Reds closer Emilio Pagán discusses 32nd save, MLB playoff race
Reds closer Emilio Pagán discusses 32nd save, MLB playoff race
The Reds got the playoff chase to the final day of the season by beating the Brewers, a team they had been absolutely dominated by.A Reds victory over the Brewers on Sept. 28 or a New York Mets loss to the Miami Marlins would give Cincinnati the final playoff spot.
MILWAUKEE − The Milwaukee Brewers‘ stranglehold on the Cincinnati Reds felt a little looser.
The Reds long ago crossed into must-win territory in their playoff race, and they came to Milwaukee and did exactly that in the first two games of their finale regular-season series in 2025. Cincinnati’s 7-4 victory at American Family Field Sept. 27 confirmed a series victory over the Brewers for the first time since August 2022, and it ended a streak of 13 consecutive series losses to Milwaukee.
Sure, big picture, the Brewers still own a 44-19 record against the Reds since 2021. You might still call that a stranglehold. But when Cincinnati came to the shores of Lake Michigan and absolutely had to have the series against its longest-running tormentor, they got it.
The Reds’ ultimate goal of reaching the postseason is going to require one more success in Milwaukee. That could come in the form of a win and series sweep Sept. 28, the final day of the regular season. Or it could come from Miami, where a New York Mets‘ loss to the Marlins would also punch their postseason ticket. Then, the Reds would use the visitors’ clubhouse at American Family Field as their personal champagne bath.
This Brewers series will ultimately be remembered for whether or not the Reds are in or out of the playoffs, but they offered a compelling counter to the narrative centered on the Brewers’ dominance over them.
“Excitement. You’re still in the race,” Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott said. “Just trying to go tackle the mountain of the Brewers. We haven’t been able to beat them in a long time.”
Exactly how long ago was that? Abbott didn’t know. In fact, it was almost a year before his 2023 MLB debut (which was against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park. He won the game.).
“While I’ve been up, no, I don’t think I could (think of) a better time,” Abbott said of finally beating the Brewers. “We’ve got to do it one more time. Then, we can take a breath for a day and refocus on the next one.”
Andrew Abbott discusses his Reds start in game No. 161 of the 2025 season
Andrew Abbott discusses his Reds start in game No. 161 of the 2025 season
The Brewers entered the series with a healthy lead in their race toward one of their final regular-season objectives: Clinching the No. 1 seed in the National League playoffs, which they earned when the two-seed Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 27.
But the Brewers’ playoff berth, third consecutive NL Central division title and wild card-round bye were secured days ago, and weeks in some cases.
Through two games, Milwaukee seemed to run up against a sharper Reds team that simply wanted and needed the contests more.
Reds closer Emilio Pagán gritted out his 32nd save of 2025 on Sept. 27. It was his fourth consecutive day making an appearance. The Brewers simply aren’t taxing themselves in similar ways right now.
“That’s kind of one through 28 (players) right now,” Pagán said. “Everybody is willing to do whatever. Putting our recent results to the side, they don’t really matter. It’s just about executing… We’re playing pretty clean team baseball.”
The Reds needed help entering the series, and they received it Sept. 26 when the Marlins beat the Mets to allow Cincinnati to retake control of the playoff race, which it did. The Reds figured to need at least a series win, and now they have that.
Ahead of the series, a sweep felt unlikely, but now they’re a game away from just that. They also might need the sweep to get to the postseason.
As Francona has said at earlier times in the season, Cincinnati must now be greedy in the season finale against the Brewers.