The Reds have had a whale of a time trying to hit AJ Burnett this year. 3 starts, 2.18 ER, just 3 extra base hits. But it's not like he's blown them away. His K-rate over those 20+ innings is a shade under his season mark. They can get some wood on the ball.
Meanwhile, we'll wait until Game 162 to say that Homer Bailey is having his best season ever. But he is. The biggest demon he's fighting now might be his workload. With Cueto and Chapman potentially hitting walls, we're all holding our breath. So far, Homer hasn't seen fastball velocity crater. And he had his best start of the season (by Game Score) on September 1 - albeit against the 'stros. Slight exhale.
While it seems inevitable that he'll have a couple melt-downs and end up back with an ERA around 4.40, maybe it isn't?
The Reds' Magic Number is 10.
Mega Bullpen Log after the jump.
LINEUPS
REDS
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Wilson Valdez (R) SS
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Chris Heisey (R) CF
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Homer Bailey (R) P
Bench:
Devin Mesoraco (R) C
Dioner Navarro (S) C
Miguel Cairo (R) IF
Todd Frazier (R) 3B/LF
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Henry Rodriguez (S) 2B/3B
Xavier Paul (L) OF
Denis Phipps (R) OF
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Zack Cozart (R) SS - day-to-day
PIRATES
Brock Holt (L) 2B
Alex Presley (L) LF
Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
Garrett Jones (L) RF
Gaby Sanchez (R) 1B
Pedro Alvarez (L) 3B
Clint Barmes (R) SS
Rod Barajas (R) C
A.J. Burnett (R) P
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