Behind The Box Score

In baseball, the key to making a race at a crown is getting hot at the perfect time to make up games. Cooling off takes perfect timing also, I guess. The Reds (44-50) have hit a rough patch one week after the All-Star break, going 2-5 in the first seven back. However, they have lost NO games in the standings, still 5.5 games back of division leading St. Louis (51-46), who also has stumbled, losing 4 of their last 6 after the mid-point of the season. Cincinnati, a team that gave up an average of 4.7 runs/game in the first half has given up 6.0 runs/game in the first seven back, is struggling to get the pitching to the way it was earlier in the season.

On the other side of spectrum, the hitting hasn’t been very good either. With runners in scoring position, they are hitting a stellar .238. Only one month this season, May, have the Reds hit .270 as a team over the full month. Slugging is down 20 points from .410 to .390, obviously from the loss of Dunn and Griffey, but most numbers are below league average.

However, they are still in the chase. They can turn it around with Chicago tomorrow afternoon (2:20 EST), and possibly take two of three, and come home to play the cellar of the NL West in the San Diego Padres. They can really help their cause by finishing the road trip by sweeping and making the trip .500, or at worst just get two of three. Anything less, and the Cards are bound to push their lead out.

The trade market has been of discussion to the Reds front office. Walt Jocketty said they’re “still trying to improve the club.” They are looking for a long term bat, no names have been thrown around. “I think if we do anything, it would probably be closer to the deadline, because that’s where these things seem to develop. I’m going to try and do something that’s going to improve the club for the long haul.” Also, Jocketty went on to say about picking up a hitter that “We need someone to help pick up the pace and pick up the production.”