Alert Status Red

Remember back in April and May and we were talking about those “must-win” series? The ones where the Reds had to stand up and show that they could contend or — in the early part of the season — show any signs of life?

Well, that was all practice. A drill.

The first must-win series of the 2010 series begins tonight at Great American Ball Park. Three games against the Second Place St. Louis Cardinals.

Thanks to a rain-out yesterday the Reds have a 2.0 game lead over the Cardinals. A sweep of the Cardinals would put the Reds in a commanding 5.0 game lead. A sweep by the Cardinals would only put the Reds a game out of first place. There are also a number of scenarios in between, but we won’t talk about those.

While a sweep would be nice, the Reds really need to hope for at least two wins to consider this series a success.

If the Cubbies were the appetizer over the weekend (mmm, tastes like goat), the Cardinals are the main course.

Dessert? That comes in October. But only if the Reds finish the main course.

If you live in Cincinnati, go out and support your team this week. This team is for real.

GO REDS!