Yesterday we talked about who should be in the last couple of spots on the playoff roster. Today's topic is much more important: Who do you want to face in the Divisional Series? At this point, just about every scenario is still on the table. In fact, it is so tight, I'm not even sure if the Reds would be the two-seed or the three-seed if the playoffs started today (Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Atlanta are in a 3-way tie with San Diego a half-game back).
If the Reds got the second seed, they'd play Atlanta. If they got the third seed, they'd play Philadelphia. If they get the second seed, but San Diego leapfrogs Atlanta, the Reds will play San Francisco. And, of course, if San Diego jumps over San Francisco, the Reds could end up playing the Padres. And I haven't even mentioned Colorado yet, who play the Giants in a 3-game series starting tonight.
While the Reds still have to dot their i's and cross their t's to clinch the division, they're still playing for something else: matchups.
So, who would you like to see them face in the playoffs? My personal preference is Atlanta. I don't think any team is particularly more beatable in a short-series than any other, and I honestly don't have any analysis, but the game on May 20 deserves some payback, and I want it quick. Then they can face the Phillies in the 2nd round and get payback for the entire last series of the first half.
In all honesty, I'm rooting for a #2 seed more than anything, and it's for completely selfish reasons. I want to go to at least 2, if not 3 playoff games. Sure, I hope the Reds can go all the way to the World Series and win it all, but I didn't expect the playoffs this year - they've already won more games than I thought was the max they were capable of. Everything else is just gravy.