Let’s recap today’s titanic struggle….
FINAL
Pittsburgh 4
Cincinnati 2
W: B. Cumpton (2-1)
L: G. Reynolds (1-3)
S: K. Farnsworth (2)
BOX SCORE
POSITIVES
–One Red had two hits, and of course that was Cesar Izturis, who went 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Corky Miller knocked in both Cincinnati run with a double.
NEGATIVES
–Let’s just skip this part, shall we? It doesn’t matter.
NOT-SO-RANDOM THOUGHTS
–Cincinnati came into this series with something on the line: an opportunity to host a postseason game. Well, the Pirates came into Great American Ballpark and swept the Reds. I can scarcely imagine a more lifeless performance by our guys.
This team lost their first game, lost their last one, and won 90 in between. Unfortunately, the Reds stumbled badly to the finish line, losing their last five games (which matches their season high). Entering the final week of the season, Cincinnati still had a shot at winning the NL Central division, but instead finished seven games behind St. Louis.
None of that is of any consequence now. Cincinnati’s record is 0-0. A whole new season is starting, and the Reds have a chance to hit the reset button and start over. With that comes a chance to write an entirely different narrative for this season that has been successful, yet disappointing in so many respects.
How we remember this season largely comes down to what happens in that game on Tuesday night. If the Reds can pull off a victory, they will go on to play the Cardinals in the National League Division Series. That will be an opportunity to exorcise some demons, and no one will be able to convince me that the Reds don’t have a chance in such a series.
Please feel free to have a little hope. Just don’t bet the ranch on these guys.
This team can do it. Will they? Tune in on Tuesday to find out. It all comes down to that.