Playoff Push Begins For The Cincinnati Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds have 53 games left of the regular season and have a lot of ground to make up if they want to win their 3rd division title in four years.

As of right now on August 2nd they trail the first place Pittsburgh Pirates by 5.5 games with all the struggles the team had to endure in the month of July it’s crazy they are still right in this race. If they want to make some ground it starts this weekend as they begin a huge three game weekend series against their rival St Louis Cardinals  who they trail by  4.5 games for second place.

Its very pivotal that they at least take 2 out of 3 in the series but a sweep would definitely be what the doctor order. In the month of July the Reds as a team were 14-13 had some great highlights including the obvious Homer Bailey no hitter on the 2nd day. They had low lights in this month after beginning the annually west coast 11 game road trip at 4-1 lost the next five games before winning the final game of the trip against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

Pitching was absolutely great all of the starters had ERA’S  under three expect for Mat Latos his was at 4.71 but finished the the month will two great outings. The hitting was up and down basically inconsistent as it been for the whole season so far we won’t even dive into that.

The Reds only played nine home games in the month  with 53 games remaining 31 will be at Great American Ball Park with all the road games being at the eastern time zones expect for trips to Colorado and Seattle.

Also, there be getting key pieces back left fielder Ryan Ludwick is rehabbing right now and will

Jul 29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Derrick Robinson (15) is congratulated by first baseman Joey Votto (19) after scoring during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. . Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

probably see him back on the team next week. Relievers Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton should return soon especially Broxton he’s on a rehab assignment, Marshall had a setback so we don’t when he’s gonna return. The ace Johnny Cueto whose been on the DL three times this season hasn’t begin throwing the baseball been doing strength work probably gonna be awhile until he’s back got to be 100% healthy.

With 10 more games remaining with the Cardinals and 6 with the Pirates, Reds must decide do you want to win the division and rest up or play in a one game playoff and run your number one starter whoever that is to knowing  your season is on the line? Time to start to making that push and it all begins tonight against the Cardinals in GABP it will Bronson Arroyo and Shelby Miller for the Cards. First pitch is at 7:10pm.