Revived Reds aren’t playoff material yet
Article By smcneal.tsn on 21st July, 2010
CINCINNATI -- The bases are loaded, there are no outs in the eighth inning and the Reds are clinging to a one-run lead. The near-capacity crowd rises not once, not twice but several times as Arthur Rhodes stares down the Rockies' hitters.
When Rhodes throws a 92-mph fastball past Carlos Gonzalez to end the threat, he pumps his left fist and the place erupts. The Reds go on to win, 3-2.
Veteran lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes made his first All Star team this year. And it feels like October at Great American Ball Park -- as much as possible on a steamy July night, anyway.
McNeal: Which of the NL's surprise teams has staying power?
After a decade of disappointment, Cincinnati is sensing a special season from the Reds. They lead the NL in offense. Their rotation is overflowing with candidates. Their defense has been superb.
The Reds have the easiest second-half schedule of any contender. They have been in first or second place since early May, have lost once since the All-Star break and trail the Cardinals by just a half-game in the NL Central. A nice turnaround for a team that hasn't had a winning season since Ken Griffey Jr. arrived in town 10 years ago.
The Reds have assembled a roster that can hang with the Cardinals. First baseman Joey Votto, 26, is having a breakout season to match St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols. The Reds have a decided edge around the rest of the infield with second baseman Brandon Phillips, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen. The Reds don't have Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter to lead their rotation, but they have greater depth. Neither club has a rally-proof bullpen, though the Reds have an All-Star, Rhodes, in theirs.
But sorry, Cincinnati. You should keep those "Hunt for Red October" banners in storage for now. The Reds' run of consecutive losing seasons will end in 2010, but they will have to wait until next...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
When Rhodes throws a 92-mph fastball past Carlos Gonzalez to end the threat, he pumps his left fist and the place erupts. The Reds go on to win, 3-2.
Veteran lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes made his first All Star team this year. And it feels like October at Great American Ball Park -- as much as possible on a steamy July night, anyway.
McNeal: Which of the NL's surprise teams has staying power?
After a decade of disappointment, Cincinnati is sensing a special season from the Reds. They lead the NL in offense. Their rotation is overflowing with candidates. Their defense has been superb.
The Reds have the easiest second-half schedule of any contender. They have been in first or second place since early May, have lost once since the All-Star break and trail the Cardinals by just a half-game in the NL Central. A nice turnaround for a team that hasn't had a winning season since Ken Griffey Jr. arrived in town 10 years ago.
The Reds have assembled a roster that can hang with the Cardinals. First baseman Joey Votto, 26, is having a breakout season to match St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols. The Reds have a decided edge around the rest of the infield with second baseman Brandon Phillips, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen. The Reds don't have Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter to lead their rotation, but they have greater depth. Neither club has a rally-proof bullpen, though the Reds have an All-Star, Rhodes, in theirs.
But sorry, Cincinnati. You should keep those "Hunt for Red October" banners in storage for now. The Reds' run of consecutive losing seasons will end in 2010, but they will have to wait until next...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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