Cincinnati Reds: Under the Radar

The 2012 Cincinnati Reds are the best team in the Major League Baseball, and you probably don’t even know it.  While other big market teams were getting all of the coverage on national media sources like ESPN, the hard-nosed Reds were winning games. Ninety-seven games, to be exact (that’s a .599 win percentage).  Led by experienced manager Dusty Baker, the Reds aren’t as much of an All-Star lineup as the Yankees. They aren’t an annual powerhouse going through a franchise low point, like the Red Sox. They aren’t a young Washington Nationals, or Oakland A’s team that is making its first playoff appearance with its roster. All of these teams have interesting stories behind them, but the Redlegs produce. They finished one game behind the Nats for the best record in baseball, and are poised to make a deep playoff run.

The Reds were one of the best defending teams in the National League this regular season, with a fielding percentage of .985. Perennial Gold Glove contenders, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips, and Joey Votto lead the defensive front accompanied by rookie studs Zack Cozart and Rookie of the Year candidate Todd Frazier. The Redlegs’ defensive swagger was unmatched by any team in the National League.  Brandon Phillips dazzled the masses with numerous appearances on Baseball Tonight’s Web Gems, perhaps making a statement to the MLB with his literal golden glove.  Phillips is the key to the Reds’ success, as he serves as the spark plug for the whole squad.

Some may ask “What’s the difference between this year’s  NL Central champs and the champs of the 2010 season?”  The answer is pitching.  Johnny Cueto led the team with 19 wins and a 2.98 ERA.  Four starting pitchers each threw over 200 innings during the regular season.  Mat Latos was an excellent off-season addition to the rotation, who threw 185 strikeouts in 209 innings during the season.  Bronson Arroyo had a lot of solid outings, as did Homer Bailey and Mike Leake.  Optimism is the theme of the pitching staff, as they ended the season in a strong upward trend. Homer Bailey’s no-hitter against the Pirates revitalized the rotation, and Cincinnati itself.  If you’re an opposing team, don’t feel safe after the starter has left the game.  The reincarnation of the “Nasty Boys”, the Reds’ 1990 World Series bullpen, has made its presence known.  Names like Ondrusek, Arredondo, LeCure, Marshall, and Hoover strike fear into opposing offenses.  In addition to the “Nasty Boys Version 2.0″, the Reds have a secret weapon.  Aroldis Chapman, ‘The Cuban Missile,’ stands 6’4 and delivers fastballs at an average velocity of 97 miles per hour. To accompany the devastating cheddar, Chapman also throws an elusive slider in the upper 80′s. This pitching staff is among the most intimidating in the MLB.

Adaptability.  An often overlooked theme of the 2012 Reds.  Losing their stud, reigning MVP Joey Votto, for almost a quarter of the season was a formidable obstacle; however, the team picked up his slack, playing better without Votto in the lineup. Their 32-16 run without Votto showed excellency.  Todd Frazier stepped in at 1st Base and batted extraordinarily.  An impressive run from July to September made the Reds the best summer team in the MLB, reinforcing the team’s character.

In the National League Division Series, the Reds faced another torment as their Cy Young candidate, Johnny Cueto, suffered back spasms in game 1 against the San Fransisco Giants.  He only pitched for one out in the first inning, which currently stands as the record for shortest playoff start by a pitcher.  The Reds picked him up, though, as Sam LeCure, Mat Latos, Marshall, Broxton, and Chapman gave up only two runs against a productive Giants offense. Cincinnati took the victory, 5-2.  More importantly, the win sent a message to the remaining teams declaring their dominance.  The teams headed back to Cincinnati after a 9-0 rout in San Francisco.  Homer Bailey threw 10 strike outs, but Giants won 2-1 in the 10th inning.  Currently, the Reds lead the series 2-1, with game 4 on the horizon.