Last Game
The Reds won their tenth in a row last night over the Colorado Rockies. They are tied with the Nationals for the best record in baseball, and they are in a 3-game lead in the NLC.

Meanwhile, the Pirates have gone 7-3 in their last 10, which is a pretty darn good run. What an incredible situation where the second-place team can win 70% of its games and lose a game in the standings.

Next Game
Having just swept the Astros and Rockies on the road, tonight the Reds head back home to try their hand against the Padres. The Reds lost 3 in a 4-game series while visiting the Padres just before the All-Star Break, but that was in California and before the win streak fairy had bitten the Reds so thoroughly.

Mike Leake (RHP, 4-6, 4.12 ERA) defends the hill against Edinson Volquez (RHP, 6-7, 3.30 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Farewell to the Poofy-Haired Fancy Boy

A few weeks’ back, in the course of the regular guy talk about the team, Reds’ Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman said that, if the Reds won 10 in a row, he’d shave his trademark hair. Well, lo and behold, here we are with a Last 10 of 10-0 and the just-turned-70-year-old says he’s going to go through with it.

At first, they were saying Homer Bailey would be manning the clippers, but he’s no Ramón Ortiz, so I guess they’ll get a proper barber involved now. He’s supposed to shoot a commercial on Monday, so he’s going to keep the iconic coif until later in the week.

And when the hair does come off (purportedly in the clubhouse on Friday), I’m sure it’ll be all over the t.v. coverage. Already this news has completely stopped the discussion of Jim Bowden saying the Reds are “definitely” trading for Shane Victorino (Braves), Denard Span (Twins), or Juan Pierre (Braves).

Those guys do fit the profile of who the Reds might be looking for in a lead-off hitter, but it’s hard to look at the Reds right now, even having been without Joey Votto, and say this is a team that needs much. Plus, Bowden is not exactly known for his wisdom, or even honesty.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Astros broke their 12-game losing streak last night. The NLC missed having a first place team with a 10-0 record over its last 10 and a last place team with a 0-10 record over its last 10 at the same time by one day.

Last Game
The Reds had yesterday off, giving fans everywhere a chance to catch up on their DVR’d TV. That Chef Ramsay sure is a hardass, isn’t he?

Next Game
Tonight the Reds face the Colorado Rockies. Bronson Arroyo (RHP, 5-6, 3.98 ERA) takes on Drew Pomeranz (LHP, 1-5, 4.98 ERA).

Series Preview
The Reds are on a 7-game winning streak and leading the NLC. We know the pitching is great and that the offense has been finding a new hero every night, but that winning streak also has a lot to do with the teams the Reds have been playing since the All-Star break.

The Rockies are the next in the parade of underperforming opponents. With their 37-60 record, the Rockies are 17.5 games back in the NLW. Arroyo goes tonight, then Johnny Cueto tomorrow, and Mat Latos Sunday. Tonight may be the Rockies’ best chance to strike, though Latos can be touch-and-go sometimes. Plus he rolled his ankle the last time out, which he says is fine now, but these things can creep up on you.

Meanwhile, the NLC’s second place team, the Pirates, has faced the Brewers, the Rockies, the Marlins, the Cubs, and now the Astros, which are also all sub-.500 teams. With just a 2.0 game lead, the Reds really have to keep the wins coming in order to continue to fend off the Buccos. After the Rockies, the Reds host a four-game series with the Padres, and then the Pirates come to town.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
We’re about halfway through the time Joey Votto is expected to be out recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. The Reds have gone 8-2 since he’s been gone.