Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
The Cincinnati Reds played their best ball of the year over the weekend as they took a commanding 2-0 lead over the San Francisco Giants out in San Francisco. Now they are back in Cincinnati and ready to complete the sweep. Set to accomplish the feat is none other than Homer Bailey.
Homer Bailey, fresh off two outstanding performances at the end of the season. In one he pitched 4 scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. In the other, he threw the 17th no hitter in the proud long history of the Reds. To say he is on a roll is a huge understatement. As a matter of fact, if you go back to his last 10 starts you will find that Bailey went 3-3 with a 2.84 ERA.
In addition to pitching for the sweep of the series, Homer Bailey has the opportunity to rid some demons that have haunted the Reds since the 1990 World Series team. The Reds have not won a playoff game at home since then. To do that, he will have to overcome the ace for the Giants, Matt Cain. Cain, who has a perfect game this season, is coming back on three days rest to try to salvage the series for the Giants. As a matter of fact, with Cain and Bailey facing each other, it will be the first time two pitchers who have thrown at least a no hitter in the season will face each other in the playoffs in MLB history. So we are looking at an historic event tonight as the toe it up in the Queen City.
There is no doubt that Homer Bailey is a better pitcher away from GABP, but he has learned to pitch at the homer (pun intended) friendly ballpark throughout the season and appears poised to come through with a victory tonight.
My prediction – Homer Bailey will outduel Matt Cain and the Cincinnati Reds will win the NLDS and move on to face the Washington Nationals in the NLCS.
