Colorado at Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds and their fans were expecting to see the return of the glory days, and the Big Red Machine after surprising everyone a year ago. That has never materialized, and the Reds sit four games below .500 and are fading fast in the NL Central. The Reds have been playing poorly at 18-26 since mid-June and have all but fallen out of the playoffs race in the NL. The pitching has collapsed as they have been allowing 5.6 runs per game over their last 12. The Rockies haven't exactly fared much better, but find themselves in a favorable spot as they are 12-4 vs. the NL Central behind Hammels, and are also 4-1 when he opens a series in his last five series openers on the hill. The Reds are starving with momentum, as they are a distasteful 7-23 following a win. The Rockies have absolutely abused this Reds team as they are 21-5 in the last 26 meetings including 7-2 in their last nine in Cincinnati. Colorado gets the call.