In good shape

[EMAW]

Two of four in this series was fine. Really could have lost em all or taken three of four, so a split is cool. The Reds will be a tired team tomorrow night, so it might be a stretch to expect awesomeness in game one against the Cardinals. Despite this, two of three is quite possible this weekend. St. Louis is in must win mode and it will be interesting to see how Matheny manages. Some have said he is burning out the pen in panic mode already. Reds are in good shape heading down the stretch.

[HometownHero]

We better be ready in game one its our best shot at a win on paper.

[Who Dey Time]

We better be ready in game one its our best shot at a win on paper.

All the Reds need to do this weekend is avoid a sweep. That puts them 6 ahead with a very winnable road trip to follow.

[HometownHero]

All the Reds need to do this weekend is avoid a sweep. That puts them 6 ahead with a very winnable road trip to follow.

That's why we better be ready for game one if we drop it they have Garcia and Wainwright coming off 17 scoreless combing in their last starts in to face Mike and Homer who have major issues pitching at home with 5.40 and 5.42 at GABP who both happen to have two of their better home starts of season against them last time. Shutting down the Cardinals offense in our park on top of their issues here twice would be quite the accomplishment.

[Who Dey Time]

That's why we better be ready for game one if we drop it they have Garcia and Wainwright coming off 17 scoreless combing in their last starts in to face Mike and Homer who have major issues pitching at home with 5.40 and 5.42 at GABP who both happen to have two of their better home starts of season against them last time. Shutting down the Cardinals offense in our park on top of their issues here twice would be quite the accomplishment.

Enjoy the ride. It's been a great season. If any player thought the way you post they could never have any success. They'd be too busy worrying about what if and blah, blah, blah.

[HometownHero]

If we did get swept in this series they will start to worry some themselves.

[Who Dey Time]

If we did get swept in this series they will start to worry some themselves.

Just like they did in 2010 when they got swept? Oh wait, they didn't.

[HometownHero]

Just like they did in 2010 when they got swept? Oh wait, they didn't.

That was around 50 games left against a Cardinals team playing over their heads at the time, this one is going to be a few weeks later and to a Cardinals teams playing below expectations there is a big difference here.

All the rookies forced into action on that 2010 Cards team are now established players they don't have Brendan Ryan, Pedro Feliz and Felipe Lopez dragging them down. They had Pujols and Holliday and that was it now they have the same pitching and far more depth on offense.

[webbbj]

seems typical, reds fans contemplating getting swept before the series even starts.

[krm1580]

Looking ahead, after this series September 17th is the next off day that both the Cardinals and Reds share. In that span the Cardinals play 20 games, the Reds play 18. Of the Cardinals 20, 14 are road games against:

3 @ Pittsburgh
4 @ Washington
3 @ San Diego
4 @ LA

The Reds on the other hand only have 9 road games against:

3 @ Arizona
3 @ Houston
3 @ Miami

The bottom line is if the Reds lose the series its not the end of the world. If on the other hand, they win the series I am feeling really good about winning the division.

PS Dear Matt Latos,

Tonight is the reason the Reds traded the farm to get you. Make it happen!!

[BluegrassRedleg]

Looking ahead, after this series September 17th is the next off day that both the Cardinals and Reds share. In that span the Cardinals play 20 games, the Reds play 18. Of the Cardinals 20, 14 are road games against:

3 @ Pittsburgh
4 @ Washington
3 @ San Diego
4 @ LA

The Reds on the other hand only have 9 road games against:

3 @ Arizona
3 @ Houston
3 @ Miami

The bottom line is if the Reds lose the series its not the end of the world. If on the other hand, they win the series I am feeling really good about winning the division.

PS Dear Matt Latos,

Tonight is the reason the Reds traded the farm to get you. Make it happen!!

Agree on all counts.

In fact, if Latos comes up big tonight, and the Cards win the other two, that's no big deal. Just can't let them come in and sweep. Things would be a little uncomfortable then.

[Stray]

Our team is resilient. They've shown this on numerous occasions. I hope we don't get swept, if we do I'm sure the team will bounce back.

[KYRedLeg]

I expect the typical Friday night lethargy tonight, but wins Saturday and Sunday. I think we're in a very good place.