Reds must overcome this fatal flaw to contend for the postseason in 2025

The Cincinnati Reds' playoff aspirations are all but dashed as the team readies for a September to forget. Cincinnati endured a tough stretch during the month of May and the rest of the season has seen the Reds unable to climb out of that hole.

But the Reds' lack of success earlier this season was only one of the many hurdles that David Bell's club has had to overcome. The Reds have dealt with numerous injuries to key players and a lack of additions at the MLB trade deadline shutdown any thought of making a late-season run.

But if the Reds truly want to compete next season, they have to take care of business inside their own division. More specifically, the Reds must attain a winning record against the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Until Cincinnati can figure out how to upend their division rivals, or at least keep pace, then the Reds are doomed to repeat their same frivolous history.

The Reds must be able to win against the Brewers and Pirates

Would you believe that it's been three seasons since the Reds had a winning record against the Pirates? In 2021, Cincinnati dominated Pittsburgh taking 13-of-19 from the Buccos. The Reds were edged by the Brew Crew that season (9-10), but were quite competitive.

But the story has changed over the past three seasons. Heading into the series finale against the Brewers, the Reds are 12-32 against Milwaukee since 2022. The Reds have not won the season series against the Brewers since 2016. That's a problem.

Against the Pirates, the Reds are 15-27 since 2022. While the Reds' struggles against the Brewers is definitely alarming, three consecutive losing seasons to the Pirates might be more concerning. Why? Because the Pirates are not, nor have they been, a contender.

The Reds will continue to pile up unfruitful seasons so long as they fail to post a winning, or at least a more balanced, record against their NL Central foes. The Reds dominated the Chicago Cubs (7-3) so far this season, and stood toe-to-toe with the St. Louis Cardinals (7-5). But as Ric Flair so famously said, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man. Woo!" It's time for the Reds to start beating up to the Brewers and Pirates.

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