The series in Chicago was the worst. The absolute worst. Riding high, 1st place, hope and excitement as the trade deadline rolled around, and then the floor completely caved in.
How well the Cincinnati Reds finish this surprise of a season will come down to two intertwined concepts: 1) how quickly they can flush those awful memories, and 2) how well they can hold on for dear life until what pitching they do have gets healthy at the end of the month. Fortunately, the latter at least comes with a built-in pillow in that 11 of the team’s next 14 games come at home in Great American Ball Park.