense.
Was he in the lineup Thursday?
Of course not.
Dusty decided to go with the .200 hitting, worse fielding, Orlando Cabrera. Dusty, ever hear of keeping the hot hand in the lineup?
If Dusty isn't axed soon, the Reds are headed to another season like so many before.
Difference being, this team has actual talent.
For those tired of the anti-Dusty rants, all apologies. Each one is written out of love for the Reds.
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