Let's make a deal
A funny thing happened in the rush to get to Bengals training camp and to write off the Reds: The Reds have reached the high point of their season.
They are 67-60, a season best seven games over .500.
It’s August 20th and I’m scoreboard watching.
With 35 games remaining, the Reds are one game out of a playoff spot.
Can we make a deal...for right now….the next couple of hours….at least?
Enjoy this.
Had I told you in March that the Reds would be in a playoff chase in late August, I think you would have taken it, and run with it.
Has the journey to this point been perfect? Far from it.
Frustrations have run high. Injuries have been debilitating. Too often, runs have been scarce, bullpen blowups gutting, and defensive miscues infuriating. And yes, even the managerial moves at times have been head scratching.
They have spent 127 games teasing us. Will the Reds make the postseason? You got me.
The remaining schedule is daunting, second toughest in all of MLB. Heck, they come back from this current 10-day, 9-game road trip, play a homestand, and then head back out for another West Coast trip. They still have series vs teams including the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cubs, Padres, Brewers.
But the trade deadline infusion of new faces has certainly paid dividends. Ke’Bryan Hayes has impacted games defensively, like we haven’t seen since Scott Rolen, and he’s even hit a little. Miguel Andujar has mashed. Zack Littell has given them quality starts 2 of 3 outings. Meanwhile, Noelvi Marte, freed up of 3B, has become a daily force for the offense.
There’s no question the bullpen is running on fumes. No doubt Matt McLain has to start hitting. No argument that the odds are stacked against them. FanGraphs places the Reds odds of earning a Wild Card at 19.1 percent.
But you know what, they are still here. Alive and kicking.
On August 20th.
I can't offer you a guarantee of joy and happiness the rest of the way.
But don’t waste time on predictive angst and doom and gloom of what might happen. They might lose tonight. They might lose tomorrow.
You'll likely get somes chances at disappointment and aggravation.
But enjoy what is happening right now. The Reds are a single game out of a postseason spot with 35 games remaining.
This is what sports are about.
Buckle up.
Let's go!