Difficult closing stretch presents a challenge Reds embrace

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SAN FRANCISCO -- When the Reds were optimistic about contending for a playoff spot before and early this season, their incredibly difficult down-the-stretch schedule was long viewed by many observers as a make-or-break inflection point.

They're not really contending anymore, but that remaining schedule? Whew.

Based on opponents' win percentage, it's still the toughest in the Major Leagues. After the Reds finish the current series against a fellow non-contender in the Giants, they have 25 consecutive games vs. teams currently in playoff position if the season ended today.

Up next: at the Cubs, followed by home vs. the Padres and the Brewers. Then at the Dodgers and at the Brewers, home vs. the Dodgers and Cubs and back on the road against the Braves.

After those 25 games, the Reds' season wraps at Toronto against the under .500 Blue Jays, who are two games out of a Wild Card spot.

“Every game is important. But the measuring stake of if you can be a championship team in this league is, how do you play against the best teams?" closer Emilio Pagán said. "We’ve got an uphill battle in front of us. It’s a chance to see how we fare against the best teams in the league. It’s a fun challenge. I look forward to all that comes with that.”

Cincinnati has a chance to be a playoff race disruptor, but the club has more important things to be concerned about as the team looks ahead to offseason retooling while still trying to finish with a respectable record in 2026. Currently, the Reds sit at 62-70.

“First off, you are playing for this year. It is one game at a time," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "I know it’s cliché, but at the same time, you’re trying to figure out how to win today’s game and move on to tomorrow’s game and do that same thing all over again.

“You’re looking for guys to continue to improve. Are guys improving? Are guys continuing to work down the stretch? When we go into the offseason, how is this person going to fit into next year’s team? How does everybody fit together when we get to that point?”

Here are five things to look for over the final month of the season.

Spots unsettled heading into 2027

First baseman Sal Stewart, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, starting pitchers Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder, Pagán ($10 million player option for 2027) and outfielder JJ Bleday are among the locks for next season.

Meanwhile, there are many unanswered questions and potential openings.

Natural for a club playing out a disappointing season that didn’t meet expectations, the Reds had multiple players endure disappointing or injury-filled years. The front office will look at what players do down the stretch and their year as a whole.

“It’s a big-picture thing [where] what you’ve put down on paper, what you’ve done on the field is what you’ve done," Krall said. "You obviously have trends. Are guys progressing forward? Is the guy going in a different direction? Are they having trouble getting the ball? Are they having trouble throwing strikes? There’s all kinds of questions you have to answer.”

Keep looking at developing players

Right fielder Héctor Rodríguez has struggled offensively, but he has been getting a long look and is only 22 years old. While not so young anymore at 28, lefty starter Brandon Williamson has been on a rehab assignment after being on the IL since April 30 with left shoulder fatigue.

With the Reds already knowing they won't have Hunter Greene (Tommy John surgery) next season, Williamson could get a chance to make his case for the 2027 rotation.

Can Stewart be National League Rookie of the Year?

Stewart leads NL rookies in home runs, RBIs, hits, extra-base hits and total bases. His closest competitor, Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, has a higher WAR and on-base percentage while being an elite defender. If Stewart can win it, he would be the Reds' first NL Rookie of the Year since Jonathan India in 2021.

Burns in the Cy Young race

Burns, who was roughed up in a poor start during Monday's 5-0 loss to the Giants, is still 14-3 with a 2.77 ERA, 139 2/3 innings and 164 strikeouts in 25 starts. He will certainly get votes, but he is a longshot behind overwhelming favorite Jacob Misiorowski. But with the Reds playing the Brewers so many times, Cincinnati hitters might get a chance to put a dent in Misiorowski's chances.

Individual numbers

Former Reds manager Dusty Baker used to call September the "salary drive" for players seeking to finish with strong numbers to boost their chances for contracts or in the arbitration process. Obviously, Stewart is close to 30 homers and 100 RBIs, while De La Cruz and Bleday are closing in on 25 homers. Brady Singer is five starts from reaching 30 for the third straight season.

“I think as long as you’re approaching it with a team mentality first," Pagán said. "[It's] 'I do this really well and so I want to do that really well to help my team. And in return, that’s going to benefit me individually in my career.'”