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They're already facing the Astros again? Didn't they just have 2 series against them?
And Wandy Rodriguez again? How many times are they going to face this guy this year? I only ask because he's pretty much owned the Reds for the last year. In his past 5 starts against the Reds, he's 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA. In his two starts against the Reds this year, he's 2-0, going 14 innings and allowing just 7 hits while striking out 15 batters. So far this year the Reds have been doing their part to put Rodriguez second in the NL in ERA and 3rd in hits per nine innings.
This will actually be the third time this year that Aaron Harang has faced Rodriguez on the mound. In the previous two starts against him, Harang hasn't been particularly effective, allowing at least 5 runs in each start and only making it to the 6th inning in one of the starts. He's going to need to be more on his game today if the Reds are going to win.
The Astros come to town having lost four in a row and 6 of their last 8. They are in last place in the NL Central, 7 games out of first. The Reds are currently 3rd in the division, 2.5 games behind the Cardinals and Brewers who are tied for first. The Astros have won 17 of the last 19 games between these two teams in Great American Ball Park. That has to be one of the more embarassing statistics for the Reds players. They gotta step up and take some pride this series. Anything less than winning two out of three is unacceptable.