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

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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Curt Casali #12 of the Cincinnati Reds works behind the plate. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 16: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. Reds reliever Raisel Iglesias will be key if the game is close in the ninth inning.

A collective gulp can be heard throughout Reds Country, but I honestly think the lack of faith in Raisel Iglesias is misplaced. Of late, you could make the argument that Iglesias has been one of Cincinnati’s best relievers, and he’ll have to maintain that same level of consistency against the Braves in the Wild Card Series.

The 2020 version of Iglesias looks eerily similar to the player that we all knew and loved from his 2017 and 2018 seasons with the team. Iglesias fell on tough times last season after Reds rookie Manager David Bell inserted Iggy into several situations in which he was not comfortable. The right-hander was not afraid to share his disdain for the new role either.

However, this season has seen Iglesias consistently work as the team’s closer when Cincinnati has a lead late or is tied in the eighth or ninth inning. Iglesias is 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 22 appearances out of the Reds bullpen. Iglesias has eight saves and his 31 punch outs trails only Lucas Sims (34) for strikeouts among relievers.

Over his last seven appearances, Raisel Iglesias has flat-out shut down the competition. Iglesias hasn’t allowed a run in the last 7.2 innings, has just one walk and seven strikeouts. That’s the version of Iglesias that must be on the mound late in games. If Iggy has his stuff working, the Braves batters will be going down in bunches.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Freddy Galvis #3 of the Cincinnati Reds plays defense at shortstop. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Reds shortstop Freddy Galvis offers something no other player does.

Freddy Galvis should start every game in the Reds Wild Card Series versus the Atlanta Braves. While everyone throughout Reds Country loves the bright future of José García, I’m curious if the rookie will even be on the team’s playoff roster. Galvis’ bat has come alive of late and the switch-hitting infielder can bat from both sides of the plate.

The Braves will throw left-handed Max Fried at the Reds in the first-round of the MLB Playoffs. Fried is one of the toughest southpaws in the business, and while García and Kyle Farmer have proven capable to field the position, Freddy Galvis must remain in the starting lineup throughout the Wild Card Series.

Galvis has been red-hot of late. In his last 21 plate appearances, the Cincinnati infielder is hitting .358/.500/.588 and has come up with some clutch hits. During that same seven-game span, Galvis has a home runs, three RBIs and a stolen base. Galvis needs to bring that same performance to the upcoming series in Atlanta.

Freddy Galvis has been maligned much of this season, as fans wanted to either García get more playing time or bemoaned the fact that José Iglesias was not re-signed over the winter. Hitting in the bottom of the order, Galvis brings pop to the Reds lineup from the No. 8 hole and has enough to keep opposing pitchers on their toes if he reaches base.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Curt Casali #12 of the Cincinnati Reds bats. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Curt Casali should start Games 1 and 3 versus the Braves.

While he’s likely to get a break for Game 2, given the way Atlanta’s rotation is set up, Curt Casali is likely to draw the start for the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. With lefty Max Fried on the hill for the Braves, David Bell is likely to put the right-handed hitting Casali behind the plate. Casali has also worked well with Trevor Bauer this season, who is the Reds Game 1 starter.

Casali has broken out in a big way this season, and it’ll be very curious to see how the Reds handle their catching situation come the offseason. Casali is under team-control through next season, Tucker Barnhart has one year remaining on his contract and the young rookie, Tyler Stephenson has been most impressive in 2020.

But, back to the MLB Playoffs. Casali will undoubtedly get the call behind the plate in Game 1. With Bauer on the hill, having a catcher like Casali donning the tools of ignorance should give Bauer a lot of confidence, as the right-hander is likely to spin up several balls in the dirt. Casali is a master at getting his body between the ball and the backstop, allowing just three passed balls.

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Furthermore, Curt Casali has exploded offensively this season. Typically hitting in the No. 9 hole, Casali is hitting .224/.366/.500 with six home runs and eight RBIs on the season. Casali, who was teammates with Sonny Gray at Vanderbilt, is also likely to get the call behind the plate should there be a need for a Game 3.

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