The Cincinnati Reds have been playing so well lately, you almost forget they are without their MVP. However, that MVP is close to returning, as Joey Votto is expected to return with the team on Monday. Votto – who hasn’t played since July 15 – was in the midst of an MVP caliber season before his “minor” knee surgery turned into something a little more serious.
Votto’s slash-line of .342/.465/.604/1.069 is rather Ruthian, but the Reds have gone 30-14 in his absence thanks to performances from players like Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier. With Votto’s looming, the Reds are the most dangerous team in the National League, that is if they can find spots for Ludwick and Frazier. Both Ludwick and Frazier are sporting OPSs (is there a plural form of OPS?) north of .900, carrying the Reds’ offense during the dog days of August. Now, with Votto’s return, a lineup that will likely have either of those players hitting sixth or seventh is a terrifying notion.
Votto was originally rumored to return on Saturday, but the Reds want to give Votto a few more rehab games. Understandably so, considering Votto admits himself that his knee still isn’t 100 percent.
If the Reds get even a fraction of what Joey Votto gave them in the first half, it’s hard not to list them as the favorite, even over teams like the Washington Nationals. When you have the bullpen like the Reds have – especially when they have a guy like Aroldis Chapman closing games out – it’s hard to imagine them not making a run for the pennant.
The return of the game’s best first baseman will only help.
Bryan is a featured writer for Rant Sports. Although he concentrates mostly on the game of baseball, you can find him covering things all over the Rant Sports Network.
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