The Fifth Mascot with John Fay | Reds Podcast

On this week's Fifth Mascot, Scott Kyser and John Fay discuss the season that was. The Reds struggled for the most part, but there were some highlights among the lows. Cincinnati’s pitching remains a giant question mark heading into 2018. Can they find help internally or will it take some creative moves from the front office to look outside the organization? And will the Reds contend in 2018 or is another 90-loss season on the horizon?

On this week's Fifth Mascot, Scott Kyser and John Fay discuss the recent call-ups. Tyler Mahle makes his long-awaited debut in Cincinnati. Will Mahle, Louis Castillo, and Sal Romano make the Reds and their fans forget about the starting rotation woes of 2017 in 2018? And 2017 second overall draft pick Tyler Greene makes his professional debut on the mound. All this and more in this week’s episode of the Fifth Mascot with Kyser and Fay.

Scott Kyser and John Fay talk Reds Hall of Fame Nominees Adam Dunn overrated? Underrated? Properly rated? Homer Bailey comes up lame again and Scott Feldman is done for the year, is he done as a Red? And interviews with Ryan Gennett and Jesse Winker.

On this week's Fifth Mascot, Scott Kyser and John Fay dwell on the positives that can be found for the Reds over the last two weeks. Ryan Gennett. What can’t he do?! Joey Votto continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball, but does the rest of the country, or even Reds Country, appreciate him as much as they should? Louis Castillo continues to impress on the mound, will anyone else in the farm system make the jump and be a highlight the rest of the way? And are Devin Mesoraco’s...

We look at the Reds now that the trading deadline is in the rearview mirror. A minor leaguer sets a record on a hitting streak. Things were relatively quiet in Cincinnati on July 31, but will Cozart, Storen, and Feldman still be on the team when September ends? Cingrani on the move out west. Trial by fire? Is it time to move on from the Reds recent past and throw the kids into the mix? All this and more in this week’s episode of the Fifth Mascot with Kyser and Fay.

Scott Kyser and John Fay take assessment of the Reds before the trading deadline Injuries to key trade pieces may have thrown the Reds’ plans askew. What’s the state of mind for players as the season goes south? Hey, hey what a triple play! Does this team’s pitching deal more than the usual or is this a baseball problem? And what can Reds fans take away from the next 6 months to feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel come Opening Day 2018? All this and more in this week’s...

Catch up with the Reds after the All-Star break. The team has all but fallen out of contention so it’s time to discuss what’s next. Will these be the final few weeks of Zack Cozart’s tenure in Cincinnati? Will the Reds find a starting pitcher in house or will it come back via a deadline deal? Hunter Greene takes signing talks right up to the final moments of the deadline but when will he make his way to Great American Ballpark? And Bronson Arroyo talks his future after baseball while...

Despite the team continuing to struggle, there were bright spots this week in the starting rotation. Homer Bailey showed he’s not done yet and Luis Castillo continues to impress early in his big-league career. Will the Reds stand pat at the trading deadline or will they deal their tradeable assets with another eye towards the future? And will they ink Hunter Greene to a deal before the clock strikes midnight on the deadline? All this and more in this week’s episode of the Fifth Mascot...

On this week's Fifth Mascot, Scott Kyser and John Fay talked about the state of the Reds. Even as some starting pitching help starts to arrive, the Reds are continuing to struggle. Fay said the Reds should be patient with Homer Bailey as he eases back into things after missing so much time the last two and a half seasons, but the bigger concern is the Reds' bullpen. After all of the innings the bullpen has thrown early because of the awful starting pitching, the bullpen is struggling...

The Reds have lost 11 of the last 12 games thanks to awful starting pitching, but have no fear Reds fans (or maybe a little less fear): Help is on the way. Veteran starting pitcher Homer Bailey could return on Saturday and the team is calling up prospect Luis Castillo to make his Major League debut on Friday. Starter Brandon Finnegan likely is not far behind Bailey. But just getting Bailey -- the Reds' highest paid pitcher and most veteran starter -- should provide a big boost. Bailey was...

The Reds are struggling. They are wrapping up a horrendous six-game West Coast road trip. Going in to Wednesday's game, the Reds were winless. The sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers included one of the biggest blown games longtime Reds reporter John Fay can recall. In one past instance, the Reds rebounded. In another, the big loss spelled the end of the season. One was when Francisco Cordero gave up a grand slam in 2010 against Atlanta. The walkoff ended a game where the Reds blew a 9-1...

Hitting four home runs in one game certainly gets attention. But regardless, longtime Reds reporter John Fay says the Reds are better off with Scooter Gennett instead of Brandon Phillips. And the controversy over which of the two players wears No. 4 is ridiculous. Fay said wrote on Tuesday that the Reds never could have acquired Gennett if they had Phillips. Gennett can play multiple positions and come off the bench. Phillips would not have wanted to be a utility player. “For this year,...

John Fay and Scott Kyser talk about the Reds' offense, Zack Cozart and, of course, the awful starting pitching so far this season. This episode also includes interviews with Cozart and Asher Wojciechowski.

The Fifth Mascot crew discusses talk of releasing Brandon Phillips, Cody Reed getting sent back to the minors, Raisel Iglesias' role on the team, Billy Hamilton vs. Usain Bolt, and MLB stadiums.

John Fay and the Fifth Mascot crew discuss Billy Hamilton leading the league in stolen bases, the historic collapse by the Reds bullpen, and Nick Senzel tearing it up in Dayton.

Jay Bruce is gone, but did the Reds get enough for him? Scott Schebler was called up and he's having a great time. Homer Bailey's debut was a success. Joey Votto lost his cool with a fan. The bullpen starts gaining some respect.

Jay Bruce is on fire and could land the Reds a great trade. Ken Griffey Jr. gets inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Mariner. Homer Bailey is expected to return to the mound this weekend. Former Red Aroldis Chapman lands the Yankees a top prospect in a trade with the Cubs.

The Fifth Mascot crew gives their recap of All-Star Weekend, where several current and former Reds players participated. Plus, the crew discusses trades and makes predictions for the second half of the season.

Adam Duvall made the All-Star team over Jay Bruce, who might see a trade soon. The Reds have a Cuban connection. Billy Hamilton made an amazing play. Cingrani has become a decent closer. DeSclafani looks like the staff ace.

Keenan asks fans, "why are you still watching the Reds?" Also, the crew talks about benching Brandon Phillips, sending J.J Hoover away, decrypting Joey Votto. Plus, discussions on Billy Hamilton's recklessness, Amir Garrett and the future, and Barry Larkin's response about managing the Reds.