WASHINGTON − Since as far back as when MLB released the 2026 schedules last year, many highlighted the treacherous September the Cincinnati Reds would face. Surely you became familiar with it, too: Six games against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Seven games against the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Plus, the Padres, Cubs and Braves − three reliable postseason contenders.
No one mentioned August 2026 as an especially treacherous month, and for about a week, it wasn't. In fact, the Reds used the first week of the month to pad its record coming out of the All-Star break, which stood at 13-6 entering play Aug. 7. That run looked to have the team back in the playoff conversation.
Reds injuries Hunter Greene Reds pitcher Hunter Greene will undergo season-ending surgery. Future is unclear
Turns out, August was no slouch. Cincinnati found out against the Washington Nationals, a team in contention for the National League wild card spots for most of 2026 and that hit its high water mark of three games over .500 in June.
While appearing to fade in recent weeks, the Nationals looked keen on staying in the postseason conversation after taking the first two games against Cincinnati. During the Reds' 13-6 run, they started to overtake teams ahead of them in the standings, including the Nationals (and Pirates). But the "Nats" were back in front of Cincinnati entering play Aug. 9

#reds #games #august #treacherous