Reds' playoff chances

Will the Reds pull out a playoff berth for the first time in five years?

After a sweep of the Chicago Cubs late last week, the Cincinnati Reds are in the running to claim the last wild-card spot in the National League.

There are only three total wild-card spots in each of the two leagues. In the National League, both the Cubs and the San Diego Padres have already clinched a playoff berth.

That leaves one last spot that the Reds hope to claim within the next few days.

However, it won’t be easy. The Reds are competing against both the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last wild-card spot in the National League.

To clinch, the Reds must pull out some wins to stay competitive.

After Sunday's win against the Cubs, the Reds would have had a spot in the playoffs if the season had ended there. Yet, they have lost the last two of their three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates, putting them a game back from the Mets.

To add to this, the Reds' remaining four games consist of one more game against the Pirates and a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who happen to have the best record in the National League.

Their Competition

It's not going to be easy for the Reds, but it hasn't proven easy for the Mets either.

The Mets lost two in a row to the Washington Nationals last week and one game against the Cubs yesterday, which has allowed the Reds and Diamondbacks to stay in the race.

Their remaining schedule isn't looking easy either, as they have a three-game series against the 77-81 Marlins, whom they have only won half of their games against this season.

As for the Diamondbacks, they might have a little more trouble than the other two teams.

They are being challenged with one more matchup against the 88-68 Los Angeles Dodgers and a three-game series against the 86-71 San Diego Padres, who clinched a wild-card spot this past Monday.

It’ll be tough for the Diamondbacks to keep up with the Reds and the Mets with a rigorous four games ahead of them.

What a Playoff Appearance Would Mean

The Reds have failed to make the playoffs since the 2020 COVID-19 season, when they failed to score a single run against the Atlanta Braves. Before 2020, they hadn't made the playoffs since 2013, in which they lost 6-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the wild-card game.

This drought has left fans doubting the Reds’ franchise as a whole.

A playoff appearance this season would bring back hopes to Cincinnati of winning another World Series if the team can continue to grow.

It's going to be a hard four days of games, and it will most likely be a back-and-forth between the Reds and the Mets.

However, if the Reds can pull it off, it will be monumental for the city of Cincinnati after years of disappointment from both the Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The chances are getting slim, but a playoff berth is still in view for the Cincinnati Reds.

Erin Wilder is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email eew5390@psu.edu.