CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have a shot at making the MLB playoffs, something that didn't seem likely a few weeks ago.
This article will detail the playoff scenarios, updated every day until the Reds either clinch or are eliminated.
How the Reds get into the playoffs
The Cincinnati Reds are seeking the sixth and final seed, otherwise known as the last wild card spot, to get into the National League side of the MLB playoffs.
Six teams make the National League playoffs, with the first round consisting of the lowest four seeds playing against one another. The two best division winners get a bye in round 1, while the third division winner plays the lowest-seeded wild card team. Right now, that means the Reds would travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers in a best-of-three series. All three games in the wild card round happen at the higher seed's home stadium, unlike the rest of the playoffs where they alternate home and away games.
The two other teams ahead of the Reds in the wild card race are the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres (who have already clinched).
The Redlegs are going to have to hold off five teams to secure that last spot (we'll break down the remaining schedules below):
Cincinnati Reds — 83-78
New York Mets — 83-78
If the season ended today
The Reds would make the playoffs
Reds Magic Number (number of games Reds need to win to clinch a playoff spot)
1
What happened last game
Reds won
Mets won
Who to root for Sunday
Reds to beat the Brewers
Marlins to beat the Mets
Remaining Schedules
Reds
The Reds have a 3-game series left to close out the year: Away at the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
On Friday, the Redlegs beat the Brewers 3-1 off a go-ahead run by Gavin Lux. On Saturday, they beat Milwaukee 7-4.
The Brewers have been the best team in all of Major League Baseball this year, but with the team having already clinched a bye in the first round of the playoffs, it's unclear whether or not they'll throw all their weapons at the Reds in the last three games of the season. The Brewers are likely to rest its bullpen, and perhaps even some position players.
Mets
The Mets may have lost Friday night, but they shut out the Marlins 5-0 on Saturday.
The best-case scenario for the Reds is the Marlins remain hot and beat up on the Mets on Sunday to give them more control of their own destiny, because the Reds have the tiebreaker over the Mets.
The Giants, Cardinals, Marlins and Diamondbacks are now mathematically eliminated.
The wild card round begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Either way, it's going to be a wild week to watch. Here's a hype video the Reds made to really amp you up for the next week:
