Cincinnati Reds: 10 Burning Questions Fans Are Asking at the Quarter Checkpoint

The season opened with many expectations for the Cincinnati Reds ballclub. Some of those expectations have been met, others have yet to come close and some expectations have been developed along the way.

With the 2012 Major League Baseball season at its quarter point, you can bet that Cincinnati Reds fans and executives alike have some burning questions. Some of those questions cover what has happened to this point, and some of them are questions regarding the team moving forward.

The Reds have been hovering around the .500 mark and have showed some signs of breaking out. But some of the questions that we ask here have developed from their inability to maintain any momentum.  

One-fourth of the way through, and there are still plenty of unanswered debates. So, let's take a look at 10 burning questions that Cincinnati Reds fans are asking themselves at the quarter checkpoint.

What Is Going to Happen with the 5th Spot in the Rotation?

Mike Leake took over the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation out of spring training. His struggles have been well-documented, with an ERA of 6.21 through seven starts to go along with his 0-5 win-loss record.

Every time Leake seems to be on his last leg, he pitches just well enough for the Reds to give him one more chance. It has reached a point where just well enough isn't cutting it, though, and the Reds need to make a change.

Will they actually have the guts to take a midseason gamble?

Is Homer Bailey Starting to Figure It Out?

I have resided to the fact that Homer Bailey is going to frustrate us. We are always going to have this little beef with him.

But the fact is the guy has put up six quality starts in eight appearances. That is an excellent stat to claim about anyone, let alone your fourth starter in the rotation.

Bailey's ERA is 4.34 through eight starts, but be is keeping his team in the game through six innings on a regular basis.  

If he can keep this up, I will take it.

Will This Team Ever Hit with Runners in Scoring Position?

Check out these batting stats from Reds regulars with runners in scoring position:          

Jay Bruce: .176                      

Brandon Phillips: .244                    

Zack Cozart: .154                     

Drew Stubbs: .179                      

Ryan Ludwick: .160                      

Scott Rolen: .241                  

Chris Heisey: .250                    

Joey Votto: .414                              

Simply put, these numbers as a whole are pathetic. If the Reds intend on winning a division title, someone other than Joey Votto needs to know how to handle the bat with runners on and in scoring position.

The offense that was supposed to be needs to step up to the plate and deliver—but will it? 

Can Jay Bruce Continue Hitting with Consistency?

Jay Bruce has superstar potential and abilities. He has shown us signs throughout his young career of what "could" be.

Bruce's problem, though, has been consistency. He can perform like the best hitter in all of baseball for a month, only to find himself struggling around the Mendoza Line the next month. It's going to be interesting to see if Bruce can avoid the prolonged slumps that have hampered his career thus far.

Keep in mind, though, he is only 25 years old. He has plenty of time left to right the ship, and he is still developing as a hitter. Bruce is off to a great start with 10 homers and 27 RBI.  Let's hope he can maintain and become the protection that Joey Votto so badly needs.

Can Bruce become that consistent threat in the lineup? 

What Is Going to Happen with Aroldis Chapman?

Let's play a little game here called, "Where in the World is Aroldis Chapman?"  

You may find him in the setup role, you may see him mowing down hitters in the closer's role or you just may find him taking extended trips to the mound as a starter.

Chapman's future role is as much of a mystery as Big Foot himself. Honestly, it seems as though the Reds have lost total sight as to what they want to do with the Cuban Missile.

They flip flop more than a politician running for office.

What the Reds need to do is choose a position and stick to it. Make Chapman a starter, set a deadline and prepare for the transition—but that just makes too much sense. 

Why Is Left Field Still a Mystery?

Chris Heisey had a great season last year, and he has begun to really pick it up this year.

Ryan Ludwick, meanwhile, is performing exactly how we should have expected him to—like a washed-up veteran. 

Why do the Reds continue to play games in left field? It's like a reality TV show.  

Dusty Baker and co. need to make a decision, and go with some consistency. Give Heisey a full season to prove his worth, and if anything, he is going to give maximum effort and great defense.

Will the Reds finally make a decision here?

Which Zack Cozart Will We Get to See the Rest of the Season?

Zack Cozart began his major league career performing as a true pro, but as of late, he has suffered through a rough patch as well as his manager's inability to properly manage.

Cozart is being forced to assume a role that does not fit his hitting approach and style. Forcing a rookie to take this on is absurd, but that it is a completely other topic that has been covered here.

Cozart has the ability to be a superb No. 2 hitter and can do so immediately. The only question is, how will he be utilized this season?

That will answer the question of which Zack Cozart we will get to see the remainder of this year.

Who Is Going to End the Season as the Closer?

Sean Marshall has had one heck of a roller coaster start to the season. He is averaging more than 13 Ks per nine innings pitched, yet maintains a 5.02 ERA with a .305 BAA.

Did we mentioned that Marshall has been yanked from two save opportunities in favor of another reliever to finish things? Those other pitchers ended up with the save in each of those occurrences.

Logan Ondrusek has shown signs that he could take over the role. There have been talks of Aroldis Chapman doing so as well.  

Let's not forget that the last time Cincinnati won the World Series, they did so with a closer-by-committee setup—remember the Nasty Boys?

When and where will this carousel end?

Can Bronson Arroyo Continue Rolling Back the Clock?

Bronson Arroyo has been a very pleasant surprise for the Reds this season. With the troubles he had last year, it was a big surprise to see Arroyo turn things around the way he has.

The question remains, though, will he be able to maintain his play for the entire season? Arroyo's ability to maintain a respectable season is key to the Reds hopes for an NL Central title.

Will Arroyo continue finding his mojo?

How Long Will Dusty Baker's Leash Stretch?

The answer to this question is seemingly all the way through the end of the season.

Dusty Baker has more lives than a cat. You can defend him all you want, but when a guy is criticized as much as him at every stop on his managerial trail, then there is some credence to the arguments.

All managers get criticized, but the difference between the mediocre and the great ones are that they also get respect.

Where's the respect? It seems to have vanished, along with Baker's ability to be a good-to-great manager.

Many of the questions in this slideshow are questions simply because Baker cannot seem to make sound decisions. He flip flops, he make excuses and he continues to put his team's playoff contention in jeopardy.

So, how long will Baker's leash stretch before the Reds say enough is enough?