{"id":61919,"date":"2023-09-07T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=61919"},"modified":"2023-09-06T14:46:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T18:46:09","slug":"nl-playoffs-transactions-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/09\/07\/nl-playoffs-transactions-october\/","title":{"rendered":"NL Playoff Picture: The Moves That Will Decide the Race"},"content":{"rendered":"

With only two games separating four teams in the National League Wild-Card race, let’s look at the transactions that will decide who gets in. Prior to games beginning on Wednesday, the Cincinnati Red<\/a>s, Miami Marlins<\/a>, Arizona Diamondback<\/a>s, and San Francisco Giants<\/a> all sit in striking distance of the third wild-card spot, in that order. The Reds hold the spot by a half game over Miami. With the NL playoff picture being so close, small decisions will be what separates one club from the other three.<\/p>\n

Some rules for this list: there’s no double jeopardy, so only one move by each team will be included. The moves are not limited to the 2023 trade deadline, either. Last offseason and in-season injury moves are eligible to be included as well. The list goes by order of the standings. Each of these four moves will play a role in settling the NL playoff picture, determining who gets the final spot in October.<\/p>\n

Reds Pitchers On the Shelf<\/h3>\n

The Reds hold the final wild-card spot before Wednesday’s games. They’ve arrived in contention ahead of schedule, as young players have established themselves as quality big-league regulars through the summer. However, the major weakness of this team has always been starting pitching. Last Friday, that weakness became much more pronounced. Four pitchers (starters Hunter Greene<\/a>, Brandon Williamson<\/a>, and Ben Lively<\/a>, reliever Fernando Cruz<\/a>) were placed on the COVID-19 injured list. In addition, starter Graham Ashcraft<\/a> was placed on the injured list with a right big toe stress reaction. Reds starters are 28th in the league this year in ERA (5.27). Losing four starters to an already depleted staff could prove to be a killer down the stretch, and the Reds offense will likely have to score more runs to compensate.<\/p>\n

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Marlins Trade for Burger<\/h3>\n
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We’ll take one Burger to go, please. pic.twitter.com\/EaIUZXHfDD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n