Reds starting pitching strong despite disappointing first homestand

The Reds were rained out Thursday and start a three-game series against Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m. Friday. They return home Monday for a two-game series against the Cleveland Indians.

Here are four takeaways from the first six games:

1. The small crowd packs a loud punch: With no fans in the stands, the Great American Ball Park grounds crew did the best it could to create atmosphere in the first six games. They cheered for the Reds from the empty stands, sometimes pounding on the seats with their hands. Some even wore moose horns to honor second baseman Mike Moustakas.

All the groundskeepers sat socially distanced in the stands in foul ground down the right-field line. They all wore masks. They moved closer to the field just before innings in which they had to rake the infield.

According to a report by Jim Day, of Fox Sports Ohio, Reds first baseman Joey Votto bought the groundskeepers a box of noisemakers, which they used during the game Wednesday.

“It actually is a great lift,” catcher Curt Casali said. “Them as well as the owner’s box up top, we can hear them. Kudos to Mr. (Bob) Castellini because we can hear him. I’ve really enjoyed hearing him. But I think the grounds crew is definitely one of the bright spots of the season so far. Their energy has been felt. The other day when we almost made that comeback against Chicago, they were doing Angels in the Outfield, waving their arms in the air. Who does that? What kind of times are we living in that they’re doing that? It’s where we are right now. I, as well as everyone in the clubhouse, is really appreciative of what they’re bringing to the table right now. Hat’s off to them.”

Credit: David Jablonski

Credit: David Jablonski

2. The newcomers have earned their money: The two most expensive additions the Reds made in the offseason — Moustakas and right fielder Nick Castellanos — have combined to drive in 14 of the team’s 37 runs. Moustakas had four RBIs on Opening Day. Castellanos hit a grand slam Wednesday in a 12-5 victory against the Chicago Cubs.

3. Castellanos might be the most intense player on the roster: After the season-opening 7-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers, Castellanos didn’t return to the clubhouse with his teammates. He walked out to right field and started pacing back and forth, looking upset or frustrated. Coach Jeff Pickler and manager David Bell eventually joined him, and they had what Bell described as an intense conversation before Castellanos started taking fly balls in right.

“Nick is determined to be the best all-around player he can be,” Bell said. “It takes an uncommon mindset really to be a player in this league, and to be a great one, guys go even beyond that. To some, it may seem like drastic measures, but to people who understand what it takes to play in this league, we get it. I respect it. I completely understand it. This guy is exceptional in his work ethic.”

4. The starting rotation is off to a strong start: Reds starters lead the National League with 51 strikeouts. Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo and Trevor Bauer struck out 33 batters in the first game. That tied for the most in baseball history in the first three games. The 2013 Texas Rangers also had 33 strikeouts in the first three games.

Casali caught each of the starters in the first three games and said it was really fun.

“Fortunately now I know those three guys like the back of my hand,” Casali said. “They’re so incredibly talented. Obviously, I know Sonny really well. Luis, I could be on a rocking chair back there with him, and then one of the best performances I’ve seen being on his team or him being on another team came from Trevor. All three of them dominated. They struck out a lot of guys. That’s what we anticipated them doing and what they knew they were going to do, too.”