Just throw away whatever you were using to guide you through the second half. Ryan Ludwick and Scott Rolen rise from the dead. The Reds play their best baseball after losing their best player. Leake beats Dickey. None of this makes much sense, which is a consumately enjoyable (and vexing) part of the game. Like a good work of art, this season has been difficult to predict and explain.

Homer Bailey is out to prove he doesn't need an innings limit. In the two previous outing before his last, his velocity had ticked down, but he seems to have found it again in mist most recent start - which was an unimpressive (if windswept) one against the Cubs.

I bet you didn't think the Reds would be facing Kelly Shoppach this series, did you?

LINEUPS

REDS

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

METS

Ruben Tejada (R) SS
Mike Baxter (L) RF
David Wright (R) 3B
Ike Davis (L) 1B
Scott Hairston (R) CF
Justin Turner (R) 2B
Jason Bay (R) LF
Kelly Shoppach (R) C
Matt Harvey (R) P

Bullpen notes:

• Eventually, the Reds will need their bullpen again.