SAN FRANCISCO -- When the Reds were optimistic about contending for a playoff spot before and early this season, their incredibly difficult down-the-stretch schedule was long viewed by many observers as a make-or-break inflection point.
They're not really contending anymore, but that remaining schedule? Whew.
Based on opponents' win percentage, it's still the toughest in the Major Leagues. After the Reds finish the current series against a fellow non-contender in the Giants, they have 25 consecutive games vs. teams currently in playoff position if the season ended today.
Up next: at the Cubs, followed by home vs. the Padres and the Brewers. Then at the Dodgers and at the Brewers, home vs. the Dodgers and Cubs and back on the road against the Braves.
After those 25 games, the Reds' season wraps at Toronto against the under .500 Blue Jays, who are two games out of a Wild Card spot.
“Every game is important. But the measuring stake of if you can be a championship team in this league is, how do you play against the best teams?" closer Emilio Pagán said. "We’ve got an uphill battle in front of us. It’s a chance to see how we fare against the best teams in the league. It’s a fun challenge. I look forward to all that comes with that.”
Cincinnati has a chance to be a playoff race disruptor, but the club has more important things to be concerned about as the team looks ahead to offseason retooling while still trying to finish with a respectable record in 2026. Currently, the Reds sit at 62-70.
“First off, you are playing for this year. It is one game at a time," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "I know it’s cliché, but at the same time, you’re trying to figure out how to win today’s game and move on to tomorrow’s game and do that same thing all over again.
“You’re looking for guys to continue to improve. Are guys improving? Are guys continuing to work down the stretch? When we go into the offseason, how is this person going to fit into next year’s team? How does everybody fit together when we get to that point?”
Here are five things to look for over the final month of the season.
Spots unsettled heading into 2027
First baseman Sal Stewart, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, starting pitchers Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder, Pagán ($10 million player option for 2027) and outfielder JJ Bleday are among the locks for next season.
Meanwhile, there are many unanswered questions and potential openings.
Natural for a club playing out a disappointing season that didn’t meet expectations, the Reds had multiple players endure disappointing or injury-filled years. The front office will look at what players do down the stretch and their year as a whole.
