Reds bullpen helped bury them before becoming key to their second-half surge

The Cincinnati Reds' playoff hopes are nearly extinct with a 0.6% postseason probability according to FanGraphs, despite having six weeks remaining in the 2026 season. The team's bullpen has been the primary culprit, ranking 25th in ERA (4.46), 24th in WHIP (1.42), and last in walks per nine innings (4.86). Cincinnati's relief corps performed well in March-April and July but collapsed in May-June with a 5.72 ERA, contributing to a 19-34 record during those two months that derailed what started as a promising season with a 20-11 record through April.

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