3 worrisome cold streaks that could end the Reds' 2025 MLB playoff hopes early

The Cincinnati Reds' postseason quest begins with a visit to Chavez Ravine where the Los Angeles Dodgers will be waiting. The Reds are going to need a Herculean effort in order to dethrone the defending World Series champs.

Not only will Cincinnati need Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Miguel Andujar to keep swinging a hot-bat, but the Reds can't afford for some of their struggling performers to remain ice-cold if they hope to advance in the postseason. These three cold streaks could doom Cincy's chances once the playoffs begin.

3 worrisome cold streaks that could end the Reds' 2025 MLB playoff hopes early

Matt McLain, Reds second baseman

Matt McLain has been the most disappointing player on the Reds roster this season, and there really isn't a close second. McLain was arguably the Reds best player in 2023, but after being sidelined by shoulder surgery last season, he's failed to return to the level of play that made him a Rookie of the Year candidate during his first season in the bigs.

McLain's defense is the only reason he's been an everyday regular in Terry Francona's lineup, but given Cincinnati's inability to score runs, the Reds can't just rely on the 26-year-old to be a glove-first second baseman. McLain's 0.1 bWAR is lower than Sal Stewart (0.5 bWAR), and he's only played in 18 games this season. The only saving grace is McLain's spot at the bottom of the batting order — something Francona wasn't banking on at the beginning of the season.

Noelvi Marte, Reds right fielder

Noelvi Marte's season-saving catch last week during the Reds' final homestand of 2025 has overshadowed his recent struggles. While Marte has enjoyed a bounce-back season overall, he's been scuffling throughout the month of September.

Since the calendar flipped to September, Marte is hitting just .189/.213/.289 with two home runs and nine RBI. Those aren't the numbers one expects to see from the No. 2 hitter in the lineup, and it may force Francona to make a lineup change before Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Andrew Abbott, Reds pitcher

Andrew Abbott went to the All-Star Game for the first time this season after going 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA during the first-half of the 2025 season. But as he's done in years past, the Reds' lefty has limped to the finish line, and his struggles could be magnified in the playoffs.

After the Midsummer Classic, Abbott has gone 2-6 with a 3.84 ERA and just 66 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. The Reds need the version of Abbott who went eight innings and mowed down the San Diego Padres back on September 10. The southpaw is likely to get the ball if there's a Game 3 against the Dodgers, or for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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