Cincinnati Reds: 5 Reasons the Reds Will Go Deep into the MLB Playoffs

The Cincinnati Reds own the best record in baseball at 80-52 heading into the final month of play. With their remaining schedule, the fact that Joey Votto is about to return to the lineup and what the numbers tell us, the Reds should be a lock for postseason play.

That being said, nothing is guaranteed. Stranger things have happened throughout the history of Major League Baseball.

However, assuming the Reds only play .500 ball the rest of the way, they still will end the season with 95 wins.

If and when the Cincinnati Reds reach the MLB playoffs, they will be set up to make a deep run into the postseason. Let's take a look at how.

The Bullpen Can Carry the Pitching Staff and the Team

There is no pitcher in baseball who strikes as much fear into a hitter as Aroldis Chapman does—he is so scary he may as well be the topic of Stephen King's next nightmare thriller.

I personally have never seen one single relief pitcher have such an impact on his team in a single season.

Chapman is ranked among the top 10 in pitchers WAR on the senior circuit—simply amazing.

The Reds bullpen consists of more than just Chapman, though. This dominant relief corps owns the best cumulative ERA in the land (2.77) and essentially turns Reds games into a six-inning affair for opposing offenses.

Like almost every facet of Cincinnati's game, the bullpen has been remarkably consistent all season, and there is no reason to believe it will be any different throughout the postseason.

These dudes are lights out.

Veteran Leadership and Postseason Experience

The Cincinnati Reds roster contains two veterans who have been there and done that in their everyday lineup: Ryan Ludwick and Scott Rolen, both of whom plan to be key components in any Reds postseason run. 

Then there is a guy named Bronson Arroyo who was with the Boston Red Sox during their 2004 championship run.

All three of these veterans provide a huge clubhouse presence and play an integral role for Cincinnati in the clubhouse and on the field. Remember folks, Joey Votto is not the only leader on this club.

Even though the Reds were ousted early in 2010, many current members gained valuable postseason experience. That experience should prove valuable in the long run.

Home-Field Advantage

Cincinnati Reds fans have been packing and stacking the stands during home games this season. Brandon Phillips, Todd Frazier and others have made it known all season that they thrive off the fan energy at Great American Ball Park.

So it shouldn't be thought of as a coincidence that the Reds are not only on pace to set team attendance marks for the season but they also maintain the best home record in all of baseball at 42-24.

The Reds have a chance to lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they can maintain their lead over the Washington Nationals and the rest of the National League. This could be one of the most valuable perks Cincy could earn moving into October.

Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos

The Reds have two arms that can dominate Games 1 and 2 of a series, and then round out Games 6 and 7 if needed.

Johnny Cueto is surely on his way to the 2012 NL Cy Young award, having been consistently excellent all season.

Mat Latos has rounded into form and has shown he has the ability to be a dominant power arm.

Dominant power arms usually do what in the postseason? Dominate, of course.

Latos has continued to get stronger as the season has progressed, with August being his best month to date.

If the Reds can muster four runs a game during their outings, it should be a case-closed scenario.

The Offensive Lineup

For the first half of the season, the Cincinnati Reds struggled to score runs. But since the All-Star break, the Reds are fourth in the majors in runs scored and fourth in team OPS.

This team can hit, and with the return of Joey Votto to the lineup, the Reds will boost four players with slugging percentages over .500—Votto at .604, Ryan Ludwick at .556, Todd Frazier at .554 and Jay Bruce at .515. Very few clubs ever have the chance to claim such a feat in one season.

The craziest fact about the Reds' second-half production numbers, though, is that they have been producing runs while still suffering from a sub-.300 OBP from the top two spots in the order. Zack Cozart has been improving as of late but, Drew Stubbs has continued to be a liability at the plate.

The return of Votto and the increased production from Ludwick and Frazier should force Dusty Baker to finally place Brandon Phillips in the top two.

With that lineup and the type of numbers the Reds have been producing, the lineup should be geared for postseason success.

Let's Sum It All Up

Dusty Baker has had his clubs on the brink of immortality, but has never been able to close the deal. 2012 seems to be his best opportunity since his days in San Francisco with Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent. 

The stars don't align very often like they have for Cincy this season. It takes a team of players clicking on all cylinders and at the right time to go far in the postseason—the Cincinnati Reds are clicking.

And if they continue clicking, it's going to be a very fun October for the city of Cincinnati.

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