Reds Weekly Recap: Brandon Phillips and Cincinnati Reds Need a Comeback

Today the Cincinnati Reds wrap up what was quite simply a bad week and a horrible road trip at three wins and six losses.  As the photo caption above states, every time you glanced up "the Reds seemed to be on the wrong side of the runs scored category."

Though it seemed horrific at most times, we can actually find some good in the past week. Tidbits to chew on that will draw us to the games this week at GABP.  

Remember, Reds fans, they are only just over two weeks into the season. Not to mention Cincinnati is not the only team to hit a bad stride early on.

Brandon Phillips Makes His Return

Brandon Phillips made his return to the lineup and to the cleanup spot this week.  Though BP spent most of the week in the lineup, he hasn't been playing at 100 percent, as he continues to nurse his leg injury.

Joey Votto may be the hands-down king of the Reds lineup, but it's a healthy Brandon Phillips that is a key spark.  A healthy Reds lineup is dependent on a healthy @DatDudeBP. 

Latos Continues His Early Struggles

Cincy's blockbuster offseason trade for Mat Latos has been all but flattering thus far.  Latos sports a pitching line of 15.1 innings with 21 hits and 14 earned runs allowed through his first three starts of the season.

Latos continued his bad run in April, when he allowed eight earned runs over 5.2 innings on Wednesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals.  Let's look though at Latos' past April numbers before we get too anxious.  

Last season Mat posted a 0-4 record with a 4.98 ERA.  During his 2010 campaign, Mat's April record was 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA.  Horrific, you say. Now let's look at how he followed up these horrible starts in the past.

Last season he rebounded in May with a 3-2 record and a 3.38 ERA, and he rolled out a 4-1 record with a 1.54 ERA during May of 2010.  Not too shabby.

Let's hope that history repeats itself in 2012.

Johnny Cueto Has Lived Up to His Roll as Ace of the Pitching Staff

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny boy.  Mr. Johnny Cueto took to the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday and promptly threw up a line of one earned run over seven innings pitched.  Even though the Reds lost 2-1, Johnny did his part yet again.

There were many talks throughout the offseason as to whether or not Cueto could extend his dominant 2011 campaign into the 2012 season.  Through three starts (1.89 ERA so far), he seems to be proving his doubters wrong.

Cueto takes the mound today against Randy Wells and the Chicago Cubs.  I predict he continues his dominance with eight innings of one-run baseball.

Rookies Zack Cozart and Devin Mesoraco Continue to Produce

The Cincinnati Reds bolster two legitimate Rookie-of-the-Year candidates this season, both at key defensive positions.  Shortstop Zack Cozart and catcher Devin Mesoraco are off to great starts to the season and continued their solid production this past week.

Cozart had been hitting No. 2 but made the jump to the lead-off roll early in the week.  Even though Zack saw his average dip from .341 to .293, due in part to a three-game slump, he has really picked back up the last two games.  

His approach at the plate and defensive skills continue to impress.  Zack continues to show us his ability to stay behind the ball and drive it to all fields with pop and consistency. 

Mesoraco saw his average rise from a sub-.200 level to .304.  He too has developed a great approach at the plate, as his four bases on balls, compared to only two strikeouts, show.

The picture above shows Devin stopping St. Louis' Tyler Greene in his tracks when trying to score earlier this week.  Stud play all the way.

Bronson Arroyo Is Pitching Like It's 2006

Bronson Arroyo's insane frisbee-slider has returned.  What a surprise for Reds fans to see Arroyo pitching like he did in 2006.  Who knows if it will continue, but the fact that he is off to a great start is an added bonus to the season.

Bronson pitched eight strong innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and needed only 90 pitches.  He's pitching with excellent efficiency through his first three starts.

Did I mention that Arroyo gave up only his first home run of the season this week.  Yes folks, I said his only home run of the season.