The Cincinnati Reds are about to start their final home stand of 2019. This home stand will be important for several reasons. Beyond it being their last one of this season and this decade.

First, this home stand will feature an interesting head-to-head matchup. One that could help determine this Major League Baseball season’s home run leader. The Reds will face the New York Mets in the opening series of the home stand. Presenting the opportunity for a matchup between the league’s home run leaders. Reds slugger Eugenio Suarez and this year’s Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso.

Suarez achieved history during the Reds recent road trip. Particularly in the closing game against the Chicago Cubs. Suarez hit his 48th home run of the season on Wednesday night. Now the most homers hit in a season by a Venezuelan-born major leaguer. Surpassing Gold Glove winner and five time All-Star Andres Galarraga.

This home stand will have implications for the National League’s wildcard race. The Mets are still within realistic reach of the last wildcard spot. Going into Friday, the Mets are 3.5 games out of the wildcard race. The Reds will also face the Milwaukee Brewers to conclude the home stand. Milwaukee is currently a game ahead of the Cubs for the last wildcard spot. Leaving Cincinnati with a chance to spoil the postseason hopes of two teams. While shaking up the NL pennant chase in the process.

Cincinnati also has a chance to end their 2019 home schedule on an optimistic note. Just one win will keep the Reds from ending 2019 with 90 losses. Resulting in the Reds best record since they went 76-86 in 2014. The Reds have let multiple chances to improve their record slip away. Their nine remaining games of this season provides an opportunity to build up momentum going into 2020.

This home stand will also feature the end of an era for the Cincinnati Reds. Radio play-by-play announcer Marty Brennaman will call his final game during this home stand. Wrapping up a hall of fame 46 year career broadcasting Reds games. Perhaps more than any other major sports league in America; an MLB team’s main play-by-play announcer is as synonymous with their team as their players. The Reds and Reds fans are fortunate that Brennaman is such an person.

Brennaman is a familiar voice to generations across Reds country. Being behind the mic for some of the biggest moments in Reds history. Along with sharing the same frustrations that fans have with the Reds on the air. His constant presence is just one of many reasons why Reds fans will miss Marty.