What a series

The Reds have an incredibly talented young roster. They're at a point that we can only hope the Pirates are at in two or three years. That being said, what was that Adam Dunn trade all about? They got a pitching prospect and some unnamed players, and that was it. Dunn was going to be a free agent and that makes him less valuable than a guy like Jason Bay was, but still ... that's it? Both the Pirates and Reds have moved significantly towards youth in the last two weeks. The Reds are in the middle of an ugly, ugly slide while the Pirates have only looked a little better of late and will be without Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, and Adam LaRoche (who's now rehabbing) again. This series could be fantastic.

Tonight, half of one of the most fascinating trades in recent memory pitches for the Reds tonight in Edinson Volquez while Jeff Karstens makes his PNC debut, after two very good starts on the road. Behind Karstens, Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss, and maybe even Craig Hansen will be making their first appearances at PNC Park as well tonight. I would say I'm interested in how the crowd will receive the new Buccos, but I don't know how much of a crowd is going to be there to meet the NL Central cellar-dwellers tonight.