| 18 May 2010
It's still early in the season, but there sure seems to be something special about the 2010 Cincinnati Reds.
Thrilling comeback wins? Check.
Amazing team chemistry where guys genuinely seem to like each other and are bent on winning? Check.
The best pitching most of us have seen from the club in our collective lifetimes? Check.
The finest defense we've seen from the Reds in several years? Check.
Better-than-expected offensive production thanks to contributions from Jonny Gomes and others? Check.
Add it all up and you have a team that is seven games over .500 at 23-16 and is the hottest team in baseball after a 16-5 stretch. Yes, the Reds were 7-11 at one point, which is a bit hard to believe now. They are still in first place in the National League Central and it sure looks like it's going to be a two-team race between the Reds and Cardinals all year.
So, forgive me if I am far too excited about this team even though it's only May and there are still 123 games left in the season. As my old high school baseball coach used to say while discussing the pro game: "You don't win a pennant in May." True, but you can sure lose one.
Speaking of losing, the Reds are consistently finding ways to avoid it. Gomes led a 6-3 comeback win over the Brewers on Monday with a three-run homer. The Reds were struggling early against Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo, but former Red and current Brewer reliever Todd Coffey finally did something to help the Reds as Gomes teed off on him.
Then Tuesday's afternoon delight just looked like it wasn't going to be the Reds' day. The Brewers - one of the worst-pitching teams in baseball - received unexpected solid performances from starter Manny Parra (4 innings) and rookie reliever Marco Estrada (4 innings). The Brewers led 4-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth and called on closer Trevor "I held on one year too long" Hoffman. A pitch-hit home run from Scott Rolen tied it and a Joey Votto double won it for the Reds. It's the type of win that usually happens once or twice a year and it's already become commonplace for the Reds this season.
Honestly, it's been staggering how this team has been able to win close games and emerge victorious in comeback fashion. It likely won't last - how could it - but it's been an exhilarating start to the season and they've put themselves in very good position to have a big year.
So, sit back and enjoy the ride, Reds fans. This team isn't going anywhere. They have a lot of pieces in place and I think owner Bob Castellini will allow GM Walt Jocketty to go out and get a player or two before the trading deadline if the team is still in the thick of the race like I think they will be. They could use another bullpen arm and an outfielder with a decent stick. Other than that, this team is built for the playoffs and it's going to be a lot of fun seeing if they can get there for the first time in 15 years. (They did have the one-game "playoff" with the Mets in 1999 to decide the NL wildcard, but that's not technically considered making the playoffs. Although, the '99 Reds will always have a special place in our hearts given that they won 96 games - keep in mind the 1990 World Series champs won just 91 games during the regular season despite going wire-to-wire - and were such a fun team to watch.)
It's also time to give manager Dusty Baker some credit. A lot of it. He's been widely bashed by fans during his 2-plus-year tenure with the club. However, Dusty is pushing the right buttons thus far this year and his guys want to win for him. We can make fun of the "players manager" moniker all we want, but it's working with this Reds team.
UPDATE (Wednesday, 7:35 p.m.): I meant to say there's something special about these Reds ... when Aaron Harang isn't pitching. Without a doubt the weakest link of the starting rotation.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
