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Bronson Arroyo comes into this game with a 15-inning scoreless streak against the Nationals. In 2008, he threw 6 shutout innings in a game the Reds won 3-0. Then, last August, he threw a complete game 2-hit shutout. Both of those starts came at Great American Ball Park though, and today will be Arroyo's first start at Nationals Park. Hopefully his performance won't mirror his last start last week against St. Louis, when he gave up 7 runs in 4.1 innings in the Reds Memorial Day loss. Then again, if he doesn't have to come back out after a rain delay, I would hope that he won't have the same problems.
The Reds have never faced Craig Stammen, but he hasn't been all that impressive this year. The 26-year old right-hander has given up at least 4 runs in 7 of his 11 starts so far, in large part because he's been very hittable. The Reds still have the highest scoring offense in the NL, mainly because they have been feasting on pitchers like Stammen. It'd be nice to see it continue today.
Today is the last day of a 6-game road trip. A win means a split on the road, which isn't a bad thing at all. We don't appear to be getting much help from the Brewers, so the Reds will need to keep at it if they want to stick around the Cardinals for a while. It looks like the Redbirds are getting hot. Time to stay pesky and make them frustrated that they can't pull away in the division.