Why the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals Is the Best New Rivalry in Baseball

On August 10, 2010, baseball witnessed the renewing of a rivalry that had gone dormant for almost 30 years -- the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals brawled at Great American Ballpark. 

Brandon Phillips had claimed before the series, "I hate the Cardinals."  Seems very simple, but one Yadier Molina took immediate exception. 

From there... well, we know what happened.  Molina and Phillips had words, Cards' pitcher Chris Carpenter had words with Reds 3B Scott Rolen, managers Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa had a "nice" conversation, and Johnny Cueto (Reds SP) kicked Jason LaRue (Cardinals and former Reds' catcher) so hard in the head, he retired.  From this day forward, this rivalry was taken to a whole new level.

The Reds have something to prove against the Cardinals this year -- in the Reds' NL Central title campaign in 2010, the Reds went 6-12 against their rivals (including being swept by them in that August 10-12 series in Cincinnati). 

It's a brand new beginning for the Reds, as they are now 0-0.  Both teams are locked at 10-9 heading into tonight's game.  Why do I call it the best NEW rivalry? 

Because for way too long, emphasis has been tossed on the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry. 

No doubt that those two teams have had classic games -- but it's gotten old, especially considering the Red Sox' miserable start to 2011. 

The Reds and Cardinals bring more to the field:  a fresh taste of a new rivalry, still heated by last season's Queen City Brawl. 

Hear it here first:  the Cardinals have been on their perch atop the NL Central for years, and have now been knocked off.  Cincinnati has returned to the baseball world with a vengeance, and their determination to win -- coupled with the Cardinals' determination to not let that happen -- makes for an incredible rivalry.

As for the 3-game set beginning tonight, some key highlights will be Edinson Volquez's quest to turn his season around, and Lance Berkman's hot bat. 

Berkman, a former Astro and Yankee (now a Cardinal), has been a thorn in the Reds' sides for years, batting .318 with 49 home runs in 152 games.  Also, the battle of MVP's will ensue, as reigning MVP and Reds' 1B Joey Votto matches up against 2009 MVP and Cardinals' 1B Albert Pujols.  Enjoy baseball's new poster-rivalry!