Cincinnati Reds Begin Crucial Road Trip Tonight in Milwaukee

Coming off of a 6-3 homestand, the Cincinnati Reds begin a crucial road trip tonight at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The pitching matchup will be Johnny Cueto (4-2) against Braden Looper (4-3).

The Reds have won four in a row and six of their last eight.  Manager Dusty Baker finds his team 1/2 game behind the second-place Brewers and 1 1/2 games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.

The weekend series in Milwaukee will be followed by four games in St. Louis.

"We have to get after it," Baker said. "We know it's going to be tough. [The Cards and Brewers] play well in their ballparks. We play well on the road."

The Reds are 13-8 on the road this season.

The Reds have been able to play well despite some key players dealing with injuries.  However, it seems as if they may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Edinson Volquez threw a bullpen on Wednesday and reported no pain.  He is on the 15-day disabled list because of back spasms.  Volquez is expected to be activated and pitch Monday night in St. Louis.

Edwin Encarnacion, on the disabled list since April 28 with a fracture in his wrist, has been hitting off of a tee and playing catch.

Brandon Phillips suffered a fracture in his right thumb on Saturday while fielding a ground ball.  It is possible that Phillips may return to the lineup tonight.

I look at the calendar and see that today's date is May 29.  The Reds have played 46 games.  It is still early.  A 5-2 trip will not put you in the playoffs, just as a 2-5 trip will not mean the season is over.

That being said, the Reds are an exciting team to watch.  They are young and hungry.  Dusty Baker has pushed all the right buttons so far this season.

There is a lot of baseball to be played.  The season is a marathon, not a sprint.  However, as the 1999 Reds will tell you, they all count.