Cincinnati Reds: East, West, and Then Some

If ever there was a time to measure the Cincinnati Reds, it would be this month. Outside of the first two days playing musical chairs with the Cardinals, the Reds will spend the rest of June outside of the National League Central.

It is hard to complain about a Reds team that is tied for the division lead with 30 wins.  However, with the Central not exactly being the best of divisions, their record is definitely scrutinized.

Most would consider Cincy an average team due to the fact that 34 of their 52 games have been against their division partners, where four of the teams are among the five worst (record-wise) in the National League.

At least the Reds have done the job at home, winning 19 of the 30 contests at Great American Ballpark.

Stepping outside the NL Central, the Reds are .500 at 9-9.  I don't think that's too bad since the majority of those teams have decent records. Then again, I hope to be thinking the same way (at the very least) once June comes to a close.

This month finds the Reds visiting Washington, Seattle, and Oakland, then entertaining San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Oakland, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. The next time they return to division action would be July 1 in Chicago against the Cubs.

What makes this month equally exciting is the fact that every National League team has legitimate playoff aspirations, though it is hard to include Houston and Arizona. Although, Houston was absolutely horrible in May of last year as well before turning on the gas and scaring the crap out of the Central Division.

I have heard a number of critics indicate that it has been the Reds' lack of talent in recent years which has caused them to falter in June and July. That could be so, but if it is a lack of talent then why aren't they losing in April and May? Did they suddenly realize that they really didn't have talent so they began losing in June, July, and August?

Of course not.

Sure, talent plays a definite part, but focus, experience, and determination are another thing. If you don't have at least a portion of those four aspects, you are not going to win many games. Up to this point, Cincinnati has been able to maintain that drive.

Even St. Louis Cardinals Skipper Tony La Russa has taken notice. He wasn't celebrating after Monday's win over the Reds.

"Well, let me see, we've got Johnny Cueto tomorrow (June 1) and he's really good, so I'd be a fool to say that we're really hot because good pitching shuts you down," La Russa said. "I'll tell you, Cincinnati is a legitimate club." (It makes me wonder how that contest would have turned out if there had not been an hour-long rain delay.)

I know all managers say things like that, but will this still be his mindset on Cincinnati when June reaches its final week? As long as the pitching stays on pace, he should.

It's about taking care of business, finding additional pieces to fill some holes, and rounding out those rough edges. How that will happen is anybody's guess.

Will Cincinnati be at or near the same position four weeks from now?

As much of a Reds fan as I am...I really cannot answer that definitively.