UPDATE: The Cincinnati Reds surged closer to clinching a playoff spot, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 on Saturday night. With this victory, the Reds are just one win away from securing the National League’s third and final wild-card playoff position.
Should the Reds triumph against the Brewers again on Sunday or if the New York Mets fall to the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati will officially return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Both the Reds and Mets currently hold a record of 83-78, but Cincinnati holds the tiebreaker, having bested New York 4-2 in their season series.
This dramatic win comes as the Reds broke a scoreless tie with a pivotal six-run third inning, showcasing strong offensive power highlighted by Sal Stewart‘s homer and Miguel Andujar‘s impressive 3-for-5 performance. The Reds capitalized on Brewers’ mistakes, including two errors and four hits during the explosive inning.
In a critical moment, Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski faced a challenging debut with the bases loaded and two outs. Reds’ TJ Friedl took advantage, hitting a two-run single that pushed Cincinnati ahead, while a subsequent throwing error by left fielder Isaac Collins allowed another run to score.
Starting pitcher Andrew Abbott delivered a solid performance, allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings. The Reds’ bullpen was bolstered by Emilio Pagan, who secured his 32nd save in 38 opportunities, becoming one of only two players this season to pitch on four consecutive days.
The Brewers, despite the loss, have already clinched the best regular-season record in Major League Baseball, ensuring home-field advantage throughout the postseason. This was confirmed following the Philadelphia Phillies’ 5-0 defeat to the Minnesota Twins.
The stakes are high as the Reds head into the final game of the regular season. Fans are eager to see if they can seal the deal against the Brewers or if they’ll need to rely on the Mets’ performance to determine their postseason fate. The Reds’ next game is scheduled for October 1, 2023, and every moment counts in this thrilling playoff race.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops. The excitement is palpable as Cincinnati strives to return to postseason glory!
