Lil Red Machine

I’ve always been a defender of Brandon Phillips. I know he makes crucial fundamental mistakes sometimes, and swings too hard, but overall, I think he’s a top notch second baseman in the NL, and has given the Reds solid play for the past few years.

However, him not busting his hump out of the box and consequently getting throw out at second base prevented the Reds from having a much bigger 1st inning Monday night in LA against the Dodgers. They have Jason Schmidt on the ropes. Schmidt was looking really rusty after having not pitched in 2 years. Phillips, with his boneheaded blunder, really helped bail him out.

Good teams hustle and give 110 percent. Phillips is considered to be one of the veteran leaders of this bunch. For him to do that was simply inexcusable. Literally, the Reds are in a situation where the next week or so will determine whether or not they are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Last night’s mistake was costly on so many levels.