This evening the Cincinnati Reds will begin a 3-game series with the American League’s top team, the Detroit Tigers. They are 45-25 on the season, with only the New York Mets having a better record in all of baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm ET tonight.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Detroit Tigers |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Gleyber Torres – 2B |
| Santiago Espinal – 3B | Kerry Carpenter – RF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Riley Greene – LF |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 1B | Spencer Torkelson – DH |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Colt Keith – 1B |
| Spencer Steer – LF | Wenceel Perez – CF |
| Gavin Lux – DH | Javier Baez – SS |
| Connor Joe – RF | Zach McKinstry – 3B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Jake Rogers – C |
| Nick Martinez – RHP | Brant Hurter – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Martinez | 75.1 | 3.70 | 1.17 | 16 | 53 |
| Brant Hurter | 36.0 | 1.75 | 0.94 | 9 | 34 |
| Links: Nick Martinez’s Stats | Brant Hurter’s Stats | |||||
Nick Martinez
After a tough start to the year, Nick Martinez has turned things around. Over his last nine starts he’s posted a 2.82 ERA. The last time out he allowed one run in a 13-1 win over Arizona that saw him strike out six and walk just one batter.
The splits this year aren’t too big for Martinez. Left-handed hitters have been a little better at finding singles, but beyond that there’s no real difference between them and their right-handed counterparts. Not shown below, though, are the home and road splits. Away from Cincinnati, Martinez hasn’t pitched nearly as well as his ERA is nearly double what it has been at Great American Ball Park.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 167 | 39 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 25 | .250 | .289 | .410 |
| LHH | 136 | 33 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 28 | .264 | .311 | .432 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 92.3 | 88.6 | 79.6 | 84.5 | 78.9 |
| Usage | 23% | 15% | 19% | 9% | 14% | 21% |
Brant Hurter
A reliever in his two big league seasons, Brant Hurter will be making his 4th start in his 30th game. He’s pitched some longer relief in his career, throwing 81.1 innings in his 29 appearances. His previous outing was a 2.2 inning start where he allowed a run in Baltimore.
The splits against Hurter in the last two seasons have been similar in two areas, but big when it comes to slugging. Right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters both struggle to find hits. Neither group walks much at all. But right-handed hitters at least show a mediocre amount of power when they do get hits against him, while lefties simply do not show any power at all.
Splits (2024 & 2025)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 186 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 40 | .207 | .247 | .362 |
| LHH | 129 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 32 | .195 | .252 | .246 |
Pitch Usage (2025)
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.1 | 92.5 | 82.6 | 85.8 |
| Usage | 6% | 52% | 31% | 12% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:10pm ET
- Where: Comerica Park
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 69°, cloudy, 15% chance of rain
News and Notes
Hunter Greene Update
Hunter Greene’s second MRI for his groin strain showed nothing more than his first, Francona said. But Greene did get an epidural shot for his sore back. His plan going forward is being determined with doctors tonight.
— Mark Sheldon (@msheldon.bsky.social) June 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Austin Hays isn’t ready yet
Reds OF Austin Hays said foot isn’t any better since last two days off of activity. Next step: shut it down for a few days and ease back into running, if pain subsides enough. No new testing scheduled at this point. Operating from medical assumption of bone bruise (from foul).
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) June 13, 2025
Chase Burns makes his AAA debut
On Thursday the Reds top prospect made his Triple-A debut with Louisville in a doubleheader. He allowed two runs in 5.1 innings, but it was also his worst start in nearly two months. That speaks to both how good he has been and also how good he was at escaping the jams he did get into. We wrote about it and have plenty of video available from the start if you want to check it out over at RedsMinorLeagues.com.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 42 | 27 | 0.0 | 87.2% |
| St. Louis | 37 | 33 | 5.5 | 29.1% |
| Milwaukee | 36 | 33 | 6.0 | 27.4% |
| Cincinnati | 35 | 34 | 7.0 | 8.6% |
| Pittsburgh | 28 | 42 | 14.5 | 0.4% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Steer in LF tonite. Wtf could he not play there Wednesday? Just giving games away.
As far as Hays, this is looking like a remake of an old movie we’ve all seen.
Really frustrating regarding Austin Hays and Hunter Greene or the whole 40 man roster for that matter.
Since the Reds are facing the best team in the AL with the second-best record in MLB, I am keeping my expectations low for this series in Detroit! Hoping for at least one win this weekend and this may be the Reds best chance if the “Good Nick” shows up tonight!
The key to success, as always, is how the Reds offense performs! Scoring early would be helpful obviously! Let’s tame these Tigers and start this series off with a win!
Reds have above .500 record versus teams with winning record.
And I hardly recognize any of the names on that Tigers lineup card. How the heck are they so good and here we are still middlin in a rebuild’s rebuild?
But if you look at their lineup, it’s full of above-league-average hitters. I’m not sure they have a superstar in their lineup, but they put pressure on a pitcher with spots 1-8 and have an excellent pitching staff. That’s a pretty good recipe for success.
Yes. I like their team. I’m just wondering who are these guys and how did they lap us so badly on a rebuild?
Riley Greene was the 5th overall draft pick in 2019, then rated as the #49, 31, and 5th best prospect in baseball, 2020, 21, and 22.
Spencer Torkleson was the #1 overall draft pick in 2020.
Colten Keith was a 5th rounder from 2020 but was the #18 best prospect in baseball by 2023.
Trey Sweeney was drafted 20th overall by the NYY in 2021.
Those are the bigger names.
To the big names list, add the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Skubal, Casey Mize 2018 #1 overall pick, and Jackson Jobe 2021 #3 overall pick in the rotation. A healthy Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres as well.
The Reds since May 23 has been playing good teams as they faced Cubs, Royals, Cubs, Brewers, DBacks, Guardians going 10-8 in that stretch. Let’s see how they will perform against the teams coming starting today with Tigers heading to play Twins, Cards, Yankees, Padres.
It’s weird that Greene’s MRI shows nothing more than the first (I remind they said it was clean) but Hunter feels pain in his low back. Something similar is Hays’ case so the MRI shows no fracture but he continues feeling a lot of pain even being off of activities…I can’t understand what’s happening to these guys…They can’t be back fast enough
Go get ’em, Nick!
Nothing at connor joe, but would someone please ask tito why is hinds not replacing him, just one reporter, please
Excellent question! Inquiring minds want to know!
Joe Bà is .25. What is Hinds’?
Hinds is improving so give him more time in AAA. He needs more at bats down there but he better be up by Aug 1 if he continue to play well.
I certainly would be willing to lose Joe to give Hinds a shot, but the Reds are not willing to.
The Reds seem quite thrilled they were able to sign both Joe and Hampson for some reason.
It was a stroke of genius the no other team could accomplish?
Probably should ask Krall.
What it means, who knows>>>> Candelario was in the early Bats lineup for tonight but has just been announced as a scratch via the Bats X account.
Good info Jim
Unfortunately i think this means Hays isnt coming back for a week which theyve anticipated so Candy is filling that spot because he has too
Cant wait for the Jim Day Kool Aid report on Candy tomorrow
Wow. Anticipating with great excitement. lol
Hopefully Nick’s changeup works ok in the mist, against all those lefties. They can delay as long as they want if it keeps the game dry.
Looks like they are putting the tarp on the field.
Nevermind.
They are taking it off
i’LL SAY THE OBVIOUS:
I’ll say the obvious: this is a very important series for the Reds. I, like everybody, was a little giddy about the five game winning streak, but the last game against Cleveland was a reminder that this is still a team with many weaknesses. Winning one game against El Tigres Del Norte would be an accomplishment and would keep them at .500. I have to say that it seems unlikely, and also that they really need to win two. Winning one is a gentleman’s C. A gentleman’s C translates to wait til next year.
That lede was an editorial mistake. Sorry.
They do miss Skubal, who pitched last night.
Offense gets 4 or more, Reds win, less than 4, Reds lose. After the first 3 games back, CES traced his way from
Milky Way back ti earth. Hard to see this offense get 4 runs. It comes down to TJ and EDLC
If Hays ever does come back, they’ll need to invest in a healthy supply of bubble wrap.
At make it mandatory that he wears some protective gear while at the plate.
It’s pure negligence that he never used it.
It must be Friday night, the home team is decked out in slow pitch softball looking uniforms. 😉
Actually, I like most of these unis better than the traditional ones.
Of course it was a terrible throw as they hold TJ at 3rd.
It was a gold hold though, TJ wasn’t even at 3rd when Greene had the ball.
Really bad at Bat CES… you are cleanup hitter with runners on the corners less than 2 outs
Once again, the Reds leave runners in scoring position early in the game! This tendency has cost this team countless runs and probably 5 to 6 wins this season!
Yep, he has reverted to his previously troublesome form.
That’s what Brantley said, “He’s not the same hitter he was when he first came back up”.
I get House stopping TJ, but that was a terrible throw. TJ would have scored (and Elly would have been on 2nd).
And now Connor Joe is in the lineup against a right hander…What will Francona do when Joe is gonna bat? Pinch-hit in his first at bat?
Might have been a strategic blunder by Tito by not batting Ty 4th vs, the lefty opener.
Tyler destroys lefties while CES doesn’t.
Tyler OPS vs Lefties 1.017
CES .100
Make Detroit change pitchers or face your strength.
Good point!
The thins are starting so bad
CES took one then fouled off one and both were very good pitches to hit then chased to strike out.Not good at all.
Nick gives up an HR! Fortunately, it was a solo shot! Runs will be at a premium for the Reds I fear! Nick needs to keep it close!
Steer late on 95 and it has to be his shoulder just not letting him do what he is capable of doing.Power is just not there for him this year.
Connor Joe getting strikeout when Benson and Fraley are on the bench because a miscalc by Tito making the line up is irritating
All the players have had a strikeout every so often.
Looks like CES is a one hit wonder.
Looks like it’s gonna be a LOOOONG night … I know, Debbie Downer Syndrome.
I will go one step farther LOOONG week end.
Big chance to score in the first, not sure this line up will score much, if any. Tito got played into having Joe in the Line up. If Hinds was here that might not look so bad.
You could argue that if he doesn’t play Joe their lefty would have stayed in longer. Platooning, at least for the Reds, does not work out for winning consistently.
Of course, everybody was saying the same thing about CES. Sometimes what we see is what’s really there.
Walks, Walks, Walks! Reds pitchers issue TOO MANY WALKS, especially leadoff walks!
But how do you feel about walks? haha 😀
Is Rogers related to Wilfred Brimley or just channeling the look?
No “magic box” on the Reds feed tonight? Tiggers have it.
When a runner is at third with one out the hitter just needs to put the ball in play How many times have we seen a strike out by the next batter?
Friedl continues to be the Reds best player
No doubt. Consistency, power, average. Been a great season so far for him. Durable too.
I would hope the other players would be watching Friedl’s approach when he’s up to bat. He’s focused upon getting on base.
No doubt Old-school he is and it’s not close based on performance to date.His power has returned and I would have to look it up but i would expect he has hit more on the road then he has at home.Thats a good sign.
He’s one player that has flourished big time under Francona. When Tito told him to just get on base twice a game any way you can it seemed like that took the pressure off of him to just play loose. It’s worked.
So Tito letting himself get out manuevered tonight? Fraley/Benson for Joe & right turn Espinal. C’mon?
How many at bats is Espinal going to get?
We go to the bottom of the third. It’s the Detroit Tigers 1 and the Cincinnati TJ Friedl Merchants 1.
CES is looking more like a feast or famine hitter to me
And the feast was quickly consumed in his first few games.
CES is lost again apparently, he’s chasing a lot…just hit well against Arizona…
Maybe Tito shouldn’t have kissed his bat. 🙂
It’s all about him swinging at strikes and not chasing.He is taking or fouling off good pitches then he chases.He took 91 and fouled off 92 the first time up.You would expect him to hammer those in the zone.Its just all up to him.He can carry a team for sure but he can’t fall off a cliff when he struggles and that’s been him the last few games.
CES. AAAA for you my friend. This is ridiculous
TJ is rapidly becoming my favorite Reds player! Great on defense and not too shabby at the plate!
Just ask JB what he thinks about Friedl. 🙂
Martinez has the long ball activated
Now a 2-out HR! C’mon Nick! Bear down and stay focused!
The Tiger can hit and have power up and down the lineup and well we don’t right now.Maybe one day but not today and with this lineup.It just is what it is.
The Tigers kinda remind me of the Cubs! They are relentless on offense!
First 4 hitters have 49 or 50 homers counting tonight.Would have to look but we probably don’t have that with all 9 of our hitters.Power plays.
A Spencer steer sighting
Yes but he only has 14 extra base hits in 228 at bats.His shoulder must be causing the power shortage.
Fraley has been hot, but no…we’re good
You know me. I always like to play hot hitters.
How bout our Pacers. Let’s take a 3-1 lead tonight. Sound good?
Amen to that from a former resident of Indianapolis!
Joe hasn’t been good but hasn’t been so bad either
Steer connor joe and McLain with 3 hits
Who had that on their parlay?
Indy?
Greta example here of a power shortage.Three singles and still haven’t scored.
Steer 25 steals last year. 2nd time this week if he stole a base then we score
You right Indy if you can only hit singles then you better try to make them into doubles.Good point.
Seen enough and that was just a bad 0-2 cookie to Baez.Reds just over matched so far by this clubs power bats.
This is not the night. The Reds needed a strong outing from Martinez and they are not getting it. Tigers 3 home runs, Reds 3 hits and no runs in the 4th.
A mini-Clete here … back to the small screen on mute whilst First Wife and I watch something.
Switching to the NBA Finals in about 5 minutes!
0-2 to CES Sr and we don’t let him K on trash. Ok I’ve had enough. Go Pacers
CES going for the Golden Sombrero tonight?
Ball hit the top of the wall.
Steer was there in plenty of time.
A play that needs to be made.
100 % correct.
Don’t want to discourage anybody but Hinds with a ground rule double in his first AB tonight.
Yes he’s facing a righty in case anyone wants to know.
In AAA, right?
Well he can’t do it here if he’s not here. lol
That ball got outta here in a hurry.
Big hit by Elly but Tito’s loyalty to Espinal is getting really bad.
Really good swing by Elly.
Went down and got it.
Five homers in Commerica is almost not seen
Home Run derby tonight. The only way to score.
Big time roster problem right now.Got lefty hitters that don’t hit lefties and the right handed platoon guys have no power at all.Throw in Steer and his shoulder,Lux no power against anybody and MM still struggling then its just not a fair fight against a very very good hitting team.Who knows what Candy will bring and now with Hayes out longer and Marte weeks away well its going to be really hard to stay even close to anybody in the standings.It just is what it is but the games have to be played and they will and we will pull like crazy for wins.GO REDS.
Agree 100%, the only move is to bring up Hinds and give him a shot. How bad can he be?
The Hinds situation is so sad. It’s not like there is nobody on the team that he can’t replace = Joe, Hampson and others.
Are you Hind’s agent?
Either Carpenter was loafing or he isn’t at 100%.
Martinez backed up by defense managed to get out unscathed from this inning…Let’s go to score some runs!!
Carpenter was jogging.
I’d be angry if I has Detroit manager.
He might have a pass because of injury…I don’t know
Who said Joe couldn’t throw?
5 solo shots and counting. Let’s see if they can get to 11, four more from the good guys.
Kind of crazy the Tigers are 20 games over .500. Reds would have to win 19 in a row to be 20 over .500.
Is that Carpenter guy ok, injured, etc.? He was running about as slow as any runner I’ve ever seen rounding 3rd on the highlight I saw! Nice throw though by Joe.
Connor Joe with a really solid showing tonight.
Joe BA is .25, higher than a lot of guys on this team. Can’t understand why folks cry about having him in the line up.
Conner Joe’s batting average is .273 for the Reds per ESPN. His major league experience is important.
Connor Joe 2-3 2b and outfield assist tonight
RF aint the problem tonight
Again, runner a 2nd, less than 2 outs and nothing!
Well, the Reds is trailing in the 6th inning. Tehy haven’t won a single game this season when trail after the 6th…
They’ve wasted many chances to score in this game
That would tell us this games is over therefore the series is lost.
Probably last inning from Martinez assuming he can hold the fort!
Nick gave exactly what I expected, 6 innings 3 runs or less. Offense just needs to muster 2 more runs to win this game. A couple more blasts from TJ and EDLC, that is what it’ll take. This game is playing out as I envisioned
He only gave 5 innings and Tito should have never sent him out for the 6th. He was gassed as Cowboy said.
Sorry typo. Yep 5
Only 2 walks by Martinez tonight! Unfortunately, both of them were leadoff walks!
Tigers vs. Yanees in ALCS, Cubs vs. Mets in NLCS…Mets over Tigers in 6 in World Series. My predictions for now!
Maybe I’m intimidated by the Tigers 45-25 record, as I feel the Reds have about a 2% chance to win this game.
I would have kept Martinez in at least one more batter, see if he could get the DP there.
So, Barlow walks the No. 9 hitter who’s hitting .150! Perfect!
Tigers are on the edge of essentially putting this one to bed. McLain’s inability to come up with that grounder might have sealed the fate for this one.
When MMC goes to a knee and plays it to the side, he’s missed several this year.
McLain has been my favorite player since basically his first game and I have been patient with his injury recovery. But, side saddling a sharply hit ball I cannot permit. I thought that beneath him as a hoped for Pete Rose type of player. Pathetic as the Detroit runner that got thrown out at home. Why can’t they follow the time honored and effective strategy of getting in front of the ball. Some of these players need to get a badminton racket and find something else to do or get some you know what.
From Little League thru high school to college, infielders are taught to get in front of the ball!
Steer dives for a ball that he misses by a foot. Get in front of it, Bozo. Put him on the seat next to McLain over the tank and throw the softball. Ouch, McLain just jumped ahead with another muff. Raise his seat up. Three horrible defensive plays but probably no errors charged.
Full Clete. Full Stop. Fully …
STINK. FISH. POT!!!
Catch y’all tomorrow.
Well, that’s a Clete for me! Will finish the evening watching the Pacers!
Margin of error was thin. You can’t load the bases with one out on the road against a team this good and not expect significant damage.
McLain yet again…
The Reds put the horrible mode on… Absolutely melt down
Steady rain all game, yet their stadium is mostly full.
If you win, they will come.
Mclain is playing himself a trip to Louisville, not hitting and today his defense has been horrible.
Justin Martinez THS
CES is quickly returning to subpar.
It’s fair to say this Reds team is “streaky”. Next winning streak will start the middle of next week.
Where’s Lou Pinella when the Reds need him? Mgr needs to get into some backside long & hard after this debacle! Way past time to make some “ML Players?” Uncomfortable until things improve! Mandatory pre game infield practice, BP, pre & post game film study & NO post game spread!! Terrible ABs, diving for balls down the OF line where there’s NO help, can’t field a ground ball, look darn near lost on some fly balls & pop ups, pitchers who can’t find the zone UNTIL they get a hitter 0-2 AND THEN PUT IT ON A PLATTER FOR THEM!!!
Complete Bush League by supposedly MLB players?????
Do you think the team isn’t doing pre-game practice every day? BP every day?
The idea that they can’t eat after the game because you didn’t like how they played is…. insane?
What’s Insane is seeing they same level of amateur execution born out of a lack of hustle & apparently lack of mental preparation b4 they get on the field game after game and the audacity to then want to be treated like a professional. Pt is, something needs to change!! Want to be treated like a pro, then start acting/preparing & playing like one!! Sad part is, some of the vets are the Worst…see Rodgers 0-2 pitch to Green for one. That was insane! They need a knot jerked in their tail; more oh shucks, we’ll get tomorrow ain’t cutting it!
The team is .500. You are acting like they are the Rockies.
Torres with 2 HRs tonight! Hate to say it but the Reds will NOT win a game against this Detroit team!
I think we all agree.
The offense is struggling a lot again, just 5 runs since Tuesday game
Time to admit that this team just isn’t very good, out of contention by July and 70 to 75 wins at best. The Reds just don’t have enough good players and only 2 are having above average offensive years. So disappointed in Steer, Mclain, Strand, and many others. The only starter having a great year is Abbott, the bull pen has been good but has blown a few costly games.
Trade HG after he dominated the Pirates and Fish in September. Part time Hays can go too
We will see but if I were anybody right now I would start a lefty every game until Hayes Candy or Marte return.Its a win even if he just pitches an inning or two.If Tito brings in the lefties he can’t match up later on with no bench and if he doesn’t he has no power at all like tonight.You know he won’t play Trevino and Ty Steve together either.This is on Krall cause this is his roster.This is the same game as the Reds played on Wednesday with the same result.Two runs on two homers by their two best players a double by Joe and 6 singles.Now I don’t know who pitches for the Tigers the next two games but I might just be looking every where to find a lefty
Tigers pummeling the bullpen as Cubs did , 7 runs in 3 innings…
RIos with 2 homers tonight giving him 12 and Bats ahead late 9-2.That other guy has 2 hits average up to 285 and OPS closing in on 900.
Another leadoff walk by a Reds RP and he scored! Imagine that!
At least, The Reds manage Tigers to use the fifth relief pitcher
Steer has 3 Ks …awful
AND, NO HINT OF A TWO STRIKE APPROACH IN ANY AB WHICH MAKES MATTERS WORSE!! No professional AB by so many, just swinging hard out of control in case they hit it. PATHTIC – UNPROFESSIONAL & UN DISCIPLINED APPROACH!! IF there was a professional player on to team, it’s well past time for a closed door meeting “to clear the air!”
Lol
Can anybody imagine how bad the Tigers will beat up on Miley? That will be ugly.
Steer and his strikeouts wouldn’t bother me at all if he was hitting with power.Has to be his shoulder that is causing the power shortage.His slugging is in the 320″s and that’s not him at all.He is a singles hitter that is hitting in the 220’s right now.
The comment section is so different when reds are losing or lose a game.
I wasnt disappointed this evening after reading some.
It’s the same when the Reds win a few games. Let the Reds win four games in a row and the comments here have the Reds never losing another game. You win some, you lose some. Especially when you are basically a .500 team.
1000% and I think we both agree this is a 500 team. Give a few games here and there.
Agreed Kevin. Hopefully, they can build on it next season.
Interesting article from Charlie Goldsmith:
https://charlieschalkboard.substack.com/p/tj-friedl-and-elly-de-la-cruz-will?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3342490&post_id=165917892&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=5rk8fn&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email