Saturday night saw the Washington Nationals even up the series with an 11-6 win. Today they’ll face off with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in the final game of their 3-game set, with the winner grabbing a series victory. First pitch this afternoon is set for 4:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals | Cincinnati Reds |
| CJ Abrams – SS | Matt McLain – 2B |
| Amed Rosario – 3B | Santiago Espinal – RF |
| James Wood – DH | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Nathaniel Lowe – 1B | Noelvi Marte – 3B |
| Keibert Ruiz – C | Spencer Steer – 1B |
| Luis Garcia Jr. – 2B | Tyler Stephenson – DH |
| Alex Call – LF | Gavin Lux – LF |
| Dylan Crews – RF | Jose Trevino – C |
| Jacob Young – CF | Blake Dunn – CF |
| MacKenzie Gore – LHP | Nick Martinez – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Martinez | 32.2 | 4.68 | 1.35 | 11 | 26 |
| MacKenzie Gore | 41.0 | 36 | 1.10 | 9 | 59 |
| Links: Nick Martinez’s Stats | MacKenzie Gore’s Stats | |||||
Nick Martinez
The start of the season didn’t get out to a great start for Nick Martinez. But he’s pitched well in each of his last two starts, allowing three runs in 11.2 innings against Miami and St. Louis. He also didn’t allow a home run in either outing after giving up four home runs over the first four starts of the year.
The splits this season aren’t that big on the surface. Lefties are hitting for a bit more power, while righties are getting on base a bit more. Right-handed hitters have made a ton of contact and they’ve walked at a good rate, too. Left-handed hitters aren’t making nearly as much contact and they aren’t walking all that much.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 74 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | .269 | .338 | .463 |
| LHH | 63 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 15 | .254 | .302 | .509 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.9 | 92.5 | 88.6 | 79.5 | 84.2 | 79.1 |
| Usage | 23% | 15% | 20% | 10% | 12% | 20% |
MacKenzie Gore
The league leader in strikeouts, MacKenzie Gore is out to a good start to his 2025. He’s coming off of a 6-inning, 3-run start against the Phillies in which he allowed two home runs for the first time all season.
The splits for Gore are interesting. Lefties aren’t getting as many opportunities against him, but the ones who are have a slightly higher average and a significantly higher slugging percentage. He’s not walking lefties or righties this season and he’s striking out a bunch from both groups.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 117 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 39 | .234 | .285 | .336 |
| LHH | 48 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 20 | .244 | .271 | .489 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.7 | 82.1 | 87.9 | 86.0 |
| Usage | 48% | 23% | 20% | 9% |
When and Where
- Game time: 4:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv,
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 53°, cloudy, 15% chance of rain
News and Notes
Rhett Lowder to start a rehab assignment this week
The Reds are sending Rhett Lowder out to begin a rehab assignment this week. He will first head to Arizona to make a start with the complex league team (in a game that counts) and then join the Dayton Dragons after that. You can read more about it all in our story from earlier today.
Connor Phillips is back
After a disastrous 2024 season, Reds prospect Connor Phillips began the 2025 season on the injured list. He missed the first month of the year but he began a minor league rehab assignment yesterday with Dayton and he looked good doing so. He topped out at 99 MPH in his 1.2 innings pitched for the Dragons.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 21 | 13 | 0.0 | 80.2% |
| Cincinnati | 18 | 16 | 3.0 | 13.4% |
| Milwaukee | 16 | 18 | 5.0 | 15.2% |
| St. Louis | 14 | 19 | 6.5 | 9.8% |
| Pittsburgh | 12 | 22 | 9.0 | 2.2% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Got to wipe the memory of yesterday away, bundle up, and SMASH THE GNATS!!!
Got my City Connect shirt on. Not going to press my luck with anything else. Hoping Martinez is dealing and the right-handed bats are smacking the snot out of Gore.
Almost time to KICK THIS PIG!!!
Wow the first 5 batters in chattanooga’s lineup are raking this year. Wow
Yeah the rest of the hitters are not. I was hoping Jay Allen would take off this year but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Then there’s Dayton. Dayton hitters are really slumping.
Let’s get the series win this afternoon guys.
Let’s hope Martinez performs like he did in his last two outings.
Glad to see Ty Steve at DH, McLain with a day off and Trevino back behind the plate!
McLain is bating leadoff, and Friedl gets the day off.
Oops! My bad!
I think I heard somewhere that the Reds are 13-4 when they score first! If that’s the case, let’s score first and a lot! A solid 6 shutout innings from Martinez would be nice!
Need Martinez to do well for two reasons. He is our best trade bait.
Also agree . Rodriguez and Arroyo and Stewart all look like they will be brought up later this year or next. They are all looking really good. Hendricks and Allen both unfortunately look like first round busts . On the other hand Acuna, Burns, and especially Franco look like they have a great future . Hopefully none are used as trade bait as they look like upgrades for Abbott and even Lodolo .
Brewers finally having their way with the Cubs. Peralta throwing a gem. Let’s hope it holds up.
Need this one for many reasons
Go Reds!
What is this? another rain delay? thanks flying pigs or something… anyone got an ETA
Time Conditions Temp. Feels Like Precip Amount Cloud Cover
5 :00 pm Few Showers 58 °F 57 °F 32 % 0 in 100 %
This from Weather Underground. Looks good for a game later this afternoon.
Rain delay again! I told you guys to ship the rain out here (AZ).
The Bernies finally have a lead over the Stupid Cubs! Hope it holds up!
See above, Dennis. lol
Rece Hinds finally hit a HR when I’ve been watching. I was beginning to take it personally.
A 416 footer to dead center. I will say this — he has easy power. Similar to the way Jay Bruce had easy power.
Now for a few more similarities.
He has cut down on his strikeouts in the past 6 games. Hopefully that can continue.
Rece Hinds with his 2nd ball of the day above 100mph EV for the AAA Bats in Memphis.
This one was 111.2mph and came to ground where no fielder could catch it, well beyond the CF wall. The distance was listed at 416′ and that’s conservative as it hit high on the batters’ which appears to be at least 20′ beyond the 400′ marker on the CF fence.
“the batters’ ” above = “the batters’ *eye*”
Game is about to start
Dunn and Callahan nice players and all but i would rather see Hinds up here. You need to hit home runs to compete at GABP. And we are not really hitting a lot at home. Bring him up!
Right now, Hinds is playing CF every day as in over 5 days a week, on a schedule that plays 6 days a week. Bring him up only if he is going to play at least 4 days a week and preferably 5-6.
Otherwise, leave him where he is at and find his ceiling and ability to recycle when he goes into an off period.
His day today (3/5, no K’s with maybe one more PA to go as I type) is probably going to drop his seasonal K rate under 30% and boost his OBP up to .340 or just over(these figures were 30.7 and .331 respectively at the the start of Sunday’s game).
One pitch one out. I like it. 🙂
Good first inning by Martinez. 10 pitches, three easy outs.
Time to go to work and get ahead early.Reds need this one for the series win on get away day.
McLain–let’s hope it’s just a beginning!
Do It All Espinal with another hit. Need to score this inning.
The Cubs-Brewers game just went final! The Brewers finally beat the Stupid Cubs!
Needed Elly right there and well not this time.
Wasted opportunity there! Key AB was Elly’s, and he didn’t come through! Once again, runner at second and less than 2 outs and nothing!
Maybe just a little more patience for the good guys at the plate.just keep the pressure on and lets see what happens.
Can’t believe Marte and Steer couldn’t come through. Geesh
Never fails! Reds fail to score, and their opponent leads off the next inning with a double! Bet the Gnats don’t waste their opportunity to score a runner from 2nd base with less than 2 outs!
Nats have come to play so we better match their energy or it will be another long day.
Limited damage. Limited whiffs in our 1st inning. Keep that up and we’re bound to score.
Martinez able to limit the damage to one run! Time for the Reds hitters to exhibit some patience and plate discipline!
STEPHENSON!!!! first dinger of the season
Acted like he wasn’t sure of the routine an HR hitter is supposed to follow this year as he rounds the bases. But it still counts as a run. 😉
OK, Ty … that’s the way to get it back.
Big HR by TS! 🙂
Bandbox homerun helps the reds. LOL.. love the gabp wall scrapers
People were bashing Ty Steve in yesterday’s game thread…
taking stock.
Own it.
People do that alot here.
Some want to trade him because a 32 and 34 year old catchers are having career months. Just dont get it.
His catching form is rusty … but that’s to be expected at this point.
I’ll stand by my comments.
His defense was an issue. He was slow to a dribbler in front of the plate then threw one away before the home run. He also bounced a throw to second on a steal. He gets a pass for rust. But his defense has never been his strength. Watching Stephenson compared to Trevino, the latter is better and by a pretty fair amount.
Two other things i noticed, the first last year was last year, and was the number of foul tip third strikes Stephenson doesn’t catch. This year, i noticed how good Trevino’s hands are and that he is adept at holding onto those third strikes. It’s similar to the improvement in double plays this year — a pitcher works hard to get that DP ground ball or K. and then doesn’t get it. It adds up to giving the team extra outs or strikes.
I like Stephenson. He is a very good RH hitter. With both Hays and himself, i see the two fairly equal and interchangeable in the batting order. And with Trevino, we have two starting level catchers. I’d like it better if Trevino catches more and Stephenson less.
Good hitter. Never doubted that. Defense as catcher a lot to be desired. Yesterday, opposition ran at will on him, plus the play in front of the plate that should have been his to call and should have been an out — but wasn’t.
I think Blake Dunn has 5 Ks in his last 5 at bats…
Wow strike 3 called a ball. Sounds like a broken record.
Thankfully next pitch he flew out
Dunn striking out doesn’t bother me but I would rather see Hinds up here even if he fans a lot cause well when he hits it he hits it.
I was thinking same thing. It would be good to see Hinds get a fair shot in my opinion. Watching gore pitch to Dunn. I was thinking man Hinds could blast those fast balls.
I don’t think Hinds is the answer, but I’m pretty sure Dunn isn’t. So between the 2, sure, give Hinds a shot.
Hinds or Benson. I am expecting the guys from Double A to be knocking at the triple A door soon.
Time will tell I suppose
I don’t know either but at some point Reds need to find out.Always will be a debate as to what is a fair shot but maybe he will force his way up to the majors.We will see.
As the Ol’ Lefthander liked to say, when Hinds hits them, they stay hit. But he also got 2 cheap singles today that will make a big positive impact on his OBP, while the 100+ mph line drive that was caught will negatively impact it.
Nice lockdown inning by Martinez! Much needed! Time to support his effort with a crooked number!
Hope Martinez can hold on the Nats lefties
Looked good that inning. Looking more and more like the Martinez from late last season.
Another squeezy umpire??? When is this crap gonna stop?
I typed it earlier. Lol it is like a broken record. We see it daily…
WLW booth was saying “broken record” as well. They’ve been very frustrated and vocal this series.
Nick getting it done. Need hits.
Very good inning by MArtinez pitching around the dish and mixing pitches with command. Retired in order the middle of the lineup full of dangerous lefties
Man Gore’s stuff is flat nasty.
Marte swings at two out of the zone.
Reds hitters are back in strikeout mode! 6 SOs so far through first 10 outs! HP ump is NOT helping!
Awright, Steer gets on base with one out !
And Ty Steve follows with a walk…
Steer should be on 2nd per ground rules … unless that changed.
Abrams spin throws may be fun to watch … but the accuracy seems to suffer.
Lux has been struckout twice on just 6 pitches…He’s a good platoon hitter
plus 1000
Need a little bingo here from Trevino …
Nope 🙁
Lux goes down on three pitches ! Yeah, Gore is in charge.
Another lost opportunity.
Two on and one out and 4 pitches later back in the dugout.Guys just have to keep battling and they will.GO REDS
How many times do we have runners on 1st and 2nd with one out and get a K? A lot, it seems to me.
Gore is a good pitcher. That has alot to do with it.
Another chance wasted by the Reds …Hope it won’t hunt
Another runner at 2nd base with less than two outs did not score! Reds may want to open an orphanage with the number of runners abandoned on the bases!
Do you think Gore being 2nd in the NL in strikeouts has anything to do with it?
Losers make excuses! Winners find a way!
Good ole fashion pitchers duel!!!
Reds need to score, Martinez will not go much farther = 3rd time through. Dunn should try and bunt to lead off this inning.
Martinez looking strong in the 5th. That base hit he gave up was on a 0-2 count. His slider is getting them.
Seriously guys! Nick is pitching his heart out and we can only score one run?
The other guy is one of the best in the NL and leading the league in Ks.
1000% agree
Dunn gets his walk to leadoff the Reds fifth.
then clears the bases with a steal attempt
Unreal
Then makes an unwise base running decision.
+1000
I disagree. Dunn is one of the fastest guys in NL. Ball on the ground that gets away from catcher, he needs to go EVERY time. It was just unlucky that it hit the batter’s foot and went right back to the catcher.
Walk to McLain ! Gore may be struggling a bit.
I think after a lead-off walk they should’ve been more patient running the bases
Wasn’t a straight steal.
Ball was in the dirt…got away from catcher
Dunn took off.
Ball hit MMC and bounced right back to catcher.
Dunn is here on borrowed time.
Beginning to get the pitch count up on Gore.
I love that McLain slid feet first. Won’t get into all the reasons I think is better than head first. Just another reason to like McLain for me.
It’s opposite for me.
Different strokes for different folks
Now see that has been called a ball all game. Now strike 3. That is the inconsistent calls.
It’s up to Elly now …
And boom, it’s gone ! Reds up 3-1.
Now that’s clutch hitting !
Oh no ! it was called Foul…
Elly! I hope it’s really fair.
Foul
Okay Elly!
Just missed it…
Foul ball??
ELLY!!! finally a clutch dinger!! Reds go ahead
Woo-hoo!
Oh fart.
Alright! EDLC HR!….NOT…foul ball.
Foul ball?
That was a easy call to make. Not sure why the ump called it fair.
It might have been as simple as rain getting in his eyes or obstructing his view. He only gets one chance at full speed.
Fair point Jim. Lol
What? no way ….that’s bad
That didn’t look like a strike.
Earlier today both Hinds and Benson challenged a strike call and both won easily. It wasn’t even close. Bring on the challenge system.
I feel like I say that on every game thread basically. It can’t get to MLB fast enough for me.
Yeah, I was amazed that both were absolutely blown calls because most of the challenges I have seen are eyelash differences either way. I wondered if on calls like those today if the ump ever tips their hand to the batter or catcher to challenge.
The other thing I noticed was that both times the ball was in a similar physical spot in relation to the ump, low but over the inside corner to Benson and low but over the outside corner to Hinds.
They should now call it. Gore is hurt. Let’s put this game in a delay.
It’s up to Marte now… two on with two out.
Almost predictable. The young man just wanted to hit one so badly, he couldn’t take a walk.
I said the same to myself. Marte was itching to get himself out there. He was not looking to take a free pass for the next guy.
Gore tried hard to walk Marte. But marte just just wouldn’t let him
Marte can’t lay off the low pitches out of the zone. That needs to change quickly.
On the flip side great pitching by Gore.
Guys has walked 3 batters this inning and marte chases several balls including the first strike and the strike out. Have to be smarter there and more patient. Same with Dunn on the bases. They tried to give us runs there and we came away with a zero.
Marte can´t deliver often swinging pitches out of the zone and the Reds waste another chance.
The good news after Elly’s non-HR is that Gore’s pitch count is at 100! Won’t be sad to see another pitcher!
Wow terrible strike call there.
Missed that spot by a bit … Woods did NOT miss it.
Nick continues to get it done. C’mon, guys!
Ultimately a solid 6 from Nick.
Here’s to somebody other than Gore in our half of the inning.
I actually thought for a brief moment that swat from Elly had nicked the pole.
Outstanding 6 innings by Martinez! It’s a shame we can’t get him the win!
Awright, Nick gets out a jam with his slider. Three off speed pitches in a row got him into a little trouble there.
That infield is a MESS
No threat from the Reds in the 6th…
Ashcraft on the mound for the 7th … The Reds want this one !
Whoa ! Wasn’t expecting a long ball there, the Nats go up by one.
Why does 2-1 seem like 8-1 right about now?
Because you typed it?? LOL
We’re a different team without Hays in the middle of the lineup, sorry to say it.
Poop
And the wheels are starting to wobble.
This game and the series is now compromising…
Ashcraft’s cutter is what they’re hitting… this one could get away.
Espy in the OF is not working.
It’s pretty wet turf. I’ll reserve judgement. I’ve seen him do better in LF.
I disagree 1 play doesn’t define him. He has played a solid outfield.
He missed a ball in LF a few games ago too.
Okay I didnt know that. My fault man.
TOOTBLAN!!!
Caught a break there.
Taylor Rogers comes in with 2 out and runners on 1st and 3rd …
and away it goes … 2 more runs in puts the Nats up 4-1
It’s coming down to score some runs or lose the series, Reds.
OK, I’m done for the evening. Got to catch my ride back from Canada.
Squandered opportunities abound.
Abrams hit better the lefties apparently… at least has crushed the Red’s LHP
Another big inning for the Nationals.
Rogers dishes it up on an 0-2 count. Now we have a problem.
It was a good pitch. The batter fought it off for a solid hit. Kudos to him
The same off-speed pitch 3 times in a row? Can’t fathom it.
Taylor RobsUs again.
Hold the runner on.
Throw it to 2nd and get the 3rd out.
They are so scared of the Little League steal of home.
If you’re that scared, let Elly cut it off and peg the guy at home.
Seriously doubt they were getting him at 2nd. But the LL stuff is a valid point.
If you aren’t conceding it, you have a chance to get him, or bait the runner from 3rd and let Elly sniper him.
Once you concede…nobody is falling for the fake throw.
He threw Abrams three straight, slow sweepers. How does that happen?
This sucks
Awful 0-2 pitch – middle of the plate
Dunn hasn’t been much of a contributor.
There should be a bus ticket to Louisville in his locker after the game.
Somebody may be catching that Midnight Train to Georgia or getting a ticket for an Aeroplane to Atlanta if the train is too slow from wherever the Bats are on their way back to Louisville from Memphis.
Rogers 0-2 pitch, instead of leaving one of the plate down and away on his 3rd pitch, he left it over the middle of the plate and paid the price. On the 3rd pitch throw it low and away, and see if the hitter swings at a ball!
Nothing cooking in the Reds bottom half of the 7th…
If they can’t find a way , will be yet another disappointing home stand – not being able to protect GABP is once again becoming a problem
Barlow loads the bases with two out in the top of the 8th…
and he gets out of the inning with no runs. Espinal, De La Cruz, and Marte due up for the Reds.
Okay Nationals bullpen is terrible. Let’s go guys!!!
If today is the last time Dunn plays for Reds for a while that’ll be ok. He brings nothing. Poor defender, terrible hitter and awful base runner. True triple threat
And is new hitting philosophy to take 2 strike fastballs down heart of plate? If so then that lesson has taken
These are the series the Reds are not supposed to drop
Losing this game would mean some bad things to the Reds heading to the next games
Ever notice when reds r losing Larkin provide nearly nothing…
Not sure how anyone ever gets a word in with Sadak in the booth. Does he paid by the word?
Awright, Marte with a single. Need a two out rally now.
But it was not to be… onto the 9th.
Nats took advantage of the chances they had and lets be honest the Reds didn’t.Four hits and 3 never left the infield along with 4 walks will not get it done.Gore leaves after 5 and the new guy with his 6 ERA gets 6 in a row.Our pen will not always get it done but this game is on the lack of offense.Reds in the field have not looked so good and yes RedAlert we have to win at home but to be honest we are built to win at home.We need a thumper or two and maybe Marte or CES or even Hinds may become one but right now we don’t have one.Its really obvious we miss Hays in a big big way.
Unless something dramatic happens, the Reds will have a 3-4 homestand against two teams with losing records! NOT GOOD heading to Atlanta!
Why, the Braves have a losing record. Why so obsessed with the standings right now.
Braves have historically been tough on the Reds! Plus, after a horrible start to this season, the Braves are playing much better!
Reds are playing good baseball as well. I dont understand all the negative comments about this team. They are a good baseball team
Very disappointed
Nationals aren’t as bad as they record suggest. Said it yesterday they have had bullpen issues and blown some games.
I mean heck yankees are barely above 500.
It’s still early in the year. Reds will be there
Disappointing weekend
It might be me but after 35 games, 18 and 17, it just seems like this team doesn’t have that “it” factor so far. They have had some good games but to say the least they are not playing what I would call an exciting brand of baseball. This upcoming road trip could be a tough one and then they have White Sox and Cleveland at home before 3 at Pittsburgh and then the Cubs. That is 16 games before the Cubs, must go at least 9 and 7 but right now I don’t see it.
Agree! Gotta stay within 5 games of the Cubs and in front of Milwaukee! Lot of games in this season remaining!
Little worried about playing a team like Atlanta that needs these wins as bad as we do. If the Cubs keep winning at.600 not sure I see a path to be relevant in September.
Reds 0-7 with RISP with 7 men LOB through 8 innings! That efficiency will not result in a win most days regardless of who you are playing!
Finnegan, the Nats closer, comes on to finish us off … he throws one splitter to Trevino, but all the rest of his pitches were four seamers, and so ends this one 4-1.
I just don’t understand when it’s in the late innings and Red’s hitters swing at the first pitch. Down 3 and Marte gets on with 2 outs. What does Steer do? Work the count and keep the inning going? Nope. Swing at the first pitch and pop out. Drives me crazy.
You and me both! It’s call plate discipline and situational awareness!