WASHINGTON − Since as far back as when MLB released the 2026 schedules last year, many highlighted the treacherous September the Cincinnati Redswould 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.
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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
Cincinnati's August schedule might not feature the likes of the Brewers and Dodgers, but the Nationals were clearly still fighting. Others are, too, and next up is the Chicago White Sox (Aug. 11-13), who have a modest record just above .500 but are leading the American League Central division.
Then, the Reds host the Miami Marlins (Aug. 14-16). Again, it's a team with a modest record (59-59 entering play Aug. 9) but with plenty of incentive at 3.5 games out of the third National League wild card spot. The same goes for the tricky five-game set Cincinnati will host against the St. Louis Cardinals (Aug. 17-20).
Originally scheduled as a four-game set, the series picked up an extra game to be played as part of an Aug. 17 split doubleheader after the Reds and Cardinals were rained out at Great American Ball Park on May 24.
Cincinnati is already preparing for the doubleheader by trying to stretch Chase Petty's right arm out again so he might provide some length in one of the games, Reds manager Terry Francona said. Petty, who was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 8, lost some of his ability to deliver length when he transitioned into a bullpen role.
Francona said Petty would attempt to reach 50 pitches in a game against Triple-A Louisville following rehabbing Brandon Williamson starting the game Tuesday, Aug. 11.
"We're not trying to confuse him," Francona said. "We've got that doubleheader coming up, and there's no days off so we've got to cover that the best way we can. We hate to have him not be a possibility because we didn't" stretch his arm out."
Of course, the Reds still have road series left against two current NL wild card clubs in the Arizona Diamondbacks (Aug. 21-23 in Phoenix) and the Chicago Cubs (Aug. 28-30 at Wrigley Field).
The month finishes with Game 1 of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, who entered play Aug. 9 just a game back of Philadelphia for the third wild card spot.
The Reds swept the Athletics this month. Now at the tail end of a disappointing season, the San Francisco Giants (Aug. 24-26) might have a softer touch, too.
Of course, the Nationals looked ripe for the picking after losing three out of tour games in Philadelphia last week.
Be it September or this coming week at Rate Field, the stretch run for the Reds is underway and already showing its teeth.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Forget September. The Reds are already being pushed by their August schedule
