Reds turn their season around with series of sweeps

It’s a different story on June 17 as the Reds prepare to open a four-game series on the road against the San Diego Padres. They reached a new peak Wednesday with a 2-1 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. A fired-up Joey Votto scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning.

Manager David Bell was asked by Jim Day, of Bally Sports Ohio, about Votto’s emotional reaction after he crossed home plate.

“Is this what it’s all about?” Day asked.

“That’s the best part,” Bell said. “Not only playing well but seeing guys enjoy it and play with emotion. It’s something some guys are better at showing than others, but man I think our team does a good job of that. It helps you enjoy it. It helps you play better.”

The Reds are playing perhaps better than they ever have in Bell’s three seasons. It’s an even better run than the 11 victories in 14 games stretch at the end of last season.

Here’s how they looked on May 29 when they fell a season-worst six games under .500 and how they look now after 13 victories in 16 games.

Then

Record: 22-28.

Momentum: They had lost nine of their last 12 games.

Standings: Fourth place in the National League Central Division; seven games back of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals; and 2½ games ahead of the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates.

Big picture: The Reds had the 21st-best record in baseball.

Playoff odds: According to FanGraphs.com, the Reds have a 3.9 percent chance of winning the division, an 2.1 percent chance of winning a wild card and a 6.0 percent chance of making the playoffs in one way or the other.

Now

Record: 35-31.

Momentum: They have won six games in a row and swept three of their last four series.

Standings: Third place in the division; two games back of the first-place Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers (both 38-30); one game ahead of the Cardinals (35-33); and 12½ games ahead of the last-place Pirates (23-44).

Big picture: The Reds have the 13th-best record in baseball.

Playoff odds: According to FanGraphs.com, the Reds have a 16.6 percent chance of winning the division, an 8.1 percent chance of winning a wild card and a 24.6 percent chance of making the playoffs in one way or the other.