Via:By Gina Mizell / MLB.com
The Reds will have a chance to seal their spot in the playoffs this weekend, but in order to accomplish that feat, Cincinnati will have to conquer a Padres club that has given it plenty of troubles in the past and is battling for a postseason berth of its own.
With Cincinnati’s magic number at three, the club could clinch its first National League Central title since 1995 on Saturday during the three-game series in San Diego at PETCO Park.
But that will be easier said than done against a San Diego club that has won eight of its last 10 contests against the Reds. The Padres, who were defeated, 3-1, by the Dodgers on Thursday, also have plenty at stake this weekend. San Diego trails first-place San Francisco by one-half game in the NL West standings and Atlanta by one-half game in the race for the NL Wild Card. The Rockies are 3 1/2 back in the division and Wild Card.
Overall, the Padres lead the Reds in the season series, 2-1, and the head-to-head total could come into play to determine which team is matched up with the Phillies and which team gets the Braves if the Philadelphia wins the division and Atlanta wins the Wild Card. The head-to-head could also play a factor in determining home-field advantage if the Padres win the NL West and the Giants win the Wild Card.
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