The two teams have split the two games of the 3-game set thus far. Today the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies will face off in the series finale with the winner grabbing a series victory. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35pm ET this afternoon. Today’s game is one of the FREE MLB.tv Games of the Day.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Philadelphia Phillies |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Trea Turner – SS |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Kyle Schwarber – DH |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Bryce Harper – 1B |
| Austin Hays – DH | Alec Bohm – 3B |
| Gavin Lux – LF | Nick Castellanos – RF |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Max Kepler – LF |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | J.T. Realmuto – C |
| Will Benson – RF | Bryson Stott – 2B |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B | Brandon Marsh – CF |
| Chase Burns – RHP | Zack Wheeler – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Chase Burns | 5.1 | 13.50 | 2.44 | 2 | 8 |
| Zack Wheeler | 107.0 | 2.27 | 0.91 | 25 | 136 |
| Links: Chase Burns’ Stats | Zack Wheeler’s Stats | |||||
Chase Burns
Things can’t go much worse than they did in his last start when Chase Burns recorded just one out and gave up seven runs (five earned). He was tipping his pitches and he and the Reds hope they’ve fixed that this time around.
The sample size is very small in the big leagues this season, but overall for his entire year Burns has pitched better against right-handed hitters. He’s struck out nearly half of the righties he has faced and held them to a .486 OPS. Left-handed hitters have made more contact and hit a bit better, but not all that much.
Splits (MiLB & MLB)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 115 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 56 | .167 | .209 | .278 |
| LHH | 157 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 41 | .209 | .255 | .345 |
Pitch Usage (AAA & MLB)
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 98.1 | 84.3 | 89.1 | 90.3 |
| Usage | 52% | 6% | 31% | 11% |
Zack Wheeler
It’s been another outstanding season for Zack Wheeler. The 35-year-old leads the league with 136 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP. That’s helped lead to a 2.27 ERA this season. His May ended with a 6-run outing against Atlanta. Since then he’s made five starts and allowed two earned runs while throwing 31.0 innings and striking out 42 batters.
This season Wheeler has had reverse splits, at least to a point. Right-handed hitters are not doing much hitting against him and have just a .607 OPS against him. But left-handed hitters are doing even worse as they are hitting just .166, making far less contact, and doing very little when they do make contact.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 177 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 54 | .216 | .260 | .347 |
| LHH | 236 | 36 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 82 | .166 | .229 | .281 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Split | |
| Velo | 96.0 | 95.2 | 91.8 | 81.0 | 84.0 | 87.1 |
| Usage | 42% | 17% | 10% | 9% | 13% | 9% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:35pm ET
- Where: Citizens Bank Park
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 87°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
What could the Reds do at the trade deadline?
Mark Sheldon of Reds.com talked with President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall about the upcoming trade deadline.
“You’d always like to buy, no matter where you are. That’s the goal,” president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. “Let’s see how we play over the next couple of weeks and where we are.”
Krall said plenty more, and Terry Francona chimed in as well. You can read the full piece here.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 53 | 36 | 0.0 | 92.9% |
| Milwaukee | 49 | 40 | 4.0 | 54.9% |
| St. Louis | 48 | 42 | 5.5 | 36.2% |
| Cincinnati | 46 | 43 | 7.0 | 16.0% |
| Pittsburgh | 38 | 52 | 15.5 | 0.2% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
With the playoff format what it is ,almost every team is still in it and the teams that are not , don’t have much to offer for what the Reds need offensively. Get some relief pitchers and do it asap. The longer you wait I think works against the Reds. Teams are afraid to pull the trigger right now. This is the reason why Krall was signing all those relief pitchers in the spring. Hoping to get one to pan out. Relief pitchers forever have been a nightmare from season to season. Some guys from game to game.
There are 7 teams that are dead in the water for 2025 and 4 more that have almost no chance of any resurgence that would end with a playoff spot.
no chance: COL, OAK, CHW, WAS, PIT, BAL, MIA
almost no chance: KC, ATL, LAA, CLE
I don’t know who is available on those teams but here’s hoping Nick Krall does!
Amazing how quickly Baltimore’s rebuild went South.
Several…Bautista on the O’s, Vodnik w/Colorado, Anthony Bender on Miami, or Bummer (lefty) on Atlanta. Any of those guys are better then what we have
You can always use more and fresher relief pitchers especially as the season, heat and humidity move on. I think Tito has done a good job of using what we’ve got. But I’d like to see us get some punch in our lineup. So far this season the Reds have scored less than 4 runs 34 times. That’s not competitive. Like Earl Weaver said,
“a 3 run homer makes up for a lot of mistakes.”
The 2025 Phillies vs power pitchers:
.225 BA / .310 OBP / .350 SLG
That’s a .660 OPS.
(For comparison, the Reds’ below-league-average-offense’s OPS vs power is .670)
It looks like most of the Phillies production vs power pitchers comes from today’s #2 and #3 hitters:
2 Kyle Schwarber vs power: .255 BA /.425 OBP / .565 SLG
3 Bryce Harper vs power: .290 BA / .430 OBP / .615 SLG
So here’s hoping Burns can get those two fellas popping up and/or striking out. He could be okay if he does.
Thats the best lineup Tito has posted all year. It is nice to have options.
Lets Go Reds!
I think so, too. Have to decide on Marte or CES at 3rd and get the other some experience in the OF.
A good thought on getting Marte or CES some OF preparation. They can’t be much worse than Lux has been as far as results, despite him trying to hustle when he is out there.
CES in the OF was apparently rejected already, as he was tried there for two games then moved to 1B.
It has long been thought that a move to RF for Marte and his 60 grade arm would be 1) a good backup to any defensive issues and 2) a prospective upgrade offensively in RF.
If they are going to insist Sal Stewart can play 3B in the ML’s, which I doubt, Marte may well be heading out to RF.
Need Burns’ best today plus Wheeler’s worst start of the season! Some early runs would help! As evidenced yesterday, need more than one run to win, especially against a good team like the Phillies!
Regardless of what happens today, the Reds performed very well in this tough stretch of 24 games that began on June 9th with 13 wins and hopefully win No. 14 today!
The Braves were able to beat Wheeler twice this season. Once with 3 BB and once with 4 BB.
The Reds and Braves have similar BB and OBP numbers.
I’m really looking for reasons to be optimistic against Wheeler! ?
Holy moly, he’s good. His 2025 “halfway” numbers are a bit better than his best full season in 2021 (CYA runner-up).
A lineup that has Austin Hays at DH for the second consecutive day and Gavin Lux playing in the outfield suggests to me that Hays is dealing with some sort of lower body impairment.
That, and that the role of training/physical therapist staff has increased, leading to pretty conservative measures (i did not say unwarranted).
I agree Jim. At best his bone bruise in his foot is still bothering him. Let’s hope it’s not a new lower body injury to his calf, hamstring, or quad. If he’s healthy Hays should be in LF and Gavin Lux DH which would make our outfield defense a lot less shaky.
“Let’s see how we play over the next couple of weeks and where we are.”
I’m an optimist, but oh my, not the quote to look forward with.
Hey, you are supposed to be the optimist around here 😉
My kids were always excited to go to the Dollar Store and optimistic as to what they might find.
+10K, me too, even at my age. I troll the electronics area for stuff I won’t use but often buy because it is cheap. I’ve probably got at least 5 unopened in the ear earphones. And now that I have hearing aids, I can’t use the ones that are already opened.
The 2025 Reds have a combined 60 PAs against Wheeler.
0 HR
(Lux has 4 hits and a BB in 10 PAs)
https://stathead.com/tiny/z6t9e
Plenty of good informative posts from you.
Thanks!
Seen Bender’s name mentioned a couple of times. Read his velocity is down less than 19 percent strikeouts. Rather see the reds get a power arm for the pen. The outfielder with the White Sox the guy with the Cubs last year should be available. Inexpensive plays all three spots
Some Perhaps Noteworthy Numbers:
The Reds OPS in June was .730
They went 15-11
2025 league average OPS is .715
2021: .760 OPS – 83 wins
2022: .675 OPS – 62 wins
2023: .745 OPS – 82 wins
2024: .695 OPS – 77 wins
Everytime I see Wheeler pitch it reminds me of the “fab 5” rotation the Mets had and how they were going to win Championships.
1) Thor
2) Harvey
3)DeGrom
4) Matz
5) Wheeler
Wheeler ended up being the one.
Wheeler was hurt when I think he was mentioned in the Jay Bruce trade???
He had TJ surgery. Maybe twice. Turned out to be the best once he got through that. DeGrom has it all but can’t stay healthy and the Mets never provided him with run support.
It doesn’t look good…Burns hasn’t confidence apparently after two batters
Well he struck out the side. How does it look now?
How’s the confidence after 5 batters?
Burns- 3 K’s and settled down nicely. Love to watch that.
Nice bounce back from Burns…3 huge Ks …After just 3 big league starts he has K’ed Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper…
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
He can sort of forget all about that start against Bost?…hmmm … I can’t even remember it myself!
Unfortunately, I can. I was there and the sellout crowd made almost as much noise as the bats hitting the ball.
Nice escape, kid. (Only two pitches thrown so far. I hope he’s just steadying himself.)
Once he gets more efficient managing his pitch count he should. Even to waych
Be fun to watch is what I meant to say. This correction stuff stinks
Can someone explain exactly how Castellanos is hitting .275 with 11 HR and 22 doubles, has started nearly every game, yet has a negative WAR? I know he’s not known for defense, but wow…
.760 OPS this year
He had a .940 OPS and got MVP votes with the Reds.
Great question but WAR rewards premium positions up the middle of the field with speed and defense
Dante bichette hit .299 for his career with 274 HR and was a 4x All star and won a silver slugger
His career war was 5.6
Adam dunn hit 462 HR with a career OPS+ 125 but career WAR 17.9
Slow bad defenders who hit great are punished by WAR
FWAR loves McLain
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoki01.shtml Kirk Gibson won 1 MVP and 1 SS but was never an All-Star in 17 seasons.
38 WAR career.
The ump missed the third strike …helping the home club
Tempo.
He appeared to rushing in his 1st 2 starts.
Throw a pitch, get it and uncork it as soon as he can.
His tempo appears better today…so far anyway.
Good point by Xavier Scruggs, @MLBNetwork
…..a sped up Chase Burns was throwing a lot of pitches with at least :12 left on the pitch clock. Pointed to taking a breath, collecting self.
It’s a warm day, so there’s that, but oh my, the pitch count.
55-22 after 2.
He can work on pitch count as he matures.
I’m happy he put up a few 0’s.
The ump cost him a whole batter worth of pitches.
Exactly. He will learn to throw that pitch a little off the plate to get the K. There isn’t anything to learn in the minors . He is just that much better than those players.
4 shutout innings best case scenario I guess? Idk how they foul off so many without putting something in play?
55 pitches in two innings would not help him in the game, Hopefully gaining experience will pay back in the future
I have low expectations in this game anyway
50 pitches through 2 innings isn’t going to get it done. We’ll be lucky if we get 4 innings from Burns.
However, he clearly has the stuff that plays at the MLB level. He just hasn’t quite figured out how to use it effectively. What worked against minor league hitters isn’t as effective against MLB hitters.
He will figure it out. His stuff is too good for him to not be successful. He just needs to keep learning and keep adapting.
And he needs to calm down.
I’m very surprised at Burns’ difficulty locating in the strike zone. It seems that the fastball is the only pitch he has a chance of putting where he wants. With the record he had in the minors, I didn’t expect the clear control issues.
I think Burns is just too hyped up, and he’s a little rattled after getting lit up last game.
As I said above, he needs to calm down and trust his stuff.
That’s because he just threw it past everybody. The minor league hitters are learning. He just overpowered them. He is learning a lesson right now. He will learn to throw that off speed off the plate to get the swing.
So far, he’s thrown one curve and only two or three change-ups. He’ll likely need all four. He’s a work in progress.
Burns is pitching his heart out. It’s just unfair he matched up with Fried, Crochet, and Wheeler in his first 3 starts. It leaves no room for error. His rest in between innings have been too short. This offense needs to rise up to save their young pitcher.
I can’t agree more
What’s the record for total strikeouts in a game for both teams?
In a nine inning game?
I’ll guess 30.
Off to Google it….
Through three full innings, we have 10.
Not 100% sure this is the record but TEX-SEA had 31 in a game started by Randy Johnson and Bobby Witt.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA199707130.shtml
Wow … reds line-up today are completely clueless and lost vs wheeler..
If I were Tito I’ send Friedl to bunt to rey something different
Reds didn’t even make contact that inning.Not even a foul ball.Don’t know if I have ever seen that before.
Pitiful at bats …. Just pitiful
Wow, that should be a confidence-building inning for Burns.
He figured out how to get them to chase his curve down and out of the zone.
And when they don’t chase, send the heat.
Maybe there is a glimmer of a “Eureaka!” moment there, but we’ll see if he can build on it.
Reading some of the comments today makes me think that some of you have no idea who Zack Wheeler is or just how good he is. He might be the best pitcher in baseball over the last two years. He has a sub 2.50 ERA in 49 starts with 360 strikeouts in 307 innings. The reds are like every other team that faces him. They look like they have no idea what to do. It’s not them. It’s him.
Please don’t bring common sense here. (Sarcasm)
Commenters think every pitcher is the same.
Yea we do and don’t have a clue who a Zach Wheeler is either ….
Ty, Hays!
Yeah, we need Lux to get on and then Steer to hit a mistake out.
Otherwise, Wheeler is going 7 shutout.
Welp. The Hays homer must have honked Wheeler off. He locked Lux up.
He’s been lights out. The fact that he’s still doing it is amazing. He’s been sensational in his time in Philly especially. Smart and knows where to pitch. Locates just perfectly.
Agree
Two nice innings from Burns after a shaky start.
I’m hopeful something is starting to click for him. Way too small of a sample size to say for sure, but he definitely looked a lot better than when he started out.
He looks more comfortable on the mound. Seems to be settling into a groove and yes it’s a small sample size but he’s fun to watch.
SAY HAYS KID!
That’s how you break up a no no
Hays maker and love it! Great at bat.
Hays broke perfecto , no-no and shutout
It goes without saying, but Phillies fans are just rotten.
Now Tito should be alert on Burns because this game is huge to win
Tyler showing the cannon
Wow another third strike missed by the ump what a heck is this?
Whoa this ump… looked like strike 3 to Marsh…
I approve of Tito’s move to pull him.
Agreed.
The problem is… I don’t trust the bullpen like Tito is forced to.
Burns can’t complete 5 innings because the ump bad calls
Not JUST the ump’s bad calls, but they sure didn’t help.
Still, 4.2 innings of zero-run ball is nothing to sneeze at. Now it’s up to the bullpen to keep it that way.
Schwarber with an OPS of 1.093 vs lefties.
Hope it works.
Nope
It didn’t thanks to Moll’s poor execution.
Nice bounce back for Burns and something to build off of. Settled in nicely after 2 innings. Ump didn’t do him favors on any of the close pitches called balls.
Agree
Kind of dumb there. See if Schwarb goes fishing on a breaker then deal with Harper. Bryce looked terrible vs Lodolo yesterday
Terrible call on CES. Not even close.
Awful awful third strike call against CES.
No way the ump calling 3rd strike on CES. He didn’t give Burns any borderline pitches.
This ump stinks ! Floating strike zone …
Holy Cow…Awful strike 3 call on CES.
This umpire is really bad. That call on CES was not called on the Phillies st least twice today
Reds desperately need to sign Schwarber this winter.
What are the odds the Reds get the win today? 50/50?
25/75.
There’s a chance. But not a very good one.
Classic case of a veteran respected pitcher getting calls while a rookie goes begging.
Not to mention Wheeler has been close to the plate all day and Burns hasn’t.
Do you suppose they will program some AI into the ABS system so it calls them the same?? 😉
The Reds really need a bullpen.
Barlow is awful.
Barlow pitched great and helped the Reds have a chance to win.
Really need a double play ball here.
Barlow has been terrible, but he can get out of this.
Playing with fire now …
Wow nice recovery Barlow !
High wire act by Barlow….wiggles off the hook.
Need automated calling behind the plate in the worst possible way. What a crappy ump. He gets paid 300k for this
Heck of a job by Barlow!!!
Barlow got himself into a jam and then got himself out of it! Major bullet dodged there.
Barlow is bad for the blood pressure. Thankfully no runs across.
Still alive, Reds fans.
Barlow managed to get out of a really tough jam after 30 pitches with a scoreless inning…
Only chance is to get to the Philly bullpen.
And….
Exhale.
The margin for success is quite thin as long as Wheeler remains in the game.
Ump is absolutely sorry today.
Reds can’t figure Wheeler out today… it’s impressive how they have been absolutely dominated …but still there is a chance if the bullpen holds the Philly
They are not ready to face aces.
Nobody does very well against aces.
Is that why they call them “aces”? 😉
I always appreciated how dificultnwas to face Francona’s Teams … at least Reds are fighiting phillies
CES is brutal at third – just awful
This is why you put Marte at 3rd and leave him there. Good lord.
Reds having a problem in third base
I wrote about this twice previously why in the world does Tito keep playing ECS at third….l will just repeat myself the previous Encarnacion was lousy at 3rd and Reds had to move him to 1B. Either this guy plays 1B or DH he cannot play 3rd, how long is Tito who says he cares so much about defense and saving runs gonna keep putting him out there. Definition of insanity…do the same thing and expect different results!
The Reds do not have, to my knowledge, any third baseman in the organization who can play every day who can also play good defense. They are adequate at best from what I hear/read.
I mean why is Marte sitting today anyway !
Got lucky. Nice recovery, Ashcraft.
Same old Castellanos though. Swinging at crap down and away
Ashcraft is a such a gamer!! Great come back.
Reds again flirting with disaster but come across unscathed.
Marte plays 3rd period, CES DH, first or bench.
Kinda like Quint said … “Hooper drives the boat Chief “
Love this for the 50th anniversary.
CES should be in AAA
I am a big fan of CES and his power but he as you say is a DH or at first.Those spots are taken and well that’s just the way it is.
CES owes Ashcraft a huge thank you and an apology to Elly.
So we all agree CES is not a 3rd baseman. LOL
He apparently had visions of playing shortstop.
That is funny
No, he isn’t. He’s a DH and first baseman.
Need Wheeler to make a mistake. Just one.
Extra innings or bust.
It would be something special if they can find a way to win this one.
It would be. Playoff type of game.
We’re gonna win it in the 10th!
CES objectively is the worst player on the Reds since Candy got DFA’d.
BWAR and fWAR actually agree on this. CES is terrible defensively and terrible offensively. Why he would ever play 3b with Marte and Espinal on the roster is beyond me. CES has 3 walks in 126 PA. There is no galaxy where that transcends to a good hitter.
Execs love homers.
Good point.
Ole’ Nick gave us a nice surprise in defeat. I can’t recall when I have ever seen a 3B try to “field” a ball in front of the SS. Weez, CES, the coaches probably think they don’t need to bring this up especially considering who the SS is… On a lighter note, gosh that Zack guy has about as much “movement” as I have already seen. Looks to go 9 today regardless of the outcome, the way the game used to be… Reds can still get it (in the 10th).
Maybe Wheeler is done after 100 pitches… Nothing to do, just keep Philly on 1 run and to see if the offense can hit the Philly bullpen
OK, el Tigre…
CES is out. Espinal is in.
at the start of the game, Sadak was raving how great the reds lineup hits the fastball….8 innings, 11 strikeouts and 1 hit later….yeah right, not today
Kinda like most of the other teams that has faced Wheeler. More to do about Wheeler than the reds.
Also in regards to CES when slumping at the plate. I am sure it takes a toll mentally and affects fielding at times. Not ready to give up on him, however as says 3rd base isnt his position.
CES just got benched.
No, he is always replaced in later innings. That isnt a benching
C’mon Kevin
He made an egregious error running backwards the wrong way into the SS and reds best players and was taken out of the game the following inning. Let everyone decide for themselves why he was taken out and also let see if Tito puts him at 3b going forward.
Dont tell Richard Fitch this but its called accountability.
You are fitching right about that old-school!
gotta have your best defense out there in 1-1 game and CES is not that
I don’t think that was a normal end of game substitution.
Not when he was the 2nd batter the next inning. IMO, that was a statement
This guy behind the plate got zero clue what a strike is … bring on the robots this is
atrocious inexcusable umpiring …
ballgame
That should do it.
Rats.
Ball game
Good ol Santillan. SMH
Awful pitch Tony … BRUTAL
You can’t make one mistake against this kind of teams …incredible
Yep 4th highest payroll in baseball. Sometimes that shows
Okay, make the most of this inning! This game is still in reach.
Kinda like Lodolo yesterday. 1 bad pitch and ball game.
That’s what happens when you have to pitch your BP every game. They kind of get worn down. But hey one hit from offense doesn’t win many games.
Offense pathetic
Thinking this brutal schedule stretch comes to an end today but Miami is now dangerous…
Well 46 and 44 after 90 games these next 7 are crucial. 5 and 2 would be great but I will take 4 and 3 to go 50 and 47 at the break. They will need to get hot sometime to stay in the race for a wildcard.
Benson GOLDEN SOMBRERO
Reds 2 runs in 2 games will win you nothing
Except for a single hit, this one reminds me of the 2011 playoff game in Philly when Roy Halladay no hit the Reds. He was untouchable that day. Wheeler was virtually untouchable today.
Hats off to Wheeler. He’s dominated MLB hitters for his career and continues to do so. Reds certainly aren’t the only team to struggle against him.
Burns with the nice rebound after Boston.
Yep, no reason to hang their heads. Ran into a hot pitcher.
Benson just can’t lay off the high fastball….2 strikes, throw him a high fastball….swing and miss….over and over and over…..he cannot hit it
Would be great if the Reds could ever have a legitimate ace again like Wheeler. Would be even greater if they could find a power hitting, All-Star caliber OF.
I am so sick of hearing John Sadak be a cheerleader for the opposite team. Our home town announcer just said “owned” by the Phillies.
I miss George Grande being endlessly optimistic instead of Eyore the announcer.
He isn’t wrong. Wheeler dominated the Reds’ weak offense.
Padres, Mets, Astros, and Bluejays didn’t do anything against Wheeler either. Reds offense isnt weak. Wheeler is a phenomenal pitcher
I watch the games to enjoy them. I am smart enough to know if my favorite team isn’t having a good game. The joy of a Vin Scully game was you never got lost in the highs and lows. He always had an interesting story about players or something connected to the game.
Sadak seems like he was hoping for the Wheeler no-hitter in the 3rd inning. I can tell he was pitching well. Find something positive about the team you are being paid to cover, not tell me endless stats about how good the other team is and how awful the Reds are. I don’t think they are awful, I just think they are a couple of pieces away.
DEspite allowing hurting homers Reds lose just because they couldn’t hit neither yesterday nor today…
Wheeler arguably best pitcher in MLB and Suarez is an AS soft tossing lefty. Brutal combo but Reds need to look at RF and CI and bullpen for upgrades assuming Hunter Greene comes back
Phillies and Cubs and Dodgers are 3 of best teams in baseball. See what the MEts have after the AS break.
reds have several holes to fill to consider themselves postseason contenders. There is an excellent base of players. Lets hope the front office does the right thing and adds to what is already there.
Wheeler is the real deal. Give him that. But surely the front office understand this team will face great pitching IF they even make the playoffs. Lucky they woke one vs a much superior team (yes, with a bigger payroll. Everyone knows that. Don’t care.)
Anyone else wondering if Stephenson will ever live up to his potential in a Reds uniform? Feels like we’ve been waiting on a true breakout season from him since he debuted in 2021.
Wondering but mostly have decided absolutely not. He was advertised coming up as the future “big bopper” in the middle of the order. Predicting it will never happen. He needs to be hitting at least 25-30 HRs per year playing half of his games at GABP. Don’t see it ever happening. He’s hurt some. But has played lots this year and has 6 HRs. 6. Not good enough.
Whatever we do, big $ does it better. Krall would have to hit all the right buttons like Kevin Pritchard w/the Pacers, but he obviously can’t do it. 82-83 wins tops…maybe they can be mathematically alive in Sept so all the company men on RLN will be happy
After watching this week I just don’t think this team is playoff ready. They can’t seem to get 5 games over .500 and they also can’t seem to get hot like they did in 2023. Prior to today’s loss the Marlins had won 10 of 12 just think where that kind of hot streak would put the Reds. Well right now 10 over, but this offense can’t seem to get going enough to have any such streak.
So the Reds didn’t even make Wheeler work in the least. And the myth of Ashcraft and Santillian being shutdown relievers has expired
Wheeler is a ace no doubt, however I am hopeful the Reds front office does something. Reds have a good baseball team, however they need at least 1 more bat and shut down type bullpen arms.
If they make playoffs they will face pitchers such as Wheeler and while they battled it wasn’t enough.
Still a fun team to watch
Definitely an exciting game until it wasn’t, sadly. I agree they are a couple players short right now.
No way they would be able to have a roster with that many stars.
Rats.
you have a 1-1 game and you are almost at the point of getting Wheeler out of the game and Santillian throws a fastball right down the center of the plate….to blow the game ….no excuse Santillian
The guy takes the ball whenever they ask and isn’t afraid of the moment. His arm must be ready to fall off as much as they have used him. I can’t fault him.
NOT going to win many games with ONE hit! I, for one, DO NOT fault Big Tony for this loss!
I agree that teams that make the playoffs will face pitchers like Wheeler in my opinion the Reds hitters just aren’t mature enough for that type of game. You simply have to find a way to scratch out a run and drive the pitch count up to get to bull pens.
Entering today 15 of 30 MLB teams were 500 or above. Reds aren’t a “good team” right now, even though they are in the top 15 being barely over 500. They are an average team, that could be good with a couple moves.
I agree this is not a good team right now way too many under performing or hurt players and I would throw Greene in both categories. His signing doesn’t look too good right now as he is seldom available for long stretches of time.
No disrespect Mark, but Hunter Greene finished 8th in Cy Young voting last year. I think he has been one of their best signings in the last 10 years. Granted he has dealt with injuries this year, but my goodness when he pitches he is dominate.
Zack Wheeler is a great pitcher. There is no shame losing to him. Each time the Reds have went into an offensive slump this season, they have bounced back.
I do think folk’s expectations for this season is a little high. The team could make the postseason in 2025. I do however, think it more likely to happen next season.
Based on Nick Krall’s comments, I don’t expect the Reds to be “buyers” at the trading deadline. At least, I don’t think they will be buying pending free agents. They will be buying players who can help them 2026 and beyond.
In 2026, we will see the second wave of minor league talent percolating up to The major league level.
I think this coming offseason the Red’s front offense will focus on three things:
1. A middle of the line up bat – An outfielder would be nice, but it could be a corner infielder or DH.
2. Revamping the Bullpen – I would like to see the Reds re-sign Pagan, but regardless they need to add 3 or 4 relievers.
3. Starting Pitcher- the Reds will have plenty of solid arms for the rotation, but with most of it being young, could use an innings eater in case of injuries.
I think this list is very doable in one off season. They can get a head start on this to do list by making some smart trades at the deadline later this month.
I apologize for such a long post.
Great post. Agree with most if not all. I do think they have good starting pitching. Bullpen arms are where they fall short.
We have to hope that Elly has another gear so he can be that guy that dominates and then if they go out and get another guy that can give high production to help him they might be a post season team.
They can’t keep making errors like the one CES made today when they are on the big stage.