Reds playoff odds drop dramatically after ump show takes center stage in loss to Cardinals

The Cincinnati Reds scored three runs in the second inning on Saturday night, but that was it. The Reds fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 and seen their playoff odds take a dramatic hit.

While Reds fans have every right to be upset following one of the worst overturned calls you'll ever see, the harsh reality is that Cincinnati now stands at 73-71 and is 2.5 games back in the chase for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

After losing their third straight game, Cincinnati now sits behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins in the Wild Card standings. Both teams, along with the San Francisco Giants, have a better chance of reaching the postseason than the Reds.

Reds playoff odds drop dramatically after ump show takes center stage in loss to Cardinals.

According to Baseball Reference, the Cincinnati Reds now have an 18.2-percent chance of making the playoffs. That's a drop of 10.8-percent from just yesterday and 21.9-percent since the week began. The Arizona Diamondbacks now have a 51-percent chance to make the postseason.

It's been a tough week for the Reds. David Bell's squad has dealt with a ton of adversity after placing numerous players on the COVID-19 IL. Just yesterday, both Stuart Fairchild and Alex Young landed on the COVID-19 IL as well. To make matters worse, it seemed as though the umpires had it out for Cincinnati last night.

Reds manager David Bell was ejected in the fourth inning, as was Alejo Lopez. Both were removed from the game after arguing balls and strikes. But the worst call in the game may have been when Christian Encarnacion-Strand was called for runner's interference while sliding into second base in the ninth inning.

The good news is that the Cincinnati Reds are likely to welcome back Joey Votto and Hunter Greene today. Jonathan India is slated to rejoin the club in Detroit on Tuesday as well. Will those additions be enough to help Cincinnati regain some momentum heading into the week?