The Cincinnati Reds blew a major opportunity on Wednesday night. With the New York Mets on the way to a loss, the Reds would've moved back into the NL Wild Card's third and final spot with a win.
But they couldn't pull out an extra-innings victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. And now their chance at redemption will be delayed by rain.
The Reds and Pirates were slated for a 12:40 p.m. first pitch on Thursday.
But about an hour before, the Reds announced the game will begin in a delay, with no new start time provided.
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The matchup is slated to pitch Reds lefty Nick Lodolo (8-8, 3.44 ERA) against Pirates righty Braxton Ashcraft (4-3, 2.62 ERA).
The Reds have four games remaining this season, counting this one and then a three-game series in Milwaukee.
Cincinnati remains one game behind the Mets in the Wild Card standings. The Diamondbacks are also one game back.
The Reds hold the standings tiebreaker with both the Mets and Diamondbacks. That means they have to play one game better than the Mets over the last four, and even with the Diamondbacks, to make it into the playoffs.
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Hopefully the Reds have some good rain delay vibes on Thursday. They rallied on multiple occasions Wednesday night in what would've been an epic victory.
But the loss, and having to turn right back around to get to the ballpark for another one, could be draining.
Cincinnati will need its energy at the right level to get back in the win column and make a final push toward the postseason.
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