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Do you like runs? Well, maybe don’t tune in to this Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds playoff series then.

In Game 1 of the first-round matchup, the Braves and Reds didn’t score a single run until the 13th inning. The heavyweight slugfest featured two dominant starting pitcher performances, impressive bullpen showings from both sides, and poor hitting with runners in scoring position all day. Eventually, the Braves did score a run to win in walk-off fashion, but the game still set an MLB playoff record for being too boring.

The Braves and Reds played a 13-inning playoff game that ended 1-0

The Braves and Reds kicked off a historic day of MLB playoff games on Wednesday afternoon, and the matchup did not disappoint. Well, if you’d rather see homers and high scores, then it definitely did disappoint.

In an incredible display of clutch pitching and horrible situational hitting, the Braves and Reds played a scoreless game into the 13th inning Wednesday afternoon.

Countless times it looked as if the Reds were about to push one across and ice the game, but they struggled mightily with runners in scoring position. Eventually, the Braves won on a walk-off RBI single by Freddie Freeman in the bottom of the 13th inning.

Both teams felt wildly different after they left the field Wednesday, but they combined to set an MLB playoff record.

The Braves and Reds set an MLB playoff record in the most boring way possible

If nothing else, at least Atlanta and Cincinnati can claim they made MLB playoff history with their nap-inducing game Wednesday.

The Braves and Reds became the first teams in MLB history to play a scoreless game into the 12th inning of a playoff game. Over 100 years of Major League Baseball. Thousands and thousands of playoff games. And the Braves and Reds just played the most boring game in playoff baseball history.

It wasn’t boring if you like elite pitching, however. Trevor Bauer was absolutely surgical for the Reds. Bauer allowed just two hits in 7.2 innings of work, and he recorded 12 strikeouts in the outing.

In the other dugout, Max Fried went seven strong innings and struck out five. The Braves used eight total pitchers in the contest to shutout the Reds in Game 1.

Both teams combined to go 2-22 with runners in scoring position

The historic, low-scoring affair wasn’t due to a lack of opportunities. Both teams had numerous chances to get runs home with runners in scoring position and less than two outs, but the hits never came when it mattered.

Atlanta and Cincinnati combined to go 2-22 with RISP during the game. The Reds had two chances in extra innings with a runner on third and less than two odds, but no luck getting them home.

If you want to see more offensive ineptitude, tune in for Game 2 Thursday at 12:08 p.m. ET.

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Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.