Highlight September 3^rd through 5^th on your calendar, no matter whether your rose-colored glasses skew towards the Redbirds of St. Louis or the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati. Baseball’s hottest new rivalry, Reds vs. Cardinals, will write its final regular season chapter over Labor Day weekend, with both teams still in contention for the top spot in the National League Central. Since a franchise high point the in the late 80′s and early 90′s, the Reds have been mired in decades of mediocrity, however with the team’s resurgence towards the top of the standings this season, the two divisional foes have reignited the flame.Cincinnati second baseman, Brandon Phillips, poured proverbial gasoline on the fire when he recounted his personal sentiments towards St. Louis, telling reporters, “I’d play against these guys with one leg. We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is expletive and moan about everything, all of them, they’re all little expletives, all of ‘em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear I hate the Cardinals.”In case the central theme, message or motif eluded you, Brandon Phillips is not a Cardinals fan. The Reds most vocal player saw the repercussions of his hatred flare up into retributive action the last time these two teams met, turning into a bench-clearing brawl. When Phillips took to the plate, he issued a tap of the bat to catcher Yadier Molina’s shin plate, a common sign of friendship among big leaguers, however it was met with contempt from the Cardinals’ catcher. Words escalated and a full on melee ensued, resulting in player and manager suspensions in both dugouts. The Cardinals ended up sweeping the series to retake first place in the Central from the Reds, though the race should be tight as the season enters its final stretch.