March 30, 2010

Reds and other things

Alright, so it's been awhile, yea? Sorry about that! I'm not even going to try and make an excuse, because really, I messed up. I apologize! This post is going to be nothing short of amazing, and I promise, it will be long. Therefore, if you aren't down to read the whole thing, then come back another day when you're ready for this. Ready yet? I don't care, here we go:

It's not all going to be about baseball, so if you don't want to read about baseball, skip to the next part. To start, I want to say I absolutely cannot wait for baseball season to start. This is the one time of year when Reds fans can bask in the glory of winning of games. The first month of the MLB season is the best, and here's why... For that first month, the Reds are still in the hunt, which means every is a step closer to being in the hunt. By the time the All-Star break comes around, the Reds are in the hunt, but they aren't 'in the hunt.' Indians fans should know what I'm talking about. Anyway, later in the year, and I mean later in the year, the wins the Reds have are just sympathy wins. They don't win because they're good, they win because they get lucky. I mean come on, it's been forever since the Reds have had a 100-win year, and I don't see it happening this year.

Prediction: Will the Reds win the NL Central? Well, plainly put, the answer is no. Will the Reds be a contender in the NL Central? Again the answer is no. Although, it depends on how good the Cubs and Cardinals are this year...but still, no, they will not be contenders. Do the Reds have a shot at winning the Wild Card. Now that, is the question. They can't contend with the Cardinals, Cubs, or Dodgers. So, the answer is...well I don't have an answer for that. It is definitely a possibility. The Reds have talent, and they have made strides to get better. Overall, they have gotten better over the off-season.

They have four solid pitchers. Granted, Edinson Volquez is coming off of a season-ending shoulder surgery from last year. I'm hopeful, he'll be as good as he was before he got hurt. Bronson Arroyo should be the Opening Day starter, but he didn't want to do it. But, he should be as consistent as ever, meaning he'll struggle early, give up a lot of homers, and then settle down and be one of the best pitchers in the Majors. Bronson turns down the Opening Day job, which ultimately leaves Aaron Harang to be the starter. Harang has been pretty consistent in recent years, and not in a good way. 3 years ago, he should have won the Cy Young award, 2 years ago, he was awful, and last year, he was awful. Let's hope he finds his old form and pitches like he did 3 years ago. He is the cornerstone for this young pitching staff. If he starts strong, and is consistent with winning and quality starts, then the others will follow. Johnny Cueto is a good young pitcher. He needs to find one more pitch because he can't survive on just a fastball, slider, and changeup. He needs a curve of some sort, and if not that, how about a sinker or splitter. When he is the on the mound, it's evident he gets upset. He needs to be able to control himself on the mound and not get down when he gives up a big hit. As soon as he gets down, he falls apart, and the Reds can't have this year. The missing link is the 5th pitcher in the rotation. Not sure what to do with this spot. They need to either go out and find someone to the spot, or give it to Homer Bailey and go on the roller coaster ride. If he is anything like he was at the end of the season last year, he will be a good pitcher. His splitter has made a huge difference. The record of the team will basically go positively or negatively depending on those 5 people.

Another key part to this season is health! As long as people stay healthy, the Reds should be fine this year.

Now onto bigger and better things... If you haven't heard, the Duke Blue Devils made the Final Four for the first time in 6 years. It's about time! Go Duke!

The Women's tournament is also coming down to the Final Four, but the only two teams that really matter are Connecticut and Baylor. Connecticut for obvious reasons-they don't lose, literally, and then there is Baylor. Baylor has a girl who is 6'8". She's huge. And Good.

Alaskan police shows are more entertaining than you would think.

The First 48 is one of the greatest shows ever made.

I actually have nothing to say anymore, so...

"The folly of one man is the fortune of another." -- Sir Francis Bacon
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