REDS ATTEMPT TO CLINCH NL CENTRAL AGAINST PADRES

9.24.10
BY:MEH
CLINCH IN CALI?
REDS ATTEMPT TO CLINCH NL CENTRAL AGAINST PADRES

The Cincinnati Reds are currently 7.5 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central with just nine games remaining on their 2010 regular season schedule. The Reds' magic number is now down to three. Heading into San Diego for three games while the Cardinals visit Wrigley Field for the weekend, the Reds will look to come home as NL Central Champions.

From Mark Sheldon....

The Reds need to beat the Padres to improve their seeding in the playoffs and they could be the team they meet in the first round. San Diego has a 2-1 advantage in the season series from April. If the Reds sweep, they would own that tiebreaker should they finished tied.

FRIDAY: Bronson Arroyo (16-10, 3.98) vs. Chris Young (1-0, 0.90) at 10:05pm

Arroyo's only start against the Padres this season was a three inning nightmare on April 23. Allowing eight earned runs on eight hits, Arroyo recorded two walks and no K's during an eventual 10-4 Cincinnati loss. Arroyo's eleven career starts against San Diego have resulted in a 4-7 record and a 4.92 ERA. Chris Young has only faced the Reds once during his career and it occurred on September 12, 2006. On that day, Young hurled five innings and allowed three earned runs on two hits while receiving the no-decision.

SATURDAY: Travis Wood (5-4, 3.43) vs. Jon Garland (14-12, 3.55) at 4:10pm on FOX

Travis Wood will be facing the Padres for the first time during his career and will be attempting to force himself into the postseason rotation for the Reds. Jon Garland has yet to face the Reds this season. When facing Cincinnati during his career, Garland is 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA n three starts.

SUNDAY: Homer Bailey (3-3, 4.73) vs. Clayton Richard (13-8, 3.53) at 4:05pm

Like his teammate Travis Wood, Homer Bailey will be trying to impress his superiors attempting to make the Reds' postseason rotation. During Bailey's last ten starts, the Reds have gone 8-2 although Bailey only received two wins. Bailey faced San Diego on April 25 this season and he pitched six innings while allowing four runs on seven hits during a 5-4 Reds' victory. In three career starts facing the Padres, Bailey is 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA. Clayton Richard has received two no-decisions in as many career starts against the Reds while posting a 6.48 ERA. The Padres are 5-5 during Richard's last ten starts.



MORE NEWS:
-Rolen's play has critics red in the face JON PAUL MOROSI
-Gomes has taken tough road to success MARK SHELDON
-Tiebreaker scenarios, possibilities abound MLB.COM
-Reds and Friars for three BLOG RED MACHINE
-Your limericks about the Reds HAL McCOY
-It's the magic number OMGREDS

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