Reds vs. Cardinals

The Reds need to win today's game for many reasons, the most obvious being to retain 1st place in the NL Central. However, losing today's game could mean much more than looking up in the standings to the rival Cardinals. After Reds 2nd Baseman Brandon Phillips expressed his hatred of the division rival, today's winner-take-first match up becomes all the more interesting. Losing 3 straight games to any team can set a you back, but 3 games that you were so emotionally involved in will hurt even more. I am afraid that a sweep could start a snowball affect for Cincinnati. If the Reds can right the ship, however, that will give them a major confidence boost, knowing they only have 3 more games with St. Louis before the season is over. Today's game may go a long way to answering the question of who will come out on top in the NL Central.