Prediction Time: The Reds in Three Weeks

The season is nearly half over and here are the Reds right at the .500 mark. The team has surprised several people by their endurance. The have dealt with injuries to 5 of their starting fielders (including Taveras' Hamstring), as well as one of their starting pitchers. The Reds 40-40 record would not have been nearly as big of a surprise if the Reds hadn't dealt with so many injuries. The All-Star break is nearly upon us. The Reds will play a 7 games against the Phillies and Mets and then take some time to watch MLB's best square off. Encarnacion is back, Gonzalez is rehabing, and Volquez has started throwing again. I'm not going to venture to say where I think the Reds will be in an additional 80 games, but lets see where they might be right after the Trade Deadline July, 31st.

On July 31st the Reds will finish the month off by beating the Colorado Rockies. That however will only be their 9th win in the past 22 games. The Reds have battled in nearly all the games they have played in this year (not counting the games where Arroyo leaves his A game in the locker room). However they are entering a minefield stretch of their schedule that threatens to break this young teams hopes. They will face such adversity from contenders like the Phillies and the Mets, and have to endure a West Coast swing to play the seemingly unstoppable Dodgers. During that same stretch of games they will also have to battle against division rivals Brewers and Cubs. Its just hard for me to see them pulling out any more than 9 out of the next 22. So if the Reds make it to July 31st and have a record of 49-53 will there be any hope of recovery. Will Jockety have made any moves? Let me know your thoughts...