Doc's Morning Line: Bob Castellini has, in essence, been given a second chance this year

IT’S NOT EARLY ANYMORE. It’s June, the Reds play Milwaukee six times in the next week and a half, starting tonight, so taking stock of the rest of the season is fair game. The schedule is interesting.

Beginning July 2, the Reds play the Brewers and Cubs 10 times in 15 days. Incredibly, that includes seven straight games v. The Crew, four in Milwaukee. I don’t ever recall the Reds playing the same team – a team in their division, no less – seven times in a row.

Between now and July 29, the Reds play Milwaukee, Looie and the Cubs 23 times. Which means in the next 7 weeks, The Club can play its way in or out of relevance. Which should mean that very soon, Nick Krall & Co. should be burning the…