Reds: The surprise

        The skinny: Give them an A+ for the first quarter of the season. And, remember, this team has played virtually the whole season without Ken Griffey Jr. That makes it a $35 million payroll team. You aren't supposed to compete, much less be in first place, for that kind of money.

        St. Louis: Still the one

        The skinny: The Cards, like the Reds, are happy to be where they are. To have used 11 different starters and still hang around .500 is amazing. When those starters are all 100 percent, the Cardinals could run away with it.

        Houston: Old faithful

        The skinny: It seems like the Astros have been around the top of Central since the division was created. They need to get Wade Miller healthy and Craig Biggio hitting. Roy Oswalt is the division's best pitcher.

        Pittsburgh: Fast start, slow fade

        The skinny: Like the Reds, the Pirates have been saved by a very good bullpen. But the Pirates don't have pop in the lineup to hang in until the end. They have a great double-play combination in Pokey Reese and Jack Wilson. It's too bad they have to hit, too.

        Chicago: Can't buy a title

        The skinny: Two high-priced additions — Moises Alou andFred McGriff — haven't given Sammy Sosa the protection he needs. It's a bad clubhouse. Don Baylor could be gone soon. A waste of good, young arms.

        Milwaukee: Old No. 30

        The skinny: Bud's Boys have an amazing ability of finding ways to lose. They run themselves out of innings, make critical errors and don't hit in the clutch.

Reds 7, Cards 3 Reds box, runs Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour Reds Q&A with John Fay Say it ain't so Armed for the long haul Handicapping the NL Central race Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001 Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid Down on the farms Pineda heats up in bullpen Reds chatter The week ahead Durazo's big night shatters team records Legislature approves Twins stadium bill Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade John Fay's MLB Power Rankings Louisville 4, Ottawa 1 NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Football Hall is honored
Titans looking Freakier
Ashland ends NKU's bid 6-2
Buckeyes split with Gophers
Former Navy great ponders past choices
NKU women show in NCAA golf
Ohio State to play Marshall in 2004
Two roundabout roads to success
Cauthen hopes War Emblem wins Triple Crown
Espinoza enjoys a smooth ride
Preakness notebook
Take the heat and keep going
War Emblem wins Preakness
Indy hopefuls want smooth road on Bump Day
McWilliams family tree rooted in racing
Newman cashes in at The Winston
Price leads Colonial by 5
Serena meets Henin in Italian Open final
World Cup lookin' up
A peek inside the NBA draft lottery
K-Mart will try to slow down Celtics' Pierce
Lakers 106, Kings 99
McCarty's hat trick leads Wings past Avs
NHL notes column
Quinn hopes Leafs aren't too relaxed
The Cup runneth all over the place
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings
DAUGHERTY: Kelly loved, and in turn, receives love
Taft baseball alive with Webb at reins
Fehr riddles Elder - again
Spring sparks Lebanon's rally over Oak Hills
Preps schedule
Saturday's results

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