In Todd we trusted

It's gone.

The last hope for Cincinnati, the one silver lining the city has hung on to for over a month, is no longer within grasp.

Todd Frazier, you did what you could.

No World Series. No Cy Young, not even a Gold Glove for Brandon Phillips. But at least there was this, the NL Rookie of the Year. The Reds had a true, likable hero, a rising star who could show the media hype that Cincy had been left in the dark.

With one last swift kick while we're down, the NL Rookie of the Year is gone, landing somewhere between Maryland and Virginia, with a cocky outfielder who's name ESPN sang from day one of the season.

Frazier, we're still proud of you.

And for good reason.

Let's compare the Toddfather's numbers to "The Chosen One," Bryce Harper. First off, Harper recorded 132 more plate appearances than Frazier as a regular starter. In that time, he put 22 over the fence--Frazier hit 19 home runs, again in 132 less at-bats. RBIs? Frazier posted 67 to Harper's 57 in, may I remind you once again, 132 less plate-appearances.

To be fair, Harper recorded 98 runs to Frazier's 55--on a team that drove in runs on a much more consistent basis than the LOB kings in Cincinnati. And, Harper recorded 18 steals to Frazier's three.

Other categories in which Frazier ousted Harper include, but are not limited to: batting average (.273 vs. .270), slugging percentage (.498 vs. .477), BABIP (.316 vs. .310), wOBA (.354 vs. .352), and ISO (.255 vs. .206). Also, let us not forget that Frazier played first, third, and outfield at various times when needed for injury purposes.

Categories where Frazier fell just shy of Harper? On-base percentage (.331 vs. .340), walk percentage (7.7% to 9.4%), strikeout percentage (22.2% vs. 20.1%), and wRC+ (120 vs. 121).

To many, the all-inclusive WAR proved to tip the scales, with Harper securing 4.9 wins for the Nationals to Frazier's 2.8 for the Reds.

Oh, and one more category where Bryce crushed Todd: media attention. This is a rough estimate, my own observation you might say. Harper's name was basically mentioned on ESPN's Baseball Tonight every single day.

Frazier? Frazier who?

Doesn't a 19-year-old phenom make for a better RoY story than a 26-year-old Brooklyn guy?

Unfortunately, it does, whether the stats disagree or not.

But cheer up, Cincinnati. Look at the bright side. Next year, the Reds will have Frazier playing third, and if he wins NL MVP, maybe, just maybe, the nation will recognize his name.

W's all around! Weekend wrap-up

With today's results, each of the Cincinnati teams put one in the win column this weekend. Here's some quick hits from around the Queen City of how things stacked-up.

UC Bearcats

9/15 Bearcats 23, Delaware State 7

Senior RB George Winn -- 147 yards

Senior WR Damon Julian -- 62 yards, 1 touchdown

Junior QB Munchie Leguax -- 20 of 27 passing, 207 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 fumbles, 2 interceptions

The Bearcats did what was expected by dominating Delaware State. Turnovers were a major problem, though, and could cause problems if carelessness with the ball continues into Big East play.

Cincinnati Reds

9/14 Marlins 4, Reds 0 -- WP Jacob Turner, LP Bronson Arroyo, CIN 3B Todd Frazier 1 for 2

9/15 Marlins 6, Reds 4 -- WP Mark Buehrle, LP Johnny Cueto, CIN SS Wilson Valdez 2 for 4

9/16 Reds 5, Marlins 4 -- WP Logan Ondrusek, LP Carlos Zambrano, CIN SS Didi Gregorius 3 for 5

The Reds had disappointing outings from both Arroyo and Cueto, and have seemed to have lost any steam they had going into the postseason. The current lapse in pitching quality that has carried the team all year has severely exposed the offensive lack that the team suffers from. Regardless, a win today against Miami brings the magic number to clinch to five, with an off day tomorrow.

Cincinnati Bengals

9/16 Bengals 34, Browns 27

QB Andy Dalton -- 24 for 31 passing, 318 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interceptions

RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis -- 75 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns

WR Brandon Tate -- 3 recetpions, 71 yards, 1 touchdown

Cincinnati showed that a young core of receivers can produce great results, with Brandon Tate, A.J. Green, and Andrew Hawkins all hauling in a touchdown pass from Dalton. More concerning, though, is the fact that rookie Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden was able to put up 322 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati after producing just 118 yards and four picks against Philadelphia in Week 1.

September 6 -- Weekend Preview

Huge weekend for Cincinnati sports, and a long weekend at that. Let's take a look ahead, shall we.

Pittsburgh Panthers @ Cincinnati Bearcats, tonight 8 p.m. ESPN

An annual Big East premier match-up, Nippert Stadium is sure to be rockin' for the University of Cincinnati's season opener. The Bearcats squeezed a win out of this one last year by a mere three points, but the Panthers come to town 0-1 after a loss to, dare I say it, Youngstown State. Pittsburgh finished 6-7 overall last season, well behind Cincy's 10-3 mark. The Bearcats recorded better numbers in interceptions, passing touchdowns, rush yards per attempt, rushing yards per game, and sacks last year, but games are always close between these two teams. Cincinnati has won the the Paddlewheel Trophy the past three of four years, but historically the Panthers have dominated this match-up (8-3 in the River City Rivalry game). Pittsburgh also brings much more offensive experience in senior quarterback Tino Sunseri and running back Ray Graham, while Cincy quarterback Munchie Legaux makes his inaugural first-string start tonight.

UC Players to watch:

Munchie Legaux, #4 QB, Junior -- (2011) 749 pass yards on 116 attempts, 5 TD, 4 INT

George Winn, #32 RB, Senior -- (2011) 219 rush yards on 40 attempts, 2 TD

Anthony McClung, #6 WR, Junior -- (2011) 49 receptions for 683 yards, 6 TD

PITT Players to watch:

Tino Sunseri, #12 QB, Senior -- (2011) 2,616 total passing yards and a 124.1 QB rating 

Ray Graham, #1 RB, Senior -- (2011) 958 total rushing yards, 9 TD

Devin Street, #15 WR, Junior -- (2011) 53 receptions for 754 yards, 2 TD

Cincinnati Reds @ Houston Astros, 9/7, 9/8 7:10 p.m. FSN, 9/9 1:10 p.m. FSN

The Reds host Houston this weekend with an eight and a half game lead in the National League Central, hoping to inflate that gap. The Astros have the worst record in baseball and a interim manager at the helm. Head-to-head this season, the Reds are 9-3 against the Astros. Joey Votto will be truly game-tested if he plays in this entire series after going 2-3 in his return from knee surgery last night against the Phillies. Also, keep an eye on Todd Frazier's playing time; recently the NL Rookie of the Month, it will be interesting to see how Reds' manager Dusty Baker uses his young gun with Votto back in the lineup.

Probable pitchers:

9/7 HOU Lucas Harrell, RHP (10-9, 3.81 ERA) vs. CIN Homer Bailey RHP (10.9, 4.09 ERA)

9/8 HOU Bud Norris, RHP (5-11, 4.80 ERA) vs. CIN Bronson Arroyo RHP (11-7, 3.76 ERA)

9/9 HOU Edgar Gonzalez, RHP (1-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. CIN Johnny Cueto, RHP (17-7 2.58 ERA)