Write It Down: The Reds Have a Chance, If They’re Convinced They Have a Chance

Don’t have time for the usual today due to out-of-town travel, so here’s a total change of pace.

The Reds can win the NL Central.

Note that I did NOT say they will.

Here’s where it stands now:

Here are my points:

• Last year’s winner, the Cardinals, only won 83 games.
• I don’t think any team now ahead of the Reds will win 83. Heck, they may not even win 81.
• That includes my beloved Cubs, who don’t seem hungry.
• Milwaukee? They’ll be below .500 at the end.
• The Cards? Maybe, but they’ve been inconsistent all year.

So the Reds need to go a tough but doable 26-9 to finish 83-79 (they’ve won 7 of their last 10). I believe that this can be done, if:

• The starters, who appear to have come around, stay there.
• The bullpen doesn’t regress to its early-year form.
• The position hitters stay hot and/or timely.
• They believe they can (Paging Tug “You Gotta Believe!” McGraw). All else is out the window if they think it’s over. It’s NOT over.

See you on October 1 or so with the results. Then we can discuss how a team with three surprisingly strong starters, in a short series, where anything can happen…..

____________________________________

UPDATE: Friday night (8/25) — Reds win. Sunday (8/27) — Reds Sweep, now 6-1/2 out. The Brewers are already back to .500 after getting swept.