17th Time's the Charm: Why this is the Reds' Game

Brandon Phillips' Two Run Home Run in the Third

Yesterday, Baseball opened the National League's playoffs with the first game of five between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants. Although the Reds were projected very well this season, the Giants were still the favorites, reaping the home team advantage. However, the outcome of the game was seen early in the third inning, when Cincinnati scored two runs off of Brandon Phillips' homer. But you don't want to listen to me, here's the box score.

Bottom line, Cincinnati's win was surprising. ESPN may have had a few more points invested in Cincinnati winning this game, but the popular opinion easily sided with the Giants. This is the first post season game the Reds have won in 17 years, but through the work of Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and Dusty Baker behind the bench, it looks as if the Reds can take this series in three. Their early loss of Johnny Cueto didn't seem to hinder their 5-2 victory at all, and with a great pitcher like Mat Latos, it doesn't seem that he will be depended on for the series.

However, the series is fresh, and the Giants could come back for a victory. It's obvious it will not be a sweep, but Buster Posey is definitely asserting himself as a Rookie of the Year, with his home run in the sixth. Other than Posey, however, the Giants were rather sub par. Cain and Mota sported a few too many wild pitches, and missed the target completely, causing catcher Posey to miss the ball, and allowing some gained bases by the Reds.

Overall, it was a great first game, with no definite series winner. The Reds had this game in the bag, but if there is anything history says about the Giants, it's that they won't give up this series that easily. A few tweaks with pitching, and they should be able to at least defend against the Reds impressive line up.