MILWAUKEE − When Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez first stepped inside the visitors’ clubhouse at American Family Field on Sept. 26, he noticed the tightly-rolled sheets of plastic zip-tied to the ceiling.
Should the weekend goes well for Cincinnati, that plastic will come in handy, but a lot has to happen before it’s deployed.
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If − and it’s still a sizable “if” for the time being − the weekend plays out well for the Reds, those plastic curtains will unfurl to shield lockers and all manner of valuables from the raucous champagne- and beer-soaked celebration the Reds would likely uncork if they clinch a postseason berth.
But again, that’s an “if” scenario, and no Reds players are placing drink orders for that party yet.
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Martinez said the plastic curtains didn’t bother him but acknowledged others might have taken it differently.
“I didn’t think too much of it. Still got a job to do,” Martinez said. “I didn’t think too much of it other than keep going. I’m sure some guys used it as motivation. Never seen it done before this early but we’ll take it.”
The Reds’ Zack Littell, acquired this season at the trade deadline, got the start in opener of the three-game, season-ending series against the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sept. 26.
The Reds didn’t ask for preparations to be made for a celebration. Postseason locker room parties sometimes come together in chaotic circumstances, but each stadium and clubhouse staff is different. Perhaps the Brewers’ visiting clubhouse staff wanted to get a jump on the work that could await them this weekend, or down the line in the playoffs.
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“I think you kind of gotta throw it up there early,” Gavin Lux said. “It’s a nice little tease, though.”
A less-focused team might be distracted by such an obvious postseason accouterment, but not the Reds. They know there’s still work to be accomplished toward their playoff dreams. That was immediately apparent in the clubhouse following the series opener against the Brewers.
The Reds had just polished the hosts off, 3-1, to retake control of their playoff fate in the race for the third and final National League wild card berth. The victory, combined with a New York Mets loss on Sept. 26, meant that if the Reds won out, they’re in the postseason.
At that point, sure, cut the zip ties and pop the corks. But they aren’t there yet.
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Music blared from a JBL bluetooth speaker with wheels, but it was the usual victory playlist. There was nothing extraordinary or over-the-top about how the Reds were responding to the game.
Cincinnati’s postseason clincher could even come as soon as Sept. 27 if the Reds beat the Brewers again and the Mets lose their 4:10 p.m. (ET) game against the Miami Marlins in Miami. You’d never know it from observing the post-game scene.
Some Reds didn’t even know until post-game the Mets had lost. Even Reds manager Terry Francona said he was unaware of the outcome in Miami.
Shortstop Elly De La Cruz and right fielder Noelvi Marte celebrate following the Reds’ 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sept. 26. The victory moved the Red into the final NL playoff position by virtue of their tiebreaker advantage over the New York Mets.
“I was aware they were losing,” Francona said, “and then I kind of lost track of everything.”
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Suffice it to say no one is in celebration mode yet.
“Be ready to play tomorrow. See what happens and then worry about Sunday,” Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. “Can’t look too far ahead. Yeah, there’s a lot of emotions. It’s exciting times but we’ve got to take care of business and play we did tonight. Don’t get ahead of ourselves and we’ll be where we want to be if we do that.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Still got a job to do.’ How the Reds view the rest of the Brewers series