Rivalry Grows Between Cardinals and Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds are easily the two best teams in the National League Central Division for the second year in a row. Last season, sparks flew between the Cardinals and Reds after Brandon Phillips referred to the Cardinals as a bunch of female dogs. An on-field brawl ensued and Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto kicked former Cardinals back-up catcher Jason Larue in the head, ending his career. So, there was plenty of tension between the two teams this weekend, which ended in a series sweep by the Cincinnati Reds. And while many predicted fireworks would happen on Saturday with Cueto on the mound for the Reds, the explosion happened at the end of Sunday's 9-7 Reds victory. After the Cardinals had posted five runs in the ninth inning, the Reds turned to their closer Francisco Cordero to close the door. Cordero hit Cardinals star Albert Pujols on the hand with a high inside fastball with one out. It was likely unintentional considering Pujols represented t...