Game 110: Reds at Astros

Ahhhh yes, another 1-run loss last night. 24 of the team's 56 losses so far have been of the 1-run variety which, while not pleasant in the least, is starting to get comfortable. I fell asleep during the game last night, and I woke up sometime around midnight to the dejected tones of Jim Day's lamentations. It was irritating, but familiar and comfortable. This Reds season is starting to feel like chronic back pain. It's always uncomfortable and there is never a day of relief, but you get used to it.

Homer Bailey. Check out the comments section of today's Reposter for an in-depth conversation about Homer's season thus far and his future (and what I think is a pretty funny joke about Dusty Baker and baloney sammiches). Homer takes the hill this evening facing his hometown Houston Astros (well, La Grange is about two hours outside Houston, but you get it. Everything is bigger in Texas, and apparently that includes the proper boundaries for defining "hometowns"). Homer has been terrific against the Astros so far this season, facing them in back-to-back starts back in the beginning of May. He threw 13 innings in those two starts, giving up only one run and one walk while striking out 12. He's had a tough year thus far and legitimate arguments can be made to send him to the bullpen, so he needs to shut down this pathetic 'stros lineup tonight to earn back some credit.

Go Reds. Because now you pretty much have to.

The Lineup