Overall best record race

[Kc61]

Right now, the Nats lead the Reds by .5 games. That half game is one Reds loss, with the Reds at 92-60 and the Nats at 92-59. Nats today trailing 2-0 to Brewers in the fourth inning. The Nats and Reds will get even in games played tomorrow, Monday, when the Nats play the Brewers and the Reds are off.

The Nats play at the Phils, at the Cards, and home v. Phils. Reds play Brewers at home, Pirates on road, Cards on road. The Nats won the season series against the Reds and would win a tie-breaker.

Of course, the winner of the best record race plays the wild card. The "loser" plays the division winner with the third best record.

Right now, that third best division winner is the Giants. The Giants are a hot ballclub having won 9 of 10. The Giants are 89-63 so they trail the Reds by 3 and they trail the Nats by 3.5.

Giants also have a day off tomorrow, then they play the DBacks at home, then finish on the road against the Padres and Dodgers.

If the Brewers give the Reds trouble and the Phils do well at home against the Nats, it's possible that by next weekend we could have a close three-way race for the top positions in the NL playoffs. As a Reds fan, it's nice to have such matters to think about.

[Captain Hook]

I really have a "biring em on" attitude toward any possible opponent. Wanting my favorite teams to play someone because I feel they're the weakest option has really backfired on me in the past. There's nothing else to follow and getting the #1 seed is important so I'll be following this thread but I won't be trying to figure out who the Reds would have the easiest time with in the first round and celebrating if it works out that that's who the they'll will play.

[Degenerate39]

Nationals just lost

[Kc61]

Nats way ahead of Brewers today, 7-1 in the fifth. After this game, the Reds and Nats will have the same number of games played.

If the Nats hold on, they will be one game ahead of the Reds, one more win and one fewer loss.

So the teams would then head into the last nine games with the Nats up one on the Reds, and the Giants down three to the Reds.

A Brewer loss today would put the Brew Crew and the Dodgers both with identical records and three games behind the Cards for the final wild card spot. With nine to play.

DBacks and Phils even further behind Cards now, seems real unlikely either will jump over three teams to claim the final spot. No other team with meaningful chance.

[11larkin11]

Another thing to remember is the Nats technically have a 2 game lead, as they have the head to head against us. It's looking more and more like we'll be the #2 seed facing the Giants.

[Kc61]

Another thing to remember is the Nats technically have a 2 game lead, as they have the head to head against us. It's looking more and more like we'll be the #2 seed facing the Giants.

And, of course, Nats still haven't clinched their division. So they may be more likely than the Reds to use their strongest lineup. At least until they do clinch.

I agree, as of today things seem to favor the Nats over the Reds for top record, but it's still very close.

[traderumor]

Another thing to remember is the Nats technically have a 2 game lead, as they have the head to head against us. It's looking more and more like we'll be the #2 seed facing the Giants.

Good movie, just watched the last part of it Sunday night.

[redsfan30]

One out in Philly away from being tied with DC.

[cincinnati chili]

Davey Johnson has made clear that once he clinches, he's going to rest his regulars. I don't think it's at all out of the question that we'll get and maintain a 1-game lead on the Nats so that we take the #1 seed. It wouldn't even shock me to see the Nats fall to #3.

For that matter, we could fall to #3. Anything can happen.

[Superdude]

Another thing to remember is the Nats technically have a 2 game lead, as they have the head to head against us. It's looking more and more like we'll be the #2 seed facing the Giants.

How are we tied and two games back?

[Boss-Hog]

How are we tied and two games back?

That was posted before we gained a game on Washington tonight.