Is Friday, September 5th, the final day that truly matters for the Cincinnati Reds in the 2025 season?
That depends entirely on the team.
The Reds’ offense has largely disappeared in the second half of the season, and with that decline, their playoff hopes have all but vanished. Sitting at a 70-70 record with only 22 games left, they still technically have a shot—but just barely. A loss tonight against the New York Mets would give them a losing record and push them six games behind the final NL Wild Card spot, making a playoff run nearly impossible.
In other words, a loss tonight could mark the end of any legitimate postseason aspirations. But a win? A win could spark a bit of hope.
A victory would bring them within four games of the Mets and offer a sliver of momentum heading into the rest of the series. The Reds have their All-Star pitchers lined up—Andrew Abbott tonight and Hunter Greene on Sunday—while the Mets counter with inexperienced rookies, including Brandon Sproat making his MLB debut.
But for anything positive to happen, the Reds need offense—and fast. They need the Elly De La Cruz who hit 18 home runs in his first 79 games this season, not the version who has managed just one homer in his last 61 games since June 24th.
And it’s not just Elly. Since that date, the Reds’ offensive numbers have plummeted. Their .129 team ISO ranks dead last in MLB, and their .300 wOBA is second-worst, just barely above the Colorado Rockies.
Tonight’s game will reveal whether this team has any fight left—or if 2025 is destined to be filed away as yet another disappointing season in Reds history.