Cautiously optimisticThat is my current sentiment regarding the 2009 outlook for the Reds. Before the season, I would have probably gone with Hoping for .500. However, this has been our best road trip in over a year. Okay, I have no actual evidence or proof to back that up, and I am too lazy too look it up, but I cannot remember the last time we won 3 straight road series. Can you? Not only that, we took 2 of 3 from historic Reds killer the Brewers, 3 of 4 from the hated, but now weak Astros and 2 of 3 from the now mighty Cubs.
The hot start isn't the only reason to be optimistic. Our pitching is finally there. We are STACKED! Harang is a legit #1 starter. He battled Zambrano today and came out on top. Volquez has had a rough start, but his stuff is there. He'll be fine. Arroyo is back and looks unstoppable as a #3 guy. Cueto has to be the best #4 starter in the MLB right now. He outpitched Oswalt in Houston this week. And at #5, we have Owings. A modern day Babe Ruth, he may end up in the field when Bailey gets straightened out in AAA.
On the hitting side, Votto is an absolute BEAST! Not only is he hitting for power and average, he gets clutch hits and RBI's when we need them most. I can't watch the games on TV yet, but everytime I check the Gamecast online, Votto smacks an RBI double off the wall. Taveras is finally a true leadoff hitter. He is a threat anytime he gets on base, which is about half the time right now. He got on base today and rattled Zambrano drawing a throw to first that was wild. He went to third and soon scored on another clutch Votto hit. As for the rest, they are awful right now. The fact that we are winning when Taveras and Votto are our only consistent offense has me encouraged. Eventually, the rest of these guys will hit a little better.
I can't wait to get to a few games this year. I finally see the Reds moving in the right direction. We are, of course, in the most unfair division in baseball, the only one with 6 teams. With the Cards and the Cubs, not to mention the Brewers to contend with, it may be tough to get to the post-season this year. However, I think 90 wins is within reach. If we keep the core together and add a big bat for next year, we may be back in the post-season.
Addendum: 2004
ReplyDeleteThe AP did the research for me and said that was the last time the Reds won 3 straight road series!
By the way Samardjizadasshaysk got knocked around in the 9th in mop up duty.
Ted, when are you going to give up on Homer Bailey? The guys is a perennial AAA loser! He's come up to the majors at least three times, and never been any good any of those times.
ReplyDeleteI have minimal faith that Bailey can ever be anything more than a "player-to-be-named-later".
Until his arm falls off, he is always out top prospect! Look at his age (22) compared to Volquez (25). Volquez didn't get his act together until last year when he came to Cincy. Bailey still will be a MLB pitcher.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you picked the worst day ever to rip on Bailey. Check out his 15 K's from yesterday in only 6 innings!