CINCINNATI -- Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett's chances of winning the National League batting title have faded the past several games as he's struggled at the plate. On Saturday, Gennett was not in the lineup vs. the Pirates because of a sore right biceps.
"I think it's just from an awkward swing," Gennett said. "It doesn't really hinder me from throwing or hitting too much. But it's something that at this point in the year, and where we're at -- all things considered -- it'd be stupid to make it worse."
Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman wasn't sure if Gennett would play in Sunday's season finale.
If his 2018 numbers are complete, it was a second straight strong year at the plate with the Reds for Gennett. He is batting .310/.357/.490 with 23 home runs and 92 RBIs. Last season, he batted .295/.342/.531 while setting career highs with 27 homers and 97 RBIs.
Gennett was leading the NL with a .321 average when play began on Sept. 12. But in his last 14 games, he is batting .184 (9-for-49).
"It's probably from swinging at too many changeups and offspeed pitches down in the dirt. I've been doing that a lot lately," Gennett said of his injury. "Maybe that's the result, my body is telling me, 'Hey, you're not doing the right thing at the plate.' I would say that out of my past 50 swings, 40 have been out in front, where your arm gets hyperextended in a way, rather than five out of those 50 swings. It's been pretty crappy at the plate lately for me."
The Brewers' Christian Yelich zoomed past Gennett and entered Saturday batting .322, while Gennett moved into a tie with Lorenzo Cain for fourth, and they sit behind Freddie Freeman (.312) and Anthony Rendon (.311).
"It's one of those things where it'd be nice to be up at the top," Gennett said. "But at the same point, I'm sure to [Yelich], or anybody, it's not as important as making the playoffs or winning the World Series. It's another reason why I've got to be smart with my body, get into the offseason healthy and not be behind the 8-ball."
Gennett is third-year arbitration eligible this winter and is making $5.7 million this season. In July, preliminary talks had started about a long-term contract extension, but there has been no movement of late.