More NL Central comparisons

As we have basically reached the halfway point, here are more stats to consider. Keep in mind that the Brewers and Cardinals are tied for 1st, and the Reds are tied with the Pirates for 3rd.

ERA ranks by month

March/April - 1 = STL, 2 = MIL, 3 = PIT, 4 = CIN
May - 1 = PIT, 2 = MIL, 3 = STL, 4 = CIN
June - 1 = CIN, 2 = PIT, 3 = MIL, 4 = STL

So Cincinnati is on the upward trend in pitching, thanks mostly to getting healthy.

OBP by month

March/April - 1 = STL, 2 = MIL, 3 = CIN, 4 = PIT
May - 1 = STL, 2 = CIN, 3 = PIT, 4 = MIL
June - 1 = CIN, 2 = PIT, 3 = PIT, 4 = STL

While the offense has been very inconsistent, overall it did better than these other contenders in June.

Winning percentage

March/April - 1 = STL, 2 = CIN, 3 = MIL, 4 = PIT
May - 1 = tie (MIL and STL), 3 = PIT, 4 = CIN
June - 1 = PIT, 2 = CIN, 3 = MIL, 4 = STL

Positional OBP among Central contenders

Ranking production (in terms of OBP) by position, among the four NL Central contenders

P: 1 = MIL, 2 = CIN
C: 1 = CIN, 2 = STL
1B: 1 = CIN, 2 = MIL
2B: 1 = MIL, 2 = CIN
3B: 1 = STL, 2 = CIN
SS: 1 = STL, 2 = PIT
LF: 1 = STL, 2 = MIL
CF: 1 = PIT, 2 = STL
RF: 1 = STL, 2 = CIN

St. Louis and Cincinnati both rank in the top 2 at 6 positions.

Milwaukee at 4 positions.

Pittsburgh at 2 positions.

Cincinnati's Interleague Woes

As the Reds enter a road series against the Orioles (only their second trip all-time to Baltimore, and first in the regular season), let's take a look at some ugly interleague stats.

The worst interleague teams (1997 through 6/23/11)

Pittsburgh - .376
San Diego - .416
Baltimore - .438
Cincinnati - .441
Kansas City - .445

One common thing you'll hear among Reds fans is that playing a tough team like Cleveland as our twice-annual matchup puts us at a disadvantage, but that's not really responsible for Cincinnati's poor record against the AL - now standing at 93-118.

Here are the most lop-sided interleague rivalries:

Yankees over Mets (47-34 = .580)
Cardinals over Royals (38-28 = .576)
Angels over Dodgers (46-34 = .575)
Blue Jays over Nats/Expos (33-25 = .569) - note: Washington's new main rival is Baltimore
Twins over Brewers (36-28 = .563)
Rangers over Astros (35-28 = .556)

The Redlegs' 35-37 record against the Indians isn't great, and certainly might mean a difference of a couple games a year between them and St. Louis, but it isn't the driving force behind the terrible overall mark.

The real problems:

3-14 vs Chicago White Sox
1-8 vs Seattle Mariners
1-5 vs Boston Red Sox
4-8 vs Toronto Blue Jays
4-8 vs Oakland A's

Other than the White Sox, the Reds are right around .500 against the rest of the AL Central opponents. Also 5-4 against the Yankees and Rangers, 2-1 against the Orioles.

As far as individual seasons, most years the Redlegs have at least posted a respectable mark, with a few exceptions:

2001: 4-11
2002: 2-10
2007: 7-11
2011: 2-7 so far, with series @BAL, @TBR, vs CLE remaining

By the way, after Baltimore comes a trip to Tampa Bay - the only current MLB team never to beat the Reds...albeit in only six tries.