The Cincinnati Reds have achieved a feat that seemed improbable just a few months ago, securing a place in the MLB Playoffs for the first time since 2020. This berth was confirmed following a New York Mets loss, allowing the Reds to clinch their postseason spot.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the statistical anomaly of their season. The Reds have become the first team in Major League Baseball history to enter the playoffs in a non-shortened season without a qualifying hitter hitting over .270, a batter hitting 25 home runs, a pitcher with 15 wins, or a pitcher with 200 strikeouts. This unconventional path underscores the team’s unique season and resilience.
Looking ahead, the Reds face a formidable challenge as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Wild Card round on the West Coast. To advance past this stage, the Reds will need to execute near-perfect performances, which may necessitate difficult lineup decisions.
One such decision centers around infielder Matt McLain, who had a promising start to his MLB career but has struggled significantly at the plate this season, particularly following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2024. Despite his defensive reliability, McLain’s offensive numbers have dwindled, with a batting average that plummeted to .220 this year and an even worse .205 in September. As the Reds strategize for competitive matchups against the Dodgers’ ace pitchers, including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and possibly Shohei Ohtani, every offensive opportunity counts.
The Dodgers, equipped with a powerhouse lineup featuring stars like Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, present a daunting challenge. For Cincinnati to have a fighting chance, maximizing offensive output is crucial, which might require tough calls like benching McLain, despite his potential and past performance.
As the Reds prepare for their Wild Card matchup in Los Angeles, Terry Francona faces the difficult task of setting a lineup that offers the best chance of survival against a strong Dodgers team. Although it is uncertain if Francona will choose to bench McLain, this could be a pivotal decision in a series where Cincinnati will need to capitalize on every opportunity to succeed.
The Wild Card series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be a three-game set entirely played in Los Angeles, marking an intense start to the Reds’ postseason journey.