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.” Read the rest of this entry »