Cincinnati Reds

The Reds and Cards are in one of the longest running one and two pennant races in history. Neither team can really put substantial distance between themselves and the other.

Both squads have strong talent and deep rosters.

Let's take a look at the way the teams stack up against each other, position by position.

CATCHER

With practice starting on Monday, West Virgina's new allegations and BP now blaming RR for the Gulf Oil Spill, I thought I would take a break from regular news and find some funny stuff to post. 

First Funny

As we approach the stretch run, in what has been a banner 2010 season thus far, much has been made of the struggles of Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce, and how their trials and tribulations may affect the Reds chase for the postseason.

Oh, if I had a dollar for every Stubbs strikeout, or every time Bruce was badly fooled by offspeed stuff...

Seemingly lost in these struggles is the third man in that outfield, Jonny Gomes.  Because his at bats are frighteningly quick, we are not given much time to psychoanalyze him.

The trade deadline has come and gone without the Cincinnati Reds making a significant move. That is what Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty expected.  "I don't expect anything to happen, not with us," he said a few days prior to the deadline.

Jocketty and the Reds see no glaring weaknesses and are comfortable with the team. They are leading the National League in hitting and their 3.15 ERA since June 17 is the second-best in Major League Baseball.

The Reds are starting to get to the end of the bat stub with their starting center fielder. Drew Stubbs is currently going through the worst stretch of his short major league career.  In his last 36 at bats, he has just one hit and 17 strike-outs.  Ewww...

That's a monster-sized slump that can't be tolerated on a team in a pennant race. Going back even further, in 52 games since June 1st, he's sporting these numbers: .222 BA/.271 OBP/.634 OPS with seven HR, 24 RBI and 58 K.

Much of the weekend buzz in Reds Nation was over the fact that no significant moves were made by the organization at the trade deadline.

Whether or not that was a smart idea remains to be seen, but in the meantime, a first place Atlanta Braves team came rolling into Great American Ballpark, and lost two out of three to a Reds team that has yet to lose a series since the All-Star Break.

In addition to winning, people are starting to notice the team, as a record crowd for a three-game series was on hand.

The trade deadline has come and gone and the Reds stood still, opting to go forward with what they have. 

The Cincinnati Reds are currently tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for first in the National League Central division and it appears they will stay with team that got them here.

The Reds biggest needed is in the bullpen and their General Manager Walt Jocketty has addressed that need. Well, sort of. He signed Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen, sending them to Triple-A Louisville.

Isringhausen has made two appearances giving up two runs and two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. One of the two hits was a homer!

The Cincinnati Reds are in first place and Reds Country is buzzing.  The Atlanta Braves are in town for a three-game series beginning tonight at Great American Ball Park.  The Reds are expecting all three games to sellout.

So, why the big crowds?

The weather forecast looks great for this weekend.  There is nothing better than a beautiful day or night at the ol’ ball orchard.