That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Cincinnati Reds

By Mike Azzalina

May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) scores on a single by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jose Peraza (9) during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) scores on a single by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jose Peraza (9) during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) lines out to second base during the eighth inning of the game against thePhiladelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) lines out to second base during the eighth inning of the game against thePhiladelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds won the game 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

The Team: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds come into Philadelphia looking to continue handing the Phillies more and more losses. After Friday night’s game, they already have the upper-hand in the series. Following the 5-2 loss, Pete Mackanin held a meeting for his struggling group.

While the Phillies look to find any way to get back on track, the Reds have surprised people around baseball, currently sitting at 23-24 and in fourth place in the NL Central. They were able to get to Aaron Nola in the first game early on and the Phillies bats stayed sleeping until the 9th inning.

It is the first time the teams have met since the opening series at the beginning of April. The Reds have scored 239 runs this season, which puts them an unexpected seventh in all of the baseball. Their .264 team average and .778 team OPS are both good enough for top ten in the sport.

And one would argue that the offense has been what has kept them afloat so far this season. The pitching has been less than average, coming into play on Saturday with 4.62 team ERA, 26th in baseball. However, teams are only hitting .240 against them. Their 68 homers allowed put them just behind the Phillies for fourth worst in MLB.

I saw this as a chance for the Phillies to get back on track, but Friday was not a good start for the home team.

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