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Archive for the ‘Cincinnati Reds’ Category
Slow Start? What Slow Start?
OK, time to stop the MLB nonsense about whether the Indians are for real.
They’re as real as Justin Masterson’s sinker, Shin-Soo Choo’s right arm, Carlos Santana’s batting eye, Orlando Cabrera’s experience and Asdrubal Cabrera’s talent.
Try this for real: The Indians own a majors-best 66 run differential and an MLB best 18-4 home record. They’ve scored the second-most runs in the A.L. and have the fourth-best ERA. They’re 7-2 against the A.L. East with the revived Red Sox returning to Cleveland looking for revenge after that three-game sweep they absorbed in the season’s first week.
Ron Washington knows they’re for real. Asked if he knew the Indians would be in first place when in spring training he asked Manny Acta to be an MLB All-Star coach, the Rangers managed replied, “I knew the Indians would be tough. They have some talent.”
Washington might have been one of the few to believe that two months ago. But he’s no longer alone. The Indians sit atop the MLB Power Poll for the fourth consecutive week. The Poll is convinced.
1. Indians (1). You can ask the Reds if the Tribe is for real. The Indians’ weekend sweep was first over Reds since 2004.
2. Cardinals (14). When talking about N.L. MVP candidates, Matt Holliday would be the place to start. Unless you started with Lance Berkman.
3. Red Sox (13). About that 2-10 start, perhaps the Red Sox just wanted to play fair and give the rest of the league a head start.
Adrian Gonzalez has provided the offensive punch the Red Sox were hoping for when they traded for him this offseason. (AP Photo)
4. Giants (6). Latest wrist injury to Mark DeRosa could be the end, making his the saddest in a season that has seen more than its share of injuries.
5. Phillies (4). Chase Utley is back in time for rematch of last year’s divisional series against the Reds. Time for the rest of the Phillies’ offense to return, too.
6. Yankees (15). What a debut: Right-hander Hector Noesi gives Yankees four scoreless innings to win 15-inning marathon in Baltimore, providing the difference between a so-so and a good week for the club.
The Cincinnati Reds Look to Overcome the Phillies aces
Zed’s dead, baby — and so are the Reds.
One game into the Division Series, we shouldn’t be quoting Bruce Willis’ classic line from Pulp Fiction.
But look at the murderer’s row of Phillies aces confronting Cincinnati’s ballclub, and tell me how the Reds will get to the League Championship Series.
Longtime nemesis Roy Oswalt faces them in Game 2 on Friday in Philadelphia, followed by Cole Hamels in Game 3 on Sunday in Cincinnati and, if the Reds aren’t dead yet, Roy Halladay on Monday in Game 4 of the best-of-five set.
No-hit by Halladay in Game 1 on Wednesday, the Reds still are searching for their first posteason hit since Eddie Taubensee singled against the Braves late in Game 4 of the 1995 National League Championship Series.
Here at West Coast Bias, I’d like to see a little October sunshine for Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, the California dude who directed baseball’s oldest franchise here. Read More >>
Vote Votto Campaigning
All of the campaigning – the Vote Votto T-shirts – worn by not only his teammates but also himself paid off. Votto received 13.7 million votes by the end of the balloting online Thursday. By all of the campaigning it placed Votto in the place that he hates: the spotlight.
Votto’s response to the sudden spotlight, “I didn’t expect all the attention. I didn’t expect that it would be this big. I appreciate all the votes and everything, but it became a popularity contest, which is not really up my alley.”
As he answered all of the questions respectfully, most of the inquisitors came from Canada to discuss his victory. “They must really like Cincinnati Reds baseball and want to see a lot of guys go to the All-Star Game … or they have a lot of e-mail addresses,” Votto had said about his fans who had voted hundreds or even thousands of times. It has been pretty overwhelming, especially after a very trying year in his career. Read More >>
The MLB Civil Rights Petition
This last Saturday marked the first Major League helped Civil Rights Game, between the Cincinnati Reds and the White Sox and centered around baseball’s role in the civil rights movement.
“We’re very proud of this event,” Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig said. “It’s come a long, long way in a short period of time. I’m delighted to be here, particularly with people who deserve the praise and recognition. This has been really a wonderful day. It has really been an honor and a pleasure to be here.”
Another Interleague Plus
Laynce and Jayson Nix reunion through MLB scheduling’s good ole interleague play may not event make a scratch in the heated debate but it is just one more reason that some freshness to the season should be considered.
“We eat, sleep and go to the ballpark. There’s not a lot of extra time for things. We may get together a couple of times before he leaves.”
Also marking the occasion of their reunion it was the first time the brothers had homered on the same night as major leaguers. Jayson Nix whom was 0 for 7 earleir in the week on Chicago’s road trip came through with his first multi-home run game against the Angels just this Wednesday.
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