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This is the first Game Thread ever on SBN United. It's also the first game of a potentially interesting series with the Brewers. As a Reds fan, there are two schools of thought on the Brewers: (1) I want them to somehow catch the Cardinals because I hate the Cardinals, (2) I want to face the Cardinals in the NLDS because I want to beat the Cardinals.
These are your only options. Binary worlds are comforting. Under no circumstances do I root for the Reds to lose. But there are certain consolation prizes this time of year.
Johnny Cueto is still in this thing, but since we last spoke, Dickey has maintained. He even kicked his ERA+ up a point. And, even though his control wasn't there, the Reds could only tag one ER on Kershaw. JC's margin for error is pretty low here.
The Reds' Magic Number is an imaginary number. Bonus junk after the jump.
LINEUPS
REDS
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Zack Cozart (R) SS
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Todd Frazier (R) 3B
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Chris Heisey (R) LF
Drew Stubbs (R) CF
Dioner Navarro (S) C
Johnny Cueto (R) P
Bench:
Devin Mesoraco (R) C
Ryan Hanigan (R) C
Miguel Cairo (R) IF
Scott Rolen (R) 3B
Henry Rodriguez (S) 2B,3B
Wilson Valdez (R) SS
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Xavier Paul (L) OF
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Denis Phipps (R) OF
BREWERS