Reds receive brutal 2.4% postseason projection from ESPN

The Cincinnati Reds got off to a hot start, going 20-11, sitting atop the National League Central earlier this season to begin May. But, they've faltered since then, and now are 32-34.

With their record, which has them only 2.0 gams out of a Wild Card spot in the NL, this season is still far from over. But, ESPN's projection indicates otherwise.

ESPN's Bradford Doolittle shared what the Reds would need to do before the MLB trade deadline, and in doing so shared a brutal 2.4% postseason projection for the Reds that indicates this club has very little chance to make it to October this season.

Reds get brutal 2.4% postseason projection

"In the playoffs: 2.4% (Last: 35.4%). Champions (0% (Last: 0.7%)," Doolittle shared for the Reds' postseason outlook.

Those are some absolutely brutal numbers for the Reds, especially considering where this team was not too long ago, as May began with the Reds looking in great shape atop the NL Central.

There are a lot of issues with this team right now, with Doolittle highlighting the pitching staff, both the bullpen and the rotation, as the biggest issue.

"Since that high-water mark, the Reds' staff ERA (5.61) is the second worst in baseball (Rockies, 6.93)," Doolittle writes.

MORE: Chase Burns becomes first Reds pitcher with elite stat line since 1922

With a brutal pitching staff, which is ranked third-worst in baseball this season with a 4.78 ERA, it's no wonder the Reds, despite their 32 wins, are one of the worst-ranked teams in MLB this season.

In a tough NL Central and very competitive NL Wild Card field, this Reds roster doesn't appear to have the means to go on a run to earn a postseason spot.

They have a .706 OPS as a collective offense, which isn't bad, and much better than some legitimate postseason contenders. But their brutal pitching staff has the Reds receiving very low odds to make the postseason this year.

It's not impossible, but with just a 2.4% chance to make the postseason, according to ESPN, things are looking dire for the Reds as June rolls along.

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