Hi!
I took a week off, and it was glorious. I drank beer. I sat by a pool. I grilled. I changed diapers. I did not blog.
Here's what happened since the beginning of last week, while I was away.
*The Reds got quality starting pitching in one game. That won that one game. That's no coincidence. The work of a pretty good starting eight and a quality bullpen continues to be un-done by lousy starting pitching.
That's fine.
What's not fine is that this season is not revealing any long-term answers about the starting staff, and who it will be composed of. Robert Stephenson is being stretched out in Louisville. Cody Reed is there too. Brandon Finnegan - father along in his development - has pitched ten innings. Anthony DeSclafani has pitched in none. There's a thought out there that the way the everyday players and relievers have stepped up this season suggests that maybe/perhaps/we hope the Reds can target 2018 as something more than just another year in the rebuild.
It could be, if I had some idea about what kind of starting pitching the Reds will have.
*The NBA Finals started. And they might already be over. We knew the Cavaliers are not a good defensive team. We know the Warriors are one of the most explosive offensive teams we've ever seen.
Bad combo.
The Cavs can't get stops, and they can't outscore Golden State, at least not enough to beat the Warriors four times in five games. Compacting the problem is the fact that Cleveland can't play at Golden State's pace, but they're not going to be at their best when they're grinding down the shot clock either.
Recent history would suggest that the series is not over, of course. The Cavs trailed 2-0 after two decisive Golden State wins a year ago, but to mount a similar comeback, Cleveland will need the Dubs to comply in their demise the way they did a year ago. Armed with a healthy and fresh Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, I don't know how that happens.
*FC Cincinnati set a date with the Columbus Crew. Gonna be a hell of a sporting event of June 14th. (And again, for an international friendly on July 24th) It's a prime chance for FCC to advance the MLS conversation, and make an on-field case that they belong in the country's top soccer league.
*Brandon Phillips complained that the Reds gave Scooter Gennett his number. Caring about this is like caring about what your ex-wife thinks about your new girlfriend.
*Tiger Woods got a DUI.
*Zack Cozart continued to make a push to be an All-Star. I'd love for Zack to represent the Reds on the NL All-Star squad. I'd also love it if Major League Baseball didn't turn All-Star voting into such a sham that I barely care who makes the team.
*Albert Pujols hit his 600th home run. There's a decent enough chance that you didn't know that. I watched a Giants/Nationals game last week on ESPN. The broadcast was devoted almost entirely to Willie Mays, who last played in 1973. It'd be good for the sport if, you know, more time was spent talking about the guys that are playing - and accomplishing - things now.
*Devin Mesoraco hit a walk-off home run. The best on-field moment of the season was when Billy Hamilton scored from first base in the ninth inning against the Indians. The best feel-good moment was when Bronson Arroyo made his first start since 2014. Devin's walk-off blast on Friday ranks second on both lists.
*I took my kid to lunch. And to a bar.
It's nice to be back. The radio show returns on Thursday, which will begin a nice five-week midummer stretch of doing what I love.