MLB Playoffs: Three role players who are crucial for the Reds to advance

These three Reds players must step up in the Wild Card Series vs the Braves.

The Cincinnati Reds embark on their quest for a World Series title beginning on Wednesday. Cincinnati has not been to part of the MLB Playoffs since 2013 and has not advanced to the NLCS since 1995. In order to get there, first, the Reds will have to deal with a dangerous Atlanta Braves team. These three role players must step up in a big way.

The Reds have had a tumultuous season. Despite a four-game hiatus after one of their players tested positive for COVID-19, Cincinnati rallied late and are one of the hottest teams in all of Major League Baseball. Some of the Reds best players have kicked it into gear of late, including Trevor Bauer, Mike Moustakas and Joey Votto.

But we all expect those players to show up. Bauer finished with the best ERA in the National League and is likely on his way to winning the Cy Young, which would be a first for both Bauer and the Reds. Moustakas is showing everyone why the front office signed him to a four-year/$64M contract, and Votto is proving that he can still lead a team at 36-years old.

However, it hasn’t just been the stars that have gotten Cincinnati to the postseason. Several others have been key to the Reds resiliency of late. Heading into the MLB Playoffs, more than just the usual suspects will have to show up if Cincinnati hopes to advance. Let’s look at three role players who are crucial to Cincinnati’s success versus the Atlanta Braves.