Being out of contention for the National league Triple Crown has not made Joey Votto slow down as the Cincinnati Reds first baseman has a season high 10-game hitting streak, with three home runs and six runs batted in during that stretch.
With the Reds almost clinching the Central Division and 10 games left in the schedule, Votto would like to push his already career-high numbers.
However, manager Dusty Baker might have a different plan in mind for the Canadian slugger. Cincinnati’s skipper knows his team will be in the playoffs and giving Votto some rest before the postseason would make a lot of sense.
“The one real guy that hasn’t had a break that probably really needs a break at this time is Joey Votto,” Baker told Rotoworld. “It’s hard when you’re going for the batting title and all these other titles he’s going for, too.”
The MVP candidate was scratched from Tuesday’s game against the Brewers due to a sinus infection and could sit out the following game as well.
Baker is not going to take any chances with his best hitter.
“He has a very serious sinus infection, which is tough,” Baker told MLB.com. “All that hitting, base running and all that, there’s got to be some fatigue. You don’t get fatigue physically making outs. You get fatigue hitting and running the bases.”
The Etobicoke native is currently top three in homers, RBI’s, and batting average, went 1-for-4 on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers with a dinger and two RBI’s.
Votto has played 31 games in a row and 142 of Cincinnati’s 151 games.
The Reds (85-66) lead the division, seven games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals (77-72).
Triple Crown Race
| PLAYER | AVERAGE | HR | RBIs | GAMES LEFT |
| Joey Votto – CIN | .323 | 35 | 106 | 10 |
| Albert Pujols – STL | .307 | 39 | 109 | 12 |
| Carlos Gonzalez – COL | .340 | 32 | 107 | 12 |