The Cincinnati Reds faced a critical decision regarding their playoff chances and chose to stick with their pitching rotation instead of adjusting to give Hunter Greene two more starts before the regular season concluded. This decision played out during their day off on Monday, leading them to open the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates with starter Brady Singer, despite anticipating a matchup with the likely Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes.
Singer struggled in the second inning of his start, contributing to the Reds’ loss in a must-win game against the Pirates. When Greene took to the mound, he performed well but could not match Skenes’ impressive showing, resulting in a second consecutive defeat for the Reds. Nevertheless, the Reds continue to cling to faint hopes of reaching the postseason, competing closely with the Arizona Diamondbacks and trailing the New York Mets by only one game.
The race for the National League wild-card spot appears to be a contest of attrition, with several teams failing to seize control. The Reds’ decision to forego additional starts for Greene is reminiscent of their cautious approach during the 2023 trade deadline. The franchise appears to be relying on hope rather than aggressive strategy, as echoed by their past decisions.
Despite the playoff picture being within reach, the Reds, along with other contenders like the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks, have struggled to assertiveively claim a spot. The Phillies, Brewers, and Dodgers remain formidable opponents, posing significant challenges for any team hoping to make a deep postseason run.
While a World Series run in 2025 might not have been a realistic expectation for the Reds, there was potential for the team to organize strategically for an October playoff game. Yet, as the regular season winds down, they find themselves entangled in a cluttered wild-card race, reliant on opportunities from their opponents’ missteps.
As they prepare to face the Pirates again, the Reds remain in a precarious situation. While the season hasn’t unfolded as hoped, another chance awaits them at 12:40 PM ET today, with hopes that they might finally capitalize on an opportunity and inch closer to postseason play.