The Reds' defense is hard to figure out

In a rundown of playoff contenders last week, I devoted just two short sentences to the Cincinnati Reds' defense, glossing over their good-but-nothing-special total of 25 defensive runs saved. Since then, the Reds have leapt to 35 runs saved -- fifth in the National League at the moment -- while clinching their first playoff berth in 15 years. On second glance, Dusty Baker's squad deserves far more than a two-line summary and is actually one of the most interesting defenses in the National League.

Although the Reds defense improved to 35 runs saved, it still ranks only 10th in the majors and fifth in the National League. According to Web Gem scorekeeper Mark Simon, the Reds have had 47 plays named Web Gems on "Baseball Tonight," the most of any team in baseball. Those 47 plays are good for 159 Web Gem points, a tally that also leads MLB. How can a team spectacular enough to lead the league in Web Gems be relatively mediocre according to one of the leading defensive metrics?

To read more about why the Cincinnati Reds' defense could carry them in the playoffs, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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