Reds' showdown against Brewers could expose the truth about their playoff chances

As the Cincinnati Reds enter the upcoming series against the Milwaukee Brewers, they're just a ½ game back in the chase for the final NL Wild Card spot. The New York Mets continue to flounder and have helped the Reds increase their playoff odds to 20.9% heading into Friday's contest against the Brew Crew.

But Cincinnati can't just sit back and wait for the Mets to implode — though that strategy may actually work. The Reds need to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that they belong in the playoff conversation, and a strong showing against Major League Baseball's best team will do just that.

Reds fans may not know it, but Milwaukee has the best record in MLB at the moment. Pat Murphy's gritty group is 76-44, have won 12 straight games, and are seven games clear of the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the National League.

Reds' showdown against Brewers could expose the truth about their playoff chances

In short, this is a statement series for the Reds. Cincinnati has a chance, not just to keep pace in the playoff chase, but to prove to themselves that they belong in the postseason conversation. The Brewers have owned the Reds of late, and Terry Fracona's club can ill-afford to allow Milwaukee to win a series like this.

The Brewers haven't yet named their starter for Friday's game, but Milwaukee will send Quinn Priester and Jose Quintana to the hill on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The Reds will have Nick Martinez on the bump for Friday's series opener at Great American Ball Park with Zach Littell and Andrew Abbott to follow.

Fans should expect a tightly contested series and defense could be one of the biggest keys to victory for Cincinnati. Though all three Reds starters have strikeout stuff, Martinez, Littell, and Abbott typically pitch to contact, meaning the infield alignment in this series will be key. The Reds have two lockdown defenders at corners in Ke'Bryan Hayes and Spencer Steer, and Francona will have to hope that his middle infielders are up to the task as well.

The Reds are just 2-5 against the Brewers this season, with three of their losses coming by only one run. The Reds produced an 11-run performance on April 5, but scored a total of just 11 runs in the other six contests. The bats have to find a way to put runs on the board in the upcoming series.

The Reds have been close numerous times, but it's time for Cincinnati to exorcise the demons and win a series against the Brewers. If the Reds are serious about making a playoff push, it's time to prove it against the best in the game.

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