As the Reds enter the final stretch of the season, they find themselves with their first legitimate shot at reaching the playoffs since 1999. Pitchers Ryan Dempster and Brian Moehler have finally started to show signs of living up to their potential. Ken Griffey Jr. has returned from his second stint on the DL this season in fine form, and Jose Rijo has also come back just in time to bolster an overworked bullpen. Yet there are a few question marks that stand between the Reds and their first crack at post-season play since 1995.

CAN THE STARTING PITCHING HOLD UP?

    This has been the Reds biggest weakness over the past few years, but there are indications that things may finally be turning around. Despite the fact that Ryan Dempster has been rocked quite a few times since joining the team in July, he is still a solid No. 2 pitcher at worst, and he should only get better. Pitching Coach Don Gullett has a proven track record of identifying pitchers problems and successfully helping to correct them. Just look at Elmer Dessens and Jimmy Haynes, both of who have been nothing short of spectacular this year. They are examples (along with guys like Pete Schourek, John Smiley, Pete Harnisch, Jeff Brantley, Mark Wolhers, Jeff Shaw, the list goes on and on) of how Gullett consistently turns around the careers of veterans the Reds have signed cheaply. Provided Moehler can stay healthy, he and Dempster should enjoy similar success. The sooner the better.

    Speaking of success, knuckleballer Jared Fernandez has been a pleasant surprise for the Reds this season. What makes him really special is that he can be a starter and still be able to work out of the bullpen in between starts and be effective. It's like having an extra guy in the bullpen, and with the way Bob Boone goes through pitchers, that is a very good luxury to have. Jose Rijo has looked solid out of the bullpen since returning from the DL, and could provide additional starting pitching depth in case someone gets injured. 

   
CAN JUNIOR STAY HEALTHY?

    With Juan Encarnacion gone to Florida in the Ryan Dempster deal, Junior's health and ability to produce are more crucial than ever. We have already seen what his mere presence in the lineup can do for this team. In just his second game back from the DL, the Pirates fearfully walked Griffey three times, twice intentionally. This allowed Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, the young, budding superstars surrounding Griffey in the lineup, an opportunity to show what they can do. They each smacked three hits; Dunn scored three runs and Kearns drove in four.

    The mere threat of Griffey, even if he isn't at his slugging best, forces many opposing pitchers to work around him and instead pitch to the likes of Aaron Boone, Dunn and Kearns, each of whom though young, are exceptional hitters. And let's not forget the fact that Junior himself can still flat out play. A healthy Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the top 5 players in baseball, hands down. (Neither Barry Bonds nor Sammy Sosa made the All-Century Team. Griffey was the youngest player selected.) Put him on the field with Dunn, Kearns, Boone, Todd Walker, a healthy Sean Casey and a healthy Barry Larkin, and you have one of the most imposing lineups in Major League Baseball. But a healthy Junior is the key; he's got to be able to play.
   
WILL THERE EVEN BE A POSTSEASON?

    There is a lot of talk about a possible players strike at the end of this season. There is even a rumor going around that the MLB Players Union has secretly set a strike date of September 16th if a new "labor" deal is not in place by that time. If that is true, then I have to agree with Reds GM Jim Bowden. Why September 16th? Why not be symbolic and just make it September 11th? That should certainly make everyone aware of the way you guys have been mistreated! Who cares about the people that lost their lives and the families that lost love ones! Forget about the nation's elderly veterans, many of whom are paying so much for their medications that they can't even afford to eat decent food! Like Barry Bonds says, "It's not my fault you don't play baseball."

    Nonetheless, I am going to hold out hope that neither the players nor the owners are really stupid enough to actually stop the game again this year. Then again, they both showed just how much they care about the fans at this year's All-Star Game. So assuming that there is a postseason this year, I think the Reds stand a chance of being there, but a lot of different things are going to have to fall into place fast for the dream to become reality. GO REDS!!!

 

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