Boomer Report: Reds gunning for 100, AL-worse Indians, & Browns travel to the "Jungle"

Homer's 7 IP's strong, Reds sweep a 3-game series vs. Pirates.

The nightmare of this 2nd half is almost over.

Cincinnati Reds 87-57 (1st in NL Central by 11.5 games; 2.5 GB of ML-leading Nationals)

47-28 Home 40-29 Away RS: 618 RA: 535 DIFF: +83

Reds finished off a 3-game series sweep vs. the Pirates last night in the Queen City, and with the Cardinals losing out in San Diego, the Reds "magic number" is down to 8! After a so-so 1st half, the Reds have been one of the best teams in baseball after the All-Star Break, and are on the verge of winning their 2nd divisional crown in the past three seasons. The Reds with 18 games left have a chance to reach the 100 win mark on the season. The Reds must go 13-5 to do so, and with the chance of wrapping up the division early (as soon as next Wednesday or Thursday), makes it a stretch to see them reach the 100 W mark. Snatching the #1-seed in the NL is still a possibility to play for, with the Nationals remaining strength of schedule (.494) a little tougher then that of the Reds remaining schedule (.480). The Reds trail the Nationals by just 2.5 games for the best record in baseball. However, I have mentioned this before, I would rather finish with the #2 seed, and play the NL-West winners (Giants), then have to take on one of the Wild Card teams on the road (Yeah, the 1-seed would have to play the first two games on the road, Bud Selig is an idiot). Concern out of the Reds clubhouse this week is the health and condition of closer "flame-throwing" Aroldis Chapman's left-arm. After seeing his velocity dip from 100 mph to 94 mph on his fastball, the Reds decided to rest Chapman for the rest of the week, possibly the next ten days. Hey, I'm all for giving the guy some rest, for the Reds to have a successful postseason, they are going to need Chapman & his 100 mph fastball. We will see how this story develops during the remaining weeks of the regular season. Well, here's to next weeks (jinx) Boomer Report celebrating the Reds NL Central crown. Put the champagne on ice.

Cleveland Indians 59-84 (5th in the AL Central, AL-worst (tied) record; 4th worst in the ML)

32-37 Home 27-47 Away RS: 571 RA: 746 DIFF: -175

Indians hit a new low, worst team (tied) in the AL. I don't think I need to waste my time or your time on discussing how bad the Tribe have played during the 2nd half of the season. For how well the Reds have played, the Indians seemed (no! they did) to go in the opposite direction. With three weeks left and a handful of series to go on the schedule, the Indians could eventually finish with the 2nd-worse record in ALL of baseball. Currently on another lengthen losing-skid (5-games now), which seems like they have been on some sort of losing streak the past couple months, its been a nightmare of a summer for the Tribe. Now, moving on to even more pleasing chatter on another team in Cleveland...the Browns.

Browns Note:

T-Rich & Co. travel to the "Jungle" this week to take on Dalton & Co.

A pair of 0-1 AFC rivals square off this week down in the "Jungle". Paul Brown Stadium will host the Browns/Bengals game on Sunday at 1 on CBS. The Browns need to get past their near upset bid vs. the Eagles a week ago, while the Bengals come in on a shorten-week, after getting crushed by the Ravens in Baltimore on MNF, 44-13. The Browns offense (especially QB Brandon Weeden) will be out to prove that they (he) are a much better unit (can't getting any worse, can it?) then what they showed in the season-opener vs. the Eagles. The Browns defense looks to continue their success from a week ago, when they were able to presser the QB and collect four interceptions. The Bengals swept the season series a year ago, and have won the past three meetings. The Browns look to go 1-1 for the 2nd straight season and send the Bengals to an 0-2 start. It's always an interesting meeting when these two teams meet up and Browns RB Trent Richardson will try to shut up all those "who dey" fans down in the "Jungle" come Sunday afternoon.

Come back tomorrow, for Week 3 of Urban Renewal, as I discuss college football, preview the Buckeyes Game vs. Cal, and I give you a few predictions/picks for this weekends marquee match ups.