The Reds were identified by a number of people before the year as a possible NL sleeper, but they still weren't a real popular pick for the MLB playoffs, which makes them the top underdog in the group. They were supposed to lose the NL Central to the Cardinals. They were supposed to lose to the Cardinals by a pretty wide margin. That they won the division as easily as they did is a testament not only to St. Louis' collapse, but also to Cincinnati's determination and consistency.
2010 MLB Playoffs: How The Cincinnati Reds Got To The NLDS
Of course, it took a while for the Reds to shake the competition. They hung with the Cardinals and were within a game of the division lead in early May. The separation between the two teams then never exceeded three games until the middle of August. The Cardinals swept the Reds on their own field in what felt like a momentum-turner, but momentum then turned in the opposite direction, with the Reds catching fire and the Cards falling on their faces. At the end of the sweep, the Reds were one game back. Barely two weeks later, the Reds were eight games up. Eight games up. The Reds turned a potential fright into an easy division win.
Looking at the team, the Reds clearly come up short on the mound, relative to the competition. They don't have an ace starter, and they don't have a shutdown reliever. What they need is for Edinson Volquez to sustain his September improvement into the playoffs. Without him, they're in trouble. What the Reds do have is a pretty good defense and a powerful lineup. Though they play in a hitter-friendly park, the Reds did lead the NL in home runs, batting average, and OPS. They won't make things easy on the Phillies, and should they survive, they certainly won't make it easy on anyone else.
Record
91-71
Key Players
Joey Votto (1B; .324 BA, .424 OBP, .600 SLG)
Scott Rolen (3B; .285 BA, .358 OBP, .497 SLG)
Jay Bruce (RF; .281 BA, .353 OBP, .493 SLG)
Edinson Volquez (SP; 4.31 ERA, 1.9 K/BB)
Bronson Arroyo (SP; 3.88 ERA, 2.1 K/BB)
Francisco Cordero (RP; 3.84 ERA, 1.6 K/BB)
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