NL Central

Well, the Reds are only five games into the season, but the performance of Mike Lincoln has to be concerning thus far.

Lincoln had a very good first half last season (3.89 ERA), and very poor second half last season (5.47 ERA), but the Reds decided to give Lincoln a two-year, $4 million contract, hoping that Lincoln would revert to his first-half form. However, the signs don't look too good so far.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2-2) vs. Cincinnati Reds (1-2)

Great American Ballpark

Attendance: 22,276 

The rain from last night certainly didn't slow down the Pirates today.

Paul Maholm was machine-like, retiring the first 11 Reds he faced before finishing with seven innings pitched and just one earned run allowed.

Cubs closer Kevin Gregg imploded in the ninth inning, first giving up a game-tying double, then the winning run on an infield hit in a 4-3 loss to the Brewers Friday.

You know, this was a conversation that I hoped would go away for awhile—at least until the trade deadline. I mean, in a town that could tolerate Joe Borowski, Latroy Hawkins, and Ryan Dempster as closers, Gregg seemed almost like an upgrade.

And yet, he's seemed so especially...feckless in this first week of the season that I'm certain the Cubs will be second-guessing this decision into the weekend.

Is this the way it's going to be? Down one day, up the next, down the day after that?  Let me know so I can take some motion sickness pills.

The Cardinals lost again last night to the Pirates, this time with St. Louis trying for late inning dramatics and failing.  One day after the high of an offensive explosion, the Redbirds again struggled, posting only two hits until late in the ballgame.

Wednesday’s Game: Brewers 4, Giants 2

Record: 1-1 Today’s Game

This article was written by Danny McCormick of WiscoSotaSports.com

So, how was your cool, damp Friday night?

Good?

Mine was better.

After six stifling hours of class, subsisting on cheap sushi and stuff you get out of the vending machine, my friend Brent and I headed to the New Yankee Stadium to catch the exhibition Cubs-Yankees game.