CINCINNATI — After being significant enough that the Cincinnati ballpark crew placed barriers at the base of the steps in the Cardinals' dugout Tuesday to avoid a cascade and flood, the rain has cleared for September.
And an opportunity has dawned.
The Cardinals and Reds open the final full month of the regular season within three games of each other in the wild-card race. The Padres are hanging. The Phillies are charging. And either the Reds or Cardinals have a chance to gain two games in one day — or stall with a split and lose a day off the calendar.