No first pitch thread today. Just the facts. Reds go for the sweep with a b-man's special. While I take less pleasure in a sweep of the interstate rivals than of the Cardinals, I'm reminded that a "sweep" is a perfect state of being of which there cannot be less or more.

Josh Tomlin, even if he's not opposed by Leake today, is another in a long line of "Mike Leake-type" pitchers - though Tomlin is older and has an inch and ten pounds on Leake (officially). Their stat lines are eerily similar (see below). Their HR and strikeout rates are identical and BB-rates aren't far apart. Tomlin is proof that, in the AL at least, great command alone does not make you an elite pitcher. He kept the lowest BB-rate in the league last season. [Ed.: Leake's pitching]

LINEUPS

Reds (34-27)

Heisey CF
Cozart SS
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Bruce RF
Frazier 3B
Ludwick LF
Mesoraco C
Leake P

Indians (32-29)

Choo RF
Cabrera SS
Kipnis 2B
Santana 1B
Brantley CF
Lopez 3B
Cunningham RF
Marson C
Tomlin P

Bullpen notes:

• Aroldis Chapman has given up earned runs in each of his last three appearances. I don't think it's lack of rest (he's had two off days before each of his last two appearances). His velocity was where it's been all season last outing (very high, but not record-breaking). I think it may have something to do with the fact that he's so reliant on his fastball. 16 of his 18 pitches last night were fastballs.