Loving the NL Central, and the Haters - LucianoJJ's Blog

LucianoJJ's Blog

Loving the NL Central, and the Haters

Posted on August 13, 2010 at 11:40 PM.

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The Reds blew a golden opportunity to extend their lead over St. Louis. After baiting the Cards with a few comments, triggering a brawl, the Reds ended up a game behind in the NL Central. Joey Votto got some national attention for his Cub hating comments, later described as a joke, but Brandon Phillips seemed dead serious about his hatred of the Redbirds. The media jumped all over this one. Although the divisional races are tight, and the Wild Card races are even tighter, this is the time of year attention tends to shift to the NFL training camps. No-hitters have been more common than bench clearing brawls in recent years. With starting pitcher Johnny Cueto pinned to the backstop screen, and Scott Rolen mixing it up with former teammates, this essentially was the most competitive half inning of the entire series. Bad blood even flowed between the managers. La Russa has the reputation as the Machiavelli of the dugout, Dusty Baker is the good player turned player’s manager. All these story lines added to the controversy. As a Reds fan, I simply wanted to see a closer three game series.

The Reds were already in flux. The much needed left-handed bat was found. At forty, Jim Edmonds is the ultimate stretch drive stopgap. I would rather see Drew Stubbs lay off the breaking ball and learn to draw walks, but veterans are crucial in any pennant race. Lance Nix is beginning to see more playing time as well, and offers much better defense than Jonny Gomes in left, but lacks the range Edmonds still has in center.

Paul Janish could play a major role down the stretch. While he won’t make anyone forget Barry Larkin or Davey Concepcion, he may provide better defense than the aging, now disabled shortstop Orlando Cabrera displayed this season. Both veteran left side infielders have missed time, Janish was the super sub expected to fill in and provide good defense, with any offensive output being a surprise. Janish has hit .273, with a home run and 6 RBI in his nine starts since Cabrera went on the shelf. His lifetime average is .221, so whether Janish will wilt in the heat or rise to the occasion is a major question mark.

The sweep may have benefitted closer Coco Cordero, giving him a couple of days off to regroup. More rumors of bullpen moves have focused on the lefty Chapman being promoted. Homer Bailey was considered to be a relief candidate, until the Cueto suspension altered those plans. Maybe the best place for Aaron Harang’s aching back is the bullpen, since the trade rumors have subsided. Travis Wood will get a tune-up start with Triple-A Louisville to stay fresh and potentially take Mike Leake’s spot in the rotation.

Coming off a sweep of the Cubs added to their momentum. After this week’s blowout, the Reds and Cards have just one series to resume the rivalry. There are seventeen games between now and the Labor Day Weekend in St. Louis. The Reds must survive a West Coast trip, then pound the Cubs and Brewers back at Great American Ballpark. The Dodgers will be looking to climb back into the race. The Giants, after adding Jose Guile will simply want to pass San Diego, or maintain their advantage in the Wild Card race. The rest of the season will be spent scoreboard watching, and attempting to take advantage of weaker competition. There could be spoilers lurking, and there could be clubs playing out the string with half a team fresh from Triple-A.

Look for Jay Bruce to catch fire, for Joey Votto to continue his run to the Triple Crown, and Brandon Phillips to continue to make headlines, with his glove, his bat, his speed, and his mouth.