Tylersarticles
07-10-2006, 08:15 AM
The Reds have had a fairly impressive first half and are surprisingly in the hunt in the NL Central race and the Wild Card. The Reds are currently 45-44 and are four games back in the Central.
Bronson Arroyo, the lone Reds All Star representative, has established himself as the ace of the staff, and already has nine wins for Cincy. Arroyo, who was acquired in the trade for Wily Mo Pena, has failed in four tries to collect his tenth win. Aaron Harang also has nine wins and deserves to be a National League All Star as well. Harang and Arroyo should be a force down the stretch and will be relied on heavily to push this team in to the playoffs.
How about Brandon Phillips? Phillips, another new Red, has had a breakout year in 2006 and is quickly establishing himself as one of the top 2B in the NL. Phillips was snubbed from the NL All Star roster, but he has played as well if not better than National League starter Chase Utley. Some of the plays Phillips has been making this year have been unbelievable and he is definitely a candidate for his first Gold Glove Award. David Ross, the Reds new starting catcher, is another great surprise and he is currently leading all NL catchers in homeruns and RBI.
Rich Aurilia and Ryan Freel have also been huge in utility roles and are arguably two of the most valuable players on the franchise. Freel has made some miraculous catches and is becoming a great leadoff hitter, while Aurilia has hit 13 homeruns and has played every position in the infield for the Reds.
Adam Dunn has hit a lot of homeruns (28), but has also struck out a great deal and is only hitting .237. Griffey, who has played some outstanding defense in center, has 18 HR and 50 RBI after switching his number from 30 to 3. Former Mr. Kentucky baseball Austin Kearns has also played well and is on pace for career highs in HR, RBI, and hits.
What have been the weaknesses?
THE BULLPEN. Earlier in the year, it seemed as if David Weathers would make an appearance every night. Weathers has struggled a great deal in 2006 and he has been one of the big reasons why the Reds have blown a numner of games in the late innings. Todd Coffey, who emerged as the closer earlier in the spring after pitching well in a setup role, already has lost his role due to his inconsistency in save situations. The new closer is former All Star Eddie Guardado. Every Day Eddie, who was acquired from the Mariners, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth in his first Reds appearance in Friday's win over the Atlanta Braves.
Jerry Narron has done a great job and if the Reds get some more bullpen help they could make a 2nd half push for the playoffs. Go Reds!
P.S. Look for Arroyo in the All Star Game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and visit my website at tylersarticles.tripod.com for more baseball talk.
Bronson Arroyo, the lone Reds All Star representative, has established himself as the ace of the staff, and already has nine wins for Cincy. Arroyo, who was acquired in the trade for Wily Mo Pena, has failed in four tries to collect his tenth win. Aaron Harang also has nine wins and deserves to be a National League All Star as well. Harang and Arroyo should be a force down the stretch and will be relied on heavily to push this team in to the playoffs.
How about Brandon Phillips? Phillips, another new Red, has had a breakout year in 2006 and is quickly establishing himself as one of the top 2B in the NL. Phillips was snubbed from the NL All Star roster, but he has played as well if not better than National League starter Chase Utley. Some of the plays Phillips has been making this year have been unbelievable and he is definitely a candidate for his first Gold Glove Award. David Ross, the Reds new starting catcher, is another great surprise and he is currently leading all NL catchers in homeruns and RBI.
Rich Aurilia and Ryan Freel have also been huge in utility roles and are arguably two of the most valuable players on the franchise. Freel has made some miraculous catches and is becoming a great leadoff hitter, while Aurilia has hit 13 homeruns and has played every position in the infield for the Reds.
Adam Dunn has hit a lot of homeruns (28), but has also struck out a great deal and is only hitting .237. Griffey, who has played some outstanding defense in center, has 18 HR and 50 RBI after switching his number from 30 to 3. Former Mr. Kentucky baseball Austin Kearns has also played well and is on pace for career highs in HR, RBI, and hits.
What have been the weaknesses?
THE BULLPEN. Earlier in the year, it seemed as if David Weathers would make an appearance every night. Weathers has struggled a great deal in 2006 and he has been one of the big reasons why the Reds have blown a numner of games in the late innings. Todd Coffey, who emerged as the closer earlier in the spring after pitching well in a setup role, already has lost his role due to his inconsistency in save situations. The new closer is former All Star Eddie Guardado. Every Day Eddie, who was acquired from the Mariners, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth in his first Reds appearance in Friday's win over the Atlanta Braves.
Jerry Narron has done a great job and if the Reds get some more bullpen help they could make a 2nd half push for the playoffs. Go Reds!
P.S. Look for Arroyo in the All Star Game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and visit my website at tylersarticles.tripod.com for more baseball talk.