The Reds swept the Brewers the week before the trade deadline, effectively driving the nail into the coffin of their hopes for an NL Central division title repeat. They traded their ace Zack Greinke and are still struggling to choke down that bitter pill. The top prospect they got back in that deal, Jean Segura, was called up today and will be starting at SS. So there's that. Things could have been much different for them this season, but 1. injuries and 2. more injuries have positioned them 17.5 games out of first at the beginning of August. There, but for the grace of God, go the Reds. I thought these two teams matched up pretty closely at the beginning of the season, but fate thought otherwise. It's kind of humbling.
But whatevs. Fate has given the Reds a big ol' thumbs up this year, and there is no time to mourn for those less fortunate in baseball. The Reds hold a 7-2 advantage in the season series against the Brewers and they need to continue winning the winnable games. Yovanni Gallardo is no stranger, having faced the Reds three times already this year. To his credit, he's held his own: he's thrown 17.2 innings and given up eight runs in those three starts. The Reds have handled him pretty well throughout his career though, as he carries an unsightly 5.06 ERA over 14 starts.
Bronson Arroyo has done well enough against the Brewers in three starts this year, just as he's done well enough against everyone this year. Keep on keepin' on, dude.
Lineups and 'pen log after the gerund:
LINEUPS
| REDLEGS | BEERLEGS |
| COZART SS | AOKI RF |
| STUBBS CF | GOMEZ CF |
| PHILLIPS 2B | BRAUN LF |
| BRUCE RF | RAMIREZ 3B |
| LUDWICK LF | HART 1B |
| ROLEN 3B | WEEKS 2B |
| FRAZIER 1B | MALDONADO C |
| HANIGAN C | SEGURA SS |
| ARROYO P | GALLARDO P |
Alfredo saved the Reds' dinner yesterday, tossing a three-inning salad after Homer Bailey showed up to the table with dirty hands. He's the only one who should not be ready to pitch today if called upon. Ondrusek is probably iffy after throwing 27 pitches in a shaky outing, but with LeCure, Broxton, and Arredondo around there will most likely not be a need to go four-deep in bullpen righties. At least, I hope not.