Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds have set a modern franchise record by using only five starting pitchers through the first 98 games. The last time the Reds went deeper in the season using only five was 1898.

Anytime you do something that hasn't been done in 114 years, it's pretty darned impressive. The consistent innings from the starters are a big reason the Reds open their three-game series tonight against the Colorado Rockies with a 58-40 record and atop the National League Central.

But, in the pitch-count, inning-monitoring world, should all the innings be a reason for concern?

Four of the five starters - Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mat Latos and Mike Leake - are on track to for career-highs in innings. Cueto and Bailey are 26; Latos and Leake are 24.

Too many innings too soon can make young pitchers more injury-prone.

"The innings are not a concern for me," pitching coach Bryan Price said.

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