July 3, 2025 • 20 mins
Tony and Austin talk Reds and Bengals with Charlie Goldsmith from FOX19 and more on ESPN 1530!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Cincy Shirts. Since he three sixty about Cincinnati
from Cincinnati, sponsored in part by Cinci Shirts. Cinci Shirts,
All Cinci all Day. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome back Hour two, thanks to since He's Shirts. Thank
you for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
A normal Friday routine for us here to kick off
Hour number two turns into a Thursday today because we're
not in tomorrow for the fourth of July, which means
we get to bump Charlie Goldsmith up a day. And
(00:38):
it's not just any day, Austin. This is traveling Charlie.
I understand Charlie's on the road right now.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
I think he's at the Airporties.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Charlie's at the airport. Yeah, I figured he'd be. I
thought Charlie would be driving to Philly. He's gonna fly,
his arms are gonna be tired.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
All right, Hey, Charlie, how you doing.
Speaker 5 (00:55):
I've got my Chick fil A ready to go for
my flight. I had to go to a secluded more
part of the airport. I was gonna do it for
court or talk to you at one stop, but then
they were like lasting in jfk speech about going to
the moon, So I didn't feel like you needed to
have that in the background. So now if you can
hear in the background, there's some like a Dell music playing,
(01:16):
but one of one of my favorite airports. But but
we don't need to get into that power ranking on
this show.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
I don't know, maybe we should.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
You the stuff that interests me.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
You mentioned the favorite airport.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Do you have a favorite city you travel for the
Reds and the Bengals?
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Yeah, I mean suddenly in Boston's pretty sweet. The city,
it's walkability, the food areas, you know, Fanuel Halls on
my favorite spots for Bengals, Man, I love, I really
love the Thursday night trip to Baltimore. Good the end
of the night before, great area around that restaurant, a
lot of interesting, you know, a lot of cool, fun
spots in downtown Baltimore. So that would I say my
(01:54):
favorite Red trip and my favorite Bengals trip.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
All right, Charlie, this team, there's been many times we've
talked this year where the day after a loss, it
felt like, man, that felt like more than a loss,
and we were just talking before we got to our
number two here that last night's game felt like more
than just a win. It felt like it shifted things
back where if you end up getting swept for the
first time all season, maybe it takes away a little
(02:18):
bit of the momentum you had going. Did you feel
that as well? Did you feel how massive getting at
least one was last night for this team?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
A defining quality of last season was that they'd have
like a big series win or even in some cases,
the series sweep, and then they go on to play
some of their worst baseball this season. They lost the
series as a hole and send Way, but coming off
their best home stand of the season. So Red's played
well in all three games, like the first one. Sure
you know, we can talk about Chase Burns. I was
(02:49):
really impressed with how the Reds played that game. They
got down seven to nothing. A lot of people told
me that too, They were impressed with how the team
played that game. Down seven to nothing against one of
the best left handed starters in baseball the league could
have shut down. Instead, they had one of their most
well put together offensive stretches that they've had in the
game against the starter this season. The comeback after the
(03:10):
rain suspension in Game two, the way the bullpen stepped
up in that game, Sam Mal Obviously you know got
away from Line Richards in the end, but they were
asking so much from all those guys, and then to
do it in Game three like that felt like the
type of thing that mature teams do. Almost a good
series loss the way they had.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
How much can you take from an outing the way
they did against a left handed starter? You're gonna see
two to start this Philadelphia series. It's something they've struggled
with for much of the first half. Austin Hayes is back,
Noalvee Marte is taking the right steps, you would think
to get back soon. How much can you take against
a good lefty like that and try to apply it
(03:50):
here against Philadelphia?
Speaker 5 (03:52):
So the line in football is like, and help me
out here. Teams are gonna blitz you until you throw
them out of it, or something like that. You get
the point on making teams wake up in the morning
and say, how can we get as many left handed
pitchers to pay TJ. Freeda and Ali la Cruz as
possible on any given night, Like the Red Sox plan
their whole pitching day yesterday around having that left handed
(04:13):
opener Bernardino to start Game two, and then they brought
in I believe Murphy, another left hander, to then circle
back through the line up. There like that whole left
right thing shaped their whole strategy. Well, the only way
to get teams to stop doing that is McClain looking
stronger in the two spot, which I'm buying McLean stuck
right now. Spencer Steer n OL Player of the Week.
He looks like Spencer Steer getting Austin Hayes back. Martin
(04:36):
needs to be one of those pieces while there's much
less guaranteed with him, obviously he has the tools to
do so. And then it's guys too, like, I mean,
you know it takes one through thirteen. They like to say,
I mean you need Cees, you need Hines to take
that next step forward as well. They're guys doing well.
There are guys you need to see more from their
guys coming back, but there's such an emphasis on what
they need to be getting from their right handed hitters.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You mentioned the emphasis on the right handed hitting. What
about the leadoff spot because TJ. Friedel has probably been
the most consistent Red through this part of the season.
He'd never really strays from what he's doing at the plate,
although in the last week or so we've seen some
plays out in center field that aren't much TJ. Friedel,
like he's not had the same bat we've seen for
(05:20):
much of the year. Does it feel to you like
maybe it's just a case of TJ. Friedel maybe needing
a day off or maybe needing to get to that
All Star break.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
Yeah. I think Terry Francona too used the word like
not banged up in terms of injuries, but just kind
of banged up in terms of the way we're all
banged up when you play thirty straight games or however
many it's been. I attribute it to that as much
as anything. The one thing, though, physically that's like the
silver lining here is the and yes, TJ's playing bat
baseball or TJ's not playing TJ Friedele baseball. The one
(05:53):
thing that's positive that makes this not a long term
concern for me is last year when TJ. Friedel was
truly hanged up and was kind of playing hurt with
some soft tissue stuff. He stopped bunting because he didn't
have and no one really had a ton of confidence
in where his sprint speed was at to be able
to beat those throws out the first Well, he's actually
bunting more to try to get out of this slump,
(06:14):
which I get because he's not hot, he's not hitting
as well. But the sign that he is confidence in
his bunts to me gives me that signal that he's
not dealing with something more serious that could linger. So
that's good. But yes, Fredo hasn't looked like Fredo. He
kind of needs a bit of a refresh, get back
to being who he is.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
What do you make of Noelve Marte? Do you do
you envision him rejoining the team soon, and if so,
is there a roster spot that makes sense for him
to take.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
I think it could happen tomorrow. Third base man, I mean,
it's been just a flaw. Like CS won the game
for the Reds yesterday, the at bets have just been
incredibly inconsistent, and you know, with all the talk about
situational baseball, he's just been over aggressive and now he
can change a game and that's why he's getting opportunities.
But he's also not a dynamic fielder, so then they've
(07:03):
evenske been all more chances because at least he's giving
you that consistent glove, but he's you know, performing at
at a very poor level, I believe since the start
of May. So now it's an Oliva Marquez turn. Not
to case by the fault because he definitely earnest, but
the way he played before he got hurt. But it's
still just a nineteen game sample size. Now, he looked
good on the rehab assignment, but he's now entering the
(07:25):
stretch where he has to be a solution to a
spot the RDS haven't been getting enough from and then
passaging that all in there with the roster spot stuff,
like a thing that I mentioned earlier has been you know,
Cees meeting to improve his playing time has been cut
down a bit recently. Rese tins. You know, I got
to keep the helmet on. That's a sign of kind
of where he's at at the plate. And his defense, obviously,
(07:47):
you know, isn't something he's staying in games for getting
pulled defensively in games. So I you know, Ryan Vilaide
hasn't played, Santiago estpen all has been struggling. So like
the back of the roster, I don't love where it's
at right now, So that can be you know, a
couple of different guys. It could be with Marte coming back,
but they're hoping that Marte helped sure that out and
they're kind of counting on it too.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
You guys got the chance to see Hunter Green yesterday
throw in the simulated game and then talk to him afterwards.
What was your takeaway from the conversation with Hunter and
what you were able to see from his throwing.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
Yeah, my big takeaway was originally, you know, Hunter said
throw another live, and then after it was like throw
another live or rehab assignment. And I'm still not one
hundred percent sure where the plan is that Hunter felt good,
Hunter fell strong. I thought his slider looked a lot
better than the fastball, but you know, take that off
for what you will with a million grains of salt,
(08:44):
I think it. I mean, it was just fifteen pitches too.
I was I was kind of expecting multiple innings, so
he's I wouldn't expect him back right after the ul
star break maybe, or if he is, he'd probably just
be able to throw five innings, So that this has
been more procedural than maybe. You know, you are a
hope coming just back from a Grade one Green straight.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
On top of that. Spencer Steer was plunked yesterday, scratched late.
What was the update on him after the game or
any indication of what it could be moving forward for him?
Speaker 5 (09:14):
Yeah, actually he's negative. Now. You know, Jim Day always
says when he gives those updates after guys to get
hit my pitches always take that with the you know,
to be determined. I forget Jim's blind subject to change.
I believe what Jim always says. There. I caught up
with Spencer two after the game. He said, yeah, they're swelling,
but it should be better. He felt positive, but again,
these things change. But right now it was a positive
(09:36):
tone coming from Steer, optimistic about being the one a
pretty huon again.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Charlie, we saw both ends of the spectrum and and
how hard baseball is. Because Chase Burns dazzled in his
start against the Yankees, he gets beat up a little
bit against the Boston Red Sox. What do you make
of the conversation around maybe tipping pitches and how much
are you looking forward to seeing him turn around and
get back out on the mound against a good team
(10:01):
in Philly to see what he has next.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Yeah, I did make a point to watch his bullpen yesterday,
kind of working on the way he got downhill and
was kind of not necessarily separating his arms as a
tipping factor, but kind of like that part of the
motion when you're separating your arms and getting down the mound.
That was something he seemed to be focused on. Was
there an aspect of tipping pitches. I would say probably
(10:26):
there's a good chance, but I also don't think that's
the entire picture either. I also think there were, you know,
him making mistakes, him elevating pitches over the plate. It
doesn't necessarily have to be just one thing, but they're
putting him on the track where all right, kids, you're
learning in the big leagues. That's what Chase Burns has earned.
He's ready, he belongs, he deserves to be in the resortation.
He gives them the best chance to win. But I
(10:49):
also don't think that he has some glaring tipping pitches problem.
I think even even if it was just thirteen starts
in the minor leagues, that would have been enough to
realize there was something in The Reds are obviously monitoring this,
and I've always been monitoring this, So I think the
truth somewhere in the middle. I think the truth is
he's an inexperienced guy who's figuring this out. Vizarowski had
a bad day and zone yesterday over in Milwaukee. He's
(11:11):
their phenom, so this stuff happens. He'll start on Sunday,
and he was kind of focusing on some specific things
in his bullpen yesterday.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Does it feel to you from being around the team
that the confidence of this team is growing and you
look at whether it's their approach at the plate, whether
what they get from the pitching staff Nick Martinez almost
those a no hit or last Friday, But does it
feel like from a culture standpoint that there is more consistency,
that there is more confidence exuding from this team.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
I do look at him more analytically, like guys are
just getting better. But this is a true story. So
like before Saturday's game against the Padres, down to steer
for a while after VP, and then I interviewed Hayes.
After a while, I went Hayes, then steer and after
the steering of you, as I walked back up at
the press box, I wrote in my notebook, They've got
look in their eye, and what I meant by that
(12:02):
like they know what to expect more, they know what
it takes. More. It feels much less unbridled optimism. You know,
we're ready to take on the world, which is how
it felt in twenty twenty three. And you feel a
lot more of the impact and the experience and kind
of the composure that guys like Hayes and Lux and
Trevino and Martinez and Pagano on the pitching staff and
(12:25):
Singer have brought. And then also it's a stage where
the young guys, you know, fear McLain to extend Ellie
even though he hasn't struggled as much like they've all
also struggled and dealt with adversity now, so there is
more of an understanding of kind of the grind, and
you're seeing that translate and how they talk and how
they prepare. I think the most important part it feels
(12:47):
like an older team. And again I wrote my notebook.
They've got a bit of book in their.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Eyes to switch gears a little bit. Charlie, we are
We're in July. There's gonna be a football game played
in July. The Bengals training camp days away. They get
started on July twenty third, It's kind of been the
theme of the week we've talked as it relates to
the Bengals and questions going forward between now and then,
what is your biggest question mark that this roster you
(13:12):
feel like maybe still needs to establish between now and then.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
I think what the story of training camp is going
to be, because we're not going to learn if this
defense is good or not in training camp, especially because
they're going to be facing you know, Joe Burrow. They're
not going to look great. There are no joint practices.
You'll put caveats with all the preseason games that they play.
What you need to learn is and what I still
don't know is who the real leaders of this defense are.
There are a lot of different guys who have a
(13:37):
runway that they could follows. Wilson makes a lot of sense.
J Hill has that track record in that experience, but
then you know it's young guys like Jordan Battle, who
had the right star in his name because of the
on the Bengals draft sheets, because of the qualities they
felt like he showed at Alabama, but then maybe he
didn't back those up the first two seasons in the NFL.
(13:58):
But any get a chance to recess this off season,
So like he's a guy cam Taylor Britt the guy.
I think Josh Newton has its. He just has to
be able to cover. So he's someone who could step
into a big role there. Demitrius Knight, the ted Caris
called him the fast Dad, has a lot of those qualities,
but he's just a rookie. How does he emerge kind
of vocally, It's That's what I'm going to be focused
(14:21):
on focusing on during training camp because that's the biggest
thing is that this defense had a culture problem last year.
You know, That's why there was so much turnover. There
was so much divide between coach and veteran and then
young guys. How they bridged that gap. It's kind of
the first step to me of getting this defense back on.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Track when you look at what's still obviously left out there.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Charlie, do you do you feel.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Like the Hendrickson camp is going to wait and see
what happens with Watt and Parsons And do you think
that would change at all what the Bengals number or
years would end up being.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
I'm done predicting Trey Henderson. I think that Henderson's just
going to wake up one day and either change his
mind or wake up one day and stay as decisive
as he is. But if that's just such a stalemate
right now, I still do think that something short term
gets done. That's still my prediction. But the way I
understand the situation is it's predicting, you know, not to
(15:22):
call him blackout tray off the field in terms of
contract negotiations, but that's the kind of personality, that's the
kind of wild card he is, and he's always been
just in terms of trying to figuring out, you know,
what his role is going to be, what his career
is going to look like. He's always been a tough guy,
our guy that's just been tough to predict compared to
a lot of other pleasure in his position. So ultimately,
Trey just just got to decide what he wants to do,
(15:45):
and I think he'll wake up one day and do that.
But right now it's kind of at a stalemate point
with no deadline and no need to do something in
the short term. Uh.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Lastly, Charlie, from an offensive line standpoint, they've not received
great grades nationally from an offensive line standpoint, But how
much of you I guess dove into the thought or
thinking about the sophomore year now for a Marius Mims,
because so much of what I think hinges on him
is people just look at how he played last year
and how he burst on the scene. You now have
(16:16):
a full offseason if your Mims to work on your
things you need to work on. But for a scouting
department of other teams, what are his strengths? What are
his weaknesses? Have you set any type of expectation on
where you stand on what year two can be now
for a Marius Mims.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Well, first of all, like just make sure we're not
clossing over the guard stuff, like that's the concern we'll
be talking about it. I still think that's the best
way and really the only way to stop the Bengos
offense is that interior pressure up the middle, and that's
something they're just going to need to figure out more
answers to help for because the answers don't seem to
be those guards and one on one matchics right now. Now, Mims,
(16:54):
I think the new coaching staff, the new offensive line
coach Scott Peters, and the new ideas and inncibles Derek
can help him set a foundation can create some more
kind of alright, this is what I need to do.
This is the plan to elevate my game to the
next level from a player development standpoint, which obviously is
something that there hasn't been enough on the offensive line.
I believe Marius Miim's his exit meeting with Dak Taylor,
(17:17):
he talked about Pro Bowl goals this season and those
being realistic. There's a real confidence there. The Bengals love
what they have, Mims loves where he's acts, and in
terms of like who the breakout guys could be on
the Bengals as a whole, Like there's a good chance
that I like to use this as a bar they're
selling Marius Men's jerseys in the Pro Shop by the
end of the season. If they're looking at young guys
(17:38):
who could kind of step into that all right, Like
Chase Brown's already there, Cam Taylor, Britt's already there. A
Marius Mims is kind of that next guy. Maybe Dak
Hills another one in that camp as well, to make
it onto that type of stage. Just in terms of
how they're recognized around the city and around the league.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Charlie are the best man.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I appreciate you making this work on a Thursday, Charlie,
did I know you got some travel as well?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Did you say that you got your food for your flight?
Do you bring food onto the plane?
Speaker 5 (18:08):
I get to the airport early. I've got a big
principle of mine, so then I have more than enough
time to eat before I get on the plane.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
Okay, are you going to do anything fun in Philadelphia
for the fourth of July? Oh?
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Oh, probably just take a walk. Oh, probably look around.
I don't have any plans, if that's what you're asking.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Well, you know, the Declaration of Independence was kind of
a big deal there in Philadelphia. I didn't know if
you were, you know, going to go sniff that out
or I do that.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Yeah, I mean I'm not going to steal the Declaration
of Independence.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Then, I mean it's kind of a good idea, But
that's not the worst idea.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
That'd be something.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
What, uh, what's the easiest way to follow along with
everything you're You're you got tentacles all over the place
right now. The content, Yeah, the content's phenomenal.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
What's the easiest way for listeners to follow along with you? Charlie.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Charlie's shockboard on substack can also fund it on Fox
nineteen Power Staffs with Brian Gegenslaw, Red Show, The Gold Standard,
A Show with add with Joe Daniman, This Morning with
Brad Spangles Comparisons. That's just a few of them. Lot
going on, having a lot of fun. Thanks for following along.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
Charlie so much. Look forward to talking again soon.
Speaker 5 (19:17):
See you guys.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
That is Charlie Goldsmith Chuck Man. You can also find
all Charlie's work that he does here on Fridays and
today Thursday via a podcast form on the iHeart Radio app.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
That's correct.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You can do that as well. Using that iHeartRadio app.
You can also leave us a talkback today. It's a
hell of a transition because it is our Friday. We'll
listen to talkbacks and then we'll vote on our best
talkback of the week. For a Cinti Shirts gift card
still comes up next to ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station,
a service of Sinti shirts.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
Now your chance to win one thousand dollars. Enter this
nationwide keyword.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
On our website.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
Okay, that's pay Enter it now.
This is Cincy Shirts. Since he three sixty about Cincinnati
from Cincinnati, sponsored in part by Cinci Shirts. Cinci Shirts,
All Cinci all Day. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome back Hour two, thanks to since He's Shirts. Thank
you for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
A normal Friday routine for us here to kick off
Hour number two turns into a Thursday today because we're
not in tomorrow for the fourth of July, which means
we get to bump Charlie Goldsmith up a day. And
(00:38):
it's not just any day, Austin. This is traveling Charlie.
I understand Charlie's on the road right now.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
I think he's at the Airporties.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Charlie's at the airport. Yeah, I figured he'd be. I
thought Charlie would be driving to Philly. He's gonna fly,
his arms are gonna be tired.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
All right, Hey, Charlie, how you doing.
Speaker 5 (00:55):
I've got my Chick fil A ready to go for
my flight. I had to go to a secluded more
part of the airport. I was gonna do it for
court or talk to you at one stop, but then
they were like lasting in jfk speech about going to
the moon, So I didn't feel like you needed to
have that in the background. So now if you can
hear in the background, there's some like a Dell music playing,
(01:16):
but one of one of my favorite airports. But but
we don't need to get into that power ranking on
this show.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
I don't know, maybe we should.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
You the stuff that interests me.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
You mentioned the favorite airport.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Do you have a favorite city you travel for the
Reds and the Bengals?
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Yeah, I mean suddenly in Boston's pretty sweet. The city,
it's walkability, the food areas, you know, Fanuel Halls on
my favorite spots for Bengals, Man, I love, I really
love the Thursday night trip to Baltimore. Good the end
of the night before, great area around that restaurant, a
lot of interesting, you know, a lot of cool, fun
spots in downtown Baltimore. So that would I say my
(01:54):
favorite Red trip and my favorite Bengals trip.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
All right, Charlie, this team, there's been many times we've
talked this year where the day after a loss, it
felt like, man, that felt like more than a loss,
and we were just talking before we got to our
number two here that last night's game felt like more
than just a win. It felt like it shifted things
back where if you end up getting swept for the
first time all season, maybe it takes away a little
(02:18):
bit of the momentum you had going. Did you feel
that as well? Did you feel how massive getting at
least one was last night for this team?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
A defining quality of last season was that they'd have
like a big series win or even in some cases,
the series sweep, and then they go on to play
some of their worst baseball this season. They lost the
series as a hole and send Way, but coming off
their best home stand of the season. So Red's played
well in all three games, like the first one. Sure
you know, we can talk about Chase Burns. I was
(02:49):
really impressed with how the Reds played that game. They
got down seven to nothing. A lot of people told
me that too, They were impressed with how the team
played that game. Down seven to nothing against one of
the best left handed starters in baseball the league could
have shut down. Instead, they had one of their most
well put together offensive stretches that they've had in the
game against the starter this season. The comeback after the
(03:10):
rain suspension in Game two, the way the bullpen stepped
up in that game, Sam Mal Obviously you know got
away from Line Richards in the end, but they were
asking so much from all those guys, and then to
do it in Game three like that felt like the
type of thing that mature teams do. Almost a good
series loss the way they had.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
How much can you take from an outing the way
they did against a left handed starter? You're gonna see
two to start this Philadelphia series. It's something they've struggled
with for much of the first half. Austin Hayes is back,
Noalvee Marte is taking the right steps, you would think
to get back soon. How much can you take against
a good lefty like that and try to apply it
(03:50):
here against Philadelphia?
Speaker 5 (03:52):
So the line in football is like, and help me
out here. Teams are gonna blitz you until you throw
them out of it, or something like that. You get
the point on making teams wake up in the morning
and say, how can we get as many left handed
pitchers to pay TJ. Freeda and Ali la Cruz as
possible on any given night, Like the Red Sox plan
their whole pitching day yesterday around having that left handed
(04:13):
opener Bernardino to start Game two, and then they brought
in I believe Murphy, another left hander, to then circle
back through the line up. There like that whole left
right thing shaped their whole strategy. Well, the only way
to get teams to stop doing that is McClain looking
stronger in the two spot, which I'm buying McLean stuck
right now. Spencer Steer n OL Player of the Week.
He looks like Spencer Steer getting Austin Hayes back. Martin
(04:36):
needs to be one of those pieces while there's much
less guaranteed with him, obviously he has the tools to
do so. And then it's guys too, like, I mean,
you know it takes one through thirteen. They like to say,
I mean you need Cees, you need Hines to take
that next step forward as well. They're guys doing well.
There are guys you need to see more from their
guys coming back, but there's such an emphasis on what
they need to be getting from their right handed hitters.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You mentioned the emphasis on the right handed hitting. What
about the leadoff spot because TJ. Friedel has probably been
the most consistent Red through this part of the season.
He'd never really strays from what he's doing at the plate,
although in the last week or so we've seen some
plays out in center field that aren't much TJ. Friedel,
like he's not had the same bat we've seen for
(05:20):
much of the year. Does it feel to you like
maybe it's just a case of TJ. Friedel maybe needing
a day off or maybe needing to get to that
All Star break.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
Yeah. I think Terry Francona too used the word like
not banged up in terms of injuries, but just kind
of banged up in terms of the way we're all
banged up when you play thirty straight games or however
many it's been. I attribute it to that as much
as anything. The one thing, though, physically that's like the
silver lining here is the and yes, TJ's playing bat
baseball or TJ's not playing TJ Friedele baseball. The one
(05:53):
thing that's positive that makes this not a long term
concern for me is last year when TJ. Friedel was
truly hanged up and was kind of playing hurt with
some soft tissue stuff. He stopped bunting because he didn't
have and no one really had a ton of confidence
in where his sprint speed was at to be able
to beat those throws out the first Well, he's actually
bunting more to try to get out of this slump,
(06:14):
which I get because he's not hot, he's not hitting
as well. But the sign that he is confidence in
his bunts to me gives me that signal that he's
not dealing with something more serious that could linger. So
that's good. But yes, Fredo hasn't looked like Fredo. He
kind of needs a bit of a refresh, get back
to being who he is.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
What do you make of Noelve Marte? Do you do
you envision him rejoining the team soon, and if so,
is there a roster spot that makes sense for him
to take.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
I think it could happen tomorrow. Third base man, I mean,
it's been just a flaw. Like CS won the game
for the Reds yesterday, the at bets have just been
incredibly inconsistent, and you know, with all the talk about
situational baseball, he's just been over aggressive and now he
can change a game and that's why he's getting opportunities.
But he's also not a dynamic fielder, so then they've
(07:03):
evenske been all more chances because at least he's giving
you that consistent glove, but he's you know, performing at
at a very poor level, I believe since the start
of May. So now it's an Oliva Marquez turn. Not
to case by the fault because he definitely earnest, but
the way he played before he got hurt. But it's
still just a nineteen game sample size. Now, he looked
good on the rehab assignment, but he's now entering the
(07:25):
stretch where he has to be a solution to a
spot the RDS haven't been getting enough from and then
passaging that all in there with the roster spot stuff,
like a thing that I mentioned earlier has been you know,
Cees meeting to improve his playing time has been cut
down a bit recently. Rese tins. You know, I got
to keep the helmet on. That's a sign of kind
of where he's at at the plate. And his defense, obviously,
(07:47):
you know, isn't something he's staying in games for getting
pulled defensively in games. So I you know, Ryan Vilaide
hasn't played, Santiago estpen all has been struggling. So like
the back of the roster, I don't love where it's
at right now, So that can be you know, a
couple of different guys. It could be with Marte coming back,
but they're hoping that Marte helped sure that out and
they're kind of counting on it too.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
You guys got the chance to see Hunter Green yesterday
throw in the simulated game and then talk to him afterwards.
What was your takeaway from the conversation with Hunter and
what you were able to see from his throwing.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
Yeah, my big takeaway was originally, you know, Hunter said
throw another live, and then after it was like throw
another live or rehab assignment. And I'm still not one
hundred percent sure where the plan is that Hunter felt good,
Hunter fell strong. I thought his slider looked a lot
better than the fastball, but you know, take that off
for what you will with a million grains of salt,
(08:44):
I think it. I mean, it was just fifteen pitches too.
I was I was kind of expecting multiple innings, so
he's I wouldn't expect him back right after the ul
star break maybe, or if he is, he'd probably just
be able to throw five innings, So that this has
been more procedural than maybe. You know, you are a
hope coming just back from a Grade one Green straight.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
On top of that. Spencer Steer was plunked yesterday, scratched late.
What was the update on him after the game or
any indication of what it could be moving forward for him?
Speaker 5 (09:14):
Yeah, actually he's negative. Now. You know, Jim Day always
says when he gives those updates after guys to get
hit my pitches always take that with the you know,
to be determined. I forget Jim's blind subject to change.
I believe what Jim always says. There. I caught up
with Spencer two after the game. He said, yeah, they're swelling,
but it should be better. He felt positive, but again,
these things change. But right now it was a positive
(09:36):
tone coming from Steer, optimistic about being the one a
pretty huon again.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Charlie, we saw both ends of the spectrum and and
how hard baseball is. Because Chase Burns dazzled in his
start against the Yankees, he gets beat up a little
bit against the Boston Red Sox. What do you make
of the conversation around maybe tipping pitches and how much
are you looking forward to seeing him turn around and
get back out on the mound against a good team
(10:01):
in Philly to see what he has next.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Yeah, I did make a point to watch his bullpen yesterday,
kind of working on the way he got downhill and
was kind of not necessarily separating his arms as a
tipping factor, but kind of like that part of the
motion when you're separating your arms and getting down the mound.
That was something he seemed to be focused on. Was
there an aspect of tipping pitches. I would say probably
(10:26):
there's a good chance, but I also don't think that's
the entire picture either. I also think there were, you know,
him making mistakes, him elevating pitches over the plate. It
doesn't necessarily have to be just one thing, but they're
putting him on the track where all right, kids, you're
learning in the big leagues. That's what Chase Burns has earned.
He's ready, he belongs, he deserves to be in the resortation.
He gives them the best chance to win. But I
(10:49):
also don't think that he has some glaring tipping pitches problem.
I think even even if it was just thirteen starts
in the minor leagues, that would have been enough to
realize there was something in The Reds are obviously monitoring this,
and I've always been monitoring this, So I think the
truth somewhere in the middle. I think the truth is
he's an inexperienced guy who's figuring this out. Vizarowski had
a bad day and zone yesterday over in Milwaukee. He's
(11:11):
their phenom, so this stuff happens. He'll start on Sunday,
and he was kind of focusing on some specific things
in his bullpen yesterday.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Does it feel to you from being around the team
that the confidence of this team is growing and you
look at whether it's their approach at the plate, whether
what they get from the pitching staff Nick Martinez almost
those a no hit or last Friday, But does it
feel like from a culture standpoint that there is more consistency,
that there is more confidence exuding from this team.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
I do look at him more analytically, like guys are
just getting better. But this is a true story. So
like before Saturday's game against the Padres, down to steer
for a while after VP, and then I interviewed Hayes.
After a while, I went Hayes, then steer and after
the steering of you, as I walked back up at
the press box, I wrote in my notebook, They've got
look in their eye, and what I meant by that
(12:02):
like they know what to expect more, they know what
it takes. More. It feels much less unbridled optimism. You know,
we're ready to take on the world, which is how
it felt in twenty twenty three. And you feel a
lot more of the impact and the experience and kind
of the composure that guys like Hayes and Lux and
Trevino and Martinez and Pagano on the pitching staff and
(12:25):
Singer have brought. And then also it's a stage where
the young guys, you know, fear McLain to extend Ellie
even though he hasn't struggled as much like they've all
also struggled and dealt with adversity now, so there is
more of an understanding of kind of the grind, and
you're seeing that translate and how they talk and how
they prepare. I think the most important part it feels
(12:47):
like an older team. And again I wrote my notebook.
They've got a bit of book in their.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Eyes to switch gears a little bit. Charlie, we are
We're in July. There's gonna be a football game played
in July. The Bengals training camp days away. They get
started on July twenty third, It's kind of been the
theme of the week we've talked as it relates to
the Bengals and questions going forward between now and then,
what is your biggest question mark that this roster you
(13:12):
feel like maybe still needs to establish between now and then.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
I think what the story of training camp is going
to be, because we're not going to learn if this
defense is good or not in training camp, especially because
they're going to be facing you know, Joe Burrow. They're
not going to look great. There are no joint practices.
You'll put caveats with all the preseason games that they play.
What you need to learn is and what I still
don't know is who the real leaders of this defense are.
There are a lot of different guys who have a
(13:37):
runway that they could follows. Wilson makes a lot of sense.
J Hill has that track record in that experience, but
then you know it's young guys like Jordan Battle, who
had the right star in his name because of the
on the Bengals draft sheets, because of the qualities they
felt like he showed at Alabama, but then maybe he
didn't back those up the first two seasons in the NFL.
(13:58):
But any get a chance to recess this off season,
So like he's a guy cam Taylor Britt the guy.
I think Josh Newton has its. He just has to
be able to cover. So he's someone who could step
into a big role there. Demitrius Knight, the ted Caris
called him the fast Dad, has a lot of those qualities,
but he's just a rookie. How does he emerge kind
of vocally, It's That's what I'm going to be focused
(14:21):
on focusing on during training camp because that's the biggest
thing is that this defense had a culture problem last year.
You know, That's why there was so much turnover. There
was so much divide between coach and veteran and then
young guys. How they bridged that gap. It's kind of
the first step to me of getting this defense back on.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Track when you look at what's still obviously left out there.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Charlie, do you do you feel.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Like the Hendrickson camp is going to wait and see
what happens with Watt and Parsons And do you think
that would change at all what the Bengals number or
years would end up being.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
I'm done predicting Trey Henderson. I think that Henderson's just
going to wake up one day and either change his
mind or wake up one day and stay as decisive
as he is. But if that's just such a stalemate
right now, I still do think that something short term
gets done. That's still my prediction. But the way I
understand the situation is it's predicting, you know, not to
(15:22):
call him blackout tray off the field in terms of
contract negotiations, but that's the kind of personality, that's the
kind of wild card he is, and he's always been
just in terms of trying to figuring out, you know,
what his role is going to be, what his career
is going to look like. He's always been a tough guy,
our guy that's just been tough to predict compared to
a lot of other pleasure in his position. So ultimately,
Trey just just got to decide what he wants to do,
(15:45):
and I think he'll wake up one day and do that.
But right now it's kind of at a stalemate point
with no deadline and no need to do something in
the short term. Uh.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Lastly, Charlie, from an offensive line standpoint, they've not received
great grades nationally from an offensive line standpoint, But how
much of you I guess dove into the thought or
thinking about the sophomore year now for a Marius Mims,
because so much of what I think hinges on him
is people just look at how he played last year
and how he burst on the scene. You now have
(16:16):
a full offseason if your Mims to work on your
things you need to work on. But for a scouting
department of other teams, what are his strengths? What are
his weaknesses? Have you set any type of expectation on
where you stand on what year two can be now
for a Marius Mims.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Well, first of all, like just make sure we're not
clossing over the guard stuff, like that's the concern we'll
be talking about it. I still think that's the best
way and really the only way to stop the Bengos
offense is that interior pressure up the middle, and that's
something they're just going to need to figure out more
answers to help for because the answers don't seem to
be those guards and one on one matchics right now. Now, Mims,
(16:54):
I think the new coaching staff, the new offensive line
coach Scott Peters, and the new ideas and inncibles Derek
can help him set a foundation can create some more
kind of alright, this is what I need to do.
This is the plan to elevate my game to the
next level from a player development standpoint, which obviously is
something that there hasn't been enough on the offensive line.
I believe Marius Miim's his exit meeting with Dak Taylor,
(17:17):
he talked about Pro Bowl goals this season and those
being realistic. There's a real confidence there. The Bengals love
what they have, Mims loves where he's acts, and in
terms of like who the breakout guys could be on
the Bengals as a whole, Like there's a good chance
that I like to use this as a bar they're
selling Marius Men's jerseys in the Pro Shop by the
end of the season. If they're looking at young guys
(17:38):
who could kind of step into that all right, Like
Chase Brown's already there, Cam Taylor, Britt's already there. A
Marius Mims is kind of that next guy. Maybe Dak
Hills another one in that camp as well, to make
it onto that type of stage. Just in terms of
how they're recognized around the city and around the league.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Charlie are the best man.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I appreciate you making this work on a Thursday, Charlie,
did I know you got some travel as well?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Did you say that you got your food for your flight?
Do you bring food onto the plane?
Speaker 5 (18:08):
I get to the airport early. I've got a big
principle of mine, so then I have more than enough
time to eat before I get on the plane.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
Okay, are you going to do anything fun in Philadelphia
for the fourth of July? Oh?
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Oh, probably just take a walk. Oh, probably look around.
I don't have any plans, if that's what you're asking.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Well, you know, the Declaration of Independence was kind of
a big deal there in Philadelphia. I didn't know if
you were, you know, going to go sniff that out
or I do that.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Yeah, I mean I'm not going to steal the Declaration
of Independence.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Then, I mean it's kind of a good idea, But
that's not the worst idea.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
That'd be something.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
What, uh, what's the easiest way to follow along with
everything you're You're you got tentacles all over the place
right now. The content, Yeah, the content's phenomenal.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
What's the easiest way for listeners to follow along with you? Charlie.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Charlie's shockboard on substack can also fund it on Fox
nineteen Power Staffs with Brian Gegenslaw, Red Show, The Gold Standard,
A Show with add with Joe Daniman, This Morning with
Brad Spangles Comparisons. That's just a few of them. Lot
going on, having a lot of fun. Thanks for following along.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
Charlie so much. Look forward to talking again soon.
Speaker 5 (19:17):
See you guys.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
That is Charlie Goldsmith Chuck Man. You can also find
all Charlie's work that he does here on Fridays and
today Thursday via a podcast form on the iHeart Radio app.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
That's correct.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You can do that as well. Using that iHeartRadio app.
You can also leave us a talkback today. It's a
hell of a transition because it is our Friday. We'll
listen to talkbacks and then we'll vote on our best
talkback of the week. For a Cinti Shirts gift card
still comes up next to ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station,
a service of Sinti shirts.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
Now your chance to win one thousand dollars. Enter this
nationwide keyword.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
On our website.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
Okay, that's pay Enter it now.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.