This afternoon the Cincinnati Reds will be trying to avoid being swept after dropping the first two games of the 3-game series in Miami. The Marlins will be looking for their first series sweep of the year. First pitch today is scheduled for 1:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Miami Marlins |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Xavier Edwards – SS |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Jesus Sanchez – CF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Eric Wagaman – 1B |
| Gavin Lux – LF | Matt Mervis – DH |
| Noelvi Marte – 3B | Kyle Stowers – RF |
| Jeimer Candelario – DH | Otto Lopez – 2B |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Liam Hicks – C |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Ronny Simon – LF |
| Austin Wynns – C | Graham Pauley – 3B |
| Brady Singer – RHP | Sandy Alcantara – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brady Singer | 21.1 | 3.80 | 1.27 | 9 | 24 |
| Sandy Alcantara | 17.1 | 7.27 | 1.39 | 10 | 13 |
| Links: Brady Singer’s Stats | Sandy Alcantara’s Stats | |||||
Brady Singer
In his Reds debut, Singer allowed one hit in 7.0 innings. But since then he’s struggled a little bit as he has allowed nine earned runs in 14.1 innings (5.65 ERA) and walked seven batters while giving up 17 hits.
The splits this season for Singer have been bit. He’s been outstanding against right-handed hitters, who have done basically no hitting of any kind against him this season through four starts. Left-handed hitters aren’t hitting for a high average, but they have drawn walks at a solid clip and have hit for some power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 38 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | .200 | .263 | .257 |
| LHH | 52 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 13 | .244 | .327 | .422 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Cutter | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.7 | 92.1 | 88.3 | 81.9 | 87.1 |
| Usage | 10% | 45% | 14% | 31% | 1% |
Sandy Alcantara
After missing all of the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Sandy Alcantara has returned to the mound this year. He’s had some early struggles as he’s battled control so far this season and his walks have haunted him through four starts.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 39 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | .177 | .282 | .206 |
| LHH | 36 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | .267 | .361 | .467 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-Seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 97.6 | 96.7 | 85.1 | 88.0 | 89.9 |
| Usage | 27% | 27% | 1% | 29% | 21% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:10pm ET
- Where: loanDepot park, Miami
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: They have a retractable roof
News and Notes
Rehabbing Reds
Last night saw Tyler Stephenson and Sam Moll begin their rehab assignments with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. Both found some success in their first game. Things did not go nearly as well for Wade Miley in his first game action with Dayton as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. You can read about each of the three player’s performances from last night right here.
Gavin Lux is swinging a hot bat
Gavin Lux is hitting .520/.613/.680 over his last 7 games
— Joel Luckhaupt (@jluckhaupt.bsky.social) April 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 15 | 10 | 0.0 | 63.2% |
| Milwaukee | 13 | 11 | 1.5 | 35.0% |
| Cincinnati | 11 | 13 | 3.5 | 10.3% |
| St. Louis | 10 | 14 | 4.5 | 12.0% |
| Pittsburgh | 9 | 15 | 5.5 | 5.3% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
no Hayes, candy and steer both in the line up. Just Uggg
Marte was moved up in the lineup. Perhaps the Reds believe his rebound is not just a hot streak.
Milwaukee on MLB Network currently. They consistently do more with less. Cubs are killing the ball and already played LA 12x it seems.
Tito and Krall better pick it up or it’s going to be a long lost season. Elly is exciting. I get it, but are they still going to draw big weekend crowds when they’re 8.5 back in early June?
speaking of the Reds terrible assessment of future performance (Candy), was taking a look at the 2020 draft (considering it was considered atrocious for the Reds) and noticed the talent present at each pick where it we chose otherwise and wondered….what say ye about our scouting department? Why do they not see what other teams see? Are steps being taken to evaluate the failure of their labors?
TBF – it was a bad draft for everyone as far as scouting and evaluation – i.e. Covid – but at a quick glance, the Braves lower round pitching picks really stand out. As Doug frequently points out, a good draft often just gets you a pretty good regular at best, maybe a role player on average. Lower rounds usually get nothing. Only the very top few can project to AS level, and even then it’s very common to have them never get to MLB. It’s a hard business.
Gonna get a little philosophical this afternoon! Life presents opportunities every day! The Reds have an opportunity to make up some ground on the other NL Central teams as the Cubs are playing the Dodgers and the Bernies are playing the Giants!
They obviously missed an opportunity yesterday with another one-run loss to the Fish! And, yes, EVERY other team in the NL Central Division won yesterday while the Reds foundered in Miami! By my count that makes five one-run losses this season and three blown saves!
So far on this 9-game road trip the Reds are 2-3 through the first five games!
It’s time to right the ship and start winning! Let’s start with one win this afternoon!
It’s been a depressing series in Miami so far!! Nothing like floundering against the Marlins!! I didn’t expect the Reds to sweep them, but based upon how they were playing beforehand I expected 2 wins!! I hope the Reds redeem themselves today and leave for Colorado on a positive winning note!! Let’s Go Reds!!
Not crazy about this line up without Hayes before an off day, but we shall see.
I would have given McLain the day off and started Espinal at 2B. Perhaps it would have been better to DH Hays in the place of Candy. However, I hope McLain and Candy both contribute greatly to a Reds Win today!!
Candy & Steer are adding very little value so far this season! I have faith that Steer will come around! Candy? Not so much!
Is something wrong with Espinal. He should be playing third with Marte as DH. Candy should be sitting since they won’t eat his salary
Espinal’s glove is way better that Marte
Reds get a run but Mclain and Elly continue to struggle. This team will not play anywhere near .500 if that continues.
I don’t get to watch many Red’s games, but one thing I’ve noticed on gameday is, it seems like many of the Reds see a lot of pitches per at bat.
I saw where the Reds have the lowest chase rate in MLB. Surprised me for sure
Well, that one-run lead was short lived!
That is the kind of series this has been.
Marte seems to make good contact almost every at-bat! He just has some bad luck with the “At ‘Em” balls!
Cut Candoukas loose already. Worst hitter in mlb
Steer says hold my beer. I can go also go 2 for the week
Moose I mean Candy is 5-58 in April. I expect they’re waiting to see if he gets it straightened out in May with warmer weather. If not get the knife out and cut him.
Callihan just keeps on hitting and getting on base down in AAA.
But his defense so much bet……never mind.
I will add he’s not exactly playing in cold weather right now down in Miami.
Maybe it’s just me, but, according to Doug’s summary of Alcantara’s performance so far this 2025 season, he’s been haunted by walks! That being said, I see little patience at the plate by Reds hitters!
Look Ma! Twins! Both Steer and the Candy Man are BOTH “hitting” .123!
Wynns again!. I’m not usually in favor of carrying three catchers but in this case I’d be in favor of at least trying it. We have enough guys who can play both infield and outfield. We need hitting. At this point one of those catchers should be at DH. I’m sure Tito is thinking the same thing.
Steer, Candy and Mclain are doing next to nothing.
2 of those are injured/coming back from injury. One just stinks.
How long are we going to have to watch Candy make outs?
Candy never adjusts, rarely even hits the ball with any exit velocity. Francona has seen plenty of him by now. He was rarely average in Detroit. Wynne could at least DH and rotate C while he’s hot? I really hope Francona is different and makes changes?
This “We gotta get Candy going” thing has been around since Dusty.
Follow the money, though …
I’d be in favor of an IL stint or DFA for Candy and let Wynns or TySteve play 1st a couple times a week. If Wynns stays hot, keep CES at AAA for a bit. If not, the CES pushes wynns off the team in a month.
TySteve isn’t going to play 1B. Tito already settled that.
Things can change. With 3 catchers rostered, one of them needs to play 1st and DH some.
Yeah, but Tito said Steer was going onto the IL, and Krall did not follow through with that plan, Tito had to adjust. It could happen again.
2nd and 3rd, 1 out with 2-3-4 hitters up and struggling pitcher. We have to get a run there at least.
2,3 and 4 fail to get the run home from 3rd. This team has a long long way to go to compete.
They’re at least going to get into the Miami bullpen. Meanwhile, I understand they’re hitting at the bottom of the order, and you really can’t have it as a duo, but who is a better candidate for player of the month than Trevino-Wynns? Especially considering the defensive/game calling aspect?
Maybe there should be a platoon-of-the-month award.
I’d like to revise and extend my comment – just make Wynns a solo player-of-the-month. Trevino can be the runner up.
Sorry … watching Candy is just painful too often of late.
I agree Mark – due has zero business on
roster . In the mean time , Singer pitching very well .
He is visibly lost. No man’s land.
I just don’t think Candelario will ever Hit. Looks like it will go down as a top 10 free agent signing in the history of the Reds, as a bad signing.
Even Moustakis seemed to have more “pep” and “want to” than Candy.
Love listening to Cowboy breakdown aspects of pitching …. Gives you the what’s and why’s …. Knows his stuff man
Tito took the risk letting Singer face Mervis representing the go ahead run and Singer responded punch him out
I thought Singer threw harder, but his off speed is decent. Better then Spiers, but still 5th at best. Summer at Gabp could be tricky
5th at best? His ERA is 3.62, which is in solid No. 4 starter territory.
Right now that looks like a steal of a trade.
Fish MLB lowest $67 mil payroll. Reds $115, LAD $334 lol
And you wonder why most Reds fans despise the Dodgers!
Another missed chance by the top of the order.
The good news is that Steer and McLain’s batting averages are now only .34 points apart …
Gibaut did the job
Candalario started his career in the Cubs Organization. Spent the next 6 years with the Tigers where he had several good years. Played for the Nationals in 2023 until he was traded to the Cubs later in the season. He was with 3 organizations!! Twice with the Cubs!! All of them came to the point where they felt he wasn’t part of their future going forward. The Reds Front Office felt he was valuable enough to sign a 3 year, $45 million contract. I still hope he turns it around but right now he’s really struggling. He’s not going anywhere because of his contract. It is what it is.
According to mlbtrade rumors, heading into the 2023-2024 off-season. Candy was the number 13 ranked free agent top 5 position player that was a free agent. He’s turned out to be a bad signing (plus an odd fit positionally) but he was well regarded going into that off-season.
Don’t all free agents have a prior club? By implication, you are arguing that unless the Reds can guarantee performance for a free agent, that they should avoid signing free agents to multi-year, eight-figure contracts. Lastly, the Reds have let go of several free agents over the last five seasons.
Unless there’s a camera view looking down from third base there’s no way this can be conclusive.
In real-time, I thought they had him.
They showed one take from a camera seemed to be between home and first base that I thought looked like unless the catcher got EDLC really high on the body as in right at the shoulder, he missed him until he got him on the side of his butt which meant safe.
We should have UmpCams. That’s be fun, actually. See what they see.
You mean blurry vision and blind in one eye? 😉
Hahaha! Glasses fogged up too!
Finally candy’s weak contact pays a dividend (thanks to Ellys speed)
Walk, stolen base, 2 groundouts. Didn’t they used to call those ‘Rickey Runs’?
+1000. Thought the same thing Sultan.
C’mon Marte…be better
Seriously, where was Marte going??? TOOTBLAN.
The dugout, I do believe.
Reds might be one of the few teams who the others make to it that double play to kill the rally
Wynns trying to stay on the roster when Stephenson comes back.
I really hate that our cobbled together backup catching crew can’t seem to hit a bit … 😮
I keep expecting Wynns to cool off…
But he just keeps on hitting.
This is some hot streak he’s on, like Aquino when he was first called up.
You have to keep Wynns. Dunn seems the logical choice to be sent down.
You’re probably right, but then we don’t have a 4th OF.
Lux, and Espinal would need to get a lot more AB’s in the grass.
Dunn took away to bats from Lux??
Reds Win!!!
Nice job by Singer and Co. Great to see Steer with two hits. Can’t say enough about our backup catchers. McLain in the dumpster offensively. He’ll come out of it. Very glad we got the W.
Reds back in the win column nice! Austin Wynns what a start to the season offensively.
Elly De La Cruz really upping the steal total, if he becomes more consistent in generall, stays healthy, gets on a few hot streaks, he could be in the MVP race by the season’s end.
Feels good to win today and head to Colorado on a positive note!! Looking forward to Hunter Greene rebounding from his last start to dominate the Rockies on Friday night!!
1/3 of the Reds are hitting about what I expected.
1/3 are hitting worse than I expected.
And 1/3 are hitting better than I expected.
So all in all, a wash.
Can’t disagree with that! It’s hard to score a lot of runs when you have two batters hitting below.150!
Nice win! Being a Reds fan these days is like the nerdy kid in high school getting a date to the prom! He doesn’t care if she’s pretty or not, just that she said yes!
Likewise, a Win is a Win! Ugly or pretty, we need to find a way to keep winning!
Singer is now 4-0 and has had to work hard for those wins!! Happy for him! Happy for the team!
Now let’s go to Coors field and score a ton of runs!