Reds Clinch NL Central

The Cincinnati Reds clinched the NL Central Division in dramatic fashion as outfielder Jay Bruce hit a walk off homerun off Houston Astros relief pitcher Tim Byrdak in the bottom of the ninth to give the Reds a 3-2 victory.

This triumph marks the Reds first NL Central title since 1995.

On a personal note, I picked the Reds to win the NL Central when I wrote my predictions for the 2010 MLB season last March.

Did anyone other than me pick the Reds?

I think not.

So why did I like the Reds?

Orlando Cabrera.

Now Cabrera was hurt for a significant part of the season but his mere presence on the team is sufficient. Since winning the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004, this marks the sixth time in seven years Cabrera has gone to the post-season. You can't go wrong if you have Cabrera on your team.

Of course, Cabrera is but one of many things that went right for the Reds this season. Joey Votto is a top contender for the NL MVP, Scott Rolen is solid at the hot corner, Bronson Arroyo was steady in his 200 plus innings, Johnny Cueto became a more consistent starting pitcher and Francisco Cordero slammed the door in the ninth inning. Of course, I would be remiss in not mentioning having Dusty Baker in the dugout.

Not only is this the Reds first post-season appearance in fifteen years it is their first winning season since 2000. Reds fans are hoping for the first World Series title in twenty years.