Off to the Races

While the Cubs and Cardinals have been pleasant surprises in the National League Central, the Cincinnati Reds have been as bad if not worse than expected. The team has struggled to produce runs and stop other teams from scoring them. The Reds already just about of the MLB playoff race.

The most immediate problem for the Cincinnati Reds is the bullpen. The starting rotation has actually put together some good games, ranking in the upper echelon in quality starts in the National League.

Edinson Vazquez has been phenomenal in his first season playing in Great American Ball Park after suffering in the pitchers cemetery that is Rangers Park in Arlington. The power pitcher has been the shining star of the rotation as Aaron Harang has pitched alright. Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arryo have hardly held down the later portion of the rotation as the fifth spot is up for grabs.

Unfortunately ever since the Great American Ball Park has played host to a number of struggling Reds teams since its first season in 2003. The unique ballpark has been over shadowed by the poor play on the field. Great American Ball Park tickets might be fun for the summer just to enjoy baseball game rather than to get excited by spirited play.

The lack of spirited play is dreadfully obvious on offense. As Ken Griffey Jr. closes out his career, the rest of the team, with the exception of Adam Dunn, has pretty much surrendered the year.

The MLB seasonis still early the Reds might be able to catch a fire that will at least make them entertaining to watch until the All Star game. Cincinnati needs something to hold it over a few months until Bengals training camp gets into full swing. The football team looks like the only real source of sports entertainment in the city.

Of course making such dire predictions this early in the MLB season is a little much. The Reds may not need to stock up on World Series tickets, but the fans should not count the team out completely yet.