Breaking Down the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Reds' Postseason Roster

The Cincinnati Reds are once again in the postseason, and for the first time in club history—they will play as a wild-card team.

A lot of excitement and trepidation is floating in the Cincinnati air. With the recent news of Mat Latos dealing with a bone spur in his right elbow, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the Reds could be dealing with a taxing postseason roster.

Let’s look at the possible strengths and weaknesses for the Reds' 2013 postseason roster.

All statistics are courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Strength: Brandon Phillips

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

Even though Brandon Phillips is limping into October (like many of the Reds’ hitters), he actually has spectacular postseason numbers.

Phillips has provided plenty of offense in his two postseason appearances with a collective .361/.351/.639 slash line. He has eight RBI with two home runs and four doubles in 36 at-bats (per Baseball-Reference.com).

Phillips could be the key to get this offense going. Ever since Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce took over the cleanup spot, Phillips hasn’t been hitting well.

He has only hit .231 with two RBI in the last 10 games. However, Phillips isn’t the type of player to whimper into the postseason. Phillips could easily be the piece of the puzzle that gets the Reds' offense going.

Baker expects Phillips to be just fine for Tuesday’s game after a nasty foul ball bruised and inflated his leg. It will certainly take more than a welt to keep Phillips off the field.

Weakness: Mat Latos (If Injured)

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport

Mat Latos could be a huge loss to the Reds' rotation if his possible bone spur keeps him off the roster. His absence would immediately weaken the strong rotation, but the Reds are hoping to use him if they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Latos claims to be dealing with an abdominal strain he got during the series against the Texas Rangers on June 30. However, his stats wouldn't necessarily show the injury.

Latos is coming off one of his best games where he went seven innings giving up just one run with seven strikeouts and two walks. Latos also recently threw a complete game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 2 and will be highly counted on for the possible first game against the division foes.

If Latos is injured, the Reds could enter the postseason without their best pitcher.

Much like Phillips, it would take a very serious injury to keep Latos off the mound. However, Redleg Nation will have to wait on the status of his elbow.

If Latos can pitch at all for the Reds, he will be a definite strength to the team. But, if he is put on the shelf, the Reds could be scrambling if they make it past the Pirates.

Strength: Billy Hamilton

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

There’s been an excessive amount of panic that Billy Hamilton will not make the postseason roster. However, it would have to be one of Baker’s worst decisions as a manager to leave off such a potential threat.

Although it’s unlikely Hamilton starts any postseason games—he will be used in nearly every game. Hamilton’s speed can throw off the momentum for any opposing pitcher.

With a wild-card matchup of Francisco Liriano and Johnny Cueto—there's a good chance of a low-scoring game. Hamilton could be that extra run that gets them to St. Louis.

He’s 13-for-14 in steals and has nine runs in only 13 games. Hamilton easily makes the Reds’ bench a lethal one, and he doesn’t even need to swing the bat.

Weakness: Middle of the Lineup

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

There’s no doubt that the Reds finished the season on an ugly note. The club ended the season tying their worst losing streak of the season at five games.

The Reds have only scored 11 runs in the last six games. The club just scored that many runs in one game against the Pirates last week.

The middle of the lineup has been highlighted through this offensive drought.

Todd Frazier is just 7-for-37 in his last 10 games of the season. Jay Bruce is 7-for-39, Ludwick 7-for-38, Cozart 8-for-34 and even Joey Votto is just 7-for-31 in his last 10 games.

The Reds will certainly have to get a spark in the middle of the lineup if they plan on furthering their postseason.

Strength: The Bullpen

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The Reds have had their fair share of ups and downs when it comes to the 2013 bullpen. Injuries to Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton have heavily affected the club's bullpen.

However, there have been many surprises that certainly helped the Reds reach the postseason.

Manny Parra has been the best surprise so far this season. Even though the lefty started the season with a horrendous 8.10 ERA in April, Parra has since brought his ERA down to 3.33 for the year.

Parra has a solid 11 K/9 rate, and he has only walked eight batters since June. Parra has continued his dominance into September with a .143 opposing batting average and only two earned runs. He will simply be a force for the Reds bullpen this postseason.

It’s hard to imagine the Reds leaving Alfredo Simon off the postseason roster. Simon has proven himself as of late with a 0.98 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched during September (most of any month this season).

Another pleasant surprise has been Aroldis Chapman. Although he isn’t quite having a year like he did in 2012—Chapman has still been outstanding.

The Cardinals and Pirates have switched their closers in the last month, and the Reds have to feel good about having Chapman for the ninth inning. Chapman has a posted a ridiculous 19.2 K/9 rate in September with 22 strikeouts, two hits and one earned run.

With the return of Sean Marshall, the Reds have three potent lefties in their bullpen. If Tony Cingrani comes back from his back spasms and the Reds advance to the NLDS—he could return as another lefty bullpen arm.

To add icing on the cake, J.J. Hoover has only given up five earned runs since June. Hoover has been an important piece to the bullpen and looks to add strength to the Reds’ postseason roster.

The defining strength of their roster could be the bullpen, and the Reds hope it will keep them playing baseball throughout October.

Follow me on Twitter during the Reds' postseason run or to talk all things baseball.