We're almost at the half way point of the season, and if you're anything like me you've started to scoreboard watch.  Okay fine, I scoreboard watch on day one, but for some reason when that 81 game mark hits, the games just seem to matter more.  So instead of doing an REU every Friday Jim, Eric and I will be collaborating on a weekly review of the on goings in the NL Central.  This will keep you up to date on who's surging in the division, why they're surging and what to expect when that team comes to town in the upcoming months.  Because these pieces are pretty large, I'll be splitting them into two articles with three teams each.  Hope you enjoy.

Milwaukee Brewers (42-37); Tied for First -- 0.0 GB

Last Week’s Record: 4-3

Last Week’s Opponents:  San Francisco Giants (2-1);  New York Mets (2-1);  Chicago Cubs (0-1)

Transactions: 
Placed Dave Bush on the 15 day DL with a micro tear in his throwing arm.
Recalled Mike Burns from AAA-Nashville

Who’s Hot?: 
Prince Fielder -- .385/.452/.846, 10 for 26, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI
Yovani Gallardo -- 1-1, 14.2 IP, 2 ER, 21 K, 5 BB, .173 Opp BA

Who was Not?:
Corey Hart -- .217/.357/.304, 5 for 23, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Seth McClung -- 0-1, 7.1 IP, 10 ER, 4 K, 4 BB, 4 HR allowed, .382 Opp BA

After a couple of rough series in Interleague Play the Milwaukee Brewers surged to two series victories over the Giants and Mets.  In doing so the Brewers bounced back into sole possession of first place, but a loss to the Cubs put them back into a tie with the St. Louis Cardinals.  The key for the Brewers has been offense and plenty of it, mostly out of the top half of the lineup.  As a team the Crew hit .288/.372/.468 and averaged 4.7 runs per game.  But imagine how much higher that number would have been if they didn’t get shut out twice, once by Mike Pelfrey and once by rookie Ryan Sadowski.  The offense is in good shape regardless, especially with the consistent approaches shown by the Brewers two superstars Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.

On the mound things haven’t been so pleasant.  Mike Burns has sufficiently picked up the slack as a fill in for Dave Bush, but Seth McClung has been unable to put together a good outing since taking over Manny Parra’s spot in the rotation.  The Brewers don’t need a fifth starter until next Saturday, but I doubt Seth will be the one toeing the rubber.  If I had to guess Macha may actually look to Chris Smith or will DFA Chris Narveson and option Tim Dillard from Nashville.

Who’s Next?
The Brewers finish up a four game set at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs before heading back home to take on the St. Louis Cardinals for three.

St. Louis Cardinals (43-38); Tied for First -- 0.0 GB

Last Week’s Record: 3-4

Last Week’s Opponents:  Minnesota Twins (1-2); San Francisco Giants (2-2)

Transactions:
Traded RHP Chris Perez to the Cleveland Indians for 3B Mark DeRosa.
Placed SS Khalil Green on the 15 day DL with an anxiety disorder.
Recalled and then optioned RHP Clayton Mortensen to AAA-Memphis.
Recalled 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir from AAA-Memphis.

Who’s Hot?: 
Albert Pujols -- .474/.630/1.263, 9 for 19, 4 HR, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 8 BB (5 IBB)
Adam Wainwright -- 0-1, 16.0 IP, 3 ER, 17 K, 7 BB, .224 Opp BA

Who was Not?:
Tyler Greene -- .000/.059/.000, 0 for 16, RBI, 8 K, HBP
Chris Carpenter -- 0-1, 5.0 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, BB, 5 K

A lack of offense continues to plague the Cardinals this season, and Mark DeRosa (0 for 9 since arriving) hasn’t been any help.  They hit just .217 this past week and managed 18 runs in seven games for a whopping 2.57 R/G.  I’m not sure how that works when you have the best hitter in the game streaking the way he is.  The problem is the left side of the infield where Brendan Ryan, Tyler Greene and Joe Thurston just aren’t cutting it.  Mark DeRosa was supposed to come in and fix that, but he’s having an off year and hasn’t helped in his limited amount of time.  The good news for the Cards is Ryan Ludwick is starting to figure things out and hit .300 this week, but they’ll need some more power out of him to start protecting Pujols.  Keep an eye on Colby Rasmus too. 

The pitching staff of the Red Birds is trying everything it can to keep this team together.  Adam Wainwright tossed nine innings of one run ball and got a no decision.  That’s just how bad it’s been.  But it hasn’t been all roses for the Cards arms.  Brad Thompson has been pretty pitiful since joining the rotation and Todd Wellenmeyer is the Cards very own Jeff Suppan this year.  There’s good news here as well though.  Kyle Lohse pitched in his first rehab assignment yesterday.  It wasn’t a particularly good outing, but anything that gets rid of Thompson will help out Tony LaRussa.

Who’s Next:
The Cardinals start a three game in Cincinnati later this evening before heading to Milwaukee for three more.  They’ll be missing Aaron Harang and Johnny Cueto, though.  That should help some of their offensive woes.

Cincinnati Reds (39-38); Second - 2.0 GB

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Opponents:  Cleveland Indians (2-1); Arizona Diamondbacks (2-1)

Transactions:
Optioned Adam Rosales to AAA-Louisville
Recalled RHP Homer Bailey from AAA-Louisville
Optioned RHP Jared Burton to AAA-Louisville
Recalled SS Drew Sutton from AAA-Louisville

Who’s Hot?: 
Joey Votto -- .385/.429/.462, 10 for 26, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Johnny Cueto -- 1-0, 6.0 IP, 1 H , 4 BB, 8 K

Who was Not?:
Paul Janish -- .125/.222/.125, 2 for 16, 4 K, 2 BB
Bronson Arroyo -- 0-1, 5.1 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K

Just like every one else in the NL Central the Reds did their best to beat up on the Indians, but without Edinson Volquez their rotation isn’t in great shape.  Homer Bailey was raking in the minors, but in his return to the bigs the young righty got a case of the yips.  He walked seven batters in five innings, but allowed just three hits and benefitted from some run support to pick up his first victory of the season.   If the Reds rotation can keep their team in the game, the bullpen will no doubt take them home.  Nick Masset has been stellar in his rookie season.  Arthur Rhodes is throwing better than he has in a very long and time.  And the Weathers/Cordero anchor is one of the best in the league.

At the plate Joey Votto is showing that his rookie season was no fluke.  Truth be told, he’s the only scary bat alongside Brandon Phillips.  Jay Bruce’s power numbers are up, but the sophomore swoon is in full effect.  Beyond that you’re looking at Willy Taveras (.233 BA), Alex Gonzalez (.214 BA) and Ramon Hernandez (.373 SLG).  And with Laynce Nix finally coming back down to earth, the Reds will be in need of some offensive help if they want to stay alive.  The return of Edwin Encarnacion this weekend should be a start.

Who’s Next:
The Reds start a three game set against the Cards today and then head to Philadelphia for a four gamer.  The NL East road trip should be the test for Baker’s ball club.