Season Update

   After the great five and zero start the Reds had, there isn't a whole lot to show for it. The reds have fallen all the way back to .500 and sit at 11-10 before the start of game 3 against the Cardinals tonight. It looked as if the Reds might have a wire to wire season in the Central after the other teams started very slow. They all managed to catch back up thanks to a 15 game slump the Reds went through. Edinson Volquez has been magnificent, outside the first inning, Joey Votto looks determined to repeat his MVP season from last year, and Jay Bruce has struggled to get going in the beginning of the season.

   I don't exactly understand why Edinson Volquez has been consistently bad in the first inning, but then almost lights out once he manages to get through it. It seems like he just goes out there trying to strike out everyone the first inning and then can't manage to get anyone out. They really should try experimenting with him throwing a simulated inning in the bullpen or something just to somehow get him calmed down when it's the real deal. Edinson has to figure something out or he's going to be one of the guys mentioned to be sent down when Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey make it back up. I really think he can be our best pitcher with the stuff he has, and he proves it from the second inning on. I don't know, maybe he likes pitching while in a losing game. It baffles me, he just needs to go out there and let the best defense in the NL, arguably, do work.

   On a positive note, Joey Votto has picked up where he left off last season, hitting near .400 all season. Now I know, chances are he will not stick right at that pace all season, but .350 doesn't seem to be too far fetched for him. He's been on base every game so far and leads the team in hits. His on base percentage is phenomenal and he will be the centerpiece of the offensive attack again all season. I'm just waiting for him to go on an extended hot streak and climb up the home run rankings. I would say it's safe to say he will be right there competing for the MVP award again at the end of the year.

   Jay Bruce, who was picked by a lot of analyst to break out and be the star we all expected him to be this year. Most thought he was an easy .300+ average hitter and 35 or more home runs. It's too early to say whether he is going to achieve those marks, but he is going to have to start swinging the bat better and cut down on his strikeouts. It took him a long time to really get going last year and I honestly do believe he will get really hot down the stretch. It would be really nice to see him get going soon though, it seems like he's overplaying himself trying to fulfill the contract he got in the off season.

   If the Reds can get hot again like they started the year, and pray to God for no injuries such as Rolen hitting the DL, which is going to hurt at the hot corner, I can see them repeating as NL Central champs realistically. They just need to play like they know they can and stay out of jail. The Central isn't going to be a cake walk, but they definitely have the team to walk away with it. This team should have the expectations of winning the World Series, I mean what does every team play for? Go Reds!