While Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s injury status is considered day-to-day. As the Bengals prepare to play on Monday night. Day-to-day also describes how the Cincinnati Reds are managing through September.

The Cincinnati Reds are in the homestretch of their playoff pursuit. Facing a wildcard race where the standings change daily. The Reds have found themselves tied for the last wildcard spot one day. Then they’re on the outside looking in a day later. A pattern that is extending into this week.

Cincinnati is in the middle of their final regular season homestand. They faced a Minnesota Twins team closing in on the American League Central title. The Twins won two out of three in that series. It could be argued that the Reds and Twins mutually helped their respective teams become contenders. Due to recent trades between the two teams. A trade with Minnesota brought Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer to Cincinnati. While the Reds traded Tyler Mahle, Sonny Grey and Kyle Farmer to Minnesota in recent years.

The Reds will host the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend. Pittsburgh is showcasing how wild things have been in the National League Central. The Pirates led the division at one point early in the season. Pittsburgh later faded into the team many expected them to be. Meanwhile, the Reds have been defying expectations all season long. 

Cincinnati is on pace to have a winning season. The Reds led the NL Central for a time earlier this year. Few anticipated the Reds would even be contenders going into 2023. After their 100-loss campaign last year and a quiet offseason. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are having an atypically bad season. The Chicago Cubs are lingering as playoff contenders. While the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers struggled through the summer to get to first place.

The Reds are contending despite being hampered by injuries and illness in September. Their pitching staff was hit by a COVID-19 wave earlier this month. Meanwhile, Graham Ashcraft‘s season is over after having toe surgery this week. Leaving the Reds without one of their top pitchers in the homestretch. In the midst of all this, the Reds have done what they’ve done all year. Turn to their rookies to deliver in the clutch. That includes Reds starting pitcher Connor Phillips.

Cincinnati was helped by having Phillips and Hunter Greene pitch deep into their starts this week. The Reds have also used bullpen days to get by in September. In a wild card race where things are shifting day-to-day. The Reds are striving for a playoff berth with a roster that shifts on a daily basis. That’s not just the case for the pitching staff. Jake Fraley is striving to help the Reds by playing through a foot injury. One that will require surgery at the end of the season.

The Reds have shifted their lineup around at various times. After facing criticism for doing nothing at the trade deadline. Then following that up with an early August slump. The Reds picked up Harrison Bader and Hunter Renfroe via the waiver wire. Bader gave the Reds a modest boost before suffering a groin injury. The Reds didn’t get much of a boost from Renfroe. The Reds ultimately released Renfroe earlier this week.

Renfroe’s departure brought Stuart Fairchild back into the lineup. Fairchild returned after missing parts of this summer with brief stints on the injured list. Jonathan India recently returned after missing part of the summer with a foot injury. All adding some meaning to the phrase day-to-day. While Reds players are keeping podiatrists and their medical staff busy.

Regardless of how this season concludes for the Reds. The way they’re managing through the homestretch provides lessons for the future. Lessons the Reds could use as they strive to be contenders going forward.