4 difficult playoff roster decisions Reds must make before Wild Card series

The Cincinnati Reds are heading back to the MLB Postseason for the first time (during a full 162-game season) since 2013 and they have momentum on their side. After outlasting the New York Mets down the stretch, the Reds secured the final NL Wild Card spot, and are headed out west to battle the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The NL Wild Card Series begins on Tuesday, and the Reds face the tall task of dethroning the reigning World Series champions. Terry Francona's club will face a number of questions in the coming days, most of which will be centered around the Reds playoff roster.

MLB Postseason rules allow teams to roster 26 players, and with a short series, the Reds are unlikely to carry more than 12 pitchers, and may only decide to keep 11. Here are four of the most difficult playoff roster decisions Francona and Co. will have to make in the coming days.

4 difficult playoff roster decisions Reds must make before Wild Card series

Is Austin Hays healthy enough to be part of the Reds playoff roster?

Outside of a pinch-hit appearance on Sunday afternoon, Reds fans haven't seen Austin Hays on the field since September 20, as the outfielder has been listed as day-to-day with back spasms. Not having Hays in the lineup has certainly shortened the Reds' bench, and it remains to be seen if the 30-year-old will be healthy enough to return to the lineup when Cincinnati battles Los Angeles during the NL Wild Card Series.

Which starting pitcher(s) will be left off the Reds playoff roster?

In a shortened series, there's no need for the Reds to carry their full compliment of starting pitchers on the playoff roster. The decision likely comes down to one of Zack Littell or Brady Singer. Having pitched on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, Singer wouldn't lined up to pitch until Friday — a day after the Wild Card Series ends.

Will the Reds add an extra left-handed reliever to the playoff roster?

It's a good bet that Emilio Pagán, Nick Martinez, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips, and Chase Burns will all be part of the Reds playoff roster. The rest of the bullpen, however, is not so certain. Brent Suter has been the only left-handed reliever on the roster over the past couple of weeks, but an extra southpaw could be useful with so many left-handed hitters in the Dodgers' lineup. Reiver Sanmartin and Sam Moll are Francona's only other options.

Is Nick Lodolo able to start Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Dodgers?

If the rotation remains intact, Hunter Greene would likely start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday, with Nick Lodolo to follow in Game 2. (If necessary, Andrew Abbott will probably be the game 3 starter.) Unfortunately, Lodolo exited his last start prematurely with a mild groin injury. The Reds lefty entered Sunday's finale and pitched in relief, signaling that he'll likely be ready to go once the postseason begins.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors