Back to Business: Reds looking for first playoff appearance since 1995

It may be hard to believe, but if the MLB playoffs began today the Cincinnati Reds would be in the playoffs because they currently lead the NL Wild Card (technically, they’re tied with Milwaukee but we’ll assume they’d beat them in a one game playoff).

The five-time World Series winners are looking for their first appearance in the postseason since 1995 when they won the NL Central and were swept by the eventual champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.  With familiar faces such as Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. no longer in Cincinnati, it is hard to imagine that this team would even be considered to contend for the NL Central crown.  However, Dusty Baker’s team seems to have the pieces in place to make a run once September comes around.

Cubs retire #31 for Jenkins, Maddux

This past Sunday, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Florida Marlins 6-4 to take three of four games during their weekend series at Wrigley Field. Derrek Lee, who has been struggling from the plate this season, hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 5th inning to break a 2-2 tie. The bomb to deep center field made the crowd of over 40,000 fans erupt, but so did another event prior to the game.

For the sixth time in the 133 year history of the Chicago Cubs, they retired a jersey number. Past Cubs who had their number retired are Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, and Ernie Banks, just to name a few. Normally, a jersey number is retired to celebrate the career and achievements of one specific individual. However, on this sunny Sunday afternoon at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field two individuals were honored with this prestigious award.

NL Central After One Week

St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) 1st place
The Cardinals have looked solid in their first week. They are currently on a four-game win streak, which includes outscoring the Astros 19-5 this past weekend in a three-game series. Albert Pujols continues to show us why he is the best hitter in the game. The defending National League MVP hit three home runs and drove in nine this past week. However, second baseman Joe Thurston has stepped up as well, hitting .500 with three multi-hit games to start the season. Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse has looked impressive as well, only allowing two earned runs in 16 innings pitched. The only dark part to the Cardinals week was a blown save by Jason Motte when the Cardinals were one strike away from winning on opening day at home against the Pirates. Other than that, the Cardinals have had a great opening week.

2009 National League Central Division Preview

March 29, 2009
By: Vince Coughlin

Last season the Cubs and Brewers battled down the stretch for the NL Central division crown. In the end, the Cubs won the division by 7 ½ games. In 2009, the NL Central looks to be more than a two team race, but the Cubbies are still the heavy favorites. The Cubs have won back-to-back division titles and now look to tie a franchise record by appearing in the postseason for the third consecutive season. The Cardinals and Astros are looking to end their two-year playoff draughts. The Brewers are hoping new manager Ken Macha can keep them in the NL Central race. The Reds and Pirates are looking to get over the .500 mark after being the only two teams to have more losses than wins in the division last season.

Chicago Cubs
2008 record: 97-64 (1st place)
NLDS: Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0