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Hi folks! I'm back from my exciting tropical vacation and ready for Reds baseball in (partly) sunny and hot lukewarm Cincinnati! When I left the Reds were starting to falter, had just drawn under 10k at GABP for the first time ever, and were in danger of falling back below .500. Having been away, I assume that that trend has continued and the Reds are as bad as ever. Lemme check the standings to confirm...
ZOINKS!
I go away for a week and the Reds throw 4 shutouts in 6 games!?!?! And now they are on the verge of sweeping the first place Cardinals and are only 1.5 games out? And they drew over 40 thousand fans last night? What have you guys done to my nice, predictable Reds???
I probably don't need to tell you this, but Edinson Volquez has not allowed a run in his last 16 innings pitched. That streak has dropped his ERA all of the way from 6.20 down to a solid 3.47 (though still no where near Cueto's 1.59 ERA, jch24). Also, Volquez has allowed just 9 hits over his last 4 starts! 9 hits in 4 starts. 9. Yowza!
Despite making 20 starts last season with the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright did not face the Reds once all year. Brandon Phillips is the only active Reds player with a hit off of Wainwright (1 for 10). Wainwright has pitched well so far this year, but he was roughed up in his last start against the Phillies, allowing 9 hits and 7 runs over 6 innings pitched. He gave up 2 home runs in that game, but has only allowed 3 total home runs on the season, so small ball should be in full effect today.
It's Mother's Day today, so be sure to give a big hug and a kiss to the one who birthed you, if you can. It's also my son's 3rd birthday, so I probably won't be around much despite the fact that I missed you all immensely. It's bad enough that I've got to be nice to my entire family today, but to have to miss the Reds game too is just unfair. Hopefully I can squeeze it in to my busy schedule.