Reds' playoff hopes alive following Astros' narrow win over Diamondbacks

Reds fans get to cheer on their favorite team for at least one more day. Cincinnati ran wild over the St. Louis Cardinals last night and got some help from old friend Dusty Baker.

The Cincinnati Reds did everything they were supposed to do on Friday, and more. The Reds upended the Cardinals by a final of 19-2. It was Cincinnati's largest margin of victory all season.

But the one-run victory by the Houston Astros over the Zac Gallen-led Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night was just as important to the Reds' playoff hopes. One more D-backs will virutally eliminates any chance of the Redlegs heading to the postseason.

Reds keep playoff hopes still alive following Astros' narrow win over Diamondbacks

According to FanGraphs, heading into play of Saturday, the Cincinnati Reds' playoff odds stand at just 10.6-percent. However, the Reds have vaulted ahead of the Chicago Cubs, who lost another heartbreaker on Friday night. Chicago's playoff odds now sit at 3.9-percent.

The Reds have two routes to get to the playoffs and both include two more wins over the St. Louis Cardinals. One more loss, and the Reds' postseason hopes go up in smoke. But, even if the Redlegs are able to sweep the Cardinals, they'll need some help to reach the playoffs.

After the Miami Marlins came from behind on Friday to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Fish are just one win away from making it to the 2023 MLB Postseason. If playoff implications persist after Sunday's season finale, the Marlins could restart their game from Thursday night that was suspended.

The Cincinnati Reds will send Connor Phillips to the bump today versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The Houston Astros, whose season is hanging the balance as well, will send their ace to the hill on Saturday as well.

Former Cy Young Award-winner Justin Verlander will toe the rubber for Dusty Baker's bunch today in the desert against Merrill Kelly and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds need to win, but an Astros win on Saturday would certainly help.