The Pittsburgh Pirates have already earned at least a split of this series against the Reds. Today Cincinnati will try to pick up their first win and put a stop to their losing ways at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Spencer Horwitz – 1B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Tommy Pham – LF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Bryan Reynolds – RF |
| Miguel Andujar – DH | Oneil Cruz – CF |
| Gavin Lux – LF | Andrew McCutchen – DH |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Nick Gonzales – 2B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Joey Bart – C |
| Noelvi Marte – RF | Liover Peguero – SS |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Jared Triolo – 3B |
| Nick Martinez – RHP | Braxton Ashcraft – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Martinez | 129.1 | 4.66 | 1.21 | 31 | 93 |
| Braxton Ashcraft | 33.1 | 3.24 | 1.38 | 12 | 28 |
| Links: Nick Martinez’s Stats | Braxton Ashcraft’s Stats | |||||
Nick Martinez
After a brief move to the bullpen, Nick Martinez is back int he rotation to fill in for Nick Lodolo for now. His last start, on July 30th, saw him strike out seven batters in six innings and give up two runs.
The splits this season for Martinez are a bit different. Righties hit for a high average, but rarely walk. They do hit for a good amount of power on their hits. Left-handed hitters hit for a much lower average, but they are walking more. They are only hitting for moderate power when they get hits.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 277 | 71 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 13 | 38 | .276 | .313 | .463 |
| LHH | 254 | 54 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 55 | .234 | .292 | .407 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 92.4 | 88.9 | 79.6 | 84.7 | 78.5 |
| Usage | 22% | 16% | 21% | 10% | 12% | 19% |
Braxton Ashcraft
A starter in the minor leagues, Braxton Ashcraft made 10 starts in Triple-A this season with Indianapolis. But with Pittsburgh he’s made just one start and pitched 16 games in relief this year. His lone start in the big leagues came on June 23rd. Over his last two games he’s given up five runs in 4.1 innings.
We’re still in small sample size territory for Braxton when it comes to splits in the big leagues. With that said, right-handed hitters have been much better against him. They are hitting for a high average and mediocre power. Lefties are hitting for a low average and no power, but they do walk frequently against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 82 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16 | .289 | .321 | .421 |
| LHH | 62 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 | .222 | .323 | .315 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 96.8 | 96.1 | 84.0 | 91.4 | 91.2 |
| Usage | 31% | 12% | 21% | 34% | 2% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 85°, sunny, 1% chance of rain
News and Notes
Hunter Greene’s Rehab
Last night saw Hunter Greene allow five runs on two hits (both home runs) and three walks while striking out seven for Triple-A Louisville in his 5.1 innings. He threw 79 pitches in the start with 52 strikes. In his three rehab starts for the Bats he has allowed 10 hits and nine earned runs to go with four walks and 20 strikeouts in 11.0 innings. Four of the 10 hits have been home runs.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 71 | 44 | 0.0 | 99.6% |
| Chicago | 66 | 49 | 5.0 | 96.5% |
| Cincinnati | 60 | 57 | 12.0 | 6.8% |
| St. Louis | 59 | 58 | 13.0 | 8.4% |
| Pittsburgh | 51 | 66 | 21.0 | 0.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Did I see that Austin Hays BA has dropped to the 250s? Unbelievable.
Everything is pointing out to Stewart arriving in the bigs sooner than later, what is going to be with Hayes and his .564 OPS?
The fact they went and got KH speaks to their plans for Sal, wouldnt you think? Sometimes I get the feeling they dont really have a plan or know what they’re doing. They’re just hoping for the best. But really, what happens to Sal Stewart now that we have KH locked up for the next three seasons? 1B?
Sal might be plan B for second base? MM turned down an extension last year. Maybe they trade MM or even KBH?
Stewart is hitting 3rd on a regular basis already for the Bats and got another hit in his first AB tonight…..playing 3B. .315/.952
Wow. Andujar starting and batting 4th? I’m pleasantly surprised.
May be too little too late but I’m glad that something changes. Can’t be status quo every game. Can’t do the same and expect different results. Can’t afford another loss tonight.
And once again we find Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo on the IL during the dog days just when the team needs them.
That is a great point. If you do not have at least 3 or 4 starting pitchers that can pitch at least 150 innings or more makes it harder on the minor league starters and bullpen.
Really looking forward to this contest. I can’t see the Reds losing three in row to the Pirates either. We’ll see who shows up to play today. It’s time to turn things around !
Does the batting order looks like it should be way different?
Hard to believe that ALL THREE teams ahead of the Reds in the NL Wild Card race LOST last night! And did the Reds take advantage? No! And why? Because their offense cannot create or cash in on run-scoring opportunities against the lowly, last place Pirates! The Reds have scored TWO runs total in the first 2 games of this series! TWO RUNS!
In addition, the Mets have lost 5 straight games, and the Reds have wasted a golden opportunity to close the gap on the third and final NL Wild Card spot!
It’s time to start scoring runs and WINNING! Only 45 games to go with 2 tough series upcoming against the Philles and Brewers at GABP next week!
I am beyond frustrated with the lack of offense to support what has been good starting pitching!
Here we go for a Saturday night contest.
Pig kicking, etc., etc., etc.
Another great day for a baseball game. Can’t wait to watch this good Reds team do battle again. Enjoy the game all.
After the ugly Reds loss yesterday Cards got closer again to just 1 game behind and the playoff odds are better for the Cardinals again …Ups and downs…
Hays out of the lineup…I would sit him tomorrow too …:i don’t believe he is a team player…is in it all for himself & a big contract going forward
Proof on that claim?
Watch his AB’s….as an example….2 strike swings are insane
Of course not. He has no way of knowing.
I wish comments like this without proof or support would be banned on this site.
Still a free country amigo. He didn’t curse
Sick of Tommy Pham already ….
Nuts!!
At least dinner was good. A neighbor who is building her sourdough business gave us some pizza dough in exchange for honest feedback. Homemade sauce, red pepper, mushrooms, red onion, and the good mozzarella plus one of my favorite beers … I’m in a good place.
One thing going right anyway, Mark.
91 just destroys our hitters
Good to see the Reds mount a threat in the first… Friedl is running !
2nd batter in and on the final pitch of the AB. wondering what took so long.
Borderline line pitch went Pirates way?
Don’t try the Raul Mondesi stuff yet, Noveli … 😮
10 pitch at bat to the first Pirate batter results in a walk… But that’s all they will get. Nick gets the next 3.
Nice 2 strike swing by Andujar atleast. I have about 2 more innings in me. Their Ashcraft was getting smacked around in August until the Reds come to town
Steer is fine so Tito put Espinal at 1B last night for the excitement of it all I guess?
No sense whatsover when you have a GG level 1B
You know Espinal is Tito’s go to guy. Has to try to play him every game.
And he replaced Andujar who was 1-1 with 2 walks. About the only guy swinging it right now. Him and Lux
That’s the part that irked me. Why pull a guy like Andujar who has actually been getting on base and gives very quality at bats?
Francona does many head scratching things…
+10,000
And we wonder why Reds SPs rarely go beyond 5 or 6 innings? WALKS lead to high pitch counts! Not only did Martinez walk the first batter of the game, he used 10 pitches to accomplish that feat!
The Reds average 5.09 innings a game (18th). The MLB average is 5.22. The best team is at 5.8.
The original poster above is not up on modern baseball trends. 6 IP is good. 5 IP is average.
MLB starters average under 6 innings.
Looks like a line drive in the box score
Let Stephenson walk at end of year …. Can’t hit , strikeout machine and not that good
defensively
last 15 games: .260/.362/.520/.882
But, yeah, sure, run him off.
There just aren’t too many decent catchers out there. I recall Johnny Bench saying that’s why he became a catcher. It was the quickest way to the majors. Pretty sure it’s that way now again too.
This Pirates pitcher had a season 28 K in 33 IP . He has 4 K in just 2 IP against the Reds today…What is happening with these Reds batters?
Ashcraft already had 4 SO….a career high….this reds team just has a hard time making contact..,,and barely ever walk…not a good combination
Reds are making this Pirate SP look like the second coming of Cy Young or Bob Feller or Bob Gibson or Nolan Ryan! Four (4) SOs in the first 2 innings!
No need to put (4) after four. English grammar rules changed in 1980s.
B. Ashcraft gives up a hit to Steer, but otherwise looking pretty good out there.
Another lead-off walk by Martinez, playing with fire…
Noodle Bats
Sure, walk Cutch. Nothing bad can come of that.
Sadak is right … “weird zone” tonight.
Stevenson…That pitch was right down broadway…no movement….and he couldn’t even foul it off…swings right thru it ….SO ….ridiculous
For Gosh sakes Sadak I don’t care about how many TDs guys on the Pirates had in high school or their father. Is there no end to your stupid stats?
+50,000
Radio broadcast tonight. 🙂
Not sticking up for the Reds starters because it’s on them not to walk hitters but I can’t help but think the anemic offense of the Reds has to tax them mentally to make perfect pitches each time out there. They’ve got to feel that the margin of error is virtually zero.
It is and has been and will be this year for sure
Another good inning for Nick despite the leadoff walk to McCutchen…
According to Apple last night….Reds have the toughest remaining schedule in mlb, but the Mets were like 6th toughest or something. Idk? This team looks dead then you write them off and they win a couple series. You then look at their future schedule and get a little excited to see them dump 6 of 8 or something.
Yeah Giants and Marlins have some easy teams to play on their schedule. I’m optimistic and I don’t see the Reds making it.
Hayes is unlucky
Thinking the same.
Braves were on a 2-9 stretch coming into Cincy and went 1-4 after. Good teams just can’t lose those series
Friedl’s got a thing with HBP …
Awright Matty ! Needed to see you come thru there…
Lucky #13 for TJ right off the toe.
Does anyone else have the feeling that the reds may score maybe 1 run in this game….again
Come on??????????????? I have time for one more zero next inning
No reason to take a pitch or 2 to let Elly steal. SMH
Reds had two shots with their No.3 and 4 hitters there, but nope, nothin’.
Reds offensive struggles are deep. None of the batters they have seem to solve the lineup cleanup spot and 2nd spot problems
And lately the 3rd spot
Another fly ball that should have been caught
Ballgame … 1 run too steep against Cy Toung on mound for Pirates …
Young …
Now the Pirates score easily against Martinez… It seems the Pirates is team fighting for a playoff berth
Seems like the Pirates put the nails in the coffin every year
McLain 27 for last 85 (.318), but only 2 doubles and a HR
They’ve owned us for quite a few years now sadly.
I hate to say this. I think the season is over. Martinez is struggling. And we can’t hit. Well. There’s always next year
Martinez is doing his job….the offense for the reds is disgustingly inept
Pirates put it together in the 3rd and show how it’s done, but all they have is 1 on the Board. Plenty of time to get that back, and more.
Martinez is doing his job….the offense for the reds is disgustingly inept
Yep. If he gives us 5-6 innings of 1 run baseball there’s not much more you can ask than that.
Marte should’ve caught that ball….drifted back instead of get on his horse and get to the wall. Hopefully he’ll pick it up out there…learning curve
I’m willing to give Marte the benefit of the doubt that he’ll pick it up in right field. Seems pretty athletic.
I’m sure the FO will make the necessary adjustments to field a winner in 2026. LOL
And by winner you mean 82-80.
Yes. I didn’t mean a contender. 🙂
They can pitch around Elly when he’s hitting, but when he’s cold like now….we’re helpless
10 outs and 5 via strikeout and first pitch outs 3 more times and you have who we are in a nutshell.
My new nickname for the 2025 Reds is the One Run Reds! Just hope they can score one run against this Pirate SP who is in the running for this year’s Cy Young award!
B. Ashcraft strikes out Lux for the second time and Steer singles (again) and they change pitchers ! Has to be good for us …
Ty Steve has been reduced to an automatic out! Usually via a strikeout!
Stephenson’s pitiful
Stevenson…another pitch right down the middle of the plate that he cannot even make contact …I pray the refs have a catcher somewhere in the minors
But Marte dbls home Steer ! score tied …
Nice hit there by Marte.
Pirates are playing out the string of another awful year.Fleeced us big time on the Hayes trade and still haven’t stopped laughing.
I submit we are playing g out the string as well
We just tease us fans more
Reds outburst!! Andujar and Hayes both hard lineouts. Pham never made that play for us. Oh well 1-1.
It seems evident trading for an elite defender who can’t hit at all when the team is really struggling offensively should be a silly move by Krall…
He smoked a liner and it got caught. And the run the Pirates have was due to a misplay, so the idea that defense doesn’t matter is contradicted by what happens in the game.
I don’t say defense doesn’t matter but the priority was improve offense…You already have another player like Espinal as good defender at 3rd who can’t hit much either…
That was one sweet pick and throw by Elly. Nice scoop from Steer.
5-inning sprint now.
Heck of a play. On both ends. Great to watch.
Almost time to break out the Haagen Daas and put a capper on the night.
There you go Frankie Montas…do what you do. Milw 2 out hit up 2-1
Trade HG to Sacramento. They can have their “ace” going into the Vegas years and we can add hitting
Let’s try a little WLW for a bit. Welsh isn’t bad, but he’s no Cowboy.
HG and Stephenson to the A’s for Langeliers and prospects
So create a weakness to partially address a different weakness? Greene has a team-friendly contract and the Reds do not have a surplus of good starting pitchers.
HG is always hurt and you have to give something to get something. AA, Lodolo, Burns, Lowder, and Singer ain’t bad.
How in the world did this team score 8 runs in 1 inning a while back….getting 1 run is like a miracle for this team
Wasn’t that long ago, either.
That Kid is throwing 98 mph heaters, too much for Elly that time.
2-3-4 grab some bench. Thats it for me tonight. Go Reds….can’t be this bad? Is the Frank Thomas/Doug Flutie T booster legal in mlb lol. We have some nerds with a full wedgie at the plate
This is pathetic … I’d rather have the
Louisville Bat’s lineup against the Pirates
Crazy thought Red Alert but you might be right. Certainly Stewart and HRod predict to be better contact hitters. Rios, Benson, and Vilade have more pop than those in our line up tonight.
What is this thing where you hit the ball over the fence and jog around the bases. It looks fun when other teams do it on Espn
This offense floats or sinks with Elly. It has not been pretty of late. Pitching keeps us in the game again.
One more inning for Martinez?
Martinez strong thru 5 … now’s the time to score some runs !
Andujar dbls on an 0-2 count ! and up comes Lux …
OH, game on the line and Steer goes down hard, 2 outs, Man on 3rd.
Rodriguez has a homer and Stewart and Benson have hits after one at bat.
I have no desire to see Benson in a Reds uniform again. Bring up a kid.
1-1. How will the Reds lose this one late tonight.
Gotta believe we’re going to win JB.
Better find a way to keep Andujar in the lineup at least in the near future.
Ya think?
Me think. 😉
More Andujar please. That was a nice swing on that at bat.
Sal Stewart with his second hit tonight.
Rodriguez with a hit too. The Bats are fun to watch hit.
Do you honestly think this Front Office will bring him up Sept 1st when Rosters expand to 28? Nope they will bring up Benson
I want him up NOW.
Any pitcher a team runs out there just mows the reds batters down…insane
Again, Reds have a runner at 3rd with less than 2 outs and fail to score! They deserve to lose this game!
Yep, that’s inexcusable.
As usual, Reds wasted a nice chance to go ahead. Steer has been awful with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs …
They really need to bring Stewart up asap, or anybody that can hit at all.
Yes…anyone that can hit…anyone please
Leadoff double for nothing …. AWFUL
Get these dudes in AAA up here … rather watch them than this crap every single game
The leadoff dbl goes for naught in the 6th, score still tied at 1 a piece.
And just like another Red at 3B with one out and ends up stranded !
Steer has to put the ball in play.You can’t strike out with that runner at third.
Martinez with a very nice outing.
Martinez at 82 pitches through Six. You have to send him out again in the seventh.
Yeah, only 4 pitches in the 6th.
24 innings vs the pirates in this series….reds have 3 runs
Absolutely pathetic.
4-pitch inning by Nick! Wow! He’s doing HIS part! Now let’s score some runs please!
Here we go … leadoff dbl by Marte !
Martinez has done the job thus far. He’s at 82 pitches. I wonder if Tito will let him go out for the 7th inning since Martínez is now a swingman as he likely will be on the bullpen next week if Greene is activated
Maybe Hayes could bunt here ?
but he’s swinging away …
and hits behind the runner, moving Marte to third.
Hayes at leas could move the runner to 3rd base and Reds have the go-ahead run there with less than two outs again
Please move Marte up in the lineup maybe in the 2 hole so he can get at least another at bat in the game.Good grief keep him and Andujar close to Elly.One at two and the other at 4 please.The numbers are there just do it.
I trust Friedl can get this done
Yes indeed, sac fly to right !
Pirates change pitchers to face Friedl, man on third, one out.
Indy, suggested trading Greene. I suggest–bear with me here–trading Elly. He’d probably bring a good power hitter, the Reds aren’t going to sign him, and he’s a good hitter with occasional power who doesn’t carry the team. And the Reds have a multitude of shortstops. Okay, pile on.
I saw on Youtube that Aaron Judge wants to be traded from the Yankees.
It all depends on the deal.
That depends. Is 2025 Elly with the B speed the new reality or will the self proclaimed fastest man in the world return? You’d be selling low with a ops where it is now
Maybe, but I assume that most other teams believe in the potential. It would depend upon the return, certainly, but we can finish out of the running without him, right?
Reds have done something like that before. Lee May was among the premier young sluggers in MLB in 1969-70-71 but Reds traded him.
The Reds received Morgan and Geronimo in that trade so it was a fantastic trade.
I was thinking the same exact thing the other day. Dodgers could use a SS and have the coin to extend him.
Nice at bat by Friedl bringing home the lead
Thank you Terry Lee for bringing the runner home.
OnCe AgAIn thE REds gET a RUnnER iN From 3rD wITh leSS tHAn 2 oUTs.
I take it that it didn’t happen? I’ve turned off the tv–moonlight croquet and blueberry cake beckon, and a clete is in order, regardless of the score. They might win this game and they might win tomorrow, but it’s sound and fury, signifying nothing. Good night, all.
It actually did happen. Sac Fly that was caught on a spectacular play by Reynolds.
Enjoy the cake!!
Shared it with the mosquitoes, but the view of the sturgeon moon rising (through the telescope) compensated for the loss in croquet. Nice evening.
Reds up 2-1 going into the bottom of the 7th…
Dbl play erases a leadoff single !
Nice run but let’s be honest when a team is struggling your best player has to bring you out of it and Elly has done nothing.
Twice tonight he has swung at the first pitch but he has had a great year with nobody to protect him.Put a hitter with power behind him then his numbers are even better.Hayes never has or will be feared by a pitcher in the 4 spot.He just isn’t a clean up hitter at all.
Whoa, big fella.
We’ve now got a Hays and a Hayes.
As if McLain wasn’t taxing enough on our collective spelling.
Pirates have an Ashcraft, too.
It was sweet when Hays (senza ‘e’) was hitting. Gave a hint of what it would be like with a real hitter in the #4 spot behind EDLC.
Well…9 outs to get….will a stupid walk cost the reds …..I pray not….we will see
Hayes .172 last 15 games. Only 3 1/2 more years
Moved the runner so that the go ahead run could score.
Productive AB.
Bike Helmets to back Martinez.
You and your “Yuppie Bike Helmets” 😉
Is that fella who got his knickers all twisted up about “Clete” still around?
Great to see Friedl put the ball in play and get the sac fly and run.
Is there a place to find how many sac flies the Reds have hit this season?
Seems like they were once more commonplace (like sac bunts), but that could just be my fading memory.
30
https://www.mlb.com/reds/stats/team/rbi
Thank you, sir!
Reds below the curve, but better than I expected.
Thank you Martinez for a fantastic outing.
We’re onto the Reds 8th !
Hats off to Martinez
Outstanding game by Martínez…
Just another great job by a Reds starter tonight.Can’t imagine how hard it must be to pitch every night with no room to make a mistake.
The Reds pitching has done a tremendous job considering how anemic our offense has been most games. 38x with 2 or less Reds runs and the pitchers know that they’ve got to be near perfect. That’s awfully tough on them.
Just tuned in…I am happy to see the Red’s high octane offense is still destroying their opponents.
Reds need to find some unicorn lefty hitters who can hit both sides as Lots of Reds righties cant hit righties either and lefties far more valuable.
Someone who knows the minors better than me chime in but Hector Rodriguez( good trade for Tyler Naquin???) is hitting over .300 for the year and doesnt have handedness splits. Sal Stewart is hitting over .300 for the year and doesnt have handedness splits either.
Both have OPS over .900 in AA/AAA and Stewart has some pop.
Those 2 plus Marte is where I would invest my positional capital.
Rodriguez/Marte/Stewart can actually hit at all levels and need to play LF/RF/ and 1B. Steer can go back to a Swiss Army knife. Role player.
Austin hays,Espinal , Fraley are not part of the future and sorry folks, neither is Benson, CES, or Hinds. Benson hit .190 last year and has a .270 OBP this year in over 200 PA and negative WAR combined in 2024/25. CES is still the worst WAR on the team this year with a 2% BB rate and doesnt know what a hittable pitch looks like in MLB. Hinds struck out 47 % of the time and had a fair shot in late June and early July and was awful. Since his 5 game Babe Ruth/Bonds week , hes horrific and hitting under .175 and doesnt give competitive at bats at the MLB level. Mike Ford and Nick Martini were far more productive.
Roster turnover needed. This team cant score against the Pirates or Marlins or Nationals or White Sox or Braves.
Also, McLain turns the double play better than anyone since BP.
It’s Mclain’s biggest asset as a fielder IMO.
It absolutely is.
Stewart and Rodriguez at least give Reds fans some hope. They’ve both have looked great in the minors this year.
“Stewart and Rodriguez at least give Reds fans some hope. They’ve both have looked great in the minors this year.”
And they’re both STILL looking good in the MINORS this year. wink wink 😉
OS we used to agree alot lol, but surely you can’t call Hinds facing the best lefties in the game a fair shot. Literally 4 of the top 10 lefty starters in mlb…..and he still has a .748 ops in the bigs. He needs a MM or Steer type run. Everything else I agree with you. They need to blow it up pretty much offensively. Jake had a big July, but he is what he is. New blood is needed
Hinds deserves an actual shot.
Nahh Indy…take away Hinds first 5 games and look at the rest…Hes been awful and non-competitive for over a year. MLB pitching is tough. Hes faced what everyone else has faced. I was at Fenway and watched Lux face Chapman and he threw 2 100 mph pitches at his head. He gave a great at bat still.
Ive researched AAA pitchers the last few weeks as everyone quotes HInds stats. Louisville hitters are facing awful pitchers. Hes facing guys with ERA’s of 8 and 29 year olds and the funniest was John Gant. He was ok for the Cardinals in 2017-19. That was 6-8 years ago. He was out of MLB baseball for 3 years and pitched 3 years for the Long Island Ducks until this year. The Long Island Ducks???? There’s never been a greater chasm between AAA and MLB. Chase Burns was quoted the other day and said he thought college to AA was the greatest gap but he said no…its AAA to MLB.
You were correct on Adam Duvall. Wrong on Josh Van meter.Wrong on Max Schrock. Wrong on Rece Hinds.
“Ive researched AAA pitchers the last few weeks as everyone quotes HInds stats. Louisville hitters are facing awful pitchers’
Does that mean Stewart and HRod aren’t good hitters too.
@ Melvin..It means Rodriguez and Stewart have a career track record of hitting for batting average and getting on base and slugging at every level and are 21 years old!!!!
Benson cant hit as evidence by his .190 BA last year and his .275 OBP and 1000 at bats game 27
CES cant hit as evidence by his 2% BB rate which is unimaginable and his career war of -1.3 and OPS+ of 80 after 400 at bats
Hinds is hitting .116/.136/.279/.415 with an OPS +9 in 2025 with a 47% K rate. He gets a chance to play over big leaguers because ?????
Need the Velo on ELLY. Had to be 95+
Hinds has a 2
old-school – I know what you’re mean and what you’re saying. I still think Hinds would adjust and make great strides in the majors just like he has in the minors this year if he were given every day ABs. You’re correct in that obviously pitching in the majors is much better than the minors. It would be very very difficult for anyone to succeed given the sporadic playing time/ABs Hinds has been given this year against EXCELLENT pitching. It would take time to adjust to the higher quality. We may never know the true answer. At least not with the Reds.
what you mean *
Well I for one can’t wait for next year and more sorting because that’s what the Reds like to do every year. (Sarcasm)
“Roster turnover needed.”
Looks that way a lot of the time.
Martinez certainly did his part! If not for the 2 WALKS he may have been able to go one more inning! Best not to chance it! Some more runs by this powerhouse Reds offense would be nice!
Silver sombrero for Lux today
Who does Tito send out for the 8th ?
Santillan if it were my choice.
El Tigre ! He wants to win…
Elven strikeouts by the Reds Thursday night, nine last night, and ten thus far tonight!
Atrocious !
Is Espinal hurt? It’s the 8th and he isn’t out there.
Lol
And Marte is still playing RF!
It has been good to see Marte develop as a hitter.
Hopefully he can stick in RF.
I think the Espinal bashing here is unwarranted.
He’s a backup player of considerable ability unfortunately getting pressed into service as a regular.
Marte’s D at 3b really wasn’t sustainable.
Whether the trade for a long term Hayes was the right move is another question altogether.
I’m looking for a breakout season for Marte in 2026.
The pitch counters were out early tonight saying that NMart might only pitch 5 innings…6 if he’s lucky.
Moral of the story….stop worrying about pitch counts.
Hinds and CES a fair shot? That’s funny. McLain got a fair shot. Steer got a fair shot.
We’re apparently in the minority on here. I agree with you.
A lot of McLain fans on here too. He’s great defensively but not sold on his bat.
CES 2 W/ 15 S.O. for this season
Hinds 1W/20 S.O.
I don’t think they are the solution any time soon
Get him out right NOW !
a two out walk gives the Pirates some life…
… but gets Reynolds to ground out to end the 8th.
Why walking Pham there? Gotta bear down Santillan
GG Steer.
Steer to Tigre to save the 8th.
Steer’s glove shows up every day even on some days (not today) when his bat doesn’t.
Santillan has been a revelation this season in the bullpen. Just keeps going and going.
Reds probably won’t give him a bonus. Maybe we should all take up a collection? He’s the guy last year as you might recall who was leading AAA in saves and the Reds kept him there for half a year.
Just now saw Boston blew out SD last night. Mets up 1, Boston up 1-0. It would be nice if the Reds got on a little heater and made it interesting to atleast September
Marte with another two bagger in the 9th, one out.
Put Marte in the 5 hole and be done with it. Obviously one of our most talented hitters
We agree Indy. Put him in RF every day and be done .
Glad Marte is batting 8th
You want one of your top 3 hitters batting 8th? Sure
Three 2bs for Marte this evening.
This is the guy they traded Louie Castle for.
Marte’s offense of late makes up for the RF learning curve. At least for me it does.
Absolutely!!
He is an actual hitter.
On board with that.
Nice game Stephenson …. Awesome
Marte makes a catch on defense in the 8th AND he got to bat and just hit his 3rd double.
From hereafter lets keep Marte in the game and not sub him out.
That’s crazy talk.
Marte should be batting 2nd and Andujar should stay batting 4th.
It’s up to the Reds pitching now in the 9th with a one run lead…
Pagan loses Cruz on 9 pitches … no outs, man on first.
0-10 risp. Hayes 0-3 led the way. So glad to have his auto-out for 4 more years lol. Trading for a dude nobody wanted is Krall’s idea of a deadline deal to help the club.
His hitting stats aren’t bad….EV, etc. Maybe they can get him to average. I can’t wait to find out
Certainly stinks offensively now, but that was one of the things they said they could fix….his groundball rate. They worked wonders on Elly’s GB Rate.
Hayes is now 5 for 30 (.166) and his ops is under .500.
This would end the season basically. Have to go 2-0 tonight/tomorrow with our remaining schedule
Cruz worked him well and then Pagan lost him badly.
Hayes is now 5 for 30 (.166) and his ops is under .500 since the trade.
Those numbers are bad….he did into some tough luck tonight and advanced the runner for the winning Sac Fly as well.
Good play by Elly and Steer.
What a great play by STEER!!!!!!
What a way to end the game!! Absolute laser by Elly to Steer with a great pick.
Feels good to get a close win.
Catch you all tomorrow afternoon.
39x with 2 or less runs for the Reds however with stellar pitching they win.
Thank you Martinez and bullpen.
Marte 3 doubles shares game ball too.
He sure does!
And so a line out dbl play ends it ! We needed this one ! Reds 2, Pirates 1
Restoring order. Winning ugly. Phew.
Well , the defense of Elly and Fraley prevents to Pirates attempt to complicate the inning and game… Reds win a tiny game to keep few hopes and keep the “no being swept” thing for another series…
Now enjoy scoreboard watching a bit more. Milwaukee just tied the game up.
According to Reds / WLW announcer Sam LeCure, the Pirates have some very good young pitchers. LeCure has actual MLB experience as a pitcher so I trust his point of view.
That’s what you call Winning Ugly! Reds with 11 SOs, 8 LOBs and 0-10 with RISP
Milwaukee blew the game open, leading 7-4. Hope to gain a game in the Mets here.
Brew grabs the lead over the Mets 7-4.
Wild occurrence….Mets got the 3rd out, but pitch clock violation negated it
Next pitch 2 run HR
Sounds like something that would happen to the Reds!
Brewers up 3 on Mets, they are unbelievable.
Brewers up 7-4 over the Mets in the top of the 8th! Go Bernies!
Once the Brew Crew passed the Cubs in the standings it was clear they weren’t letting off the gas. They’ve been lights out and play great baseball.
Next week for the Reds at home: Phillies and Brewers. Three games each… Yikes
Hide the women & children! Hide the pets as well!
I’ll be speaking a lot of French.
Hoping for an offensive explosion by the Reds tomorrow! The Reds have scored a whopping FOUR RUNS in the first 3 games of this series with the Pirates! Awesome!
Hide the women & children! Hide the pets as well!
Ignore this one! Double-clicked!
Something to discuss. Has Martínez earned his 21mil? I think he has, and a bit more.
Red Sox lead Pads early, the Reds offense needs to wake up.