Well, the Reds shattered their 'Awesome til' August' moniker this season for certain. Not in a positive way, though. The wheels fell off in July, and we just couldn't seem to get it going. Injuries have plagued us. The bright spot, aside from Bray and Massett has been our bullpen, one of the strongest in the Majors in my opinion. Also, our much maligned starting rotation has performed well enough to win a majority of it's games, and as ironic as it is, our offense couldn't help out. Cueto has been absolutely brilliant, and Dontrelle Willis, although still win-less, has pitched well enough to have won every game he is on the mound. The man even picks himself up at the plate. Every start Willis has had since being called up has been a quality start. We didn't make too much noise before the trade deadline, except trade off Johnny Gomes, who while wildly popular, was horrible at the plate and did nothing to distance himself from Freddie 'Boom Boom' Lewis and Chris Heisey in left. It was sad to see it, as he was a valuable piece to last year's 'Lil' Red Engine that Could'. Walt Jockety let us know that they were in talks for everybody, including another starter which is what you will hear we need badly,Ubaldo Jiminez.. But, other teams wanted the farm to make deals with, and it is something we shouldn't have done, and time will tell that. Besides, having a few one and doners for a run this season in exchange for our young guns was not bright to do, and time will show this. And, c'mon, we are in the NL Central, our pitching staff is well good enough to win the division as we did last season. Now, another ace to compliment Cueto would be great, but let's not press the issue. Phillies type staffs are not the norm, they are the exception. The bright side... In the recent series with Colorado, we seem to have found the ever elusive art of grinding out wins. Votto is hot at the plate, and Renteria has played some decent ball as of late. Alonso has shown why he was known as a hitting machine in Louisville, and Cozart, although injured, showed that the future at SS is bright, the one spot that has plagued us all year. Not pitching, SS. Janish and Edgar have done admirable,but that spot on both sides has been our Achilles heel all season. And who would have thought Todd Frazier would blossom like he has? Add to that some of the horses we have itching for the call up and the fact that Chapman has corrected his issues on the mound, the Queen City could make a run at bringing the crown to the Nati once more. Did I mention that all this late season positives applies to a team in the NL Central? with roughly 50 games left, we are in 3rd and back 10 1/2 games. Not too late. A few games below .500 though is the dark cloud hanging over the Ohio River. We get back to playing .500 ball, and I think we make it interesting down the stretch... And if you, like me, are sleeping on the Cubbies, continue that nap.
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