Nothing out of the ordinary for Reds in NLDS Game 1

SAN FRANCISCO - As I watched the Reds beat the Giants in Game 1 of the NLDS Saturday night, I thought about that famous rant from Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green years ago after his team lost to the Chicago Bears.

"They are who we thought they were," he said over and over again, getting more upset each time he said it. The meaning was that his team was very aware of the talents and tendencies of the Bears, but they still let them rally back to win anyway.

Different sport, but I believe the Reds we saw Saturday night were "who we thought they were." In other words, they just kept doing the things that got them this far. No more and no less.

Let's start with pitching. In other times, this team would have been in a deep state of hurt seeing their ace leave the game after only one batter. But Sam LeCure has been steady out of the bullpen, and I had confidence with him out there. He paved the way for Mat Latos to get ready for unexpected duty. Once he was in the game, it seemed like just another start.

Two things stand out in my mind. LeCure's sudden relief and Brandon Phillips' sudden offense. Nothing makes this team look better than a ball hit into the stands. The Reds typically aren't good at moving runners from station to station. They're much better when the ball leaves the park.  And one big hit has seemed to lead to another for the Reds team this season.

The Reds defense was on display before a national audience, but it's what we've been watching all season long. We've seen the range of Stubbs and Bruce, and the abilities of Ryan Ludwick, who has made a lot more good plays than bad during the season. Votto leaps on a scorcher. Cozart picks off a rising liner. Hanigan repeatedly blocking balls into the dirt. It's nothing new to Reds fans. And if Derek Jeter had made that diving play behind first that Phillips made, they'd name a candy bar after him in New York. Nobody makes that play but Phillips.

Finally, this team adjusted once more. It had to adjust at spring training when Ryan Madson went down and when Nick Masset wasn't available in the bullpen. It adjusted when Scott Rolen couldn't play and when Joey Votto was injured.

Saturday night, the Reds adjusted again, and won again, just like 97 times during the regular season. "They were who we thought they were." And that was good enough Saturday night. I think it will be good enough to win this series.