2. Nick Martini has no business being on the Reds playoff roster.
You're going to laugh, but Nick Martini has an outside chance to be part of the Cincinnati Reds playoff roster. Quite frankly, there might not be a better left-handed hitting bench option, but it all comes down to the numbers.
If the Cincinnati faithful have an understanding that Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Luke Maile, Tyler Stephenson, Elly De La Cruz, Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Will Benson, Spencer Steer, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are locks to be part of a potential Reds playoff roster, that would account for 10 of the 13 position players.
It feels as if Noelvi Marte has done enough over the past few weeks to warrant inclusion on a potential playoff roster, and Nick Senzel has absolutely crushed left-handed pitching this season. So that leaves just one more position up for grabs.
If Matt McLain is healthy, the position is his. If he's not, the Reds have two choices - Nick Martini and, perhaps, Harrison Bader. Seeing as how the Reds would already have four left-handed bats, plus the switch-hitting De La Cruz, there's not really a need for another left-handed bat.
However, it sounds as if Bader will be shutdown for the season. So if McLain is still not back from his oblique injury, perhaps Martini could sneak onto the roster. It just doesn't seem very likely.