CINCINNATI — Before the Cincinnati Reds’ 13-9 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, the New York Mets’ game against the Detroit Tigers was on several TVs in the home clubhouse at Great American Ball Park.

There were glances at the score, 6-2 Tigers, and even a word or two when the Mets’ Juan Soto popped up with two outs in the ninth, flipped his bat in the air with one hand and then swatted it away with his other, but there was not even a single clap or cheer.

The three games against the Mets at GABP starting Friday are vital, but as the Tigers were celebrating four hours up I-75 in Detroit, the Reds still had a game to play before the most important series of the season and another 19 left after those three.

“I wish we’d won tonight,” Reds manager Terry Francona said after the second slugfest loss in a row to the American League East-leading Blue Jays. “We’re probably extremely fortunate that we get to play a team that’s in front of us (in the standings). Saying that, we’ve got to beat them. But it’s our chance.”

Although Francona didn’t say it, the upcoming series may be the Reds’ last chance.

When former Reds pitcher Jeff Hoffman got Austin Hays to fly out for the game’s last out, the Reds stood five games back of the Mets for the final wild-card spot and a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants. The Giants went on to beat the Colorado Rockies and make it a full game ahead of Cincinnati.

Of the final 22 games in the Reds’ season, 10 are against teams ahead of them in the standings, which means the season’s not completely lost at 70-70, but there’s no margin for error.

After the team’s three games at home with the Mets, the Reds go to San Diego for three against the Padres, who are one game ahead of the Mets in the wild-card standings.

The San Diego trip is followed by three games in Sacramento against the A’s, and then there are three more games in St. Louis against a Cardinals team that sits a half-game behind the Reds, tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cincinnati also has four games against the Chicago Cubs at home before finishing with three in Milwaukee against a Brewers team that should have the National League Central wrapped up by then.

“I think we all understand what’s coming, and I think we put ourselves in this position,” said Reds catcher Jose Trevino. “I know every single guy in here can look at each other in the eye and say that we’re ready for it.”

First, though, the Reds get a much-needed day off. They need to rest their bullpen, which was forced into using eight different relievers over the last two games, with two appearing in both games, covering 13 2/3 innings. All nine innings of Tuesday’s loss featured relievers, with right-hand Scott Barlow serving as the opener because scheduled starter Nick Lodolo was sick.

An illness has run through the Reds clubhouse at the most inopportune time. Barlow, who subbed for the ailing Lodolo on Tuesday, was sent home from the ballpark on Wednesday because he was sick and wasn’t going to be used in the game. Those two pitchers weren’t alone, however. Several other players were sick and still playing. Even Francona’s voice was raspy, and his coughs could be heard from outside his office following Wednesday’s game.

That is part of September baseball. Other teams are dealing with similar circumstances, and there’s no longer a COVID-19 injured list that allows healthy replacements to come in to take the place of sick players.

Before Wednesday’s game, Francona was asked about Lodolo’s availability for his next start, and that’s still up in the air. Even if Francona had stayed at a Holiday Inn Express instead of his condo in Northern Kentucky, his free continental breakfast wouldn’t come with a crystal ball. Will Lodolo feel better? Barlow? Gavin Lux? Or even Francona himself? There’s no telling.

There is, however, a day when those who aren’t feeling well can stay home and let the illness run its course ahead of their most crucial series of the season.

“(We) get the off day (to) recoup, recollect and then come back,” Trevino said.

Since taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies last month, the Reds have won just one of the six series they’ve played, going 6-11 and dropping series to the Diamondbacks and Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers also swept them in their series.

After winning the first game against the Blue Jays, Cincinnati scored 18 runs on 25 hits over its final two games — and lost both games, allowing 25 runs on 30 hits.

“I think we’ll clean it up on the pitching side, I know we will,” Trevino said. “We’ve got the guys who’ve done it all year, guys who have stepped up and put up zeroes. I’m not worried about that.”

If there are three pitchers the Reds could hand-pick for this series, it would likely be the three who are scheduled to take the mound this weekend.

Friday’s starter is All-Star Andrew Abbott, whose had the best season of any Reds starter. Brady Singer, who aside from Abbott has been maybe the team’s most dependable starter, goes Saturday, and then finally, the team’s Opening Day starter, Hunter Greene, pitches Sunday.

This series may not put the final nail in the Reds’ coffin if they don’t sweep, but it would make the lid pretty tough to open with a few more nails left to close it completely.

(Photo of Noelvi Marte: Katie Stratman / Imagn Images)