Cincinnati Reds

Here are two MLB players, A and B, and their numbers through the first half of the season:

A is batting .311 in 56 games, with one home run, 22 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. He has a .343 OBP and a .378 SLG, giving him a .721 OPS.

B is batting .312 in 77 games, with 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases. He has a .412 OBP and a .572 SLG, giving him a .984 OPS.

Three Reds were named to the All-Star Game Sunday night.

It was a proud moment for a team that isn't used to having an abundance of all-stars, but the name that was left off made it bittersweet.

Reds' first baseman Joey Votto was not on the final National League roster, despite being in the top five in the NL in all three major statistical categories, with a .312 average, 19 home runs, and 57 RBI.

Through 82 team games (324 at-bats) this season, Reds’ second baseman Brandon Phillips is tied with Boston’s Kevin Youkilis for the major league lead in runs, with 62.

Phillips also has 10 homers and 10 steals at the mid-way point, putting him on pace for his fourth consecutive 20/20 season.

By Sunday evening, the Chicago Cubs will have a new outfielder, Chris Heisey, and the Cincinnati Reds will have a new relief pitcher, Carlos Marmol.

You heard it here first.  

Sources are saying that, "Walt Jocketty and Jim Hendry are in serious discussions over a trade involving Chris Heisey and Carlos Marmol."

The intra-divisional deal is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows.  Teams almost never within their own division—especially when it comes to young talent.

The Cardinals and Reds are neck and neck in the NL Central standings with no dark horse in sight. They will stay that way unless a key player gets injured or one of these two teams make a move before the July 31 trade deadline.

Was that Mike Leake on the mound today?

The poise was there, the confidence was there, as was the 6'0 frame, curly hair, and slight goatee, but it was not the straight to the "bigs" phenom.

Travis Wood came up today to make his Major League debut at Wrigley Field, and while no one can be 100 percent prepared for "The Show," he was about as ready as ready can be.  This wasn't a babe in the woods.  This was the Minor League pitcher of the year last year, and someone who had a very good chance to make the starting rotation out of Spring Training.

Who dey think gonna beat dem...Reds? In the past, no matter how much it pained me to say it, I would have to say most teams. Luckily, this year Cincinnati is running their way towards a winning season, playoff berth contention, and possible division title.

And when I say "running," I mean it literally.

The Baseball Jimmy with Caesar Cliffius Eastham and Sir Illya Charleton Harrell

Illya Harrell: Cliff, As Jerry Reed so eloquently sang in Smokey and the Bandit we, “Have a Long Way To Go and a Short Time To Get There.”

Down to brass tacks, who should the Reds attempt to acquire before the Major League trade deadline?