Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from series win vs Chicago White Sox

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds (R) celebrates with next batter Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds after hitting a two-run home run. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds (R) celebrates with next batter Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds after hitting a two-run home run. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a fielder's choice for an RBI.
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 20: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a fielder’s choice for an RBI. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

3. Aristides Aquino has earned a spot on the Reds playoff roster

That home run took us back to August last year, didn’t it? Aristides Aquino flat-out punished the ball that he hit into the upper deck on GABP yesterday afternoon. Aquino has played meaningful games of late, and David Bell must find a way to keep him in the lineup down the stretch and on the playoff roster if Cincinnati makes it to the postseason.

In his last seven games, The Punisher has two home runs and five RBIs. While his spot in right field is occupied by Nick Castellanos, Aquino has found playing time in left field and as the team’s designated hitter. With the streaky Jesse Winker mired in a slump, Bell should definitely platoon the two over the final six games.

Aquino absolutely demolished his fifth inning homer off Ross Detwiler. With a runner on, Aquino sent a 1-2 pitch over the left-center field wall at a crazy 107.6-MPH according to Baseball Savant. The ball travelled 428-feet. Just the sound alone was enough to make Reds Country come to life.

The Cincinnati Reds currently occupy the No. 8 seed in the National League playoff picture and if the team sneaks into the postseason, there’s zero doubt that The Punisher belongs on the roster. The level of power is something you can’t teach, and if Aquino gets hot, we’ve seen how dominant he can be.

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