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As we're nearing the final quarter, the pennant races aren't the only things heating up. In the center of that is this week's NL Central battle between the Reds and Cardinals. In the first game, as Cardinals SP Chris Carpenter was ready to throw his first pitch, SS Brendan Ryan requested the dugout for a new glove. Safe to say that didn't go over with Mr. Carpenter real well, as after the top of the 1st was over, he took Ryan down towards the dugout hallway to give him a little tutorial. Even in the bottom of the 7th, with the Cardinals up 7-2, Carpenter got upset with Ryan again. In that inning, the Reds got their third run via a single past the left side of the infield, in a spot where Carpenter thought Ryan would be, but wasn't. The Cardinals wound up winning that game, but as you can tell, Carpenter is a veteran leader who's focused on the prize.

And then before the second game even began, it was Reds 2B Brandon Phillips who was front and center. Phillips is one of the best middle infielders with his bat and glove, but if you take those away from him, he can be a detriment. Phillips made some comments in a local newspaper basically trashing the Cardinals and explaining how much he dislikes them (PG-13 version). Well apparently the Cardinals got a hold of that newspaper and didn't waste any time showing Phillips how he felt. As Phillips was walking to homeplate leading off the bottom of the 1st, Yadier Molina took off his catcher's mask and gave Phillps his feedback, which led to a big brawl. Then Molina got to show up Phillips, as he got to round the bases after a HR in the top of the 2nd. The Cardinals wound up beating the Reds again, and then again with Cy Young candidate Adam Wainwright helping the Cardinals execute the sweep and reclaim the top spot in the NL Central.

The Reds hopefully learn something from this: Just watch the team on the other side. If you haven't accomplished anything, just let your actions speak for your words until you do. Yes, your team has done some great things and has put itself in serious playoff contention, but the season is far from over. That team on the other side, especially the manager, has accomplished plenty, and has the bling to prove it. They let that and their bats and gloves to do the talking.

This week "At the Market", the special is "A second chance to make a first impression." I'll talk about a 2B who's trying to provide some stability to the Dodgers 2B position and a young hurler who downgraded in teams but has upgraded his performance.

Ryan Theriot - 2B/SS - Chicago Cubs

When future HOF 2B Jeff Kent retired after the '08 season, the Dodgers have had difficulty finding a stabile replacement. When All-Star Orlando Hudson was acquired in '09, a player who had established himself as a reliable all-around 2B, many thought that he could be the long-term solution. However, Hudson struggled so much in the second half, he was replaced by known backup Ronnie Belliard. The Dodgers decided not to re-sign Hudson, as he signed with Minnesota, where he's become a valuable asset.

The Dodgers decided to give Blake DeWitt another chance to validate the Dodgers choosing him in the 1st round of the '04 Draft. However, the combination of him, Belliard and utilityman Jamey Carroll have not done enough at that position to please the organization. Hence, at the trade deadline, the team acquired veteran lefty SP Ted Lilly and swapped 2B, taking Ryan Theriot from the Cubs for DeWitt.

Drafted in the 3rd round of the '01 Draft by the Cubs, Theriot didn't get a opportunity to play full-time until the '07 season. Since then, he had been a pretty steady and durable 2B, missing just 35 games from '07-'09. He provided a little offense as well, batting around .280, averaging 23 doubles and 23 SB during those three seasons. He was batting .284 in his first 96 games in '10, but the rest of the numbers were down, including doubles (10) and BB (19 - averaged 57 from '07-'09). With the Cubs going nowhere, again, the organization decided to make some changes, with Theriot being a part of that.

Well it looks like he's enjoying the new change of scenery so far. In his first nine games in a new shade of blue, Theriot is batting .306 with 3 RBI, 9 R, and 2 SB (18 total). The most enticing part about this with you fantasy owners is where he is in the lineup. Theriot will find himself in the #2 spot behind fellow steady tablesetters OF Scott Posednik or SS Rafael Furcal and in front of solid-hitting 1B James Loney and All-Star OF Matt Kemp and Andre Either. In need of R, BA, and SB, I would take a nice, long look at this Louisiana-born MI. This is a buy and keep situation.

Daniel Hudson - SP - Arizona 

It looks like SP Jake Peavy was finally rounding back into Cy Young form after a forgettable first two months this season, going 4-4 with a 6.23 ERA. In his next five starts after the month of May, he allowed just 7 ER, going at least seven innings in four of those starts, lowering his ERA to 4.70. However, in his next start, he didn't get past the second inning, but not because of poor performance, but due to detaching a muscle in his right shoulder after a pitch (I was hurting just typing that).

Putting Peavy on the DL, the White Sox called up Hudson, who was having an impressive year for AAA-Charlotte, going 11-4 with a 3.47 ERA, which included 108 K in 93 1/3 IP. However, he was far from impressive in two of his first three starts in the BIGS, allowing 5 ER in starts vs. OAK and KC. With the White Sox heavily battling the Twins for the AL Central crown, the team felt like it needed a more established pitcher down the stretch, and with that, acquired Edwin Jackson from the Diamondbacks for Hudson.

Well just like Theriot, Hudson's looking solid so far for his second team. In his first two starts, he's gone 15 2/3 innings, giving up just 2 ER and allowing just a .113 BA. Is this a sign of things to come the rest of the season? Well by looking at the D-Backs schedule the rest of the way (a series with CIN and MIL, and three series' vs. COL and SF), the bullpen (5.79 ERA from the seventh-inning on), and the hitter-friendly Chase Field, it's not looking promising. If you need a bottom-tier starter, I would wait another couple starts before jumping on the Hudson Train.

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