Paul, Reds focus on winning each game, not standings

CINCINNATI -- The Reds opened their series against Colorado tied for the third best record in baseball (35-22). Unfortunately for the Reds, the team they're tied with (Pittsburgh), and the club in first place (St. Louis) also happen to be in the National League Central.

Sitting 2 1/2 games back of St. Louis (37-19) before play on Monday, nobody in the Reds' clubhouse seemed too concerned about the standings -- not with more than 100 games left to play.

"We're not worried about first, second or third," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "We're just worried about wins."

St. Louis was the only team with a higher number in the win column entering Monday, and Cincinnati has done everything it could to keep pace. Since May 10, the Reds and Cardinals have each won 16 games, second in the Majors only to the Pirates (17). If Cincy can continue playing such high-level baseball, Xavier Paul said the standings will take care of themselves.

"I think as a team, we've been pretty happy with the way we've been playing," Paul said. "Hopefully down the stretch, we just keep winning, playing hard and try to get into first place. Play good against the teams that are ahead of us and beat the teams that we're supposed to beat. I think most of the guys in here are pretty happy about where we're at."