Going into St. Louis, I told friends that the Reds needed to win one in the series. Although facing the Cardinals top three pitchers, mission accomplished.
Last week I also told co-workers that the trip to Colorado worried me more than the St. Louis series. The Rockies are playing well, tough at home, and in the hunt. The task would be difficult but, I stated that the Reds need to leave Colorado +6 over the Cardinals. Well, the first two games in Denver are demonstrating my unfolding fears.
As a pragmatist, I am a firm believer that it’s not over until it’s over. After all, I remember 1964, which featured the greatest collapse in my lifetime. Yep, the Phillies were 7 ½ up with 12 games left. Going into the final weekend, four teams were in the hunt: the Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, and Giants. The Cardinals not only won the pennant, they eventually beat the Yankees to win the World Series – and the 1964 Phillies are forever known as the ones blowing a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Meanwhile, one of my long-time friends (and self-proclaimed baseball pundit) recently said something worth writing about. My friend is a great guy but, he is a prime example of this trait: if you speak with conviction, people will believe you. However, years has taught be to see right through his bold proclamations.
He said, “It’s too bad the Reds are going to back into winning the division.” Now it’s time to dismantle his statement.
First, no team has won a pennant or a division before clinching. There is also still is plenty of time for anything to happen. In other words, the Reds have not won anything yet.
The Reds have the following:
- A sizeable, but insurmountable, lead in the NL Central
- The one of the best records in the NL
- The best road record in the NL
- Lead the NL in batting average, runs scored, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, batting average and runs scored with runners in scoring position, batting average and runs scored with runners in scoring position with two outs, and a few more
- Lead the NL in fielding percentage, thus the fewest errors
- Middle of the pack in various pitching categories
There is still time for much to happen. The Reds can make it difficult on the Cardinals every time they win a game.
So I must ask: Do these stats support “backing in”? Plus, always beware of those who proclaim knowing without having the supportive facts.
A Frank Angle 