In March, I wrote in this space that the Reds would go 85-77. At 2010’s halfway point, Cincinnati was on pace to be even better at 92-70. Here’s how they’ve improved from 2009:

Infield: Joey Votto’s bat may be even better (19 homers), and he’s missed six games rather than last year’s 31. Even Orlando Cabrera’s 4-for-47 slump couldn’t drag him down to Alex Gonzalez’s level. But the big change is third base. Last year, in 506 at-bats, Adam Rosales, Edwin Encarnacion and Scott Rolen had 12 homers and 59 RBIs. Rolen has 17 and 56 in half a season.

Outfield: Jay Bruce and Jonny Gomes are hitting fewer homers (42 in 626 at-bats last year, 19 in 533 now), but Bruce is batting 58 points higher, and Gomes is on pace for 108 RBIs. As predicted, Drew Stubbs (.233 average, team-worst 85 whiffs) is a boost.

Pitching: I thought Homer Bailey would improve, while the others roughly repeated 2009. Bailey got hurt, but Mike Leake provided the bump, making the overall result the same. The surprise has been the bullpen, other than Arthur Rhodes. Francisco Cordero has blown five saves (four all of last year), and Nick Masset’s ERA has more than doubled.

Now what? The season likely will hinge on health — Rolen and Cabrera are 35, Rhodes is 40 — and who pitches once Bailey and Edinson Volquez return, giving the team seven legitimate options.