Cincinnati Reds

After a bleak 0-2 start, the Cincinnati Reds kicked it in gear and won five of their next six, before losing two straight to the Florida Marlins

At the 10-game mark in 2010 there are some things that need to be noted.

First: The seven-time Gold Glove winning third baseman, Scott Rolen leads the team with three errors. He is the only Reds player to have committed more than one miscue.

Another Jackie Robinson  Day in the MLB has come and gone.

Wait a minute, it is still going.

That's right, it is such an awesome dealie that the Cincinnati Reds get to do it twice. Since the Pittsburgh Pirates were off yesterday, the Reds get to wear their stylish No. 42's again tonight.

I wrote an article for Bleacher Report last year throwing my two cents worth of opinion on the over-celebrated status of the event.

Everyone has heard of Stephen Strasburg, the highly-touted first round draft pick of the Washington Nationals, but not as many people have heard about Mike Leake, the first round pick of the Cincinnati Reds who skipped the minor leagues and earned the fifth spot in the Reds’ rotation coming out of spring training.

Of those three gentlemen, one needs to make his way to the Queen City, and two need to hit the road. 

Since one is down on the farm and two are already with the big club, it's a question most third grade Reds' fans can answer correctly.

For the Cincinnati Reds to compete this season Aroldis Chapman must be brought up before his next scheduled start in Louisville. 

Aaron Harang either needs to come down with sudden a sudden arm ailment that lands him on the disabled list, be flat out released, or sent to the pen for mop-up duty...serious mop-up duty. 

Listed below, are the points and counterpoints about what the Reds should do about Homer Bailey:

Point: The Reds will give him the entire season and evaluate then.

Counterpoint: They may do that but a team that is serious about winning can't keep running Bailey out there.

P: They won't know what they have until September.

CP: It is obvious what they have. He is inefficient. He can't put hitters away.

P: He pitched very well at the end of 2009. 

A perfect example of Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey came Wednesday night against the Florida Marlins. The frustration fans have felt about this guy is back.

We all thought he had turned the corner. We all thought the former phenom finally "got it." We all thought the Reds had found a solid starter for the next 10 years.

Looks like we were wrong.

Sure, the season is still in its infancy, and the marathon is still in the first mile, but so far Bailey has shown he is still not there yet.

Like most Reds diehards, I'm treading lightly on praise right now, but it is soooooo hard to hide the enthusiasm. Oh, and this from the Enquirer today on twitter: @Cincienquirer Aroldis Chapman will make his debut in Louisville Friday. Tickets are, predictably, going fast: http://bit.ly/csEHc0

After beating the Florida Marlins 10-8 in 11 innings, the 2010 edition of the Cincinnati Reds could rightly be called the "Cardiac Reds."

It is hard for me to watch the games in their entirety because it makes me feel like I am going to have another stroke.

But it is like a train wreck—you can't turn away. You just can't.

The Reds have won all five of their games in their final at-bat. That speaks volumes. They have won their last two games in extra innings, both on the road against the Marlins.

In no way is this a knock against Brandon Phillips. He's the best all-around player on the Reds' roster.

People fortunate enough to watch him regularly know he should be shipped the Gold Glove Award before each of the next 11 seasons.

Phillips easily deserves more than the one he has received, but playing in a small market will do that.

He's got pop. He's got speed. He's got a million-dollar smile, and Cincinnati loves him.

Simply put, he is one of the best second basemen in the majors.

Like most Reds diehards, I'm treading lightly on praise right now, but it is soooooo hard to hide the enthusiasm.

Oh, and this from the Enquirer today: @ Cincienquirer   Aroldis Chapman will make his debut in Louisville Friday. Tickets are, predictably, going fast: http://bit.ly/csEHc0