Reds need to win the next six games to cruise into the All-Star break two games over .500, ready to make a serious run at the Wild Card in the second half. It’s gonna happen! Ya’ gotta believe!

I love it when a plan comes together.

I agree, reality sucks.

Comment by Mark T — 7/8/2008 @ 9:12 am

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I BELIEVE!!!!!

Comment by Kevin — 7/8/2008 @ 9:16 am

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I’m believing

Harang is 8-5 against Chicago all time, it’s a great time for him to pick up a win tonight.

We’re facing Ryan “Dumpster” lol as my cousin used to call him when he was on the Reds.

Comment by Matt Steele — 7/8/2008 @ 9:17 am

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I’ll be happy with 3-3 then rest up for the second half surge.

Comment by Y-City Jim — 7/8/2008 @ 9:53 am

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“I’ll be happy with 3-3 then rest up for the second half surge.”

That’s exactly what I was thinking. And at least two of those three wins must come against the intolerable Chicago Cubs.

Comment by renbutler — 7/8/2008 @ 10:00 am

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I agree, 3-3 would be great……here’s hoping against Dempster, Zambrano, and now SABATHIA again

Comment by nycredsfan — 7/8/2008 @ 10:17 am

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I think 4-2 and the Reds think they are at least “not out of it” yet…while anything less may be the catalyst for some salary dumps…which I hate to see because then the rest of the games are worthless to watch…

Comment by CeeKeR — 7/8/2008 @ 10:35 am

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I pity the fool!

Comment by Chris W — 7/8/2008 @ 10:35 am

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I have a dream..
a dream where reds can actually win
and compete with teams who actually care… Win at last. we will finally win at last! thank God almighty! we will win at last!!!

hehe…
Bob Castelini Luther king jr

Comment by Relient k Car — 7/8/2008 @ 10:48 am

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3 and 3 would be OK

I think 2 of 3 in Chicago but they always suck on the exhaust pipe in Milwaukee.

Comment by Mark in CC — 7/8/2008 @ 10:54 am

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3-3 at best. While the pitching is decent (I still think we can finish 3rd because of it), this team has two huge offensive problems—they strike out too much and the middle of the lineup is terrible w/ runners in scoring position. That is a recipe for inconsistency. Compare our stats to other teams in the division on K/BB for each teams’ top 6 guys, and you’ll see we are terribly deficient, especially compared to the Cards, Cubs, and Brewers. On the bright side, anyone alse see the Passan column about small market teams competing for top tier Latin American talent? Very encouraging. The Reds signed Duran, lost by a hair on Inoa, and now are the faves for an elite Venezuelan player. That speaks volumes for the change in philosophy by ownership. Slowly but surely, the culture is changing. I really hope we can unload Dunn and Griff for relative value. Nothing personal, but I want a clean slate.

Comment by Sultan of Swaff — 7/8/2008 @ 11:15 am

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5-1 puts them at .500 at the break. I could live with that, too.

I’m glad the Reds didn’t trade the farm for Erik Bedard.

Bedard hasn’t eclipsed the 100-pitch mark since May 28 and has experienced back spasms multiple times this year. “I don’t think he’s really totally feeling right,” said Riggleman. “With whatever was happening before — hip, back and all that … He may be pitching a lot more than he should. I don’t think he’s totally right yet. I might be wrong about that, but I do feel that he’s given us everything he could give us.” Manager Jim Riggleman has pushed back Erik Bedard’s next scheduled start. There’s no timetable on when he’ll pitch next or whether he’ll avoid the disabled list.

Comment by GregD — 7/8/2008 @ 11:32 am

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I’m sorry to say it, but i think Griffey has to go. I’ve always enjoyed watching him play but he needs to go to a place where he can dh and play a little rf. I like this lineup:

Hairston cf
kepp ss
votto 1b
phillips 2b
bruce rf
edwin 3d
dunn lf
bako/ross c
pitcher

Comment by james — 7/8/2008 @ 11:33 am

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On the road, 3 of 6 would look good.

Comment by Mike — 7/8/2008 @ 12:11 pm

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All due respect to Junior, but I want to see him traded too. I just don’t know who would want him! I’m not sure exactly who our best trading chips really are…I don’t see why we’d get anything good for Ross or Junior, although I do understand that teams would have to overpay for somebody like Arroyo which might make it worth it.

I don’t want to see us salary dump, either, but I feel like trading away Arroyo, Ross, and Junior are all moves that do more than salary dump, they potentially improve our team. I hope management finds a balance between making some serious changes (which we definitely need) and keeping the young core of players intact, who I think are our exciting future. I don’t see any need to have Junior, Ross, or Arroyo around, though.

I agree with James that we’ve still got a viable lineup for the rest of the season with those trades.

Comment by Kevin — 7/8/2008 @ 12:12 pm

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Yup, 3 of 6 is all I can ask, let’s win a series and avoid a sweep. Nonetheless, 4 and 2 would be a beautiful way to go into the break, especially facing the two teams who we have to vie for position with in the second half.

It’s funny how they always do just well enough to keep me from giving up hope, but never well enough to go anywhere!!

Comment by Kevin — 7/8/2008 @ 12:14 pm

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Unfortunately, Kevin, the same applies to the feelings of the front office.

Comment by nycredsfan — 7/8/2008 @ 2:05 pm

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Chad, have you talked to Dusty about the plan? He needs all the help he can get!
Maybe if he knew the fans actually expected the REDs to win he would try that much harder.

Everyone needs to break out their rally caps, or favorite jerseys or something to help get this thing started! Didn’t one of the Reds players have lucky underwear a few years back?

Comment by Mike Martz — 7/8/2008 @ 6:36 pm

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Isn’t Dempster like 8-0 at home this year? I will be in Chicago for Wednesday and Thursday. We need to go at minimum 3-3 on the trip.

Comment by AnnapolisRed — 7/8/2008 @ 7:04 pm

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Unfortunately Sorrey Outterson is the only one with lucky underwear this year. Lets hope he throws them out.

Comment by mhopp — 7/8/2008 @ 7:48 pm

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