The Paddock

Leake bounced back strong tonight. Was really hitting his spots and getting good movement on his pitches like he was last season.

Really nice win for the Reds.

One step up, one step back.

This has the look of nothing more (or less) than a .500 team.

Great weekend. I'll take 2 of 3 over the Yanks any day, especially on the road. Reds went 4-3 at ATL, NYM and NYY. That's a solid roadtrip.

Cueto was sick today. Made one bad pitch, paid for it, but was almost untouchable the rest of the day. He's becoming a true ace.

Cuban Missile looks like he'll get a shot to close. Now if we can just fix the 1 and 2 holes in the batting order. A lot of people are calling for Hanigan to move up to 1 or 2. I think he can handle it. Who cares if he can't run like Stubbs. They need someone who can provide professional ABs in front of Votto.

Just a half game behind the birds going into tonight's action. Outside of that inexplicable collapse against the Mets, a really solid road trip. And closer may be the best and most beneficial fit for Chapman and the Reds. If he stays in that role and Ryan Madsen isn't able to fully come back from TJ surgery next season, we'll also have our closer going forward into next spring.

Yes we are. The Cards are equipped to handle either Berkman or Beltran spending time on the DL, which is/was expected. However, Jay and Craig going down, especially at the same time, is something that the Cards just aren't ready for and it is showing. However, it does give Matt Adams a chance to show if he is ready for the big leagues as he is the likely front runner for the 1st base job next season.

But that's the name of the game. Playing against San Diego right now and apparently they have 15 guys on the DL currently, so there is always worse. Knew going into the year it was going to be a fight at the top division and that looks to be the case.

Got this from ESPN's Jason Stark that some of you baseball people might like.

Five mind-boggling stats at the quarter pole:
1. Aroldis Chapman has faced 84 hitters -- and struck out 39 of them.
2. Starlin Castro has twice as many errors (eight) as walks (four).
3. Brendan Ryan has more runs (20) than hits (19).
4. Asdrubal Cabrera has as many doubles (12) as strikeouts.
5. Carlos Pena, who is hitting .209, has reached base more times (66) than Andrew McCutchen (64), who is hitting .340.

Frazier!!!!

Another great effort by Bronson tonight. Keeping his pitches down, hitting spots. This is the best he's looked in a couple of years.

I don't know quite how to act with this kind of pitching. We've never had it like this.

Amazing what can change in 6 days.

Redlegs taking a bad loss today, but I love the Memorial Day tribute caps. Threw me off at first. Haven't seen the Reds wear a black cap in a long time. (Since the Pokey Reese days?)