This weekend at Nice American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Reds could have their finest (final?) likelihood to climb again into the wild card race once they host the New York Mets for 3 video games. The Mets sit within the third wild card spot and the Reds are 5 video games again. Listed here are the NL wild card standings:
- Chicago Cubs: 80-60 (+5 GB)
- San Diego Padres: 76-64 (+1 GB)
- New York Mets: 75-65
—————————————————- - San Francisco Giants: 71-69 (4 GB)
- Cincinnati Reds: 70-70 (5 GB)
After this weekend’s sequence with the Mets, the Reds will journey to San Diego for 3 video games with the Padres. That is the most important week of the season for the Reds, arms down. Listed here are the small print for this weekend’s three-game set in Cincinnati. Choose video games will be streamed regionally on fubo (strive without cost).
The Mets are anticipated to name up right-hander Brandon Sproat for his MLB debut Sunday. Ace Hunter Greene traces as much as pitch that day for the Reds, although the group has not but confirmed he shall be Sunday’s beginning pitcher. Each the Mets and Reds had an off-day Thursday. The 2 golf equipment shall be as rested as you will be this time of 12 months for this sequence.
Right here now are three issues to learn about this weekend’s essential sequence in Cincinnati:
The Reds lead the season sequence
The Reds took two of three from the Mets at Citi Discipline in July, with the one loss a good one-run sport. Profitable two of three this weekend wouldn’t solely transfer the Reds nearer within the standings, it could additionally clinch the season sequence and thus the tiebreaker. That might successfully knock one other sport off their deficit. The Mets want to brush this weekend to clinch the tiebreaker, and, after all, in the event that they sweep this weekend, they seemingly will not want the tiebreaker as a result of the Reds shall be far sufficient again within the rearview mirror.
The Reds will not have a greater likelihood to make up floor
It might’t be overstated: The Reds’ season is basically on the road these subsequent six days between the Mets and Padres sequence. Taking two of three from the Mets would leap the Reds from 5 video games behind the Mets to a few video games again with 19 video games to play. To have their finest likelihood at claiming a postseason spot, the Reds really want to brush this weekend. That might transfer them to just one sport behind the Mets. Dropping two of three would bump the Reds to 6 video games behind the Mets with 19 to play, and that is a fairly monumental gap. These head-to-head video games are one of the best likelihood to make up floor.
Who’s sizzling, who’s not
Baseball is a sport of cold and warm streaks. Consistency is a fantasy. A .300 hitter would not get three hits each 10 at-bats, and even hit .300 each single month. He hits .300 one month, .250 the following, .350 the month after that, and so forth. Naturally, some Mets and Reds gamers go into this weekend swinging the bat higher than others. Listed here are three New York gamers who’ve been purple sizzling the final two weeks:
Vientos, who was so essential throughout New York’s NLCS run final 12 months, has lastly gotten his 2025 on monitor following a extremely sluggish begin that noticed him lose enjoying time to Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and others. Commerce deadline pickup Cedric Mullins has been the one actual drag on the Mets’ offense currently. He has a .188/.297/.294 slash line because the commerce.
Right here now are three Reds gamers who’ve swung a sizzling bat the final two weeks:
Hayes came to visit on the commerce deadline and is a particular defender at third base. If the Reds have actually helped him get bat going, he’ll be one of many extra helpful gamers in baseball. McLain is lastly performing like his 2023 self after lacking final 12 months with shoulder surgical procedure. He was so spectacular as a rookie two years in the past and is starting to appear like that participant once more.
Elly De La Cruz, in the meantime, is in the midst of an prolonged droop that has seen him hit .217/.252/.318 since Aug. 1. He has not hit a house run since July 31. There is no such thing as a likelihood — zero — the Reds will attain the postseason with out De La Cruz performing just like the All-Star he will be these closing few weeks.
