CENTRAL CLINCH COMING

9.28.10
BY:MEH
DO IT.
CENTRAL CLINCH COMING

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.



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2010 ARCHIVES:
OCTOBER 2010 (1-30)
SEPTEMBER 2010 (1-14) (15-30)
AUGUST 2010 (1-14) (15-31)
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