Docksquad Sports: The Amazing Race: Pujols & the Cards vs Votto & the Reds

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Amazing Race: Pujols & the Cards vs Votto & the Reds

NL Central Race

Heading into the last quarter of the MLB season, the Cubs have mailed it in, Lou has retired, and the Brewers are 13.5 games back of the NL Central leading Reds. Yes, that's right, the Cincinnati Reds (72-52) lead the St Louis Cardinals (67-54) by 3.5 games. Even if the Reds were to finish the season going .500 (19-19), the Cardinals would have to go 25-16 the rest of the way to take the NL Central outright. It's possible but highly unlikely.

A key reason the Reds will hang on to the division is because they have Homer Bailey back in the pitching rotation (last pitched on May 23rd, missing 73 games on the DL). Since returning, Bailey has gone 2-0 in two starts, giving up only 7 hits and 1 earned run in 13 inning pitched. He ended 2009 as the hottest pitcher in baseball and I think he'll continue that trend this year. Over his last 9 starts in 2009, Bailey went 6-1 with a 1.70 ERA. He would have ended up 8-1 if it wasn't for two blown saves. Another reason is that their bats are healthy and have been consistent all year. The Reds lead the NL in Batting Avg, Runs Scored, Total Hits, and RBI.

The Cardinals have some things on their side that could spoil the Reds dreams of winning their first World Series since 1990. First, they have some of the best starting pitching staffs in the MLB. 3 starters have an ERA under 3.00; Adam Wainwright (17-7, 2.06 ERA), Chris Carpenter (14-4, 2.88 ERA), and Jaime Garcia (11-6, 2.42 ERA). Second, they have the 3-time NL MVP (2005, 2008, 2009) Albert Pujols. Third, the Cards have one more 3-game series with the Reds to gain ground and they swept them earlier this month.

The NL Triple Crown Race - Pujols vs Votto

The last NL Triple Crown batting champ was Joe Medwick (.374 BA, 31 HR, 154 RBI) in 1937.
Right now we have a close race between the Reds slugger, Joey Votto, and the Cardinals reigning MVP, Albert Pujols. Albert has played about 5 games more than Joey, so if they can both stay healthy, it should be a fun race to watch that will come down to the last game of the season.