Are the Cincinnati Reds a good team or is this run of winning five of the last six series’ simply fool’s gold? Those who have watched for 30 years might say fool’s gold, but I am here to convince you otherwise, and to state that this team is actually good. The definition for “good” in terms of baseball however, is different for everyone. If you can consistently play above .500, I consider a baseball team to be defined as “good.” Cincinnati wins more than they lose, has a positive run differential, and has relatively consistent starting pitching. The Reds might not be able to make it to the playoffs, but I can confidently say that this spark isn’t just a fluke.
- Spencer Steer is finally back. He’s slashing .442 with 4 HR, 3 doubles, and one triple over his last 11 games. This is the Spencer we need to get this team over the hump, especially against left-handed pitching.
- Elly De La Cruz is slashing .370, .418 OBP, and 6 home runs since June 9. How’s that for a sample size?
- Before entering June 2, Cincinnati was 0-34 when trailing after eight innings and 6-28 when they score three or less runs. This simply couldn’t last forever and luck will soon bounce back over the course of a year.
- Cincinnati just went 4-2 against the Yankees and Padres. That speaks for itself without Hunter Greene.
- Of the teams ahead of the Reds in the Wild Card standings, only two teams have scored more runs. Only two teams have a better run differential.
Maybe I am just optimistic. Maybe I am the emotional fan with wishes and parent blinders, but I think this time, it feels different. If this team can stay healthy and return Hunter Greene and Noelvi Marte, I could see Cincinnati certainly making a 2023 type of run. Maybe the summer optimism and nice weather is getting to me.
Playing Above .500
For Cincinnati to really get into the buyers market and to be playing in the playoffs, they will first need to find a way to play well over .500. The National League is brutal and it feels like five games over .500 or so isn’t going to cut it at this rate. Cincinnati can’t keep floating around .500 and this series against Boston will be crucial for Cincinnati to get to five games over .500 or more. They’ve yet to reach this milestone. Can Chase Burns out battle Crochet? Can Cincinnati hitting deliver against left handed pitching? If Cincinnati is as good as I believe they are, then this would be a good series to prove it to the fan base and themselves.