In a week, the Reds have gone from four-and-a-half games out of first to one-and-a-half games. Sure, Edwin “Player of the Week” Encarnación had something to do with that, but the collapse of the once might Cardinals ain't hurt. In their last series, the Reds took two-of-three from the Phillies, who are battling for the wild card. At the same time, the Cards were being swept. By the Pirates.

So this is what it felt like for Bellyscratcher to try to talk trash about the Reds last season. It's less “smack talk” and more “current events.”

Marc says:

An MRI and further examination by Doc Kremchek today revealed that Mercker had completely torn his ulnar collateral ligament and suffered an 80-percent tear in his flexor tendon. Mercker will undergo reconstructive surgery Thursday, but that's more for golf purposes than baseball. His career is done.

Though he's 38-years old, Mercker's a lefty, so he potentially could have had another five years ahead of him.

I have a particular affinity for Mercker, at least partially because Joel once told me I was the Mercker of Reds bloggers. I think the clubhouse will be that much less amusing for him not being around.

Get well soon, Kent. If you're ever looking for an online forum for that notorious sense of humor and don't mind a slightly effeminate name in the title bar, I might just be able to help you out.

According to Amanda Branam of Reds.com in the story Encarnacion named NL's best of week:

Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion was named the NL Player of the Week for Aug. 7-13 on Monday….Encarnacion led the National League last week with 24 total bases and a .960 slugging percentage, including four home runs.

Which begs the question: there's a woman named Amanda who writes for MLB.com?

And it's not ME??

What the heck is that all about? Oh, sure, you might say, “But Amanda, you didn't apply for any jobs at Reds.com,” or “But Amanda, you live over two hours from Cincinnati,” or “But Amanda, you already have a successful career as a writer, stop being greedy” or “But Amanda, if you wrote for Reds.com, they'd make you stop using the word 'crapitude' all the time to describe the bullpen's performance.”

And sure, you'd have a good point. But this is my blog, not Reds.com, so I retain the right to be in a huff. And not in the good way. Aubrey is nowhere around.

*sniff*

Oh yeah: congrats EdE. You deserved it.

This week on the podcast, the Crack Technical Staff and I discuss the Reds over fried mozzerella at Dookz Sports Grille in Indianapolis. Dookz was great: they had no problem finding the Reds' game for us, the seating was rolling office chairs, and our server looked sort of like David Spade. What more could you ask for?

Episode 20: Live from Dookz (11.7 MB, 17:09)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

After several consecutive poor performances, the Reds have optioned Elizardo Ramirez back to AAA Louisville and recalled reliever Brian Shackelford.

It's a shame: the Lizard was SO good for a while there. But he's just a 23. He's still got time to rediscover his awesomeness.

Kyle Lohse performed well his last outing and is pencilled in to start on Thursday. But if he's our fifth starter, who's going to be our fourth starter? Chris Michalak, Ryan Franklin, and Matt Belisle seem like reasonable possibilities.