[More Cowbell]

The Reds have lost the last 6 starts that Belisle has made, and it's usually because he has one bad inning. Hopefully he'll work it out sooner than later because he's the odd man out right now if the Reds want to try someone else from Louisville.

As for Lohse, since giving up 8 earned runs to Seattle, he's thrown two gems and lowered his ERA from 5.02 to 4.47. He's all about location and if he doesn't have it on any given start, he'll get beat around because he doesn't have the fastball to blow by hitters.

Arroyo has suffered from a tired pitching arm, but I look for him to be better in the second half with extended rest and having his spot pushed back in the rotation.

They may have lost the last few Belisle has started, but on the whole he hasn't pitched that bad. I still say that 5-6 and 5.28 are not bad numbers for the back end of the rotation. Plus, he has averaged 6 innings per start, so it's not like he's getting knocked out early and burning out the bullpen. Really, if he is the worst the rotation has to offer, we aren't in that bad of shape. He is a young guy in his first full season as a starter, and he has performed adequately, IMO. He may not ever do as well as Harang and Arroyo, but that's why they get paid the big bucks.

I do agree about Arroyo having a tired arm. He is slightly built, and is probably feeling the effects of throwing a lot of innings last year. I, too, hope that some extra rest will help him regain his previous form.