Why under-the-radar Reds could sneak into the postseason

The Cincinnati Reds have flown under the radar all season. But could the third-place Reds (64-58), only a half game out of the third wild-card spot in the National League heading into Friday's play, sneak into the postseason?

If they do, it will be because of their pitching.

Cincinnati's back-end starters have exceeded expectations. Left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-6, 3.05 ERA and 1.03 WHIP) has had a breakout year after four injury-plagued seasons. 

Meanwhile, Andrew Abbott has also excelled as the No. 4 pitcher in the rotation. He has allowed the fewest earned runs (33) among all qualified pitchers, and his 2.41 ERA is second in the majors behind Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes (2.15).

Overall, Cincinnati’s starters rank third in WHIP (1.18), sixth in ERA (3.73), eighth in earned runs (271), eighth in strikeouts (617) and ninth in batting average allowed (.238) in MLB. The Reds don't have a "name" like Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler in their rotation, but their starters keep pace with teams that do.

On his "The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey" podcast earlier this season, former Reds first baseman and MLB Network commentator Sean Casey applauded Cincinnati's strong pitching.

"I think one of the places that the Reds are doing really well is in starting pitching," he said, adding, "You look at Andrew Abbott, what he's done. Nick Lodolo's got nasty stuff. Nick Martinez (10-9, 4.49 ERA) has been good. ... Hunter Greene (5-3, 2.47 ERA) was one of the best pitchers in the game." 

The bullpen has held up its end of the bargain, too, despite being less recognized. Cincinnati’s relievers have held opponents to a .227 batting average and sport a 66% save percentage. 

Cincinnati's offense isn't in the top tier, but the pitching apparently can carry the Reds to October. While the lineup plummeted in July, slashing a season-low .245/.291/.361, Reds pitchers picked up the team, posting a 3.89 ERA and restricting hitters to a .672 OPS. In July, the Reds went 13-12. 

Cincinnati's rotation and bullpen are working enough magic to cause commotion in the NL playoff race. As long as the Reds get solid pitching, they could be a threat to the New York Mets, their closest current rival for the final wild-card spot.