Leaving the 2021 team salary level exactly where it currently is (without any additions) would, in theory, bring the team back to break-even in player payroll expense over the past two seasons after a significant loss in 2020.
Just what was it that turned the Cincinnati Reds from disappointing dregs after 44 games (19-25) to a team capable of winning 12 of the final 16 against top competition?
13 days ago, the Cincinnati Reds woke up with a 20-26 record and a 17.1% chance of reaching the postseason.
Tonight, the Reds beat the Minnesota Twins to reach the postseason. The Reds have won 10 of their last 12 games with their backs against the wall.
Nice to be scoreboard-watching in mid-September, isn't it? The Cincinnati Reds continue to inspire hope in their faithful fans at Redleg Nation and beyond, tonight winning their fourth straight and fifth of their past six tonight with a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. There are a number of games still underway which will all have an effect on the playoff seeding race.
It started out so well. The Reds jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Marlins were down 6-3 in the 8th inning. Those two scores hold, the Reds are somehow, someway back within 1.5 games of playoff spot.
But it's 2020.
The Marlins rallied to win 7-6. Sonny Gray cruised through the first three innings, but then the rain fell and it fell hard in the 4th inning. Gray walked two batters as it appeared he could not get a good grip on the baseball. The Cubs ended up scoring 5 runs in the 4th inning with a grand total of one ball leaving the infield.