Sorry to sound like a broken record, but any serious Reds fan should study the tape of last night's game before dismissing the concept that Mike Leake is miscast as the team's no. 5 starter. As a pitcher, he did a so-so job against a team that is on the verge of mailing in the season: three earned runs, nine hits in seven innings--not terrible, but something any no. 5 could do.

Before the ridicule starts again at the idea of Leake in the outfield in 2013, study his at bats yesterday. Pay particular attention to the one in the second inning where he fakes a bunt and then singles to left. Casey Stengel used to call that "butcher ball" and it's not something that a decent hitting pitcher can do; it's the result of being a talented, exceptionally well-coordinated athlete who can manipulate his bat with the skill of a leadoff hitter. After that, he laid down a good sacrifice in the fourth and singled in the sixth. What more could you ask from one batter? Those who ignore yesterday's game seem to have the attitude that "my mind is made up, don't confuse me with evidence." Just replay the three at bats and you'll see why Leake in the outfield in 2013 makes compelling sense.

BTW, does anyone want to bet a Skyline five-way on the proposition that Leake makes the playoff roster and never pitches an inning, but pinch hits and perhaps pinch runs?