Cincinnati Reds at the All-Star Break

Apr 1, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the field during Opening Day ceremonies between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

This post was contributed to FanSided.com from Steve Engbloom of FanSided’s very own Cincinnati Reds site, Blog Red Machine. For more Cincinnati Reds news, check out BlogRedMachine.com.

Anticipation and expectations. Two words that frequented any Reds fan’s Twitter timeline since last December. Why is that? The acquisition of Shin Soo-Choo was the primary fuel for those.

After the heartbreaking loss in the 2012 NLDS, the phrase “unfinished business” came to the forefront. The team that knocked the Reds out of the postseason, the San Francisco Giants, went on to capture the World Series and made the fire burn all the brighter. With a lead-off guy and a roster returning as much the same as it was in 2012, hope sprang eternal in the Queen City.

Then the injury bug decided that since it skipped the Reds for most of last season ,it would get even this season. Ryan Ludwick, left fielder, bum shoulder, out until mid-August-ish. Johnny Cueto, 4th in the 2012 NL Cy Young, three stints on the disabled list. Ryan Hanigan, personal valet to Bronson Arroyo, among the top defensive catchers in baseball, a resident of the DL…twice. Sean Marshall, a key cog in last season’s bullpen and 7th inning guy, two times on the DL. Jonathan Broxton, trade deadline acquisition and filled in for Aroldis Chapman as a closer last season, elbow strain.

The offense has been inconsistent, even including one Joey Votto (check out his monthly splits from our “extended version” on Blog Red Machine). The starting staff is among the best in baseball. The bullpen has had issues with blowing leads and costing a few wins. Better as of late though.

Yet, there is hope in Cincinnati. At least there should be. The injured will return. In my mind, Cueto might be a stretch. Not sure if Ludwick, Marshall and Broxton can produce as they did last season. How much can the offense improve from a consistency standpoint. Can the bullpen find the means to reproduce that 2012 magic.

There’s always that hope, that promise.

You can check out the complete review of the Reds first half of the season over at BlogRedMachine.com.

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