If you want to talk about context, you also have to consider that the bar for making the playoffs is much lower than it was in 2011, especially in the very mediocre NL Central.
Even at 14 games below .500 they are only 8.5 games out of the division lead with 90 games to play. Climbing over 4 teams isn’t that daunting either when there is no indication that, unless the Reds do it, any of the teams above them are going to move much above .500. It’s not like they have to win 15-20 in a row like they did to claim a playoff spot in 2021.