Red October

I'm starting to feel it (which probably means its almost over). Maybe I'm just buying into the hype. The Reds are on a serious roll. They just closed out their best April EVER. How do they break in May? By going 4-1 against the Cards and Astros. We currently sit at 20-9 on top of the toughest division in baseball.

Our formula for success is simple. We always score a lot of runs. However, we have finally realized that Freel is awesome and needs to play every day - a perfect leadoff hitter. Also, Kearns is finally realizing his potential. Additionally, finding a new legit hitter in Phillips has been a godsend, especially with Griffey's annual injury coming in the first week this year.

However, the real key has been our starting pitching. Did I just type that? Yep. I said at the beginning of the season (on this blog) that if we had 2 starters pile up 200 innings and get 15 wins, we would be in it in September. Well, I give you Aaron Harang (5-1) and Bronson Arroyo (5-0). These guys are lights out right now. Harang just struck out 12 in Colorado last night. Arroyo has an ERA of 2.06. Milton is hurt, Wilson is in rehab, Williams has been improving, as has Claussen. Weathers has been servicable, and this Coffey guy has been amazing.

We always jump on ESPN for screwing us over, and rightfully so. However, the ultimate bandwagon network has now changed it's tune. Check out the recent MLB Power Rankings. We have now reached #4 jumping up from #24 when the season started. In addition, Kruk recently declared the Reds contenders on Baseball Tonight, and all agreed that we would be in the hunt this October. The only thing missing is Eric Davis as bench coach!

I'm getting so drunk this July when we play the Rockies at Colin's bachelor party!