The Reds are 48-36 on the season which has them in first place in the N.L. Central, 2 games ahead of the Cardinals. The Reds really only have one weakness and they need to fix it this month. They will likely be on the hunt for righty relief pitchers. Jason Frasor, Kyle Farnsworth, Kerry Wood, Brad Ziegler, Michael Wuertz, David Aardsma, Brian Sanches, Carlos Villanueva, Brandon Lyon, Octavio Dotel, D.J. Carrasco and Chad Qualls. The Reds will have a good chance to hold off the Cardinals if they can get their hands on two of the pitchers named above.

The Reds have placed 32-year old righty starting pitcher Aaron Harang on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms. Harang has started 17 games for the Reds this year and he is 6-7 with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Reds have called up 26-year old lefty starter Matt Maloney to start tonight’s game and replace Harang in the rotation. Maloney has started 15 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 6-5 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. I look for Maloney to do a solid job for the Reds.