The Cincinnati Reds are limping their way out of a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In a series that started the weekend off as important for the playoff positioning, the Reds didn’t fare well with the young Diamondbacks. Although dropping three out of four isn’t good, there is somewhat of a positive to take away from this series.
Cincinnati Reds Playoff Hopes After A Rough Weekend
Losing a four-game series is never a good thing during the season. It’s extremely true while in the middle of a playoff chase. If the Cincinnati Reds are to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and the first time in a full 162-game season since 2013, they need to avoid these kinds of outcomes. The good news for the young Reds? They still are in a good position to make a September run. The Reds currently sit a game and a half out of the third wild card spot.
The NL Wild Card race looks like it's going to go down to the wire!
Who gets into the playoffs? 👀 pic.twitter.com/aKzux98DK1
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) August 28, 2023
Without question, if you watched the matchups of the Reds and the Diamondbacks this weekend, the Reds could have easily been swept. On the opposite side, the Reds could have won more than a single game in the desert as well. Without Monday morning quarterbacking, one thing is for certain: the Cincinnati Reds are heading into the final stretch, still in contention for the playoffs.
The Reds Control Their Own Destiny Heading Into the Labor Day Weekend
The Reds now set their sights on the Bay Area for their final series on the West Coast in 2023. The San Francisco Giants, who are coming off a win on Sunday Night Baseball against the best team in baseball, the Atlanta Braves, give the Reds their next shot at controlling their fate. Heading into Monday night, the Reds and Giants will be tied for fourth place in the National League Wild Card. Both teams being a game and a half out of the final spot makes this series a big one. Even though each team will need help from the teams above, this series can be one that separates the Reds from the Giants, and the rest of the pack.
[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”bbm/mlb_winner_nl_central” size=”350×300″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”]
Once the series concludes Wednesday, the Reds will have a travel day before starting a four-game three-day Labor Day weekend series against the second-place Chicago Cubs. This is the series where the Reds can make the most noise. Playing a team that currently is above you in the playoff standings, it is important to set the table. Having the series at home is even more important for the Reds to play well. Between the Cubs and the Giants, that is seven games this week the Reds have an opportunity to increase their playoff odds.
Final Thoughts
If the Cincinnati Reds are to make the most of their Labor Day week games, the offense needs to show up. Nick Martini was a nice surprise this past weekend for the Reds. But in order for the team to succeed, the main pieces need to produce. Over the last two weeks, this Reds offense has been up and down with scoring runs. It’s been either a ton of runs or hardly any at all.
Nick Martini hits his second home run and the Reds have cut the deficit to one! pic.twitter.com/YtOoCq2UX6
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 26, 2023
On top of the offense needing to show up, the bullpen needs to be locked down. In the last two games against the Diamondbacks, the Reds bullpen blew both games. Fortunately, they were bailed out by the offense in one. This pen has been worked hard all season long. Good teams however find a way to get the job done. It was a rough weekend for the Redlegs in Arizona, but it could have been a lot worse.
Main photo credits:
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
