The Cincinnati Reds are making waves in the 2025 MLB season with a surprising mix of elite pitching, young talent, and resilience. While they weren’t favorites heading into the year, they now have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs sitting at +750 to make the playoffs. They enter play today just four games out of the final wild-card spot in the National League. Here’s how the Reds can secure a postseason berth in 2025.
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Reds’ Elite Starting Pitching Is the Key
One of the biggest reasons for the Reds’ playoff potential is their strong starting rotation. Led by flame-throwing right-hander Hunter Greene, along with lefties Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott, the Reds have built one of the most reliable starting staffs in the National League. Greene has emerged as a potential National League Cy Young posting a sub-3.00 ERA a 0.85 WHIP and continues to improve his command with 63 punchouts in 49.2 innings. Greene sits at +900 to win the NL Cy Young. While Lodolo has returned healthy and dominant. Their consistent performance gives the Reds a chance to win every series.
Cincinnati Reds Offensive Consistency Must Improve
If there’s a weak link on this Reds team, it’s the offense. Despite having promising young players like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer, Cincinnati has struggled at times to score runs—especially against left-handed pitching. For the Reds to truly contend, they must find more consistent offensive production. Adding a right-handed bat at the trade deadline or getting improved performance from veterans like Christian Encarnacion-Strand when he returns could make a major difference.
De La Cruz is hitting .251 with a .740 OPS. He has eight doubles, nine home runs, 38 RBI, 37 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, and 19 walks. McLain in 45 games is hitting .184 with a .606 OPS. He has four doubles, six home runs, 17 RBI, 24 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, and 21 walks. Steer is hitting .223 with a .631 OPS. He has nine doubles, four home runs, 14 RBI, 23 runs scored, three stolen bases, and 15 walks.
Win Crucial Division Matchups
The National League Central is still up for grabs, and the Reds must capitalize on head-to-head games against rivals like the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals. Winning these division games not only helps in the standings but also gives them tiebreaker advantages. A strong record within the NL Central could be the deciding factor in a tight playoff race.
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Stay in the Wild Card Hunt
Even if the Reds fall short of winning the division, the expanded MLB playoff format means a Wild Card spot is well within reach. The key will be staying within striking distance and beating out teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. Maintaining momentum through the summer months and into September will be crucial.
Health and Depth Matter
The grind of a 162-game season tests every team’s depth. The Reds must keep their core players healthy and rely on organizational depth to weather injuries. Players like Tyler Stephenson, and TJ Friedl need to stay on the field and perform. The bullpen, anchored by Alexis Díaz, also must hold up under pressure in close games.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Reds have all the ingredients for a playoff run in 2025: strong pitching, emerging stars, and a winnable division. By staying healthy, improving their offense, and continuing to dominate on the mound, they can make a serious push toward October baseball. Fans in Cincinnati have every reason to believe this team can break through and return to the postseason this year.
