Post by Mike on May 14, 2009 14:45:11 GMT -5
I know its a 3-way tie, and its early, BUT there is a lot to be excited about.
The Reds just swept the Diamondbacks. They not only beat them in all three games, but destroyed them, scoring 26 runs.
The pitching staff is top 5 in MLB, arguably #1. Cueto is a budding star, Harang is back to his old form, Volquez has nasty stuff, Arroyo is inconsistent (he either goes deep into a game and gets the win or gives up 9 runs in one inning!), and Owings seems to be getting more comfortable (not to mention dude can straight jack a baseball).
Bullpen is still rock solid. I think Aurthur Rhodes has sold his soul; he's yet to give up a run. Cordero makes me nervous sometimes.
The offense is fun to watch. No longer do they hit the long ball, they actually play baseball. They go 1st to 3rd on singles, hit and run, steal bases, get timely hitting. Strike outs are way down compared to the Dunn/Griffey days, batters are giving way better at bats. Of the 26 runs vs the Diamond backs, only 3 were the result of a homerun.
Tavarez and Hairston are setting things up at the top of the order. I think they are a combined 14 for their last 27. They have to keep Hairston in the line-up, put him in the outfield, 3rd, SS, whatever.
I'm not sure that Dusty can just give Gonzolez and Encarnation their jobs back with the way Hairston and Rosales are playing.
I really like Hernandez and the leadership he brings to the club. He has a lot of attitude and has been hitting. He's done a great job at first with Votto being sick.
I hope they can keep it up and content for the division. I will be going to the game on the 19th.
The Reds just swept the Diamondbacks. They not only beat them in all three games, but destroyed them, scoring 26 runs.
The pitching staff is top 5 in MLB, arguably #1. Cueto is a budding star, Harang is back to his old form, Volquez has nasty stuff, Arroyo is inconsistent (he either goes deep into a game and gets the win or gives up 9 runs in one inning!), and Owings seems to be getting more comfortable (not to mention dude can straight jack a baseball).
Bullpen is still rock solid. I think Aurthur Rhodes has sold his soul; he's yet to give up a run. Cordero makes me nervous sometimes.
The offense is fun to watch. No longer do they hit the long ball, they actually play baseball. They go 1st to 3rd on singles, hit and run, steal bases, get timely hitting. Strike outs are way down compared to the Dunn/Griffey days, batters are giving way better at bats. Of the 26 runs vs the Diamond backs, only 3 were the result of a homerun.
Tavarez and Hairston are setting things up at the top of the order. I think they are a combined 14 for their last 27. They have to keep Hairston in the line-up, put him in the outfield, 3rd, SS, whatever.
I'm not sure that Dusty can just give Gonzolez and Encarnation their jobs back with the way Hairston and Rosales are playing.
I really like Hernandez and the leadership he brings to the club. He has a lot of attitude and has been hitting. He's done a great job at first with Votto being sick.
I hope they can keep it up and content for the division. I will be going to the game on the 19th.
