(Photo: Sam Greene)
The Reds have delivered on their promise in one regard. It’s post-All-Star Break, and they’re in contention. That hasn’t been the case since 2014. Consider where they’ve been at the break in the National League Central the last six years:
—2019: 4.5 back, fifth place
—2018: 13.5 back, fifth place
—2017: 9.5 back, fifth place
—2016: 21.5 back, fifth place
—2015: 15.5 back, fourth place
—2014: 1.5 back, third place
There can be some lessons learned for 2014, when the last embers of the good run that began in 2010 were dying.