Anyway, he had another win, okay THAT'S not news, and another 100+ pitch effort. He has had 12 starts so far, 75 IP, and 1276 pitches thrown. This is his 1st complete season, he pitched in Winter Ball, can he keep it up?
I don't know,but I do remember there was a guy, Pedro Bourbon, who pitched so often and so well he earned the name Rubber Arm. Yes, Bourbon was only a reliever. But Volquez does get 4 days off (barring 18 inning games) between starts.
the braves are terrible on the road, but really, a sweep?
if the reds can manage a 3 & 5 roadtrip they'll come back only 3 under .500. i doubt they can sweep the cards, bosox, & dodgers here, but the way they've been playing at home lately, 5 & 4 isn't out of the question.
the team is then booted out of town by the darlings at MLB scheduling, 2&1 is possible at the NYY - considering how they've played so far this year. but look for 1&2 records at Toronto and the mistake on the lake.
back here for 6/30 - 7/6 for 3 against the pirates and 4 against leatherpants' team. they will go on the road again for 3 ea. @ brewcity & chitown, a 2&4 record.
But, here it comes, a 10 game homestand after the allstar break. i'm thinkin' 2&2 against the mets, a sweep of the pads, and 2&1 against the rocks.
here it is reds fans, my prediction that the team will hit .500 on July 27th.
'course starting the 28th is another roadtrip (3 @ houston then 3 @ dc - really who's tthe sadist that creates these schedules??)
but as Dusty says, once you reach .500 anything can happen.
Bruce is for real. Griffey is driving in runs and is one away from 600. Dunn's bat has come alive. Hairston's the sparkplug at the top of the order. What a few weeks ago was a "poorly put-together team" APPEARS to be coming together.
There are still a lot of questions:
What's wrong with Cueto?
What's wrong with Harang?
Will Encarnacion ever get it together?
Can Belisle convert to straight reliever?
Can the team get a .500 fifth starter? If so, who? If so, when?
But really, who cares about all the questions? The Reds look like they can get to .500 for the season, the 1st non-losing season since 2000. And THAT will be Another Big Thing.
