First to make the playoffs in 2013 and most likely (as soon as tomorrow), the first to win their Division.

Can we have a Reds October?

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320920116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm hoping for the Reds to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Last I checked, they were only a half game out of the best record in the NL. The Reds have the 2nd best home record in baseball (Texas is first, barely) so they should be tough to beat if they can get by the Nationals for best record.

kiddbrewer wrote:I'm hoping for the Reds to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Last I checked, they were only a half game out of the best record in the NL. The Reds have the 2nd best home record in baseball (Texas is first, barely) so they should be tough to beat if they can get by the Nationals for best record.

Amen! I would love to see home field for the playoffs. It's possible (1/2 game out) is not much to make up. 6-game home-stand starts tonight (Dodgers then Brewers). The only piece I don't like about the schedule, all four remaining teams the Reds play are fighting for Wild Card #2. Reds will be resting a few guys after they clinch to prepare for Playoffs. Time for the September call-ups to show their mettle!

Keys to the World Series.

*Keep everyone rested.
*Give the call ups some experience.
*Get Chapman rested and back in the game.
*The Reds have used only 5 starters all year, except for the most recent double header, where they used a call up. So keep the starters healthy going into the playoffs.
*Get the hitters hitting, the hitting stats are mostly middle of the pack in the NL. They had some players step up with their bats when Votto went down, which was huge and helped them pull away from Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

The Reds do have a tough schedule remaining, but the Nationals have the Brewers in DC, @ the Phillies, @ St. Louis, then the Phillies in DC. So, they have a tough remainder also.

Fantastic regular season for the Reds! I was truly impressed how Cincinnati played when Votto was down. Ludwick and Frazier really stepped up during this time. I'm not too concerned about whether the Reds finish with the best or second best record in the NL. For instance, an opening series against the Braves or Cards would also be very tough. I do want to stay ahead of the Giants though to maintain home field advantage in the first round. Should be an interesting post-season. There are several good teams but no dominating teams this year. I feel like the World Series crown is open to the taking to whoever gets red-hot in October. Hopefully it's the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincy App wrote:There are several good teams but no dominating teams this year. I feel like the World Series crown is open to the taking to whoever gets red-hot in October. Hopefully it's the Cincinnati Reds.

Agreed -- It's been WAY too long for the Reds to hoist the trophy. I would love to see #6 this year!

Another step in the right direction...

Reds win NL Central!

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320922117" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm old school. I liked it when there were no play-offs, no wild cards, no divisions, only the American League winner playing the National League pennant winner and not playing until frost.
Baseball needs to get out of the way of college football.

Yep old school indeed.

Do you remember seeing games when ballparks were so big no home run was ever hit out or when hitting 12 HR were the most in either league? How about the pitchers mound being taller at 15"? Them boys had to play back then...

havefunkc wrote:Yep old school indeed.

Do you remember seeing games when ballparks were so big no home run was ever hit out or when hitting 12 HR were the most in either league? How about the pitchers mound being taller at 15"? Them boys had to play back then...

I'm assuming that you are being sarcastic or facetious but just in case, I'll answer your question at face value. I remember when Roger Maris hit 61 and Mantle hit 56. ..and all of them weren't over the short field fence. Mantle hit several 400 plus homers that year. I have no clue how high the pitcher's mound was and never cared. I also remember when pitchers routinely pitched nine innings or more in one game and no one juiced up on 'roids except through eating tons of steak. I also remember when few fans cared about the personal lives of their "heroes."
More recently as in a few decades ago, I saw Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, & Co play the Phillies in Veterans Stadium. Pete stole 2 bases that night. Off night for him.

And yes, I'm an old man and proud of it.

Now back to college football. In my book this time of year, it's the king of all sports.

The Reds are now tied with the best record in baseball!

"I'm assuming that you are being sarcastic or facetious but just in case, I'll answer your question at face value. I remember when Roger Maris hit 61 and Mantle hit 56"

J - there's nothing bad about seeing the boys play back in the day. I had the pleasure of meeting a guy who actually remembers seeing the Babe play for the Yankees as a kid (93 yrs old). Talk about some memories there...

havefunkc wrote:"I'm assuming that you are being sarcastic or facetious but just in case, I'll answer your question at face value. I remember when Roger Maris hit 61 and Mantle hit 56"

J - there's nothing bad about seeing the boys play back in the day. I had the pleasure of meeting a guy who actually remembers seeing the Babe play for the Yankees as a kid (93 yrs old). Talk about some memories there...

That's good to hear. As to Babe Ruth, he died on my Dad's birthday the year I was born.
I once worked for a man who grew up in the same orphanage as Lou Gehrig (Stan Weiss). Stan had complimentary permanent box seats close to first base and talked to Lou every time he attended a game in Yankee Stadium. I don't know if Stan is still living because I lost contact with him a long time ago. I seriously doubt it.

Have a happy over the hump day.

7 games remaining, and the Reds are 1 game out of best record in MLB.

C'mon Latos! Keep tossing that rock like you have since May!