The Cincinnati Reds haven't made the playoffs in a non-pandemic season since 2013. They haven't won a postseason series in 30 years.

Cincinnati Reds LHP Andrew Abbott pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning, and Elly De La Cruz went 0-for-2 as the duo soaked in the MLB All-Star Game vibe.

The second half of the Reds' season starts on Friday against the New York Mets. Cincinnati currently sits at 50-47 and 2 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot. If they are going to contend in the second half, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon thinks Hunter Greene will have to be a key part.

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Before we shift our collective attention away from the draft that concluded Monday, July 14, to the MLB All-Star Game, the resumption of the regular season on Friday, July 18, and the future waves of talent to come, let's take stock of what the Cincinnati Reds just added to their organization.

The Cincinnati Reds are 50-47 and just 2 1/2 games out of the Wild Card spot. However, they have just about an 11% chance to make the playoffs. The Athletic's Tim Britton and Chad Jennings wrote an article sorting through the buyers and sellers at the MLB trade deadline. The Reds were placed in the "typical sellers" group.

That's when Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott said he's been told to expect to pitch for the National League squad in his first career All-Star appearance . Abbott, who joins shortstop Elly De La Cruz representing the Reds in tonight's game mentioned at least "a little nerves" ahead of the big event.

Everything you need to know about the MLB matchup between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds, including how to watch and team news.

"There's so much less certainty of the grouping near the top," said Reds director of amateur scouting, Joe Katuska said.

The Cincinnati Reds are a team that could use more power, as they are currently in 15th place league-wide in home runs. Outfielder Rece Hinds is known for his prolific power down at Triple-A, and at times in the big leagues as well.