There's no denying the talent in the right arms of Johnny Cueto and Ian Snell, the two diminutive but hard-throwing pitchers that the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping can help anchor their rotations in the near future. 

Paul Maholm threw first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 28 batters he faced Wednesday, a formula that led to a big night for the left-hander. 

Paul Maholm pitched eight innings and Jason Michaels and Brandon Moss homered to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Wednesday night. 

Fantasy baseball waivers and the acquisition of fantasy baseball free agents can make or break a season. 

Being a so-called "expert," I get invited to participate in more leagues than I probably should be in and certainly more than my wife knows about. 

--OF Chris Dickerson was recalled Tuesday to take the roster spot of traded OF Adam Dunn. 

MEDICAL WATCH: INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. 

Jay Bruce walked to his locker in the PNC Park visitor's clubhouse Tuesday and was unaware that he was using the locker Adam Dunn used during his Pittsburgh visits. 

The lowly Cincinnati Reds will look to win back-to-back games for the first time in three weeks as they continue their three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in a matchup of the two worst teams in the NL Central. 

Edinson Volquez got a little extra rest and some early run support. 

Edinson Volquez pitched into the seventh inning to snap a post All-Star break slump and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Tuesday night in their first game since they traded Adam Dunn. 

Adam Dunn went from the cellar of the NL Central to the top of the West, and he's going to get every opportunity to help the Arizona Diamondbacks secure a spot in the postseason. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn in exchange for three prospects Monday, August 11. 

MEDICAL WATCH: INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. 

--RF Jay Bruce went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Sunday, ending his career-best 13-game hitting streak, the best for an NL rookie this season.