Potential Reds playoff roster now clouded by concerning Nick Lodolo injury update

Should the Cincinnati Reds actually make it back to the postseason, manager Terry Francona will have to take a careful look at his rotation. Hunter Greene is virtually locked in as the Game 1 starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the NL Wild Card Series starts on September 30, but Game 2 is now in flux due to Nick Lodolo’s groin injury. Francona’s wits could be the deciding factor if the Reds face off against the perennial juggernaut next week.

Thanks to Monday’s off-day, Francona could opt to simply slide his pitchers up a day in the rotation. That would mean Zack Littell would take the mound for Game 2 on October 1. That wouldn’t be a terrible move as Littell has historically performed well on four days’ rest. However, Francona could take a huge risk this week in order to preserve his hottest arm for an uncertain playoff role.

Nick Lodolo’s injury will test Terry Francona’s wits if the Reds make the playoffs

Brady Singer, who until his costly flop against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week was the Reds’ best second-half arm, could be called into action to cover Lodolo’s presumptive spot in the playoff rotation. Singer is scheduled to start the season finale on Sunday, but Francona could roll the dice in a number of ways in that game.

First, Singer could pitch as scheduled. The Reds may need his hot hand to even make it to the postseason. That would set up the Littell as Game 2 starter scenario. Francona, though, could take a chance with a bullpen game, particularly if the Reds have already locked up the Wild Card spot (with a pair of wins to start the series and a pair of Mets losses).

Chase Burns and Nick Martinez last pitched on Wednesday and could gear up as an opener on three days’ rest. Greene could even make a clutch appearance out of the ‘pen in the Reds’ final push. Andrew Abbott coud be part of the equation as well, but with a scheduled start on Saturday in Milwaukee, he'd likely be penciled in as the Reds' Game 3 starter.

Singer, Littell, and Martinez have all pitched in the postseason before, though all three pitched in relief. In fact, Brent Suter is the only pitcher on the 40-man roster to have started a postseason game (and that was a disaster). How Francona deploys his rotation over the next few days will not only determine whether the Reds get into the postseason, it may shape the team’s entire approach to the playoffs.

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