Reds' playoff odds bolstered by inexcusable gaffe in Cubs' agonizing loss to Braves

The Cincinnati Reds are still alive in the chase for one of the final two NL Wild Card spots. However, David Bell's squad will need some help from outside the organization this week if they hope to make a playoff run.

Cincinnati got it on Tuesday night in the form of an inexcusable error during the bottom of the eighth inning in a game between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves.

Heading into play on Tuesday night, the Cubs led the Reds by 2.5 games in the NL Wild Card, but after and agonizing loss in Game 1 of a three-game series to the Braves, that number has shrunk.

Reds' playoff odds bolstered by inexcusable gaffe in Cubs' agonizing loss to Braves

The Atlanta Braves trailed the Chicago Cubs by a score of 6-0 on Tuesday night, but rallied to take home the 7-6 victory after Seiya Suzuuki dropped a would-be fly ball out that would have preserved a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Suzuki camped under a fly ball off the bat of Braves' catcher Sean Murphy, but was unable to secure it. The error allowed the two runners who were on base to score and Chicago's one-run advantage became a one-run deficit.

Former Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias locked down the Braves' 101st win of the season in the ninth inning, and sent the Cubs to the clubhouse with a loss.

Reds Country knows all too well the feelings associated with blowing such a huge opportunity. Cincinnati dropped a game last week to the Pittsburgh Pirates after leading 9-0.

According to Baseball Reference, the Reds' playoff odds jumped 5.7-percent and now stand at 13.5-percent. The Cubs, meanwhile, lost ground in the NL Wild Card hunt and their playoff odds slipped to 54.3-percent.

The Miami Marlins, who were rained out on Tuesday, will play a doubleheader against the New York Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field in Queens. Miami's playoff odds currently sit at 46.1-percent.

Philadelphia will be headed back to the postseason in 2023 after securing a home playoff series with and the first NL Wild Card spot. The Arizona Diamondbacks now have an 86.1-percent chance of making it to the playoffs after boat racing the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

None of what happened on Tuesday night means anything if the Cincinnati Reds don't keep winning. Andrew Abbott will get the ball tonight in Cleveland with the Reds looking to record their 82nd win and secure a winning record in 2023.