Another Reds Thread

[jaspcat]

Now tied for the wildcard after the D-backs win the 1st of a doubleheader today. The good news is that the Cards keep losing too. The bad news, the Reds haven't taken advantage of the door they've opened up in the past week.

Maddux vs. Cincy tonite in his LA debut should be interesting. Historically, Maddux has been awesome, but only mediocre vs. the Reds, 17-16 career record entering '06.

This year Maddux has been less than mediocre following a 5-0 start. He's 9-11 with a 4.69 ERA, but 3-0 vs the Reds this season. His ERA vs. all teams not named the Reds is a bloated 5.35 in '06.

He's just the kind of pitcher that Cincy has struggled against this year, a guy with good control and changing speeds, but below average velocity.

Nevertheless, I hate to call this a must-win, but we need to right this ship before the Mayberry Braves and the blasted Cards come to Great American.

[Will Lavender]

Very important game tonight. They need to split this week against Atlanta and LA to keep their momentum going out of the break.

The Reds have struggled -- mightily -- against Madduxesque pitchers this year. Guys who change speeds and mix in good breaking stuff have boggled them.

The Dodgers are giving them really good at bats this series. That Ethier kid they have is going to be studly. Watching LA, it's hard for me to believe that they're under .500. They've given the Reds tremendous at bats all up and down their line-up for two nights in a row. Really Ramirez and Arroyo didn't pitch too poorly, the Dodgers have just worked the count and drove balls into the gap.

I'm going to pick the Arizona, I guess. Like Chris Welch said, the more you look at the teams stacked in the WC race, the more you think it might be easier to catch the Cardinals. The Cardinals have some big time problems in the back of their rotation.

[Will Lavender]

I saw on Redszone that Aurilia is at 2B tonight, Encarnacion at 3B, and Hatteberg at 1B.

Good line-up.

This Clayton thing is starting to irk me. He did hit a homerun last night, but it's become apparent that he has no range, and at the plate he's in love with that ground-out to short. I've about come around and joined in with the "Put Phillips at short!" chorus. :?

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

My Phillies, even with the trade of Abreu, are surging towards the top of the wildcard standings. They are getting hot at the right time, and their young staff is quickly maturing. It also helps that Randy Wolf is back and had a very nice first start of the season the other night.

[Will Lavender]

Swept! :thumbdown

I tell you what, though, the Dodgers played extremely well in these three games. Yeah, the Reds' offense stunk. But man the Dodgers solid play from nearly everybody who played for them, from the bullpen guys on down. They didn't make any errors (I think they made 1, actually, but it didn't hurt them); they drove the ball into the gaps; they got excellent pitching. Seemed like everybody they brought in hit the outside corner with regularity.

Speaking of the Phillies, this series reminded me to a T of the series the Reds played with the Phillies two months ago. The Reds couldn't hit then, either, but the Phillies just played extremely well. That was the series Jon Lieber -- yeah, Jon Lieber -- nearly no-hit them.

Not a good time to be slumping. If they could've just split these last 8 games, they would've been in first in the Central.

Ugh. :?

[jaspcat]

Will,

I agree with the Phillips at SS notion. How 'bout the notion of Griffey starting to run out ground balls?

After all is said and done, despite the slide and poor play of late, if you'd have told me in April that the Reds would be tied for the wildcard and 3.5 out of the division lead with 8 weeks to go, I'd have thought you were crazy.

We need one of those 13-5 wins to wake the bats back up (Jobu no like the curve ball). Hopefully the lousy Braves lousy pitching will be their alarm clock.

[Athens2005]

The NL is so bad, that I just think you're going to see teams go hot & cold for the rest of the season.

That's why I give a big advantage to the teams at the top (Cincy & Arizona). They've at least shown an ability to play better than .500 ball for the bulk of the season.

BTW, Webb has a sore elbow. Arizona needs him if they're going to pull this out, or make any noise in the post-season.

My hunch would be that the Mets are desperately hoping for someone outside of the East to win the Wild Card, so that they will have the opportunity to face them, as opposed to a division winner. Although at this point, the other division leaders (San Diego and St. Louis) aren't looking much better than the top Wild Card contenders.

[Will Lavender]

This is tangential, but watching that series with the Dodgers just shows you how important lead-off hitters are.

If your lead-off hitter is getting on, you're going to score runs.

Furcal, as he is wont to do, had a big series against the Reds. Not good for the Reds.
In the Braves series three weeks ago, Giles and Rentaria had big series. Braves took 3 of 4.

In the Brewers series three and a half weeks ago, Ricky Weeks had a big series. Brewers sweep.

In the Phillies series from late May that I mentioned earlier, the guy that was filling in for Chase Utley at the time got on with regularity. Phillies sweep.

On the other side of it, in the series where Lopez and/or Freel have been hitting, the Reds score a lot of runs. When they don't hit, the Reds get shut down.

I think a baseball hierarchy, if you're looking for overall effect on Ws and Ls, may look like this:

1) Starting pitching.
2) Relief pitching.
3) Lead-off hitting.
4) Power hitting from middle of the line-up.

/tangent

[Rockober]

It's amazing that the Reds are on top with Griffey's average hovering aroung .240. He usually has a hot month and we will neet some clutch hitting from him along with good solid pitching to catch the Cards or win the wildcard. Hopefully the moves the Reds made in relief will pay off down the stretch.

[jaspcat]

Another acquisition for the Reds pen:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060807&content_id=1597562&vkey=n ews_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Looked like he was going to be a dandy early in his career, but fizzled poorly in the last couple of years. Added for a player to be named later, he's worth a shot.

Majewski has really stunk since the trade of Lopez and Kearns, and now lands on the DL. Hopefully, hecan come back strong in a couple of weeks. Bray looks great, but if Majewski stays this bad, a questionable trade in the 1st place turns into a dubious decision.

Standridge to the DL also opens up a roster spot for Claussen. It'll be interesting to see if he pitches from the pen after logging an 8+ ERA in his rehab starts. Lohse looked sharp yesterday. I think he earned another couple of starts at least.

[Will Lavender]

jaspcat wrote: Another acquisition for the Reds pen:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060807&content_id=1597562&vkey=n ews_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Looked like he was going to be a dandy early in his career, but fizzled poorly in the last couple of years. Added for a player to be named later, he's worth a shot.

Majewski has really stunk since the trade of Lopez and Kearns, and now lands on the DL. Hopefully, hecan come back strong in a couple of weeks. Bray looks great, but if Majewski stays this bad, a questionable trade in the 1st place turns into a dubious decision.

Standridge to the DL also opens up a roster spot for Claussen. It'll be interesting to see if he pitches from the pen after logging an 8+ ERA in his rehab starts. Lohse looked sharp yesterday. I think he earned another couple of starts at least.

Majewski has been atrocious.

If he's hurt (which I doubt he really is), then the Reds' scout(s)
responsible for writing Majewski up should be fired. Promptly. How
could we give away what we did for a guy that was hurt?

I'd say the move is one that is just meant to give Majewski
time to rest, though. Something I didn't know at the time of
the trade was that Majewski has pitched a boatload of innings
the last two years. The Braves' announcers yesterday speculated
that he might be "pitched out."

If true, however, that's another black mark on the scout(s) who reported
to Wayne Krivsky.

I'm loving Bill Bray, on the other hand.

[Will Lavender]

Re: Claussen.

I think he's done. At least for this year. He looked hurt to me
the first time I saw him, back in April.

I've never been enamored with his stuff. He essentially throws batting
practice to righties; doesn't have the velocity to get in on them, and they
end up feastin on him.

But this year he was even more average than normal,
which makes me think there's a tear in that arm somewhere.

[jaspcat]

"Majewski, who gave up four eighth-inning runs and lost a two-run lead in a 6-4 setback to the Braves on Sunday, did not tell anyone with the Reds about his situation until Monday."

Unclear whether the Nats knew they were dealing "damaged goods," or if the Reds knew they were getting a tired arm. The report said he did have a cortisone shot before the All-Star break, so evidently there is a history of treatment that the Reds should have been aware of. On the bright side, an MRI showed no structural damage and it seems like fatigue has just caused his ineffectiveness. Hopefully, a couple of weeks without throwing will heal whatever is wrong.

Also, Claussen is done for the season and will have arthroscopic surgery. Looks like Lohse or Franklin will have to fill the 5th starter spot...and if Elizardo continues to pitch as poorly as he did last night, we may need both of those guys in the rotation. I like EZ, but he has been getting shelled lately.

[cumberlandredskin]

jaspcat wrote: "Majewski, who gave up four eighth-inning runs and lost a two-run lead in a 6-4 setback to the Braves on Sunday, did not tell anyone with the Reds about his situation until Monday."

Unclear whether the Nats knew they were dealing "damaged goods," or if the Reds knew they were getting a tired arm. The report said he did have a cortisone shot before the All-Star break, so evidently there is a history of treatment that the Reds should have been aware of. On the bright side, an MRI showed no structural damage and it seems like fatigue has just caused his ineffectiveness. Hopefully, a couple of weeks without throwing will heal whatever is wrong.

Also, Claussen is done for the season and will have arthroscopic surgery. Looks like Lohse or Franklin will have to fill the 5th starter spot...and if Elizardo continues to pitch as poorly as he did last night, we may need both of those guys in the rotation. I like EZ, but he has been getting shelled lately.

The Reds should have known Majewski was hurting. The Nats used him a heckuva a lot the past two seasons plus he pitched in the WBC in March. I hope it's just a tired arm and he just needs to be shut down for the season. The Reds look like they are just fading away in the sunset. Just don't have enough starting pitching and everyone, except for Guardado and maybe Bray, out of the bullpen looks tired. The next three days against the Cards could determine their fate. If they get swept and the Dodgers keep playing the way they have (won 10 Straight) it could be over for them. You have to give Krivsky credit for trying. I think he's reaching on the last couple of moves for Lohse and Franklin but at least he's trying without giving up too much. For the first time in quite a few yearsI think the Reds organization, as whole, is moving the right direction.

[jaspcat]

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/images/2006/08/08/QGLAOL2g.jpg

WOW!

[cumberlandredskin]

jaspcat wrote: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/images/2006/08/08/QGLAOL2g.jpg

WOW!



One of the best catches you will ever see! :thumbupIMO he saved the game with that catch last night. Two runswould have scored and the inning would have gone downhill from there.

[Will Lavender]

Freel!

I doubt the man will seriously be considered for MVP -- and
I'm talking National League MVP -- but if there's a player
that's more valuable to a good team, I'd like to see him.

He is an absolutely tremendous talent.

[HOMEYCAT]

And his heart is as big as Pete Rose's. After the fist pump, can anyone doubt that he is delighted to be a CINCINNATI RED?

[Will Lavender]

FCFS82 wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Freel!

I doubt the man will seriously be considered for MVP -- and
I'm talking National League MVP -- but if there's a player
that's more valuable to a good team, I'd like to see him.

He is an absolutely tremendous talent.


I can name another MVP candidate on your team...

Bronson Arroyo.



He's been slowing up though for the last month and a half.

In the last three weeks, he's been pitching below the league
average.

His curveball -- which in May was almost unhittable -- is starting
to get pummelled by left handed hitters.

I'd go with

1) Freel
2) Harang
3) Phillips
4) Arroyo
5) Guardado

[cumberlandredskin]

Will Lavender wrote: FCFS82 wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Freel!

I doubt the man will seriously be considered for MVP -- and
I'm talking National League MVP -- but if there's a player
that's more valuable to a good team, I'd like to see him.

He is an absolutely tremendous talent.


I can name another MVP candidate on your team...

Bronson Arroyo.



He's been slowing up though for the last month and a half.

In the last three weeks, he's been pitching below the league
average.

His curveball -- which in May was almost unhittable -- is starting
to get pummelled by left handed hitters.

I'd go with

1) Freel
2) Harang
3) Phillips
4) Arroyo
5) Guardado

You have to have Dunn somewhere in that top five. 34 homers and 80 RBI isn't exactly chopped liver. He's been terrific since about the time Kearns was traded away.Since then he's produced in nearly every clutch situation.

[jaspcat]

http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20060810&Category=SPT04&ArtNo=3 08100030&Ref=AR&Profile=1071&MaxW=315&border=1 (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/photos_single.pbs&IDato=20060810&IKategori=SPT04&I D=308100030)

May want to put David Ross in that Top 5.

[cumberlandredskin]

jaspcat wrote: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20060810&Category=SPT04&ArtNo=3 08100030&Ref=AR&Profile=1071&MaxW=315&border=1 (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/photos_single.pbs&IDato=20060810&IKategori=SPT04&I D=308100030)

May want to put David Ross in that Top 5.





What a game! Just 2 1/2 behind the Cards. Huge game today. It's on ESPN if you are home at 12:30pm. Reds need a big game from Arroyo. One like he pitched in April,May or June would be nice.

How about Krivsky for GM of the year. Where would the Reds have been without Arroyo,Phillipsand Ross? All were picked up in Spring training or just after the season started. Those three have been huge. Without them they would be down where the Pirates are,last place.

[cumberlandredskin]

Don't look now but the Reds are only a game and half behind the Cards. After a thrilling weekend against the Phils, taking two of three and the Cards getting swept by the lowly Pirates, the Reds are right back in the hunt for the division. The Cards are fading faster than the summer. The Reds and Cards play a huge three game series starting tomorrow night in St. Louis. This is thelast series of the year between them.

If you missed the three games the Reds played the Phils you missed a heckuva of series. Friday's game was one of the best games you will ever see even though the Reds lost in 14 innings. Saturday and Sunday's games weren't decided until the last at bat. Also Homer Bailey pitched another gem in AA. He struck out 11 hitters in only FIVE innings:shock: and allowed no runs. The kid keeps getting better but I really doubt we will see him in a Reds uniform this season.

[Will Lavender]

cumberlandredskin wrote: Don't look now but the Reds are only a game and half behind the Cards. After a thrilling weekend against the Phils, taking two of three and the Cards getting swept by the lowly Pirates, the Reds are right back in the hunt for the division. The Cards are fading faster than the summer. The Reds and Cards play a huge three game series starting tomorrow night in St. Louis. This is thelast series of the year between them.

If you missed the three games the Reds played the Phils you missed a heckuva of series. Friday's game was one of the best games you will ever see even though the Reds lost in 14 innings. Saturday and Sunday's games weren't decided until the last at bat. Also Homer Bailey pitched another gem in AA. He struck out 11 hitters in only FIVE innings:shock: and allowed no runs. The kid keeps getting better but I really doubt we will see him in a Reds uniform this season.

This weekend was the most nervous I've ever been watching a sporting event. Could those three games have been more closely contested?

[HOMEYCAT]

I had to step away several times. Pitch by pitch everything was up in the air.

[Littlemeyer]

Good luck Reds fans...big series begins in just a few minutes. I've said it before on here, "ANYBODY but the Cardinals!" I'm not going to put on a Reds hat or anything like that...but this Cub fan would appreciate about three straight wins for you guys.

[cumberlandredskin]

Reds shut out last night,5-0. Carpenter for the Cards was on top of his game last night. Not a lot you can do when a pitcher that good is on.Arroyo really needs to be big tonight and pitch a great game and the offense show up too.

[WildcatRick]

cumberlandredskin wrote: Reds shut out last night,5-0. Carpenter for the Cards was on top of his game last night. Not a lot you can do when a pitcher that good is on.Arroyo really needs to be big tonight and pitch a great game and the offense show up too.
Yep, that was a rough one to watch. Carpenter was on and it was going to be difficult to beat him for a third time this season anyway. Arroyo needs to step itup tonight.

[Will Lavender]

WildcatRick wrote: cumberlandredskin wrote: Reds shut out last night,5-0. Carpenter for the Cards was on top of his game last night. Not a lot you can do when a pitcher that good is on.Arroyo really needs to be big tonight and pitch a great game and the offense show up too.
Yep, that was a rough one to watch. Carpenter was on and it was going to be difficult to beat him for a third time this season anyway. Arroyo needs to step itup tonight.
Biggest start of the season for Arroyo tonight. He's got to really bear down on these guys and stop flipping that curve up there on predictable counts.

The good news is that the Reds go against two pretty hittable pitchers in Reyes and Weaver the next two days. Both those guys did shut the Reds down last time they faced them, but overall they've been fairly easy to get to. Especially Weaver.

[EricBigNally]

I really wish my cable provider was worth anything so I could watch some of the games. I get to see a very, very limited few games a year...

[cumberlandredskin]

Arroyo comes up big and the Reds beat the Cards 7-2. Edwin Encarnocion hittwo of the five Reds home runs. Griffey,Dunn and Aurilia hit the others. EdE has been hot as a firecracker lately. He was player of the week last week. Could be a big star on the rise. Reds are now 1 1/2 behind and play the Cards today at 2:10 pm. Lohse goes against Weaver. Another big game and the last time the Reds and Cards play each other this season.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Even though my Phillies stumbled a bit in the series against the Reds, they are still closing in on the Wild Card. They are going for the sweep of the Mets today, Cole Hamels is pitching like the future staff ace that he is going to be, and Randy Wolf has come back from injuries this month and is pitching like he did in his 03' All Star season.

All this after they looked like they were throwing in the towel by trading Abreu to the Yanks.

[Will Lavender]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Even though my Phillies stumbled a bit in the series against the Reds, they are still closing in on the Wild Card. They are going for the sweep of the Mets today, Cole Hamels is pitching like the future staff ace that he is going to be, and Randy Wolf has come back from injuries this month and is pitching like he did in his 03' All Star season.

All this after they looked like they were throwing in the towell by trading Abreu to the Yanks.



Hamels is a future Cy Young winner. Electric stuff.

[jaspcat]

cumberlandredskin wrote: Arroyo comes up big and the Reds beat the Cards 7-2. Edwin Encarnocion hittwo of the five Reds home runs. Griffey,Dunn and Aurilia hit the others. EdE has been hot as a firecracker lately. He was player of the week last week. Could be a big star on the rise. Reds are now 1 1/2 behind and play the Cards today at 2:10 pm. Lohse goes against Weaver. Another big game and the last time the Reds and Cards play each other this season.
http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060817/thumb.5aefd4df7ec349b3bd94a92dbbbbd5ec.reds_cardin als_baseball_motg108.jpg (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/photo?slug=5aefd4df7ec349b3bd94a92dbbbbd5ec.reds_c ardinals_baseball_motg108&prov=ap) http://mud.mm-a2.yimg.com/image/550830663 (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiUJseREDh0AjQaJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHZkMjZ yBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=1iumv7h4r/EXP=1155924617/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo .com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253D10%252Bbo%252 Bderek%2526ei%253DUTF-8%2526fr%253DFP-tab-img-t-t500%2526x%253Dwrt%26w=316%26h=398%26imgurl=a1259. g.akamai.net%252Ff%252F1259%252F5586%252F1d%252Fim ages.art.com%252Fimages%252F-%252FBo-Derek---10-Photograph-C10037080.jpeg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.art.c om%252Fasp%252Fsp-asp%252F_%252Fpd--10037080%252FBo_Derek_10.htm%26size=12.5kB%26name= Bo-Derek---10-Photograph-C10037080.jpeg%26p=10%2bbo%2bderek%26type=jpeg%26n o=1%26tt=291%26ei=UTF-8)
Arroyo put in the corn-rows in reference to Bo Derek in "10" as he went for his 10th win of the season last week. Now that thats behind him, how about a "these go to 11" look?

http://mud.mm-da.yimg.com/image/1626643427 (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiLjr.REYxUBLnmJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBkN2lwNjl jBHBvcwMxOARzZWMDc3I-/SIG=1jj22erf6/EXP=1155924323/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo .com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Dnigel%252Btuf nel%2526toggle%253D1%2526ei%253DUTF-8%2526fr%253DFP-tab-img-t-t500%2526b%253D1%26w=338%26h=400%26imgurl=us.movie s1.yimg.com%252Fmovies.yahoo.com%252Fimages%252Fhv %252Fphoto%252Fmovie_pix%252Fmgm%252Fthis_is_spina l_tap%252Fchristopher_guest%252Fspinaltap2.jpg%26r url=http%253A%252F%252Fmovies.yahoo.com%252Fshop%2 53Fd%253Dhc%2526id%253D1800026704%2526cf%253Dmm%26 size=46.9kB%26name=spinaltap2.jpg%26p=nigel%2btufn el%26type=jpeg%26no=18%26tt=169%26ei=UTF-8%26src=p)

[cumberlandredskin]

Reds lost a tough one 2-1 tofall back to 2 1/2 games behind the Cards. They wasted another good outing by Lohse. He looks like he may have been a good find off the Twins scrapheap. That was the third good start he's had. The blame has to go to the bats on this one. Only one run and three hits against Jeff Weaver. That's just pathetic. You have got to put up at least three or four runs against a guy with over a 6.50 ERA and barely hanging in the league. In fact the Reds are probably keeping him in the league since that was 2nd straight start he's handcuffed them. Also Narron leaving Ryan Franklin in to pitch the 9th inning was a real headscratcher. You have a stable full of relievers, why not use them. Although I will give youthat none of them are thoroughbreds. Oh well they still lead the wild card by a game and they start six game homestand against the Pirates and Astros tonight.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Cards add right-handed bat, sign Preston Wilson
ST. LOUIS -- Preston Wilson (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5994) signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, after being released by the Houston Astros (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=hou) earlier this week. Wilson made only two starts after July 29 for the Astros, who replaced him in thelineup with Luke Scott (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7521). He was designated for assignment on Saturday.

The Cardinals have been weak in the outfield most of the year before the emergence of rookie Chris Duncan (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7658) in the last month. Wilson could possibly platoon in left field with the left-handed hitting Duncan.



[line]

It's kind of funny how the trade deadline is meaningless now.

[EricBigNally]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote:


It's kind of funny how the trade deadline is meaningless now.

My thouhts exactly. I have tried to figure out what all the hype was about when referring to the trade deadline and who would make what moves. We are what about 2 weeks past the trade deadline and there is still trades being made...I dont get it.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

EricBigNally wrote: BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote:


It's kind of funny how the trade deadline is meaningless now.

My thouhts exactly. I have tried to figure out what all the hype was about when referring to the trade deadline and who would make what moves. We are what about 2 weeks past the trade deadline and there is still trades being made...I dont get it.
....and my Phillies added Jamie Moyer yesterday from the Mariners.

[jaspcat]

Phillies scare me much more in the Wildcard race than do the Dbacks or Padres. The Western teams will hopefully beat up on one another and fade a little. Phils looked dead after trading Abreu and Lidle (even Cormier), now pick up a veteran starter. They play the Nats and Marlins several times in the coming weeks and now get to feast on the sCrUBS.

Reds need to continue their success vs. the Astros and control their own destiny by winning a few in a row. Glad the Rocket pitched yesterday.

I like seeing Aurilia at SS. Wouldn't hurt my feelings to see Clayton let go and recall Denorfia as 5th OF and pinch runner.

[Will Lavender]

One of the more pleasing wins of the season tonight against the Astros.

You have the feeling that the team who runs off a winning streak -- 7 of 9, 8 of 10, or something like that -- may be able to really put a vice on the WC.

The Reds just can't carry any momentum. They need a streak. Badly.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Justmy Philswere are getting hot on the heels of the Reds.....:nada:

"As the Phillies make their push for the NL wild card, they will have to do it without starting center fielder Aaron Rowand (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6742).

Rowand suffered a fractured left ankle in a scary outfield collision with teammate Chase Utley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7072) on Monday night and will miss four to six weeks, the team announced Tuesday."

Maybe we can still pick up a CF in this "post trade deadline" period.

I know the Braves were looking to unload Andruw Jones.

[Will Lavender]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Justmy Philswere are getting hot on the heels of the Reds.....:nada:

"As the Phillies make their push for the NL wild card, they will have to do it without starting center fielder Aaron Rowand (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6742).

Rowand suffered a fractured left ankle in a scary outfield collision with teammate Chase Utley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7072) on Monday night and will miss four to six weeks, the team announced Tuesday."

Maybe we can still pick up a CF in this "post trade deadline" period.

I know the Braves were looking to unload Andruw Jones.

Very tough blow. :(

The Phillies are a pretty resillient team, though. And let's face it: it's not going to take a great team to win the WC this year. Everybody thought they were done when Abreu was traded, and they turned it on immediately after that. They were playing some of their best baseball of the season when Rowand went down the first time. I know that because they came in and whipped the Reds the night after he crashed into that wall.

I like the young black kid who plays outfield for them. (I can't remember his name.) He can't hit, but he can run and field.

Anyway, it's all about pitching. If Lieber and Hamels can keep rolling, Philly will be there until the end.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Will Lavender wrote: BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Justmy Philswere are getting hot on the heels of the Reds.....:nada:

"As the Phillies make their push for the NL wild card, they will have to do it without starting center fielder Aaron Rowand (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6742).

Rowand suffered a fractured left ankle in a scary outfield collision with teammate Chase Utley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7072) on Monday night and will miss four to six weeks, the team announced Tuesday."

Maybe we can still pick up a CF in this "post trade deadline" period.

I know the Braves were looking to unload Andruw Jones.

Very tough blow. :(

The Phillies are a pretty resillient team, though. And let's face it: it's not going to take a great team to win the WC this year. Everybody thought they were done when Abreu was traded, and they turned it on immediately after that. They were playing some of their best baseball of the season when Rowand went down the first time. I know that because they came in and whipped the Reds the night after he crashed into that wall.

I like the young black kid who plays outfield for them. (I can't remember his name.) He can't hit, but he can run and field.

Anyway, it's all about pitching. If Lieber and Hamels can keep rolling, Philly will be there until the end.

You can also add a Randy Wolf who's returned from shoulder surgery and pitching like he did in 03' when he was an allstar and --- CHICAGO (Ticker) - After 20 major league seasons, Jamie Moyer (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3932) finally has the opportunity to pitch for his hometown team.

Moyer makes his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi) when he faces the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in the second of a four-game series.

[Littlemeyer]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: CHICAGO (Ticker) - After 20 major league seasons, Jamie Moyer (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3932) finally has the opportunity to pitch for his hometown team.

Moyer makes his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi) when he faces the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in the second of a four-game series.
Unfortunately for Jamie Moyer, he is going up against future hall of famer Ryan O'Malley, who as we all know, is still on pace to pitch his entire career without giving up an earned run. (8 ip, 0 er in his debut last week).

Tongue firmly in cheek, I hope you all know. However, if there is a bright side to this otherwise dismal season for my Cubbies, it is definitely the emergence of some young starting pitching. Who knows how O'Malley will pan out, but Sean Marshall and Angel Guzman have both given some solid starts. Rich Hill hasn't been very effective, but he's shown some flashes of what he could bring to the mound in a few years.

The other bright side to this season is our utter dominance of the Cardinals. (except for this past weekend's series, unfortunately for you Reds fans.)

[cumberlandredskin]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Will Lavender wrote: BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Justmy Philswere are getting hot on the heels of the Reds.....:nada:

"As the Phillies make their push for the NL wild card, they will have to do it without starting center fielder Aaron Rowand (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6742).

Rowand suffered a fractured left ankle in a scary outfield collision with teammate Chase Utley (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7072) on Monday night and will miss four to six weeks, the team announced Tuesday."

Maybe we can still pick up a CF in this "post trade deadline" period.

I know the Braves were looking to unload Andruw Jones.

Very tough blow. :(

The Phillies are a pretty resillient team, though. And let's face it: it's not going to take a great team to win the WC this year. Everybody thought they were done when Abreu was traded, and they turned it on immediately after that. They were playing some of their best baseball of the season when Rowand went down the first time. I know that because they came in and whipped the Reds the night after he crashed into that wall.

I like the young black kid who plays outfield for them. (I can't remember his name.) He can't hit, but he can run and field.

Anyway, it's all about pitching. If Lieber and Hamels can keep rolling, Philly will be there until the end.

You can also add a Randy Wolf who's returned from shoulder surgery and pitching like he did in 03' when he was an allstar and --- CHICAGO (Ticker) - After 20 major league seasons, Jamie Moyer (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3932) finally has the opportunity to pitch for his hometown team.

Moyer makes his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi) when he faces the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in the second of a four-game series.
I also read that the Phils put Gordon on the 15 day DL with arm problems. They said he probably wouldn't be activated until after September 1st. Sorry I don't have a link. I read it on Redszone earlier today. I like the Victorino kid that will replace Rowand. He kills the Reds and seems like a Ryan Freel type who is just a pest.:DThe Reds and Phils seem pretty even to me. It's too bad they don't play each other anymore this season. They played three great games last weekend. Wild Card will go down to the last weekend. The Reds fate may be determined by this 10 game west coast road trip that starts Thursday night in San Francisco. If they can manage to stay ahead after that trip I will like their chances of at least getting the wild card.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

The Phils pretty muchhave a big dose of home and away series with Atlanta and Florida in September, with another Cubs series thrown in.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

The race is getting tighter !!





Team W L PCT GB E# L10 STRK LAST GAME NEXT GAME

Cincinnati (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=cin) 66 61 .520 - - 6-4 L1 8/23 v HOU, L 3-7 (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20060823&content_id=1624956&vkey=wrap up2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb) 8/24 @ SF, 10:15P

San Diego (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=sd) 65 62 .512 1.0 35 5-5 W4 8/23 v LAD, W 7-2 (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20060823&content_id=1626031&vkey=wrap up2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb) 8/25 @ COL, 9:05P

Philadelphia (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=phi)64 62 .508 1.5 35 8-2 W5 8/23 @ CHC, W 2-1 (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20060823&content_id=1625285&vkey=wrap up2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb) 8/24 @ CHC,2:20P