Look at the number of quality starts and run support for starting pitchers heading into this weekend's series with Boston Red Sox:
Starter QS-NQS Record Team Reds runs Per Start
Arroyo 6-9 4-5 7-8 80 5.3
Bailey 1-1 0-2 0-2 2 1.0
Belisle 1-5 1-4 1-5 30 5.0
Cueto 7-7 5-6 6-8 54 3.9
Fogg 0-4 1-2 2-2 26 6.5
Harang 9-5 2-9 5-9 42 3.0
Volquez 10-3 9-2 11-2 72 5.5
The hard-luck pitcher is obviously Harang, who is 9-5 in quality starts but has just a 2-9 record. He's only getting three runs per start. But look at Volquez. The rookie has 10 quality starts in 13 total starts. The Reds are 11-2 in the 13 games he's started. His run support is excellent at 5.5, but Arroyo (5.3) and Belisle (5.0) have also received excellent run support without anywhere near the same success. Cueto has been inconsistent, but he's a rookie. I'd let Bailey and Cueto both pitch through their mistakes at this level. Neither one has anything left to prove back in the minors. The hard knocks taken now is education for the future. And this could be the best starting five the Reds have thrown on the mound in quite awhile.
