Major League Baseball

Reds, A's and Padres set table for resurgence

Published Sep. 30, 2009 6:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

Making decisions based on performances in April and September can be a foolish exercise.

Kansas City finished this April leading the American League Central, and Toronto stood .012 out of the AL East lead. St. Louis third baseman Brian Barden was the National League rookie of the month for April.

How do you like them now?

Kansas City and Toronto will finish as also-rans. Barden made his last major-league appearance on July 9.

With that caveat in mind, these September showings are nonetheless worth considering. A look at why these clubs may be more than one-month wonders:

Cincinnati