Reds Tragic Number: September gauntlet makes postseason return almost impossible

The Cincinnati Reds entered Friday with a 67-73 record, 6½ games back in the Wild Card standings, and less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. Their elimination number stands at 16, meaning any combination of Reds losses and rival wins totaling 16 would eliminate them from postseason contention. The Reds face an extremely difficult remaining schedule featuring the Milwaukee Brewers twice, the Los Angeles Dodgers twice, the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, and the Toronto Blue Jays. To make the playoffs, Cincinnati would need to sweep multiple series against top NL teams while hoping for collapses from the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Marlins, who currently sit ahead of them in the standings.

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