There is a losing smell going on in the Reds baseball camp and it stinks. There is so much dirty laundry that there is no room left in the laundry basket. And we are not just talking about Ryan Freel's dirty uniform. We are talking about a team that has got to get things together soon in order to contend. So the laundry has to be sorted out and ready for a cleansing.
It is hard to be a Reds fan right now. We came into the season expecting more. On paper we see a much better team. But thats just it, the team has not played at or near it's ability. We see that some of the offensive problems are becoming a little less stained, but the bleach has not come in full effect yet. The offense has to click together and help one another out. One key to that is starting Freel as much as possible, as he has been a guy creating runs in the leadoff position like it is something he must do. He is the key to a great start for a ballgame as evidenced by his last few starts. Then you have to have the rest come in and work with what they have. Junior finally got his home run, so can he put that behind him for a little while and get some more big hits? He has been pretty good the last four games and that is what we need from him. The entire offense including Aurilia is hitting. But is not hitting with runners in scoring position. Which makes it almost pointless unless you are worried about stats. Which is great, But winning games and scoring runs should take precedence.
Casey and Wilson have to get this team together and have a team meeting (sort out the laundry). Neither of them can point fingers, but just create a spark. Then bust out the detergent and make everything so fresh and so clean clean. Step away from the past and get it going. Throw strikes and hit the ball. Play strong defense and don't just worry about the home run. Concentrate on tomorrow's game and don't worry about the NBA playoffs tonight. Study your opposing pitcher and your opposing lineup. Get all the laundry together and clean it.
I want to see this team show up at the laundromat and start it off on a clean slate. I am not worried about tomorrow's game because these guys should be frustrated enough to know that something has to happen before the division gets too far ahead. The season is not over yet, but it is looking tougher and tougher to be able to catch up. Come on Reds come out tomorrow a better team, so we can say the redsrbetter once again!