Can you taste it?

It's the end of 2006, which is in danger of ending just like it started, on a prolong losing streak by a lifeless baseball team. It would be a fearful kind of symmetry, a long losing streak to start the year, a long losing streak in the middle, and a long losing streak at the end. The Reds no long have anything to play for as Scott Spezio and his bright red ball tickler tripled home three runs, putting the Cards on top of the Brewers 3-2 and the Reds officially out of the NL Central race, while leaving the Astros playoff hopes on some serious life support. Bronson Arroyo and Marty McLeary will take the mound tonight in what is almost a meaningless game. Almost meaningless as both teams are now eliminated and the only thing on the line at the moment is last in the NL Central (we've slipped back into a tie with the Cubs) and the NL batting title, which Freddy can probably wrap up with a couple hits tonight (it may be wrapped up already, though I'm a bit too lazy to do the math). Of course, it's all assuming that the rain holds off.