Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
NL Central could come down to head-on-head games among the three contenders.
The Cards and Pirates play each other 13 times in the second half. Cards and Reds play 10 times. Reds play Bucs 9. That's 32 games among the three teams. Cards 23 games against Pirates/Reds is almost 30 percent of Cards' remaining schedule (Pirates 22 games v. Cards/Reds similar percentage).
Otherwise, the Cards seem to have a slight advantage by virtue of more home games remaining. They have finished the West Coast and have played more of their road schedule.
Just on a glance, it seems that the Bucs may have the toughest schedule overall, more road games, four in DC, a series in Texas. Reds and Cards play in Atlanta. Reds with 11 game West Coast trip to end July. (Sorry, 10 game West Coast trip, can't count.)
Pirates and Reds each play many games with NL West. Cards have completed more of the NL West schedule. Pirates finish up with several games v. Cubs/Pads/Reds in September. Cards finish up with Rockies, Brewers, Nats, Cubs. Reds finish with six Pirate games, but also Brewers, Astros and Mets.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
That 11 game WC swing has me sweating already. I don't like the timing of that at all.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hebroncougar
That 11 game WC swing has me sweating already. I don't like the timing of that at all.
I'm more worried about the lack of sleep than anything else.;)
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kc61
I'm more worried about the lack of sleep than anything else.;)
I teach, so I'm off school when they're out there. I'm good!:beerme:
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
It's ten games. 3 @SF, 4 @LAD, 3 @SD. Then we get the Cardinals at home.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
joshua
It's ten games. 3 @SF, 4 @LAD, 3 @SD. Then we get the Cardinals at home.
I'm glad that stretch is in July/August instead of September. Second half, overall, it looks like our home schedule is tougher than our road schedule. That's a good thing.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
I love that end of September Astros, Mets, Brewers trio. We could make some serious headway there
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LexRedsFan
I love that end of September Astros, Mets, Brewers trio. We could make some serious headway there
Are the Mets going to shutdown Harvey and Wheeler?
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
I'm loving the fact that we are only 1.5 games behind the Cards now (for second place) and are playing Seattle at home.
Although I just checked, the Cards and Pirates have easy opponents this weekend. The Cards get the Marlins. Maybe the Marlins can stick it to them again :)
The Pirates get the Cubs..
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
2-3 weeks back many were indicating that the Cards easy schedule and the Reds tough schedule coming up was going to end up with us being buried.
Well, as poor as the Reds played on the tough road trip, we find ourselves just 1.5 games back of the Cards.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LexRedsFan
I love that end of September Astros, Mets, Brewers trio. We could make some serious headway there
anywhere from 7-2 to 9-0 would be great!!!
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
So the Reds have 19 games left against the Pirates/Cardinals and 58 games left against everyone else.
As much as the "big game" narrative is cool, the season will be decided more so on the 58 than the 19.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
reds44
So the Reds have 19 games left against the Pirates/Cardinals and 58 games left against everyone else.
As much as the "big game" narrative is cool, the season will be decided more so on the 58 than the 19.
Not if the team wins/loses 15 or more of those 19, but your point is well taken.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
REDREAD
I'm loving the fact that we are only 1.5 games behind the Cards now (for second place) and are playing Seattle at home.
Although I just checked, the Cards and Pirates have easy opponents this weekend. The Cards get the Marlins. Maybe the Marlins can stick it to them again :)
The Pirates get the Cubs..
Cubs are playing their best ball of the year, a really good roadtrip, fared better against Oakland than we did. It's in Wrigley, don't be surprised if they win the series.
The Cards, who knows right now, their pitching is scuffling.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
joshua
It's ten games. 3 @SF, 4 @LAD, 3 @SD. Then we get the Cardinals at home.
Yep, that is going to be a pinnacle stretch. Thankfully, in recent years, the Reds have played somewhat better on the west coast as compared to the past. But you know San Fran is in for a correction, LA has been playing better recently and San Diego is playing better than they were expected to play this year as well. With the offense struggling as of late, that could bode very bad for those large parks. Then again, it's weeks away so the offense may be on track then.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Quote:
Originally Posted by
reds44
So the Reds have 19 games left against the Pirates/Cardinals and 58 games left against everyone else.
As much as the "big game" narrative is cool, the season will be decided more so on the 58 than the 19.
When you are in the second half, there are three contenders, and they still play each other 32 times, there's a good chance that those head to head games will have a large impact.
It's a lot of head to head games, caused by the imbalanced schedule, and also because the Bucs and Cards haven't played each other much so far in 2013.
The other games will matter too, yes.
Re: Second Half Schedule -- NL Central
Well, I was hoping the Reds would've done better against the Mariners.
Still, not horrible.. 3.5 behind both the Pirates and Cards.
Hopefully we can win 2 of 3 vs the Brewers and at least split the 4 games with the Braves.
