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Has Bronson Arroyo turned the corner on the 2010 season? Over his last five starts, he's pitched 36.1 innings with a 3.22 ERA. He's only struck out 18 versus 11 walks and 6 home runs (4.91 FIP), so his peripherals aren't all that hot, but that's the Arroyo we've come to know over the last two seasons. He's doing a good job of keeping the ball on the ground (1.23 GB/FB ratio over his last 5 starts), so that helps. Arroyo is just one of those pitchers that bucks traditional trends of success. He's not always great, but he does something to his pitches that helps make his defense successful a lot of the time. It's also why he turns into Badroyo from time-to-time. When you depend on your defense, sometimes you can get burned badly if the defense isn't able to make the play at the opportune time.
Joey Votto has the night off tonight despite the fact that he has hit for the cycle against Ohlendorf in 7 career at bats. I'm sure you have heard the reason why by the time you read this, but as of this writing it had not been announced why Votto was sitting. Miguel Cairo will play first base and bat 2nd. Commence gnashing of teeth.
In other Reds related news, Paul Janish (who?) has been put on the bereavement list to attend his grandmother's funeral. Drew Sutton gets the call up and will be with the team for the next few days.
I'll be at the game tonight with a bunch of dogs. It's Bark in the Park night, but I do not own a dog, so I will not be eligible to receive this sweet giveway:
It's the ever popular Reds pet waste bag dispenser. Hopefully it's not a metaphor for the game tonight.
Go Reds! They're my favorite team!