Some Postseason And 2010 Thoughts: Cubs vs. Reds Preview, Sunday 9/13, 1:20 CT

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, you know, I would
If I could, I would
Let it go -- U2, "Bad"

That song, performed by U2 in the first North American concert of their 360 Tour last night at Soldier Field (here's a review that sums up how I felt about it), is just about the way we've got to view the last 22 games of this Cubs season. "Let it go". Barring a baseball miracle the likes of which no one has seen, the Cubs are simply finishing up another championship-less year.

That doesn't mean we might not see something thrilling, a record broken, or some good baseball for the next three weeks, in addition to hoping for something positive to look forward to in 2010 (cough Andres Blanco and Jake Fox cough). Enjoy it while it's here, because we will miss the game over the winter when it's not.

I like this kind of thing even if it's very unlikely. Every September, David Pinto of Baseball Musings puts together scenarios for a massive postseason tie, with as many as five teams involved. The five-team scenario is nearly impossible, but looking at the numbers, the NL could have a three-team tie without too much difficulty between the Dodgers, Rockies and Phillies. That would create a NL West tie along with a wild-card tie. If it happens, watch Bud squirm while he tries to figure a way out of it that doesn't mess up the eight-day first round. Yes, eight days to play five games. Check out ALDS "A", which runs for eight days with three off days if it goes the full five games. Ridiculous. Both of the LCS also have three off days if they go the full seven. There's absolutely no reason for this.

Try to enjoy this afternoon's game.

Today's Starting Pitchers

Ted Lilly Cubs vs. Homer Bailey Reds 11-8 W-L 5-4 3.17 ERA 5.60 130 SO 58 32 BB 41 22 HR 12 vs. Cin -- vs. Cubs

Despite being up and down from the minors to the majors for the last three seasons, Homer Bailey's only start vs. the Cubs was on September 30, 2007, the last day of that regular season, when the Cubs had other things on their minds besides beating the Reds. Bailey gave up a leadoff HR to Alfonso Soriano, walked four and gave up eight hits, only one of which (a single to Derrek Lee) was to a player who will be in today's game. "Homer" is a really bad name for a pitcher, don't you think? Let's hope he gives up a lot of them today.

Ted Lilly has faced the Reds only once this year -- on April 22 at Wrigley Field -- and pitched well, giving up only an unearned run in seven innings. The Cubs scored zero runs that day, however, resulting in a loss for Ted. Joey Votto has hit two HR off Ted in 16 career AB.

TV today is WGN -- no Reds TV. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter.

Once again, just two overflow threads today -- 2:15 and 3:30 pm CDT. If there's a need for another one, please post as a FanShot.

Discuss amongst yourselves.