The Cincinnati Reds (18-17) head to Atlanta tonight for the start of a four-game series with the Braves at Truist Park. The Braves come into this series at 15-18 and in fourth place in the NL East. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, with series wins over the Diamondbacks and Rockies and most recently, a series loss to the Dodgers at home.
First pitch is at 7:15 PM EDT.
Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Atlanta Braves |
| CF TJ Friedl | LF Alex Verdugo |
| 2B Matt McLain | 3B Austin Riley |
| SS Elly De La Cruz | DH Marcell Ozuna |
| DH Gavin Lux | 1B Matt Olson |
| 1B Spencer Steer | C Sean Murphy |
| C Tyler Stephenson | 2B Ozzie Albies |
| RF Jake Fraley | CF Michael Harris II |
| 3B Santiago Espinal | RF Eli White |
| LF Tyler Callihan | SS Nick Allen |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brady Singer | 33.1 | 3.24 | 1.08 | 12 | 36 |
| AJ Smith-Shawver | 19.0 | 4.26 | 1.68 | 9 | 22 |
| Links: Brady Singer’s Stats | AJ Smith-Shawver’s Stats | |||||
Brady Singer
Right-hander Brady Singer has had a tougher time on the road this season than at home, with a 4.09 ERA away from Great American Ball Park in two fewer starts. For comparison, his home ERA is 2.82 in four starts at GABP. However, the small sample size is really skewing those numbers. Singer has actually given up more runs at home (seven earned runs at GABP vs. five on the road), but he’s also pitched double the innings at GABP. He’s allowed more hits (13) in 11.0 innings at home compared to only 11 hits in 22.1 innings at home.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 54 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7% | 28% | .184 | .259 | .306 |
| LHH | 81 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10% | 26% | .208 | .284 | .375 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Slider | Cutter | 4-Seam | Sweeper | |
| Velo | 92.2 | 82.2 | 88.1 | 91.7 | 80.7 |
| Usage | 41.6% | 32.4% | 13% | 10.4% | 2.6% |
AJ Smith-Shawver
22-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver has pitched at the big league level since 2023, but in very limited appearances. He’s pitched only 48.2 innings in his career, but of those innings pitched, 19.0 have come this season. Smith-Shawver exited the game in the sixth inning when a line drive ricocheted off his elbow during his last start on Tuesday against the Rockies. The X-rays were negative and he is making his next scheduled start tonight against the Reds.
Smith-Shawver has faced righties and lefties about equally thus far in his career, but lefties have had more success, with an .802 OPS against him. He does have 28 strikeouts against lefties, but has also walked 14 batters and given up seven home runs in 113 plate appearances. Two of those left-handed hitters are Jake Fraley and Elly De La Cruz, who each have one home run against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 40 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15% | 20% | .364 | .462 | .546 |
| LHH | 46 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7% | 30% | .256 | .304 | .442 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Split | Curve | Slider | |
| Velo | 94.5 | 83.0 | 77.4 | 86.8 |
| Usage | 38.2% | 35.6% | 17.2% | 9.1% |
When and Where:
- Time: 7:15 PM EDT
- Place: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
- Weather: 68 degrees, mostly sunny, 0% chance of rain
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network
- Radio: 700 WLW (Cincinnati area)
News and Notes
Injury Updates
Terry Francona said Austin Hays is doing really well and could return on Friday.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 5, 2025
Reds Notebook
Nick Martinez may have found his groove, and more on the Reds’ bullpen performance.
Minor League Updates
See all scores and stats for the Sunday games here.
How are the Reds’ Top 25 prospects doing currently?
We have Player of the Week honors for one Reds minor league infielder.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Chicago | 21 | 14 | – |
| REDS | 18 | 17 | 3.0 |
| Milwaukee | 17 | 18 | 4.0 |
| St. Louis | 16 | 19 | 5.0 |
| Pittsburgh | 12 | 23 | 9.0 |
A quick look back at yesterday’s loss reminded me of some of the losses last season! The Reds left 7 men on base, were 0 for 7 with RISP, 13 of the 27 outs were strikeouts and the bullpen failure by one of the four RPs. In defense of Ashcraft, he has been solid for most of his relief appearances, and I chalk it up to what it was, a bad outing!
Looking forward, the Reds need to win the first of these 3 games against the Braves! In Games 2 and 3 the Reds will face a big lefty in Chris Sale followed by another tough Braves SP in Grant Holmes.
Just hoping the “good” Singer shows up tonight and that the offense is more efficient than yesterday!
Looks like a fashionably late arriving crowd tonight, Dennis. Let’s hope the Reds are on time, out of the chute quickly, and don’t look back until they have put up a W.
I’d say all the folks were off watching the NHL draft lottery; but if I’m not watching it, and I’m not, I doubt many, if any of the regulars here are. 😉
Same old same old for the CBJ. Their “natural” slot was #13 and when all the dust cleared, the natural 14 had jumped the maximum 10 slots dropping CBJ to 14.
I don’t want to jinx it but the Braves have crushed Singer in his career according to the stats… Singer 0-2 on 8+ ERA vs ATL… However, the good thing is he pitched good once at Truist Park tossing 6 frames of 2-run ball 4 hits (1 HR) 3 walks and 5 Ks despite he lost the game
Hope Singer could pitch as he’s been in his first 6 outings this year to keep the team in the line…
I thought I’d start it off with some time worn baseball cliches. I just found them on line. You can look it up! I wonder how many we’ll hear tonight!!? :0
He’s got the batters eating out of his hand.
He’s pitching a gem.
He’s pitching lights out.
He’s really throwing some heat.
He can overpower the hitters.
His fastball is really working for him.
He took something off that pitch.
He’s got good mechanics.
He’s capable of going the distance.
MM with a really good at bat to draw the walk.
Elly not so good and they walk Lux or pitch around him so its ups to Steer.
Elly hit it 109 mph.
Well … nuts …
Unfortunately, starting out a lot like yesterday with 2 Reds left on base in the 1st inning!
First inning similar as the last game´s Steer struckout with 2 runners on base tu go scoreless
Steer fails
Steer takes 2 strikes then strikes out on the third pitch.Same start as yesterday leaving two on in the first.We miss Hays in the 4 hole.
Squeezed a bit on the first one, but still …
As much as I detest walks, a walk to Ozuna is probably not a bad thing!
I was a bit surprised when I saw his BA. Perhaps he’s resurging a bit? Regardless, you still don’t want to hang one to him.
Right now this is just not a line up that can compete. A lot has to happen to improve that just a couple a healthy Hayes and a healthy and hitting Strand.
Just some lazy fly balls … but at least they put it in play.
Afraid you right and you just knew after Ty Steve make an out on the second pitch that Fraley would swing at the first one and he did and made an out.
When Hays comes back, who departs the 26-man?
It has to be Callihan since he can’t play CF that I know of. Dunn is the only backup currently up unless you want to count McLain.
Forgot about Callihan … and he’s at bat now … 😉
Smith-Sawver attacked the Reds hitters and get out on few pitches…Reds should try to be patient as they can
Three outs on 5 pitches after the guy walked two in the first.
10 pitch inning for Singer. I think the Braves should be more patient
Four pitches and two outs and that it for me tonight.
I don´t like how this game is going…
So Verdugo should of been struck out by now,. SMH
When is MLB going to hold the umpires accountable. The double should not of even happened as he should of been struck out!!! good grief
12th of Never …
It’s really messing up the game.
truly angers me really does
I mean Singer needs to make the pitches, but still..
Looks like batting practice at the moment for Atlanta.
That might be the ball game.
Why do I feel like a 2-0 deficit will be too much to overcome by the Reds tonight?
Oh man. Callihan is hurt. Doesn’t look good.
Don’t even want to look at it.
Why do they keep showing it?
I think Callihan just broke his wrist
Dang that’s to bad.
How can they call that no catch.
He gave up his body to catch the ball and they don’t call it. smh
That is a terrible, terrible call. simply terrible he caught the BALL!!!! My god he caught the ball
Exactly. Baseball is a mess and you wonder why it’s losing viewers. The umps need to be terminated and go with robo umps all around. Time for bball.
I actually turned the game off for a minute lol
They went to replay so basically that was a call by a robo ump.
Hate to say it but I feel a Braves 3-game sweep coming! The Reds are lifeless!
It’s a 4 game series but you might still be right. This team has looked lifeless for a few days.
My bad! Need to expand my field of view on the ESPN website!
Such an awful turn of events for Callahan.
It was gruesome.
Braves feed only showed it once…had to turn away. Didn’t even rewind to give me an opinion of catch or not.
They also clarified that the fielder has to voluntarily release the ball, which is why it was no catch.
He broke is wrist!!! MY GOD stupid rule use common sense
I honestly didn’t look at it close enough to see if he did or not. One of the ugliest things I’ve seen in baseball in a long time.
Singer at 57 pitches through 3 innings plus 4 runs allowed! Braves SP at 36 pitches through 3 innings!
Come on guys. Get fired up for your teammate who got hurt.
Welsh says “the book” says that’s not a catch because there was no “voluntary release” at the end. We may not like it, but that’s apparently the rule. NYC ultimately made the call, not the guys in the stadium.
Sadly, I feel a Clete loading now.
As I just said to VA, stupid rule and use common sense the dude broke his wrist.MY GOD
Oh, I’m in complete agreement. Looked like he was “in control of the ball” when he went down and then the pain hit.
I was afraid he broke more than his wrist. I’m surprised his arm wasn’t dangling broke in two.
Not a catch??? Not a catch??
You have to be kidding. You have to be kidding.
No way Francona should still be in that dugout. That’s a catch no way you look at it. Francona doesn’t fight for a player that just broke his arm for him. Francona needs to be out of the game. Horrible horrible manager.
I’m afraid you can’t argue a replay call. It’s useless and automatic ejection. The call came from New York.
I know, so you still go out there and fight for your player who just ran through a wall for you. I have no respect for Francona!
He probably won’t sleep tonight knowing that.
Greg , come on man . Great effort by the kid and it’s terrible he got hurt like that . Just plain dumb comment about Francona dude .
I agree Red
Whatever! Francona was out the game for a reason and shouldn’t be there now. This team has no fight whatsoever.
You can not argue a replay call. It’s a futile exercise.
Be nice to see Stephenson hit a dinger with his family in the crowd.
Who cares if his family is in the stands.
Gregmlb your remark was uncalled for.
It was asinine. Go troll some other site!
Greg I know I don’t care either.
We really really need more hitters. Reds games are the most mundane, boring games in the league. They’ll have 1 good scoring inning and then nothing, or just lay an egg completely. Getting burned out already
Sorry guys, rule or not I feel circumstances should over rule that play. Thanks for the explanation,.
I haven’t been this fired up over a play in along long time
Too bad Francona doesn’t care! He’s too old
Okay just stop
Ridiculous Greg !
I kinda agree with Greg. Tito’s got that kind old gentle Grandpa thing going on.
He does.
For those of us who are “of a certain age” my mental flashback was to a Monday Night Football game and Joe Theisman’s leg … 😮
Yep!!!
Reminded me of Moises Alou’s leg.
Just commented to my wife that it definitely was as igly as the Theisman, Alex Smith, Joe Kumrie, Ken Griffey breaks on film.
Help me understand this! So, the Braves SP walks 2 batters in a row, goes 1-0 on Fraley and then he swings at the 2nd pitch in his at bat and flies out with 2 runners on base!
Fraley and Dunn need to be sent down tonight. This team needs to be shaken up ASAP.
Braves pitcher walks 2 straight batters. Throws ball one to Fraley that misses badly. So of course Fraley swings at a slider on the next pitch. Such a bad approach. And bailed the pitcher out.
But he hit it 59.5 mph
Reds cannot hit with runners in scoring position, Reds cannot hit period! Todays game vs the Braves is a classic example what is wrong with Baseball, and the fact it is NOT a level playing field. There is no salary cap. Braves have Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Alex Verdugo who have been around and are established players. Reds have players that are not established, and the Reds and the Fans are waiting to see if the Reds players will establish themselves as a competitive team, or will just be basically a glorified AAA Team, maybe AAAA Team, but not MLB competitive. Competitive against the Rockies, but well below teams like the Phillies, Dodgers, the Cubs, and the Braves.
Braves $214 million this year verse Reds $115 million.
Jeff, I think you could have topped the first sentence at hit.
Yep. Rarely sees a pitch he doesn’t like. LOL
C+ talent
F- luck with injuries
Too many guys regularly slumping. Fraley has a good 2 weeks, nothing before or since
Those two things go hand-in-hand. If you have C+ talent, you have to go max effort 100% of the time to keep up. Max effort means you are asking your body to do things it isn’t equiped to do, which causes injuries.
Problem with that theory is I don’t watch the Reds and think max effort. Especially mentally
This series is a hard test for the Reds pitching… This Braves lineup is a minefield
Well I hope Callihan is okay however he will be out for along time. time for reds to start hitting!!
By the end of the week this team will be in 4th place, way behind the Cubs. They have zero life, maybe it wasn’t the manager after all. It looks like the young players just aren’t very good.
Sadly, I have to agree with you Mark! We will not only be behind the Cubs, but we will also be looking up at the Brewers AND the Cardinals!
What do you expect from a team whose manager has no fight. Castellanos and Winker were last 2 players the Reds had who had any fight whatsoever. Team has no heart and either does this fan base.
So you had nothing better to do than to troll Redlegnation.
Why you still here then Greg !!!???
Best thing is to just never respond to the troll.
He’s probably never been here before….or a regular poster that got a 2nd account, and wants to stir things up.
I’m just so sick of this oh shucks team. I thought maybe this was going to be different, but it’s no different than Bell. Actually Bell at least would fight for his players. Team is weak! Call the Troll, because I’m collecting at this bridge all season long now.
Apparently, he did not, K.
I really don’t know what you expect from a fan base that hasn’t won a playoff series in 30 years. I live near St. Louis and I was at their last playoff series win over the Dodgers ,a 3 game sweep.
Greg what good does he do the team if he isn’t there. Arguing a replay is an automatice ejection. These guys are the top pros in the world the don’t need the Manager to show his butt to get them fired up. He goes then there goes his game leadership.
Game is just different. These are still mostly kids who need to be shaken up a little bit. Getting thrown out doesn’t mean anything besides you take up for a player who just broke his arm working his butt off and you just sit there. Game is getting worse and worse by the season, especially if you’re a reds fan.
We just don’t seem to have much of an offense without Hays in the line-up. How could one guy make that much difference?
Going hitless against Smith-Shawver through 5 innings is absurd… Reds going back to the old habits of zero offense… Unwatchable
Get Hinds on the next plane to Atlanta! When Hays comes off the IL on Friday, Dunn or Hinds back to Louisville
Dunn has been horrible. Its either a K or routine out. Hines can atleast launch a mistake
Sounds logical.
Dunn had a chance to grab the platoon vs lefties and he failed.
Next.
If Hinds comes up he needs to play every day. There’s no need for a platoon. Fraley is not hitting.
Getting ugly here.
Ozuna is going to need a new supply of bats.
Or … and hear me out … he pivots to manufacturing toothpicks
LOL! Mark!
Probably sold to Topps to be sliced up for baseball cards.
Don’t look now but the Braves SP has a No-No through 5 innings!
The Arizona Complex Reds didn’t get there first hit on their Opening Day today until late in their game. Like father, like son.
Now Dennis you know mentioning THERE IS ANOTHER HITTER IN PROGRESS is bad luck. So please don’t Mention THERE IS A NO HITTER IN PROGRESS lol
Didn’t work for the 6th inning! Will be curious to see how long the Braves manager lets his starter go given he’s working on a NO-HITTER!
Such a shame about Callihan. I just got home and saw the replay on MLB. Com. Hope he is OK.
I’m betting busted wrist, or at least forearm. Either way, his season is likely done.
He didn’t look like he slowed down at all. Maybe he did. Hope so.
Gordon Wittenmeyer of Enquirer tweeted broken left forearm. Too bad.
Singer has become from the Reds pitcher enjoying most run support into the one suffering most lack of run support in last two games
And that’s a full Clete for me tonight, folks.
Catch you all tomorrow.
I wish we would try a bunt to get a hit.
The Reds are 18-17 2nd place vs Braves 15-18 4th place but it looked like it is the other way around
Don’t like Oppo Elly either. The year Votto went Pete Rose and tried to loop every ball over SS if when I turned on him. Elly isn’t hitting like a special talent, but of course the others aren’t hitting either
Right now, this lineup scares no one.
Remember it should be 2-0, however the Reds seem to be in a collective slump again.
Kevin, I’m don’t think we’re overcoming 1-0. Not tonight, anyway
Somebody on this thread questioned my comment about being concerned that the Reds had to play the Braves next after flailing against the Gnats! Now we know why I was worried! I hate being right!
You said the were 3-4 against two losing teams. Braves have a losing record as well so your logic is flawed. Plus it is one game..
Despite their losing record, I believe the Braves are a better team than BOTH the Cardinals and the Nationals! At this point I’ll be happy with a split of this 4-game series!
I can agree with that. Reds are just as good as the braves though
Braves have had a winning record since they lost the first seven.
I wonder what the Braves fan where saying when Atlanta started 0-7..
The Mclain problem is becoming bigger by the day.
Rapidly approaching the Savior/Hero status achieved by Kearns, Winker, and Senzel
Outfield is bad without Hays
McLain and Steer are core pieces who are lost
CES and Candy Awful and injured
Cant overcome failures of Fraley Friedl McLain Steer CES and Candy
Season getting away
Going to
Need to fight and get back up
Adversity with awful Callahan injury punched them in face
See who gets off the mat
No one gonna feel sympathy for the Reds . Certainly not Braves and Astros
I agree O-S and would add Elly’s season has been underwhelming so far as well.
Singer having some bad luck in this game…He really pitched for a 2-run ball and a quality start but the Callihan´s play did more damage…besides the Reds being hitless through 6 innings…he’s over on 101 pitches
Is Marte hurt too? This year just seems snakebite. I hope Krall & Francona can develop this thing. Pretty weak product currently
I hope they haven’t turned Marte into a platoon player. They need to find out what they have with him over an extended time as a regular. After all, they’ve stuck by a number of others who have produced less.
He had been scuffling.
Espy was on fire.
So the move made sense for a game.
When it rains it pours! Reds can’t buy a hit, and BOTH the Cubs and Brewers are winning!
It was raining here in NorthWest ohio a few minutes ago…hahahahah
Reds are making it easy for Smith-Shawver! No-No is alive and well through 7 innings!
I think is more the Reds being really bad offensively than Smith-Shawver throwing masterfully to deserve a no-no… This is embarrassing…
Broken left forearm for TC.
And wait for it, Barlow WALKS the first batter he faces! It’s almost comical at this point!
Way too early to be dogging Francona. And yes, it’s a pathetic effort thus far. Probably back in third by the end of the night. No doubt, it’s time for Krall to get the players he didn’t get in the off season. It’s going to take some time. Don’t be fulled by Francona’s demeanor. He’s not too old.
Fulled = fooled. I hate all the help we get from “technology” in writing
Just waiting on Ozuna to jack one and put this game out of reach!
Already out of reach
Great play by Fraley!
Reds pitchers continue to not pay attention to would be base stealers.
Looks like teamwork. They almost all hit like gangbusters as a group, now they are almost all reverting to the back of their cards as a group.
This just in
Reds relievers cant hold runners
Thats kinda important in late innings but the spin rate pitch design engineers didnt practice that in the lab in january
Finally, something that made me laugh!
Did I mention I am an Engineer?
Me, too. 50 years and counting. Started in January 1975 after graduating Purdue in December 1974. Still going another couple years.
Diaz walked 2 in AAA last night just to keep u miserable
Espinal just keeps showing up
Why was Dunn Batting, come on Tito.
Dunn is about as useful as the gutters on my house in Florida when it’s pouring rain!
Blake dunn jake frakey and TJ friedl are major problems
Outfield is awful without Hays
Friedl isnt a leadoff hitter or a good center fielder
Fraley is a 5 th outfielder and bench bat …. Maybe
Bright spot is Reds only have to pitch 8 innings on this losing Road trip
I know it’s early but so far I am not that impressed with Francona at all.
As my old HS baseball coach used to say: can’t make chicken salad out of chicken sh*%#}
On a positive note, Mey may be a keeper!
With the Cubs playing well and it looks like it will take 90 wins or more for the wild card we may be dumping players at the trade deadline. I know it is a long season, however too many holes to fix from my perspective.
gotta get away from watching called third strikes go by. go down fighting at least!
Francona just lets his team get bullied by umpires all game long.
Enjoy your 5 mins on your david bell burner account
Ha Ha. I just call them as I see them. Funny comment though
McClain gonna regret not signing that
extension offer ….
I am hopeful he will come around. Could the the sophomore slump. Who knows, but definitely struggling
Broken forearm puts Callihan on the 60 day IL, opening up a spot on the 40. Think the FO will keep it open for now, as there is no need to fill it at the moment. Eventually go to Miley?
What has Miley done to warrant a spot.
Lit up in 1 game, then injured in the next.
Please give me my Rece Hinds?
Please give me my Rece Hinds?
Espinal spoiling the no hitter deserves to start for at least the next week.
Leave it to Espy to generate our one hit.
Well, what’s Tito gonna do?
Fitting end to this game! Reds left 2 runners on base!
Just Lux
A couple knocks with RISP would have made this a different game. Several seeds right at the defense. The team will have to regroup quickly. Sale has been pitching well. Abbott can match him. A couple clutch hits can be the difference.
Reds are as lifeless as Francona. Don’t see anyone act like they even care. Players laughing down in the 9th. Seriously no heart by anyone on that bench
I myself won’t panic. Tonight was frustrating yes, however this is a solid team. Friedl is a good cf and good leadoff man. De La Cruz is playing solid baseball. The pitching staff keeps the Reds in games. At the moment clutch hitting is missing. As Francona says the game has ebbs and flows
Ups and downs.
Francona was a great hire by this team and will have them there at the end.
Francona won’t last the season. He looks as if he doesn’t really care to me.
You out in left field dude …. Way out there…. Your troll game is A1
@Red LOL. I agree
Whats it gonna be Doug and Tom and Jim and Ashley and Ring and Richard Fitch? Enforce your troll rules or ban people from mentioning the name of TB?
A troll is a troll
What?
I’m with you Kevin! Lot of games to go! One thing’s for sure; this team is unpredictable!
They were shut out, and limited in hits by a guy that so far has a pretty lousy pitching line for the season.
And I wish the Reds had played Atlanta a few weeks ago, when they were in a terrible slump. The last 10-15 days, the Braves have actually been pretty hot.
They (the Reds) could lose all four this week to the Braves. Think about it. They lost 2 out of three to the Nationals, at home. And dropped a double header to the Cardinals, who are also kind of lousy. Not White Sox lousy, but no powerhouse, despite Lars Nootbar.
IMHO, it’s time for Mr. McLain to sit down for a while, and Santiago Espinal to be the regular 2nd baseman. For a while, at least. McLain may just be tired, or his shoulder is sore. Or something.
With Callihan injured, my guess is that they call up either Will Benson or Rece Hinds.