The aftermath of the trade deadline has been rough for many contenders.
The Los Angeles Angels and the Arizona Diamondbacks, for example, have lost a lot even though they improved their rosters to compete.
For the Cincinnati Reds, however, the writing was on the wall: get some pitching, or your postseason odds will decrease dramatically.
That’s exactly what has happened.
On Wednesday, the team lost again, this time against the Miami Marlins, and are in an ugly slide, according to FOX Sports: MLB.
With today's 5-4 loss to the Marlins, the Reds have now lost 8 of 9 since the Trade Deadline pic.twitter.com/YdkFN1Cdk8
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 9, 2023
The Reds have dropped eight of the nine games they have played after the deadline passed.
They had a golden chance to bring in some impact starters: prospects to trade and an obvious need.
They ignored that and have been forced to send the likes of Luke Weaver, Brandon Williamson, and Ben Lively out every five days to get shelled.
The injuries of Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene have been too much to overcome.
Amazingly enough, the Reds are still just two games removed from first place in the NL Central.
The division is mediocre enough for three teams to have concrete chances despite good but not great records: the Reds, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago Cubs.
The Reds have been lucky on that front and still own an acceptable 60-57 record.
But their offense cannot be expected to do all the heavy lifting: they needed more pitchers to help them.
Graham Ashcraft has been pitching better as of late, and Andrew Abbott remains a Rookie of the Year candidate.
Beyond that, there is not too much to be optimistic unless the injured starters can return in top form.
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