Is .500 possible?

Reds lineup vs. Cubs

Phillips 4
Renteria 6
Votto 3
Bruce 9
Heisey 7
Francisco 5
Stubbs 8
Hernandez 2
Cueto 1

*The Reds are 72-76 heading into tonight’s game. (No. 149 of the season). They have to go 10-4 over the final 14 games to finish the season 82-80, or 9-5 to finish 81-81 (.500). How realistic do you think that is? The games on the remaining schedule following this series are the Brewers and Astros at home and the Pirates and Mets on the road. The way things have gone all season, I think it’s a tall order. But it’s something for the Reds to shoot for.

*Johnny Cueto is winless in his last four starts, which included two blown saves. His 2.3632 ERA is .0044 behind Major League leader Clayton Kershaw’s 2.3588 ERA.

*As you likely know, the Brewers win last night officially eliminated the Reds from the NL Central race. The elimination number for the NL Wild Card is 1 since the Braves won today.