We’re talking playoffs?

Despite what feels like drastically opposite starts, the Indians and Reds have similar playoff prospects as the season approaches the All-Star Game break. Cleveland’s pleasantly suprising quick start has the Tribe perched atop the AL Central with a 45-38 record and slim leads over the Tigers and White Sox. Cincinnati’s frustrating mediocrity has them at 43-43 and in fourth place in the NL Central but only three games behind the leading St. Louis Cardinals. According to the compelling and data-rich site Cool Standings, both the Indians and Reds can be considered contenders for their respective division titles.

The Indians have a 47.1% chance of winning the division. Thanks to the money-loaded AL East, the Wild Card is all but certain to come from that division leaving the Indians with the Central Division title as the main route to the playoffs. And with 38 games against Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota remaining on the schedule, the Indians sit in the drivers seat for what should be an exciting run to October. While it may seem obvious, one thing working for the Indians is their ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard. Between the Indians, Tigers, and White Sox, only the Indians are the only team of that plus-.500 group that has given up fewer runs than they’ve scored.

The Reds, despite their fourth-place position, still have a 27.9% chance of reaching the postseason. Four teams have an approximate 25% chance of winning the NL Central, so despite the troubling start, the Reds are far from out of the race. A single six or seven-game winning streak could deliver the division. Simiar to the AL, the NL wildcard will most likely come from the East. With 50 of its remaining 76 games to be played against division rivals, the Reds have a tremendous opportunity to take control of the division in the second half of the season. Cincinnati and St. Louis seem to be the only two teams in the divisional race that will be able to consistently topple their opponents as both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are scoring and giving up runs at a similar clip.

For both Ohio teams, the division races are winnable.