MILWAUKEE — The
Cincinnati hasn’t been more than seven games above .500 at any point this season and has gone just 15-18 over its past 33 games. Yet, the Reds have still played well enough to catch the Mets, who have lost 16 of their past 25 games.
The Mets were 45-24 and had the best record in the majors June 12, but they’ve gone 37-54 since.
“We’ve put ourselves in this position,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters after their Friday night loss in Miami. “Here we are. We’ve got to come back tomorrow and the next day now. We’ve got to win the next two and see what happens.”
The Reds (82-78) are seeking to make the playoffs in a non-pandemic season for the first time since 2013. They haven’t won a postseason game since 2012 and haven’t won a playoff series since 1995.
They finally might get back to the postseason with help from guys who are accustomed to this stage.
Lux, who won World Series rings with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and 2024, doubled twice and scored the go-ahead run Friday. Reds manager Terry Francona led the Boston Red Sox to a 2004 World Series championship and brought Cleveland to Game 7 of the 2016 Fall Classic.
Francona, 66, spent a year away from the game because of health reasons before taking over the Reds this season.
“This is as exciting as it gets,” Francona said. “To not admit that you’re nervous, I think that would be wrong. I’m nervous as hell.”
The Reds’ path to a rare postseason bid means getting past their recent nemesis.
Cincinnati has lost each of its past 13 series with the Brewers. Ending that streak might catapult the Reds into the playoffs.
“It’d be kind of the perfect time to do it,” Reds reliever Tony Santillan said. “Season on the line, beat them, win against them and advance to the postseason by beating them. I feel like it’s been a while.”
