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Rubber match! The bullpen blow-up in the 8th last night makes this a game the Reds need badly. With an off day tomorrow and the Cardinals coming to town over the weekend, it's even more important. We're still not expecting Brandon Phillips to be in the lineup, as he's still recovering from his HBP the other day, but he should be available to pinch hit.
The Reds bring Johnny Cueto to the hill for this one, and that's a good sign. Cueto was brilliant his last time out, of course, pitching 8 one-hit innings. He has a career 4.05 ERA against the Rockies.
NEVERMIND THAT SHIT, HERE COMES PEDRO
Finally, the Rockies bring a guy to the table who the Reds have faced before in the veteran Jon Garland. He's given up exactly 5 runs in all of his last 3 outings, and after a solid April, didn't throw a quality start in all of May (6 GS). He has a 4.56 ERA total against the Reds, but hasn't given up more than 1 run in an outing at GABP, his last coming in 2009 where he went 6 innings.
Bullpen is whatever, hopefully the Reds don't need them, but there's an off day tomorrow.
Go Reds! They're my favorite series-winning team!