Don't Apologize for the Division

After being one of the better divisions in baseball a year ago, a year where two of its members qualified for the playoffs, statistically as far as wins, the National League Central is one of the worst divisions in baseball in 2009.

With one hundred games to play, the Reds have compiled a 32-31 record and currently sit 3 games back of division leading Milwaukee. Although sitting a game above .500 at this point in the season is respectable, it would usually not be good enough to keep you within three games of first place. But, for the Reds, it is, and no one's complaining.

The only division currently in worse standing than the NL Central, is the American League Central. The Indians, who stand at a meager 29-38 sit only six and a half games out of first place.

The fact that the Redlegs sit a mere three games out of first gives them a hope the rest of the season. With one of the top pitching staffs in all of baseball, the Reds look like a real playoff contender. The Reds currently have the forth best team ERA in the National League at 3.86 and are only .04 behind the Cubs in that category, the only other NL Central team in the top four.

In the past, while the Reds have been close to the top of the league in terms of batting and home runs, they have struggled as far as pitching. This year, the club has solid pitching, and if they can get the bats working, could be a definite threat in the Central.

The team has been without superstar Joey Votto for a large portion of the year and has also played much of the season without third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and shortstop Alex Gonzalez. The Reds should expect to see a big boost in offense When Votto and Encarnacion return to the lineup.

Also, if the Reds are still in the division and/or wildcard race come July 31st, don't be surprised to see them make a move for that reliable right-handed they were looking for last off-season. Playing a poor division isn't a bad thing, and if the Reds can lose the injury bug, keep pitching well, and get the bats going, it could really pay off come October.