The Cincinnati Reds were swept out of the MLB Postseason on Thursday. Due primarily to a lack of offense and clutch hitting. Struggles that were exemplified by four numbers.

Zero is the first and most significant number. The Reds scored zero runs in their two postseason games. Setting two unflattering MLB Postseason record in the process. By starting their postseason with 22 scoreless innings. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the previous record was 20 scoreless innings from the 1921 New York Giants. Cincinnati is also the first team to end an MLB Postseason series without scoring. Those were two of a few records the Reds set in their postseason run.

Game one of this National League Wild Card Series set several postseason records. Wednesday’s opening game was the longest score-less game in MLB Postseason history. With the lone run coming in the bottom of the 13th inning. Not all of the Reds’ 2020 postseason records were unflattering though. Cincinnati and the Atlanta Braves pitchers had a combined 37 strikeouts in that game.

Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer struck out 12 batters, walked none and gave up no runs. Becoming the first pitcher to do that in MLB Postseason history. Outside of the bottom of the 13th in game one. Along with a rough bottom of the eighth in game two. Cincinnati’s bullpen mostly fared well in this series too.

Cincinnati’s scoreless streak wasn’t the only reason why zero carries significance here. Cincinnati’s pitching staff shut the Braves out for most of this series. The Braves didn’t score a run in 18 of the 22 innings of this series. Giving the Reds ample opportunities to take the lead. Unfortunately for the Reds, they blundered every scoring opportunity they had.

This brings us to the number 17; the number of Reds left on base in this series. Atlanta also stranded 17 base-runners in this series. Nine in game one and eight in game two. While Atlanta’s left on base totals were relatively consistent in this series. The differences between the two games were wildly different for Cincinnati.

The Reds left 13 on base in game one and four in game two. Cincinnati had and squandered more scoring opportunities than the Braves did in game one. If the Reds got another hit late in the top of the 3rd, 6th, 7th or 11th. There probably would be a game three in this series happening today. Highlighting a problem that hampered the Reds throughout 2020.

That problem is Cincinnati’s struggles to get a hit in clutch situations. Highlighted by the last two significant numbers; both of which are batting averages. Cincinnati’s team batting average in the regular season was a Major League worst .212. In the postseason, they had a .169 team batting average. The third worst among this year’s postseason teams going into Friday.

Despite the rough finish, qualifying for the postseason is a victory in itself for the Reds. After six consecutive losing seasons going into this season. The Reds got through a uncertainty filled regular season with a winning record. Plus, their first postseason appearance since 2013. Overall, the future still looks promising for the Reds despite crashing out of this postseason.