Out of the gate

Yes, there have been some frustrating losses thus far. But let's look at this season and think back to a year ago:

2004

L	Cubs	4-7
W	Cubs	3-1
W	Cubs	5-3
W	Pirates	5-1
W	Pirates	3-1
L	Pirates	3-4
W	Phillies	4-1
L	Phillies	4-6
L	Cubs	10-11
W	Cubs	3-2

Record: 6-4

Composite score: 44-37

2003

L	Pirates	1-10
L	Pirates	4-7
L	Pirates	5-7
W	Cubs	10-9
L	Cubs	7-9
W	Cubs	5-4
W	Astros	2-1
L	Astros	3-4
L	Astros	2-4
W	Phillies	7-6

Record: 4-6

Composite score: 46-61

Who's hot: D'Angelo Jimenez

The second baseman/leadoff man has been one of the most consistent offensive forces on the team. He has reached base in all ten of the Reds games. His on-base percentage is a stellar .444.

Who's not: Jason LaRue

The starting catcher opened the season 0-for-14, and is hitting only .130 (3-for-23) overall. He also has two passed balls, and could have four with less generous scoring.

Remember him?

Scott Sullivan was the most durable reliever the Reds have had in recent years. Sullivan, traded to the White Sox last season, signed with Kansas City as a free agent in the offseason. He was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his first five appearances for the Royals.

Trivia question

Sean Casey went 1-3 Saturday, leaving him hitting .395 for the year. Who owns the highest single-season batting average by a Red? (answer below).

Numbers game

2: Errors committed by the Reds. In 27 games last April, the Reds committed 33 errors.

0: Appearances by reliever Todd Van Poppel.

18: Bases on balls allowed by Reds pitchers in their first 71 innings, fewest in the majors.

.506: Despite their tag of lovable losers, the Cubs have a winning record against the Reds all-time. Entering this series, the Cubs were 963-939 against the Reds since 1900.

5: Multiple-hit games by Sean Casey in the first nine games.

16: Home runs needed by Ken Griffey Jr. to reach 500.

5-2: Reds' record this season when Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns and Griffey start in the outfield.

1996: The last time a Reds pitcher won his first three starts in a season. Paul Wilson (2-0) will attempt to equal that mark today against Chicago.

Trivia answer

Cy Seymour owns the Reds' single-season record for highest batting average, hitting .377 in 1905.

Week ahead

The Reds meet the Braves for their only three home games in a stretch of 20 games, Tuesday (7:10 p.m.), Wednesday (7:10 p.m.) and Thursday (12:35 p.m.). The Braves have a new look, losing Greg Maddux, Vinnie Castilla and Gary Sheffield, among others. Chris Reitsma has emerged as John Smoltz's primary set-up man. Friday, the Reds open a 10-game road trip with four games at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1:35 p.m. Sunday and 7:05  p.m. Monday.