The Reds welcome the Pirates to town with the postseason in sight

Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is playing his best ball of the season.

Things have not always gone as smoothly as I’m sure Reds Country and Shogo Akiyama would have liked adjusting to playing in America. However, since the calendar has turned to September, Akiyama has been a key piece to the Reds offense.

Beginning September 1st, Akiyama is leading the Reds with a .308 batting average and .471 on-base percentage. As a matter of fact, he’s the only Reds player with a minimum of 20 at-bats who’s hitting above .243 for the month. Toss in four stolen bases and Akiyama is starting to look like the player Reds Country envisioned.

Equally as impressive is Akiyama’s ability to put the ball in play. This month, Shogo Akiyama is striking out just 8.8% of his at-bats which is tremendously better than the team’s 26.4% strikeout rate for the month. Coming off an August in which fanned 22.9% of the time, it appears Akiyama is adjusting to the league and improving this pitch recognition.

The next step in Akiyama’s evolution has to be hitting for more power. Only the Cardinals Kolten Wong has more at-bats than Akiyama’s 138 without hitting a home run,  and his .271 slugging rate is the lowest in the majors for anyone with a minimum of 130 at-bats.

However, given his ability to improve, the extra-base hits will come. But in the meantime, let’s hope Akiyama continues to reach base and provide RBI opportunities for the middle of the order. David Bell recently promoted Akiyama to the leadoff position.

Prediction

Two weeks to play and two games out of a playoff berth is what the Cincinnati Reds are facing. This is the type of series that will make or break a season. The Reds can ill afford to split this series with the Pirates, a team who owns the worst record in the senior circuit. In all honesty, the Reds need a sweep to truly get the fanbase excited about potential October baseball.

However, it’s hard to imagine the Reds sweeping anyone regardless of the opponent. Additionally, with Anthony DeSclafani and Michael Lorenzen starting two of the four games, it would be fool’s gold placing your bets on a Reds sweep. Look for the Reds to capture three of four from the Bucs and creep within striking distance of a postseason berth.