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Okay, Homer Bailey, the ball's in your court. Since the last time Bailey pitched, poorly I might add, Reds pitchers have given up just 6 runs over 4 games, striking out 28 while walking just 6 (Yowza!). Chris Welsh likes to talk about how pitchers pitching well on the staff pushes other pitchers to pitch well too. I don't completely buy it (if it were that easy, why doesn't it always happen?), but if there is any truth to it, hopefully we'll see Homer take the challenge today. Bailey looked good against San Diego and St. Louis before tanking last start, so maybe he can find that rhythm that he had in those games.
A three-game sweep of the Pirates would be nice, but let's not overdo what these wins mean. The real test comes this weekend, but it sure would be sweet to only be down one game to the Cardinals when they come to town. They'll be bringing their best in Carpenter, Garcia, and Wainwright for the three games.
But that's looking ahead. The Reds still need to take care of business today and repay the sweep back to the Pirates that they received last month. We're still shooting for 29-20, and it is going to take wins in the winnable games to get it done.