The Reds are going to the playoffs.

It’s been so long, but with the St. Louis Cardinals loss yesterday coupled with the Cincinnati Reds win, the magic number is down to 6. I keep running the numbers over and over in my head, for certainly I’ve missed something. The Reds lead is back to 8 games, and they have just 11 games left. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have 13 games left.

I know the Reds haven’t clinched yet, but with each game played, it becomes ever more harder and unlikely for the Cardinals to pull off the miraculous comeback. Or, as we Reds fans are used to, the spectacular collapse by Cincinnati. This 2010 edition has had its share of spectacular failure, but I don’t think there’ll be anything on that order of magnitude.

Just think, if the Reds 4-7, the Cardinals have to go 13-0 just to tie. Does anyone think that either of those teams has either of those records in them? Sure the Reds have had a losing streak here and there and could pull off a 4-7 record over the last 11 in a pinch, but there’s no way I can see St. Louis going undefeated for the rest of the season. They’re just a bad team.

Face it, Reds fans. Pinch yourself or whatever you need to do to believe that you’re not dreaming. For the first time since 1995, we’re going to the playoffs. We’re going to see October baseball that matters.