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I know we're going to see a getaway day lineup today. Heading into what is probably the biggest home series ever in Great American Ball Park history, Baker is going to want to rest as many of his main guys as he can. Given that the Reds have already won the series, there is no doubt about it.
But I say, it's a shame. Sure, if someone is nursing an injury, give them a break. Otherwise, go for the sweep. The Reds have a chance to possibly start that series with the Cardinals with a 2.5 game lead (c'mon Marlins!). Do that and then take 2 of 3 from the Cardinals and it's a 3.5 game lead. It's been 8 years since the Reds have held a lead that big at any point in the season. It's been 15 years since they held a lead that big in August. It's not like leads like that are commonplace for this organization. No, it doesn't win them anything yet, but they should be trying to create distance whenever possible. Both the Reds and the Cards have easy schedules in September. Now is the best time to put the pedal down and force the issue in the NL Central.
Besides, the Reds are coming home for a week, and they have an off day in the middle. Have your boys use that off day appropriately and get some rest then.
All of this is moot, since the lineups are probably out before you see this, and it's also dependent on the Marlins beating the Cardinals today, but I feel like now is the time to have some killer instinct. A lead of 3 or 4 games will make us all feel a lot more comfortable when the Reds head out to the west coast in a week, don't you think?
Go Reds! Get the sweep!