Wollyhood wrote:
Isn't the fact that it's a weak division a big reason why there is such a good record?
It certainly contributes e.g. we had sweeps of the Cards, Brewers and Astros during July, although the Bucs won series with the Giants, Marlins and Rockies whilst losing to the Cubs (the Bucs were 7-0 vs the Astros in July), the Cards were 8-3 vs the Dodgers, Marlins and Rockies. Interestingly, the top three have the following records;
Reds 13-8 v NL East, 14-9 v NL West, 7-8 interleague play
Bucs 14-10 v NL East, 9-9 v NL West, 10-8 interleague
Cards 8-13 v NL East, 13-6 v NL West, 8-7 interleague
The Reds are second in the league in ERA with a first ranked bullpen.
The Bucs are third in the league in ERA with a second ranked bullpen.
The Cardinals are second in hitting, first in RBIs, third in runs scored, lead the league in walks,
The Bucs and Cards are third and fourth in the league hitting when on a full count.
I think the Bucs also have something like 19 come from behind wins with 11 being on the road, which is as many as they have had combined in the previous three seasons.
Both the Reds (17-16 in one run games) and Bucs (23-16 in one run games, which is also a league leading figure) are performing ahead of their expected W/L record whilst the Cards are six games behind their's (12-18 in one run games). The Cards do have the highest rated WAR in the league as well.
I can't speak for the other two teams but I know we've been relatively fortunate by keeping our rotation healthy. All five have, so far, started every game and I believe we are one of only two teams which has managed that this season. We're currently on our longest winning streak in 22 years too and the Pirates season is their strongest in twenty years as well too lol. Throw the current World Series champions in and that makes three teams who, if they can keep it up, should be hard to beat in October. At the moment I'm very confident with our pitching and we've seen the past few years that if you can pitch you can win it e.g. Giants, Phillies, Cardinals (last year's No.1 bullpen IIRC).