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Today is Elimination Sunday Sunday Sunday! The Reds have a chance to eliminate 2 of their 3 remaining competitors in the NL Central today by doing one simple thing: win. Beating the Astros will drop their elimination number from 2 to 0 (because the Astros will also lose). It will also drop the Brewers elimination number from 1 to 0. And it will have the final added benefit of taking the Reds' magic number over the Cardinals down to at least 7. It's almost time to get our playoff sweaters out of the hope chest!
Brett Myers has been abusing hitters over his last 14 starts, going 7-1 with a 2.03 ERA. He's struck out 85 and walked just 20 in 97.1 innings in those games and has allowed just 5 home runs. As far as I can tell, he has not beat a woman in public during that span either. He's got it all under control right now.
Travis Wood has seen his luck regress a bit over the last 5 starts (.405 BABIP compared to .200 BABIP prior, with the only real increase being in singles). However, he's still been solid and is still worthy of a starting spot in the playoffs if the Reds deem him healthy enough. The thing to remember is that he's not going to be a 2.50 ERA guy, but he's probably not going to be a 4.50 ERA guy either. I'd expect that his overall numbers so far a close estimation of his level right now. That may not be the case next season, but given how he's pitching and managing game right now, I think we can expect 2 to 3 runs allowed every 6 or 7 innings. That's not a bad 3rd starter in the playoffs.
I said before the series started that all they had to do was win 2 games a series. That means a win today. Make it happen. Go Reds!