However, there are some issues there. Number one is that the team wants to limit Leake's innings - and rightfully so. The 22-year-old rookie will be given extra rest between starts on occasion and some of his starts will be flat-out skipped. However, since the Reds need him for the pennant race, I don't think they will completely shut him down. They will just find creative ways to space out his starts and limit his innings.

And the same will be true with Wood to a certain extent. The Reds certainly don't want to take any great risks with either Leake or Wood. However, Wood did throw 167.2 innings last year when he was named the Reds' minor league pitcher of the year. Therefore, the Reds might give Wood more leeway than Leake.

And by the way, it was good to see the 23-year-old Wood pick up his first career win on Wednesday afternoon as the Reds topped the Brewers 10-2 to move 11 games over .500 (57-46) and remain in first place in the National League Central division. He sure deserved to win earlier, but he'll take it, even if it meant waiting until his sixth career start. Wood is here to stay and you have to love what he brings to the mound for the Redlegs. The abundance of young pitching in the organization is staggering.

OK, so let's say I get my way and the rotation for the stretch run consists of Arroyo (lock), Cueto (ditto), Leake, Volquez and Wood. Where does that leave Aaron Harang and Homer Bailey who are relatively close to returning from injuries (Bailey is beginning his rehab assignment later this week)?

The cynic in me says, "Who cares?" but there will be a place for both of them on the team the rest of the season. And notice I said team and not necessarily the rotation. I do expect both Harang and Bailey to get spot starts since the team wants to limit the innings for Leake and Wood as mentioned above, but one or both of them will have to do most of their damage in the bullpen. Harang is a shell of his former self and he might be nothing more than a long-reliever/spot starter down the stretch. Harang's predicament depends on just how much the Reds decide to protect Leake/Wood, whether the rest of the pitchers in the rotation stay healthy, and how Volquez looks his next few starts.

Volquez's first start back from injury seemed too good to be true. He was lights-out good and looked even better than he did in 2008 when he won 17 games. However, he was shaky-at-best in his next two starts and the jury is still very much out on whether he will be reliable down the stretch. I happen to think his arm looks great and he will get the kinks ironed out, but it's definitely no sure thing. So, if Volquez struggles, that opens a spot for Harang or Bailey right there.

As for Aroldis Chapman, his transition to being a reliever (just for the rest of this season) continues to go well at Triple-A Louisville and he could be called up at any time. The Reds are going to add a 22-year-old rookie lefty to their pen who throws 103 MPH? And that in addition to a 40-year-old lefty (Arthur Rhodes) who has been one of the best relief pitchers in Major League Baseball this year? Yeah, suddenly the Reds could even have a good bullpen without even making the trade that we're all waiting for.

And props go out to 25-year-old rookie reliever Logan Ondrusek (are you sensing a theme here with all the rookie pitchers?) who has been phenomenal since being re-called to the team on June 2. Ondrusek made the team out of spring training, but didn't fare well in his nine appearances in April and was sent down to Louisville. Since then, he's turned into a gem and has solidified the Reds' bullpen. In 23 innings since his recall, he has given up just two runs. Two runs in 23 innings of relief. Now that's getting it done.

Overall for the season, the 6-foot-8, former 13th-round draft pick is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.1 WHIP. Very impressive. I still think the Reds need to trade for one bullpen arm (and perhaps an outfielder) and I bet GM Walt Jocketty will pull some type of rabbit out of his hat before the July 31 trading deadline. And don't forget teams can still make trades after July 31 if a player clears waivers.

This gives the Bengals three high-profile, outspoken receivers in Owens, Antonio Bryant and Chad Ochocinco. Owens, 36, is nearing the end of his career and has a history of dividing locker rooms. However, his friend Ochocinco and even quarterback Carson Palmer lobbied for the move and it finally happened on Tuesday.

Many will wonder how Palmer will be able to keep all three of his "diva-like" receivers happy. However, that's presuming all of them will stay healthy, which is far from a sure thing when you're talking about three wideouts near or over the age of 30 (Ochocinco is 32 and Bryant is 29). Also, there has been talk that Bryant's knee might be an issue - the same one he injured last year - and Owens provides excellent insurance at worst.

As for what he will get paid, terms of the contract have not been released, but you can bet it won't be a dime more than the $5 million he got paid in Buffalo last year. I bet he got a deal for $4 million with incentives included (for things like games played, receptions, yards and touchdowns).

Training camp starts on Thursday, but from my perspective, I'll remember the Bengals' 2010 season actually beginning on Tuesday, July 27. It's the day they made a bold move and proved they are in it to win it this season. Will everything work out well for the team? Who knows. But kudos to the front office (which I and many others always rip) for being aggressive and showing to their fans that they are set on winning this season.

UPDATE (7:15 p.m.): ESPN is reporting that the deal is worth $2 million with another $2 million available in incentives. That is one hell of a steal for the Bengals. So, they have minimal risk (I'm presuming the first $2 million is guaranteed) and even if Owens completely tears it up this season -- which I know is a long-shot at his age and with other weapons for Palmer to use -- the team will only be out of a total of $4 million.

ProFootballTalk.com reports, via Jay Glaser of FOX, that the St. Louis Rams are no longer a candidate to land Owens and that the Bengals are the only team "aggressively pursuing" him.

Something still tells me Mike Brown is trying to low-ball T.O., which likely won't work considering he has Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, but if the Bengals are really his only legit option, maybe it will happen. In addition, the Bengals give him a chance to win and an opportunity to play with his friend Chad Ochocinco.

No, Ochocinco, T.O., and Antonio Bryant wouldn't exactly be the NFL's version of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh, but they would form one hell of a WR corps. And maybe they would have to re-name the team the Cincinnati Divas. But if that means a Super Bowl, they can put Aretha Franklin on the helmets for all I care.

As it stands, it sure appears as though the Bengals are the clear front-runners to land Owens. However, with Cincinnati's front office, I won't throw any celebrations until Owens' contract is signed, sealed and delivered.

I'll admit it. I had pretty much written off Reds' 2007 first-round draft pick Devin Mesoraco as a bust. The catcher struggled through his first three professional seasons offensively and wasn't known as a great defensive player either.

However, something has happened to the 22-year-old and that sure makes all Reds fans happy.

Combined at high-A Lynchburg and AA Carolina this year (where he currently resides) Mesoraco is batting .316 with 20 home runs, 53 RBIs and an OPS of .997. I'm just blown away by those numbers, especially considering the fact he came into the season as a .230 career hitter in the minors who never had more than nine homers in a season.

But the Pennsylvania native has sure blossomed this year and it absolutely looks like he will be Ryan Hanigan's backup with the Reds no later than the 2012 season and perhaps as early as next season, depending on what the team decides to do with Ramon Hernandez. I tend to think they'll go with Hanigan as the "everyday" starter in 2011 (no, there is really no such thing as an "everyday" starter when you're wearing the tools of ignorance) and Mesoraco as the backup if he continues to rake for the rest of this season. He's putting up staggering numbers and he's going to end up being the Reds' minor league player of the year.

Adding to the intrigue here is that the Reds used their first-round draft pick this year on University of Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal. One thing is certain: For the first time in several years, the Reds have an abundance of young talent at the catching position. (This is presuming Grandal signs, which I'm sure he will.)

And I consider Hanigan young even though he's 29. I think he has several years left and is just reaching his prime. He was basically a backup in college (Rollins College in Florida) because the starting catcher was the coach's son or something to that effect, but Hanigan has worked his way up the ladder and has turned into a nice weapon for the Reds. He's good offensively and I especially like his defense, the way he calls a game and the manner in which he handles the pitching staff in general.

Therefore, with Hanigan, Mesoraco and the 22-year-old Grandal, the Reds appear to be set at the position for perhaps the next decade.

I also find it interesting that the Reds continue to tap into the Cuban market like a cigar aficionado. Grandal was born in Cuba and so was 2008 first-round pick/first baseman Yonder Alonso (who also hails from the U. of Miami). Then there's Aroldis Chapman who is Cuban all the way and will soon be up with the big club as a reliever. That will be a sight to see. He seems to have settled nicely into the role at Triple-A Louisville and I can't wait to see him make his debut with the Reds.

Oh yeah, and there was the whole Tony Perez thing - certainly the most-notable Cuban to ever play for the Reds.

And no, Fidel Castro does not count. Just because he tried out for a Reds minor league team and got cut (the Reds used to have a minor league team located in Havana, Cuba, ... look it up) doesn't mean he counts as a former Red.

According to multiple reports on Sunday, the St. Louis Rams have emerged as the possible front-runners to land the diva-like receiver known as "T.O."

The Rams need a No. 1 target for rookie quarterback (and No. 1 overall pick) Sam Bradford and they are probably willing to pay Owens more than he could get from the Bengals. Cincinnati already has a lot of money invested in Antonio Bryant and Chad Ochocinco, and the team is not going to give Owens a dime more than $4 million or so. (He made $5 million in his lone season with the Bills last year.)

Owens (and especially agent Drew Rosenhaus) doesn't strike me as an "I'll take less to play there because I have a much-better chance of winning" kind of guy. Therefore, if the Rams are willing to give him a million or two more than the Bengals, you can bet he will sign with St. Louis. There is the outside chance that Owens' friendship with Ochocinco - and the fact that Owens has worked out with Carson Palmer this offseason - will factor into the equation. And maybe I'm not giving T.O.'s desire to win enough credit. With his career winding down, maybe he wants to play on a team that has a good chance of making it to the playoffs. The Rams aren't going anywhere this year as even Rams fans would probably admit.

So, it will be interesting to see how this turns out. But it quickly went from the Bengals being the only team legitimately interested in Owens, to what appears to be a two-animal race between the Rams and Bengals.

My take? He'll probably end up with the Rams. Mike Brown has made some improvement on how he does business, but he's still a penny-pincher at heart. The Bengals no question would like to have Owens on the team, but I bet Brown and Co. are low-balling T.O. to the point that it will drive him to sign with a non-contender like the Rams who are willing to pay him a little more cash.

And it's not like WR is a big need for the Bengals. It would be nice to have T.O., but presuming Bryant's knee is OK, the Bengals have plenty of weapons for Palmer to work with.

Ochocinco is back to being a football player after transforming into a woman during the offseason. The only thing that was missing was a trip to Pier 1 Imports and then a quick jaunt over to Bed, Bath and Beyond.

So, hopefully Ochocinco knows he went out like a punk at the end of the 2009 season when Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis absolutely dominated him. (Yes, Revis dominates a lot of players, but Chad is supposed to be one of the elite WRs in the NFL and he couldn't get a damn thing done against him.) Chad doesn't like it when DBs get physical with him. He can still make spectacular catches that no one else in the league can make - and he can still beat teams deep on occasion although he's probably lost half a step - but he's 32 and it's reasonable to assume that his numbers will steadily go down the next few years.

However, he's still a big threat out there and having Bryant (instead of Laveraneus Coles) as his No. 2 will really help take the pressure off. If Bryant stays healthy, Bengal fans will love him. He's tough, has good speed and usually has reliable hands. Health is the only question with him, but he thinks his knee will be fine and plans on fully participating in all drills when training camp opens on Thursday.

Then the Bengals have a host of players that provide quality depth at the position. They include Andre Caldwell, third-round pick Jordan Shipley, Matt Jones, sixth-round pick Dezmon Briscoe and punt-returner extraordinaire Quan Cosby. Shipley is going to make the team (you don't cut a rookie third-round pick) and so will Cosby. And no, it's not because Brown is a big Texas Longhorn fan, it's because Cosby is the best punt returner the Bengals have had since Mike Martin in the 80's and even the Bengals' front office wouldn't be dense enough to release Cosby after what he showed as a punt returner as a rookie. I know Pacman Jones is also getting reps at punt returner, but that's Cosby's job, period, from my point of view.

So, that gives the Bengals four wideouts that are going to make the team for sure: Ochocinco, Bryant, Shipley and Cosby. That leaves room for two more.

If T.O. doesn't sign with the Bengals, you have to think Caldwell will make the team. I'm not a big fan of his game, but he's received a lot of PT his first two seasons of pro ball and his experience will help him avoid getting pink-slipped.

Then it's a toss-up for the final spot between Jones and Briscoe. I don't think 2008 second-round pick Jerome Simpson will make the team. The only reason he wasn't cut last year is because the Bengals weren't ready to admit they made a horrible decision in reaching for Simpson. But now that more than two years has passed since that draft, they will finally cut-bait.

As you can see, T.O. is not a huge need for the Bengals and that's why I don't think the team will be willing to pay what it takes to sign him. (Which won't even be all that much for a talented player like Owens.) I sure hope I'm wrong though because Owens would really give Palmer an embarrassment of riches. And the Bengals better do something while Palmer is still in his prime or they are going to look back 5-10 years from now and wonder why they didn't surround him with more weapons.

So, stay tuned, but I would guess Owens will sign with the Rams.

However, if you're a Bengals fan, you might want to get ready for it. And put me in the camp that hopes it happens.

Owens was completely embarrassed like never before when he was dumped by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2008 season. If T.O. could keep his nose clean during the disaster that was the Buffalo Bills' season last year, I'm thinking he would be fine with sharing the ball with Bryant and Ochocinco presuming the team is putting up W's.

Owens doesn't have any other options in the NFL that we know of, he has the chance to play for a winner in Cincinnati and he's friends with Chad. Owens is known as highly selfish, so maybe it's crazy to say he'd be willing to be perhaps the third-best WR option on this team (and would certainly be no better than the third highest-paid WR on the squad). However, again, he doesn't have any other options, his career is almost over and the Bengals would give him a chance to win.

Here is the latest on the story from ProFootballTalk.com. Ochocinco seems to think it's a done deal that Owens will be a Bengal. Even quarterback Carson Palmer is behind the move, which is more than enough for me.

There is a good chance this will be my shortest blog entry ever.

I generally like Dusty Baker. He's not a great manager, but he's not a bad one either. A lot of people (myself included) will make fun of the term "players manager" (or "players coach") but that's exactly what Dusty is. His guys respect him for the way he treats them and because he played in the Big Leagues for a long time himself.

However, the one downfall that I continue to see with Baker is his construction of lineups. When you are in a playoff race that could very well be decided by a game or two - whether we're talking about the NL Central or the wildcard - you cannot afford to give your best hitter (Joey Votto) a day off against a right-handed pitcher (Livan Hernandez) when Scott Rolen is already out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. Every game is crucial now and Votto should have been in the lineup on Thursday. He's a young guy and he'll get plenty of time to rest after the season. The Reds don't find themselves in the playoff hunt very often these days and they can't afford to put "JV" lineups out there, even on getaway days.

And I say this only half-jokingly: In a fantasy world, Dusty Baker could be the manager of a team that had both Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. And if there was a game on a Thursday or Sunday, there is a good chance one of them would be given the day off.

He's more than lived up to the hype and Reds fans will get to see him up close tonight.

Washington Nationals rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg will make his ninth career start at Great American BallPark this evening as Cincinnati looks for its third straight win (and perhaps a return to first place if the Cardinals lose tonight).

Strasburg, 22, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 draft and he's one of the few athletes that has been able to exceeded the lofty expectations that were placed on him before he ever threw a pitch in professional baseball. Thus far, he is 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. In 48.2 innings, he has 68 strikeouts, while giving up just 36 hits and 14 walks. Evander Holyfield refers to him as the real deal.

Strasburg has a fastball that tops 100 MPH and he will face Bronson Arroyo who has a heater that reaches about 89 on a good day. However, the rubber-armed Arroyo has been rock solid for the Reds all season. Fans are used to seeing him make every start and eat up innings (over 200 every year), but he's also on his way to a career year at his current pace. Arroyo is 10-4 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. So far, his career year was his first season with the Reds in 2006 when he was 14-11 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Obviously, his record should have been better that year, but he didn't get the run support. Arroyo certainly won't approach an ERA in the low 3's this year, but if he can win 17 games and keep his ERA under 4, we're going to look back on this as his career year most likely.

But all eyes will be on Strasburg tonight as the best offense in the National League tries to do some damage against the cannon-armed righty.

The Reds desperately need Scott Rolen back - not just for his offense, but most-importantly for his defense - but it doesn't sound like he'll be ready for this one.

But hey, at least Edinson Volquez is back and looks as good or better than ever. I'm shocked by this. I didn't think we'd see the "real" Volquez until the 2011 season.

Joining Votto in Reds uniforms will be the three original members of the team: second baseman Brandon Phillips, third baseman Scott Rolen and relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. All of them are very deserving and it's great to see it all work out like it should. Phillips and the 40-year-old (non-virgin) Rhodes are making their first All-Star Game appearances and you have to especially feel good for the latter. He has been a godsend in the Reds' bullpen as the setup man.

As for Votto, honestly, I didn't have a big problem with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel taking "his guy" in Ryan Howard. Since Albert Pujols was voted in by the fans as a starter, that meant it came down to Votto vs. Adrian Gonzalez for the final first base spot on the original roster. Votto is clearly having a better season than Gonzalez, but Gonzalez's career has been better up to this point. So, it wasn't shocking to see Gonzalez get the benefit of the doubt from Manuel. In future seasons, it will be Votto who will likely get the "star treatment" from NL managers. It's just that, outside of Cincinnati, Votto wasn't a household name until this season. He was for diehard baseball fans (or anyone who plays fantasy baseball) but he wasn't on that "star" level like Pujols and Howard are.

However, all that has changed and the Reds simply have one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball. He's a treat to watch and the Reds have him locked up through at least the 2013 season (he will be eligible for arbitration each season beginning this winter). Some fans have wondered if the Reds will try and sign Votto to a long-term contract this offseason and "buy out" his first couple years of free agency. It's certainly a possibility and it will be interesting to see if the team pursues that idea this winter. However, it will be very costly given the type of season Votto is having and knowing what the going rate is for top first basemen. Right, Ryan Howard?

Anyway, kudos to all the Reds fans who took time to "vote Votto" and make sure the man who is arguably the first-half MVP in the NL got the credit he deserved. Reds Country really bonded together and were relentless in securing the vote for Votto. And I think people around the country (the few left with integrity who actually vote for the person who most deserves it) also helped the cause by voting for Votto.

For instance, on Colin Cowherd's show early last week on ESPN Radio, there was a caller from California vehemently defending Votto. Cowherd asked why this guy was such a big Reds fan if he lived in Cali. The guy said, "I'm actually not a big Reds fan, just a Joey Votto fan. He's one of the best players in baseball."

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. And when you think about it, not originally making the team could have been the best thing to ever happen to Votto. Seriously. He ended up making the team anyway, and got a bunch of "free pub" in the meantime as loudmouths like Cowherd talked about his predicament all week.

Reds stay three games up on Cardinals for first place: Even with Thursday night's tough 4-3 loss at Philadelphia in 12 innings, the Reds remain a full three games up on the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central division. It's a bit amazing given all the Reds have been through over the "lost decade" that they will definitely enter the All-Star break in first place. And by the way, I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Colorado Rockies for that nice three-game sweep over the Cardinals. Thanks, Rockies. Almost makes me forgive you for stealing the Reds' initials when you should have just gone by the name of "Denver Rockies." All the other major sports teams in that city go by "Denver." But I digress...

Just getting in the playoffs would make 2010 a tremendously-successful season in the eyes of Reds fans. It wouldn't even matter if the Reds got swept in the first round. Just making the postseason for the first time since 1995 (although the '99 Reds who won 96 games and lost a one-game playoff to the Mets will always have a soft spot in our hearts) would quench the thirst of this fanbase. Especially when you consider how bright the future looks with all of the quality young players in the system.

Lee deal in the works? Talks between the Reds and the Seattle Mariners about a possible Cliff Lee trade have commenced according to numerous reports. The M's apparently want the farm for Lee, but I don't see any team being willing to give up all that much more than the Phillies gave to the Indians for Lee last year before the deadline.

Therefore, if the Reds are willing to put a package together of Triple-A first baseman Yonder Alonso, Double-A catcher Devin Mesoraco (both former first-round picks) and one more prospect who isn't quite as good as the other two, the Reds might be in business. I just don't see another team being willing to give up more than that for Lee. So, don't be surprised to see the Reds make a huge splash and land the best pitcher by far on the trade market. I would still bet against it if you put a gun to my head (and then you would probably get arrested) but it's definitely a possibility at this point. I just like the fact that the Reds are in the hunt and appear to be willing to go full-bore after the playoffs (and maybe more) this year.

The one thing I want to be clear about here is that I hope Travis Wood is not included in any deal for a "rental." I could live with giving up Alonso and Mesoraco - because the Reds have Votto and just drafted a catcher in the first round this year. Wood, on the other hand, is a young (23) left-handed starting pitcher with a lot of promise. You just don't trade guys like that. If Alonso, Mesoraco and one more prospect isn't good enough for the M's, let them try and find a better deal.

Bray gives bullpen a different feel: The jury is still out on whether left-handed relief pitcher Bill Bray can stay healthy, but if he's able to, he will likely give the Reds' bullpen a nice boost. It's already been refreshing to see him as the No. 2 lefty in the pen (behind the ageless Rhodes of course) instead of Danny Herrera. Unlike Herrera, Bray actually has the potential to be tough on left-handed hitters. His fastball is as strong as ever and he certainly looks healthy right now. But the question is whether he will be able to withstand the grind of the season. Hopefully he can because Bray has the chance to be a big part of this bullpen and provide a bit of a missing piece for the Reds.

Speaking of the ‘pen, it's good to see Nick Masset begin to come around. (Thursday's outing not included as he allowed the go-ahead run at the time to score in the eighth inning.) He was extremely good the last year-and-a-half after coming over in exchange for a washed-up Ken Griffey Jr. Masset was terrible early in the season, but is showing signs of life lately.

Also, 6-foot-8 rookie Logan Ondrusek has been ultra-impressive since being sent down to the minors for a couple weeks after originally making the team out of spring training (and pitching like crap in April). But Ondrusek must have gotten himself straightened out in Louisville - or perhaps he's just more relaxed in his second go-around in the bigs - because he has looked very good over the last month-plus since being recalled. I still think the Reds will trade for a middle reliever this month, but it's encouraging to see some of the in-house options begin to pitch up to their capabilities.

Cabrera is so bad that it's time to give Janish a shot: I was so anti-Paul Janish this offseason (didn't want any part of him being the starting shortstop) that I was actually in favor of the Orlando Cabrera signing in January. However, Cabrera is a much-worse hitter than I thought and it appears his career is hanging by a thread at the age of 35. Just gives terrible ABs then goes flailing at the ball when he finally does make contact. Has really lost any pop that he used to have and is a very weak hitter.

I can't believe I am saying this, but Janish should be the everyday SS for a while. Not for the rest of the year, but the time has come to give him a chance to show what he can do. This team is winning in spite of Cabrera; there is no "lucky charm" BS at play. It's just that most of his teammates are having career years and they are making up for his horrible production at the plate. Plus, he's not very good defensively, which we all knew coming into the season.

The curse of Barry Larkin continues. Nah, it's not a curse since Lark wants what is best for the Reds. But man they continue to swing and miss when it comes to finding a quality shortstop since his retirement.

Maybe 24-year-old Zack Cozart who is having a solid year offensively at Louisville (and is very good defensively) will be the answer beginning next year. Cozart still needs to prove he can hit a little better, but he's not someone that is going to hurt you at the plate either. In fact, so far this season through a whopping 340 at-bats, he is batting .256 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs. He also has an OPS of .755, 19 stolen bases, 20 doubles and three triples.

The more I think about it, Cozart - who was the team's second-round draft pick out of Ole Miss in 2007 - might very well be the Reds' starting SS next year because I don't see the team pursuing a big-time free agent SS or trading for one this offseason. I also don't think they will pick up Cabrera's option (good lord hopefully they don't) and Janish is nothing more than a backup (unless Cabrera happens to be the starter).

Back to the original point: There is no getting around the fact that Cabrera is one of the few major weaknesses on this team and something needs to be done about it if the Reds want to continue playing well in the second half of the season.

Travis Wood was my pick to win the Reds' No. 5 starter job coming out of spring training. They picked Mike Leake instead. This is why I'm blogging and they are running a baseball team.

However, the 23-year-old Wood will make his Major League debut today against the Cubs and I'm very intrigued about the situation. He is a 5-foot-10 lefty that certainly won't blow anyone away with his fastball that usually tops off at 91-92 MPH, however, he has a mean cutter and a really nice change-up. He was the Reds' minor league pitcher of the year last season (13-5, 1.77 ERA, 167.2 IP, 121 H, 53 BB, 135 K at AA-AAA combined) and has backed it up with a strong season this year at Triple-A Louisville (5-6, 3.12 ERA, 98 IP, 83 H, 23 BB, 97 K). Ignore that win-loss record this year and look at his strikeouts-per-inning (nearly a 1:1 ratio) and the amount of hits he's given up. The guy might not blow batters away, but he's definitely tough to hit.

And he gets to make his debut at Wrigley Field - it doesn't get much better than that for a road game. Going for Chicago will be Carlos Silva, who has pitched anything but like Carlos Silva this year. His luck will run out eventually - you can count on it. Thus far in 2010, Silva is having a career-year (8-2, 3.01 ERA). Not bad for a guy the Cubs got for Milton Bradley who makes Ron Artest look sane.

Anyway, enough about the dysfunctional Cubs (Carlos Zambrano melting down again was about as surprising as Kosuke Fukudome's yearly swoon after a hot start to the season). They are down and it's time for the Reds to kick ‘em in this four-game series (all day games of course - I love it). Can Wood get things started in style, or will he be too nervous in his first MLB start? We'll find out soon enough.