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Current Series
Reds lead the series 1-0
| Mon 09/02 |
WP: Mat Latos (14 - 5) LP: Adam Wainwright (15 - 9) |
7 - 2 win |
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St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Sep 3, 2013, 7:10 PM EDT Michael Wacha vs Homer Bailey Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. |
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| Wed 09/04 | 7:10 PM EDT | |
| Thu 09/05 | 7:10 PM EDT | |
We last saw Michael Wacha mopping up for Adam Wainwright in the Reds' 10-0 romp. That was the game that saved the season, the dignity of a city and probably some lives. Despite the mercy rule beating, Wacha hid 4 shutout inings and 7 Ks in there. He shared the mound with Homer Bailey in that game too. I was surprised to learn that was only Homer's 7th best outing this season by Game Score. Bu when you weigh all the conditions, I think it's second only to the no-hitter. Run support be damned.
Every game is really important now. Tonight, the Reds play to pull within just 1 1/2 games of the Cardinals and a chance to get 2 1/2 back of the Pirates.
And if they can get a lead into the 9th inning, they'll have a chance to let Aroldis Chapman make his first appearance since August 24. Letting the Buena Wrista Crucial Sub accumulate rust during a tight division race isn't a great idea, but I'd be mostly concerned that it meant he's nursing an undisclosed injury - as was the case with Broxton's layoff before his final outing of the season.
Otherwise, Chapman hasn't shown much difficulty pitching on long rest over his career (1 ER in 10.2 innings pitching 5+ days rest). And giving him a breather might not be a bad idea, based on what happened last September.
There's no evidence that Chapman is anything but healthy. And the same goes for the Reds' chances to lift themselves out of the Wild Card Two-Hole.
Go Reds!