First place

The Reds go into their much deserved off day in a three-way tie for first place. They've won 7 of 10, and are tied with the Brewers, who've won 8 of 10, and the Cardinals, who have lost 7 of 10.

They finish the road trip with three in San Diego, reeling after losing 8 of 10, before coming home to a nine-game home stand with Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Houston. Then it's two in Milwaukee, four in St. Louis, and three with the Cubs at home.

A-Gon says he's ready, but I'm not sure Dusty wants to play him, with Hairston playing so well offensively. Especially against righties, as Hairston would play left against lefties.

And the Reds face three righties in San Diego. Expect Nix to start in left on Friday and Sunday, with CD starting on Saturday. Who knows between A-Gon and Hairston, but my guess is A-Gon on Friday and Sunday (with an off-day Monday) and Hairston on Saturday. (That puts CD in the two spot on Saturday.)

The pitching match ups are:

Friday: Harang v. Correia. Harang returns to the scene of the crime. Correia is a right hander who has started 6 games. In 30 innings pitched, he has a 5.34 era and an 0-2 record. He has two quality starts including last time out in a loss to Houston where he threw 6 innings and gave up two earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 4. Correia is a hard thrower, who would be better suited as a two-inning reliever than a starter.

Saturday: Volquez v. Geer. Geer is another righty. He's started 4 games (5 total) and has an era of 5.14 in 28 innings. He also has 2 quality starts and also lost to Houston last time out but he got hit hard, giving up 5 earned runs in 3 innings on 7 hits and 3 walks with no strikeouts.

Sunday: Arroyo v. Peavy. The Reds need to win the first two because they get Peavy on Sunday. He hasn't had his typical year, with a 2-5 record and a 4.30 era. He does have 61 strikeouts in 52.1 innings, with only 19 walks. He has 5 quality starts out of 8. Last time out, he lost to the Cubs, giving up 3 earned runs in 6 innings, with 6 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts.