I've beaten it to death already about how Cueto could use some kind of intervention before the playoffs. It doesn't seem like the Reds are going to give him one in the form of rest, so hopefully the mechanical/release point stuff will get cleared up. His wind-up has a lot of moving parts, so it's not surprising that he might get out of time.
The main reason for thinking fatigue is the underlying problem with Cueto, other than his size and workload vs. last season, is his history. Here's his line in September over his MLB career (113 IP):
5.10 ERA,1.513 WHIP,.825 OPS against
In no other month does he have an ERA over 4.00 or an opponent OPS over .738. He'll get over the fatigue hump, but I think the question might be whether he already has and his recent struggles are caused by something else entirely.
If you haven't seen, the Reds' lineup looks like the day after clinching. During spring training on a getaway day. In the minor leagues. Ryan Hanigan bats 7th.
The Reds' magic number is 3... Zany lineup, bench and UltraflexBullP.E.N. log(X)treme after the jump.
LINEUPS
REDS
Xavier Paul (L) LF
Miguel Cairo (R) 1B
Henry Rodriguez (S) 2B
Todd Frazier (R) 3B
Chris Heisey (R) RF
Denis Phipps (R) CF
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Johnny Cueto (R) P
Bench:
Devin Mesoraco (R) C
Dioner Navarro (R) C
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Brandon Phillips (R)
Wilson Valdez (R) SS
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Zack Cozart (R) SS - day-to-day
CUBS
David DeJesus (L) CF
Darwin Barney (R) 2B
Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
Bryan LaHair (L) LF
Starlin Castro (R) SS
Luis Valbuena (L) 3B
Welington Castillo (R) C
Dave Sappelt (R) RF
Jason Berken (R) P
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