Killer Instinct: Cincinnati Reds Try to Finish Season Respectably

With nine games left to go in 2009, the Reds are actually playing good baseball, and have been for some time now. They are also shaping a record that might deceive a fan who hasn’t followed this team the entire season. True Reds fans should be used to this annual September blast though. 

It’s a long shot, I know, but if they can win out, the Reds can overtake the Brewers and finish right at .500. I know. It won’t happen. But I figured the possibility should be mentioned. Had they played only marginally better through July and August, a .500 season might be in the bank. And don’t forget that before the season began, the majority of fans said they would be pleased with a .500 record—myself included.  

The Redlegs need to go for the throat this weekend against an Astros team that has been struggling and is still reeling after the kick-to-the-groin when Cecil Cooper was fired. This is the Reds’ chance to place the ‘Stros solidly in the division’s five-hole and set their sights on the Brewers who are only three games up. Let’s hope they make the best of their opportunity. 

One thing that definitely will not happen this season: the Cubs will not clinch the division in Cincinnati. Mostly because the teams don’t play again until Spring, but also because the Cubs postseason hopes are dead. At this point, that’s almost as good as the Reds winning out.