20 things to ponder about the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds weren't even supposed to be here.

A year after winning 78 games, manager Dusty Baker has led his team to a 91-71 record and the National League Central Division title. The surprising success has led to a 2-year extension for Baker. The Reds have relied heavily on a surprisingly strong bullpen and an even stronger offense.

The Reds start their pursuit of a sixth World Series title tomorrow against the Phillies.

Here's what you should know about the Reds:

1. Cincinnati had the most intradivision wins in all of baseball. Against St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Houston and Chicago, the Reds are 49-30.

2. This trip to the postseason has been a long time coming for the Reds. The last time they made the playoffs was 1995. Starting pitcher Mike Leake, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 24, was 7 years old at the time.

3. Ignore his record; Game 1 starter Edinson Volquez is good. The righthander struck out 31 batters in 27 2/3 September innings. His earned run average in September was 1.95.

4. In addition to Volquez, the rest of the Reds' rotation has been solid. Veteran Bronson Arroyo, who went 17-10 with a 3.88 ERA, will start Game 2. Johnny Cueto (12-7, 3.64 ERA) will start Game 3.

5. Despite its record, Cincinnati doesn't draw well. The Reds average 25,439 fans per home game, 20th in baseball.

6. The Reds have, statistically at least, the best offense in the NL. The Reds won the team NL Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average (.272), home runs (188) and RBI (761). Only twice since 1900 have the Reds led the NL in the Triple Crown categories (1969, 1976). The Reds also lead the NL in runs (790) and on-base percentage (.338).

7. Furthermore, first baseman Joey Votto has been the most consistent hitter in the NL this year. Votto's on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.021 is tops in the league. Votto has been especially good against the Phillies this year. In seven games, he has hit .393 with three homers and six RBI.

8. One thing the Cincinnati offense doesn't do well is avoid striking out. The Reds have been called out on strikes 1,218 times this year, the seventh most in baseball.

9. The Reds tied for the best fielding percentage in the NL (with the Giants and Padres), at .988, and had the best fielding percentage in franchise history. The Reds also set a club record with only 72 errors; the previous record was 89, set last season.

10. Despite going only 2-5 against the Phillies this season, the Reds have played the Phillies fairly close. Four games between the teams were decided by one run.

11. Watch out for the Reds' bullpen. In addition to closer Francisco Cordero, who saved 40 games, the bullpen features All-Star Arthur Rhodes (4-4, 2.29), Nick Massett, who struck 85 batters in 76 2/3 innings, and Aroldis Chapman, who threw a 105.1 mph fastball this season. The Reds' bullpen led the NL with 34 victories, with 13 players getting a win.

12. When he was named to play in the All-Star Game, Rhodes became only the fifth player to be named to his first All-Star Game after turning 40.

13. Roy Oswalt, who started his career playing for Cincinnati's division rival Houston, has not fared well against the Reds this season. In two starts, Oswalt is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA. Against teams Oswalt faced more than once this season, his next highest ERA is 4.05, against Florida.

14. For his career, however, Oswalt has dominated the Reds. In 34 games against them, Oswalt is 23-3 with a 2.81 ERA. The 23 wins are the most Oswalt has recorded against one team. Oswalt is scheduled to start Game 2 Friday.

15. Charlie Manuel's final season as a major league outfielder came in 1975 when he played for the Dodgers. The following offseason, the Dodgers traded Manuel for an outfielder from the Braves. That outfielder? Dusty Baker.

16. Baker has won the Manager of the Year award three times, all with San Francisco. Only Bobby Cox (four) and Tony La Russa (four) have won the award more times.

17. The Reds were in one of the tightest division races in baseball this year. The Reds and Cardinals weren't separated by more than three games from mid-May to mid-August.

18. Former Phillie Scott Rolen had his best season in years. Rolen played his most games since 2006 while hitting 20 home runs and knocking in 83 runs.

19. The Reds were decent both on the road and at home. Within the confines of Great American Ball Park, the Reds were 49-32. On the road, the Reds were 42-39.

20. The Phillies handed the Reds their worst defeat in franchise history, 22-1, on July 6, 2009.