A FEW MO' THINGS, 8/16/12
-The Reds are making it look really easy right now. And given the fact that they play the next five against teams they've dominated (12-4 combined against the Mets and Cubs), and then four against a team that's all but given up (Philly), plus the fact that the anticipated Pittsburgh fade is upon us (six losses in seven games) and the hole the Cardinals are trying to dig out of, the Reds have a chance to lap the field these next two weeks.
Albeit against bad offensive teams, the starting pitching has rebounded. Opponents have scored a whopping three runs in four games. Todd Frazier is starting to make a mockery out of the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year race (there have actually been nine homers longer than his bomb off the boat at GABP?), and Jay Bruce seems to have gotten the message. Three games, three homers. As maddening as Jay can be, he still has the capablility to go on the kind of offensive tear that can carry a team. He might be in the middle of one of those tears.
A week and a half ago, with the lead sitting at four and a half, this race appeared on the verge of being over. Now with the lead at seven, even with 12 games remaining against the Pirates and Cardinals, it's harder than ever to imagine the Reds not winning this division.
-You're coming to the #RedsTweetup tonight, right? You say you forgot to get tickets? Here's a link for you.
-Pretend football tonight in Atlanta. If the Bengals emerege from their "game" tonight with few injuries, especially among the secondary, it will be considered a success. Here's three guys talking about preseason football, replacement refs, and Chad Johnson getting the gate...
-Pretty solid piece by P-Doc on Chd Johnson, attention, and what's next.
-I can't imagine what kind of nasty emails Rick Reilly is getting after drafting this.
-Frazier for Rookie of the Year! Cueto/Chapman for Cy Young! Shouldn't Dusty Baker be considered for the Manager of the Year award?
Even if not, even if you hate Dusty Baker, you have to admit that Chad Dotson offers some pretty good defenses of Bakes.
-Pimpin' has rules. Who knew?
-Jerry Sandusky is writing a book. If the proceeds went to fund his castration, I might buy it.
-Cats are a-holes....
-Carson Palmer is pretty accomplished with the clippers. The new NFL trend of shaving dongs into the heads of rookies, highlighted on Hard Knocks Tuesday night, is one I like.
-Famous women don't like the Bengals.
-Canadian ten year-old has awful handwriting. Is still awesome.
-The Olympics might be over, but people are still manufacturing reasons to be upset.
-More later. Maybe. It's nice out and I don't have to work today, so maybe not. Here's a Channel 9 newscast from 1986, featuring some female anchor who might have the worst news anchor hair of alltime...
