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9.28.10
BY:MEH
DO IT.
With a magic number of
just one, the Cincinnati Reds can clinch the Central division in the
National League with either a victory over the Astros or Brewers during
their final six games or a Cardinals loss against the Pirates or Rockies
during their final seven games. After St. Louis' 8-7 win over Pittsburgh on
Monday during a Cincinnati off-day, the Reds WILL clinch their first playoff
berth since 1995 at home against the Astros (74-82) this week. Aside from
the Phillies, the rest of the National League is still
up in the air. The Reds' inevitable clinch will
allow Dusty Baker to rest some of his players, assign a postseason rotation,
and prepare his team for October baseball.
TUESDAY: Edinson Volquez (4-3, 4.45) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (11-12.
3.67) at 7:10pm
Making his twelfth start of the 2010 season, Edinson Volquez will attempt to
strengthen his bid as a postseason starter for the Reds. Volquez has not
faced the Astros this season, but owns a 4-0 career record against Houston
in as many starts with a 0.98 ERA. During those four starts Volquez hurled
27.1 innings, allowed just three earned runs, struck out 27 batters, and
held hitters to a .173 average. Wandy Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA
against the Reds this season in three starts. During his career, the lefty
has started against Cincinnati 19 times and has an even 7-7 record with a
4.22 ERA.
WEDNESDAY: Johnny Cueto (12-6, 3.73) vs. Nelson Figueroa (5-4, 3.81)
at 7:10pm.
Johnny Cueto has not pitched well when facing the Astros in his nine career
starts against them (1-4, 4.36), but has been very competitive against the
club this season in two starts (1-0, 1.93). Cueto is coming off his worst
start of the season (1.1IP, 8H, 8ER) and hasn't won a game since the Reds
defeated the Cubs 7-1 on August 27. Nelson Figueroa will attempt to avoid
his third straight loss in as many games on Wednesday. In twelve appearances
against the Reds during his eight year career (2 starts), Figueroa is 1-1
with a 4.44 ERA.
THURSDAY: Bronson Arroyo (16-10, 3.97) vs. Brett Myers (14-7, 2.89)
at 7:10pm.
Reds' ace Bronson Arroyo is 10-6 with a 4.63 ERA against Houston in 25
career appearances (19 starts). This season, Arroyo has started against the
Astros twice and received the victory in each attempt while posting a 2.13
ERA. Astros' ace Brett Myers is 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA against the Reds in 10
games (8 starts) during his career. During his last ten starts, Myers is 6-1
with a 2.89 ERA. Myers has faced the Reds just once this season. On
September 19, Myers hurled seven innings of scoreless ball during a
4-3 Houston victory. All of Myers' seven losses have occurred on the road
this season. He is 8-0 with a 2.01 ERA at home.
MORE NEWS:
-Give
Adam Dunn a long-term home
DIAMOND HOGGERS
-2010
Playoff Rotations: Cincinnati Reds
FANGRAPHS
-Vote
for Joe Nuxhall, but HURRY!
REDLEG NATION
-Eight
White Sox indicted
WASHINGTON POST
-Myriad
of possibilities face Reds
JOHN FAY
-Wandy
OMGREDS |
