Cincinnati Reds: Three keys to a postseason pursuit

3. The schedule will have a tremendous impact on the Reds playoff chances.

While the Cincinnati Reds have not played up to the lofty expectations heaped upon them this season, the team is good enough to sweep the upcoming series against the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates. The Buccos visit for a doubleheader on Monday and two more games at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Following the Reds four-game series against the Pirates, Cincinnati will welcome the South Siders to town. Don’t look now, but the Chicago White Sox are leading the American League Central Division and will bring a very good pitching staff to the Queen City this coming week.

Chicago’s among the best in the AL in terms of ERA (3.53) and they’ve kept the ball in the yard, allowing just 44 homers on the season, the fewest in all of Major League Baseball. If the Reds are able to get at least 3-of-4 against the Pirates, the next series against the White Sox could make or break Cincinnati’s chances at making the postseason.

While Cincinnati will welcome Pittsburgh and Chicago this week, the St. Louis Cardinals will play five games in three days versus the Milwaukee Brewers. In fact, 10 of the Cardinals final 20 games will be against the Brew Crew. With both teams holding a slim edge over the Reds, these last two weeks will be fun to watch.

The Brewers also wrap up the Reds homestand when they visit next week for a three-game set. The Brewers will be coming off a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals, who despite being in the AL Central cellar, have won six straight games.

Games against the White Sox and Twins represent six of the Reds final 13 contest and the teams are a combined 16-4 recently. At this point in the season, if Cincinnati is the team we expected them to be before the season began, they have to win every series. Closing the season with a record of 9-4 would put the Reds at 30-30 on the season and may help them sneak into the playoffs.