Categories crunchfx

Why the 9-game campaign looks like the Cincinnati Reds’ last in 2024

Why the 9-game campaign looks like the Cincinnati Reds’ last in 2024

play

MILWAUKEE – It starts with the Brewers.

The Cincinnati Reds hope it doesn’t end the same way.

“They definitely seem to have our number right now,” Reds left fielder Spencer Steer said.

Here are the numbers that matter: The Reds had gotten back to four games under . 500 with 44 games left when they entered play Saturday night and had played eight more games against teams that were in or within a playoff position.

Somehow they ended up just five games out of a playoff position.

It’s probably their last realistic chance to be a real and significant part of the National League playoff race that has been rolling like a soft pudding for months now.

“These are big games to make up ground,” Steer said. “We’re approaching the final stretch here, so it’s time to really make a move and find a way to really play some good baseball, especially against teams like the Brewers that are ahead of us.”

Reds Brewers series Milwaukee Brewers steal Cincinnati Reds’ lunch money again, beat Reds for 20th time in 26 games

Reds Hunter Greene Cy Young Cincinnati Reds’ Hunter Greene knows Cy Young Award is ‘definitely a possibility’

Especially after the Brewers were crushed again with losses in their first games against Milwaukee, the Cardinals and the Royals.

It may not be a truly all-or-nothing period for the Reds – except for the “breakout” part.

“I think the guys definitely came in hungry,” Friday’s rookie starter (and losing pitcher) Carson Spiers said about the start of the important games that came on the heels of a four-game series win in Miami.

“It stinks that it didn’t work for us,” said Spiers, who took a beating early in that game. “But the emotions were high. You could see the guys were ready to play today.”

If they get nothing but sensations and hungry looks from their last nine games, it is clear they must start next year with at least one goal: finding a way to land an effective punch against their bullies from the north.

The Brewers defeated the Reds for the 20th time in 26 meetings and the 32nd time in 44 meetings on Friday, a stretch of more than three years.

“They’re just a good team. They come out to play every night,” Steer said. “And you have to play really good baseball to beat them. I can’t say it goes any deeper than that.”