Two straight series wins - one of them against a potential contender - have cast the Reds' young season in a much more positive light. There are still plenty of warts though, one of which is Mike Leake's season to date. In three starts, about the best thing you can say about his performance is that his control has been characteristically good. That, and it's 3 starts. After 3 starts in 2011, Leake had a 5.40 ERA and was above 5.00 as late as early-June. A home series against the Astros is about the best time to correct course.
Wandy Rodriguez has been dominant over past Reds' squads. While he has handled Stubbs and Hanigan well, the only player on this year's vintage that he truly owns is Jay Bruce. And when I say own, I mean that he writes his name on the underside of the Bruce's cap bill. Bruce has just one hit in 26 career PAs against Rodriguez, with 13 Ks and a .038/.038/.038 line.
He's yet to give up a HR in 25 innings this year. With low winds, tonight could be the night.
Bonus Prediction: This is the series the Reds' catching corps gets its first home run.
Go Reds! Let's play the game and win the game.