Last season, Game 162 meant the merciful end to the season. For bloggers, it was a scramble to make sense of the senseless. In last season's final game at Citi Field, I resorted to quoting Chekov (via Bill Murray).

I was going to say that this game was more interesting that your average post-clinch-last-game-of-the-year. But the Reds and Cardinals' playoff destinies have both been decided as of this afternoon.

This game still Homer's first start since his date with history. It's nice for him to get a victory lap and exciting to see if he can show some of the same electric stuff from his last outing. We don't know if Homer will have a proper start in the NLDS, but we do know he's been left out of the Starting 3 (Cueto, Arroyo, Latos).

Homer came out of the 'pen for 2 innings in 2010 (and pitched well). That could easily happen again. All things considered, I'd rather see him go in a possible Game 4 than Cueto on very short rest. But there's no good reason to be upset about him not being gauranteed a start - especially if we're talking Arroyo on the road against the Giants.

With the Cardinals having clinched WC2 last night, they're running out super-prospect Shelby Miller. Might be good for Homer to talk to him -- and emphasize all the unrealistic expectations, recriminations and false starts that take place in your first 5 years in the league.

REDS LINEUP

Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Zack Cozart (R) SS
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Homer Bailey (R) P

CARDINALS LINEUP

Adron Chambers (L) LF
Shane Robinson (R) CF
Skip Schumaker (L) RF
Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
Tony Cruz (R) C
Bryan Anderson (L) 1B
Ryan Jackson (R) 2B
Pete Kozma (R) SS
Shelby Miller (R) P