This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/reds as Two Cincinnati Reds Players Among Top 50 Trade Deadline Candidates. The Cincinnati Reds have lost two straight games and are currently 52-49 and 3 1/2 games out of the National League Wild Card spot.

This was not a playoff team in October. Or a contender in September. This was the bad-bullpen, meh-lineup Nationals playing for nothing in July.

Since June 1, the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen has only been charged with five total losses. The Reds are mostly winning and losing with the performances of their rotation, but still it feels like middle and low-leverage relief is an area where the Reds need more production.

Cincinnati Reds fan favorite and pitcher Tejay Antone threw his first live batting practice this week since his third Tommy John surgery. "First live batting practice," Antone wrote on Instagram. "2 K’s 1 GB and 1 PO. #brickbybrick "

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The Cincinnati Reds picked Steele Hall out of Hewitt-Trussville High School (AL) with their first selection in this week’s MLB Draft, and followed that up with an additional 19 picks in their overall draft class.

Three Cincinnati Reds Minor League affiliates were in action on Monday. Here is how their top prospects performed: ACL Reds (23-35) Lost 11-7 Tyson Lewis went 2-5 with a double, two runs scored and a RBI.

The last time the Cincinnati Reds won a playoff series, Barry Larkin and Bret Boone were the middle infielders, and Jeff Brantley was closing games.

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The Cincinnati Reds will play the Atlanta Braves in the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 2. On Monday morning, the Reds posted a photo on social media with the new uniforms they will be wearing for that game.

As they sit just 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, the Cincinnati Reds have been urged to make a blockbuster trade and reunite with their former third baseman.