This Reds player is suddenly set take on a new role during the MLB playoffs

Thanks to an all-time collapse by the New York Mets and the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Cincinnati Reds are back in the postseason for the first time since 2020, and the first time in a full season since 2013.

Considering the last time this franchise won a playoff series was 30 years ago, it's safe to say that expectations are high, even as the Reds draw an incredibly tough first-round matchup with the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Seeing as the Wild Card is a best-of-three series, a lot of players are going to be put in uncomfortable roles as Reds manager Terry Francona exhausts every possible option to try and upset the Dodgers. That's especially true for the rotation.

Hunter Greene has already been announced as the Game 1 starter, but strangely, Francona has decided that Zack Littell — not Nick Lodolo — will take the ball in Game 2. If the Reds can steal either of those contests, then a winner-takes-all finale will become necessary, and Andrew Abbott would take the bump.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo will pitch out of the bullpen during the MLB playoffs

Lodolo will now operate out of the bullpen — something he's done only once since joining the Major League roster back in 2022. That lone relief appearance came just this past Sunday in the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers. Lodolo came on for starter Brady Singer, tossed one inning, failed to record a strikeout, and allowed one earned run on two hits.

Many Reds fans are questioning why Francona went to Lodolo in Sunday's game against the Brewers if doing so was going to affect his status for the MLB playoffs. Perhaps Francona's plan is to start Littell on Wednesday, and then turn the game over to Lodolo after the second or third inning. Who knows?

It's a curious decision, to be sure, but moving Lodolo out of the rotation gives Cincinnati an extra lefty in the bullpen — something they desperately need. This is just the latest example of the high-risk/ high-reward moves Francona has been making over the past few weeks, but it remains to be seen if this gamble pays off.

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