The Cincinnati Reds will look to rebound after a tough loss on Friday night in extra-innings that featured missed opportunities and sloppy defensive play that would cost them in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch this evening is scheduled for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
St. Louis Cardinals | Cincinnati Reds |
| Masyn Winn – SS | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Ivan Herrera – DH | Noelvi Marte – RF |
| Lars Nootbaar – LF | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Willson Contreras – 1B | Miguel Andujar – DH |
| Jordan Walker – RF | Gavin Lux – LF |
| Nolan Gorman – 3B | Spencer Steer – 1B |
| Thomas Saggese – 2B | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| Pedro Pages – C | Jose Trevino – C |
| Nathan Church – CF | Matt McLain – 2B |
| Michael McGreevy – RHP | Andrew Abbott – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Andrew Abbott | 134.0 | 2.62 | 1.10 | 35 | 118 |
| Michael McGreevy | 63.0 | 4.43 | 1.19 | 9 | 40 |
| Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats | Michael McGreevy’s Stats | |||||
Andrew Abbott
In his last start, Andrew Abbott had his worst outing of the season as he allowed six earned in 4.0 innings in a 10-1 loss out in Arizona. Today will be his third start against the Cardinals. In his previous two starts he allowed one run in 11.0 innings.
The splits are noticeable against Abbott this season. Right-handed hitters are hitting for a low average, not getting on base, and are showing mediocre power when they do happen to get a hit. Lefties are hitting for an even lower average, get on base less often, and hit for no power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 420 | 89 | 17 | 1 | 13 | 28 | 88 | .229 | .279 | .378 |
| LHH | 124 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 30 | .211 | .262 | .316 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 88.4 | 80.4 | 82.4 | 84.5 |
| Usage | 47% | 5% | 12% | 16% | 20% |
Michael McGreevy
The Cardinals have had Michael McGreevy up-and-down this year between Triple-A and the big leagues, but he’s spent the last five weeks with St. Louis. He’s battled some consistency in there, but has been solid or better in six of his seven starts. He’s thrown six innings in his last five outings and seven in the one preceding his lone poor outing against San Diego on July 27th.
The splits against McGreevy are big this season. He’s been very good against right-handed hitters who almost never walk and hit for no power. Righties do make plenty of contact, but it’s not helped them do much hitting. Left-handed hitters also make a bunch of contact and don’t walk much, but they are turning their contact into a high average and plenty of power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 138 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 22 | .237 | .265 | .328 |
| LHH | 122 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 18 | .304 | .344 | .504 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.9 | 91.6 | 88.5 | 79.1 | 83.5 | 87.7 |
| Usage | 26% | 24% | 10% | 11% | 23% | 7% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 74°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Tyler Stephenson update
Manager Terry Francona told the media this afternoon prior to today’s game that Tyler Stephenson is going to catch today to test his thumb out against a pitching machine. He noted that the team may explore letting him come back and hit before getting him in games to catch. This was first reported by Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19.
Playoff odds
Every day that I do the game preview I include the division standings and the playoff odds as calculated by Fangraphs. Entering the game today the Reds only have 2.6% chance at making the playoffs. That is the lowest playoff odds they’ve had all season long. They’ve never been lower. Things like that will happen when you go 1-6 at the end of August and were already on the outside looking in, I guess.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 84 | 52 | 0.0 | 100.0% |
| Chicago | 77 | 58 | 6.5 | 99.5% |
| Cincinnati | 68 | 67 | 15.5 | 2.6% |
| St. Louis | 67 | 69 | 17.0 | 0.6% |
| Pittsburgh | 60 | 76 | 24.0 | 0.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
2.6@ lol, The Reds think it’s less than that or Stewart would be here.
“Things like that will happen when you go 1-6 at the end of August and were already on the outside looking in, I guess.”
Strange how that works. lol
Here’s for hoping for a miracle and we win anyway starting with tonight.
Lol…yeah, we wouldn’t want to have world beaters with the bat, Espinal and McLain sit. ?
Yeah, not looking great for the good guys. Unless there’s an 8 win streak around the corner, or 10 out of the next 12, it’s feeling like another August swoon will have done them in. Still, as long as there’s baseball, there’s still baseball to enjoy. Go Reds.
Baseball is always BETTER than winter. 🙂
The Buckeyes won a white knuckler today, and that’s great for now through the autumn. If all goes to plan, by winter, they’ll be playing in their postseason in warm-weather climes. And hockey is played indoors these days. 🙂
Reds gonna break out and win next 5 games!!!
We can hope Kevin … we can hope.
Trying to make people laugh. Been a rough stretch…
Did anyone ask Francona what was so pressing about “exploring” whether a guy with a .706 OPS (90 OPS+), 34.4% K rate, and sub .400 slugging percentage could hit when there are several guys at AAA with .900+ OPS and K rates in the teens to low 20s percent levels since August 1?
Can’t ask Tito those questions, you’ll lose your credentials.
That’s not how credentials work.
Brats with peppers, onions, and mushrooms consumed … really good beer at my side … College Football on pause for at least a bit (nice to have that option tonight if I need it) … nothing left but to …
Kick This Pig!!
Show us something, Boyz. That’s what we’re asking for.
Reds will have at least 8 must-win games starting today…
Abbot threw a bad located pitch in 0-2 to get a double… Not starting good
There is no need to worry guys. I predicted a record of 93-69. That means the Reds are going to win 25 out of their next 27 games. :D….I will admit things have not gone exactly as I planned. 😉
Anything close to that happens, and you get dinner at my place with travel included, Melvin.
Man. I gotta start praying harder. 🙂
The Cards blew it there. hahaha
Talk about a major Little League Grand TOOTBLAN!!!
Brilliant infield fly dp. Hahahaha
Actually executed it perfectly and the WLB’s fell for it.
Abbott and defense coud get out of the big jam unscathed
5 in a row won’t get it. To make the playoffs they need a Brewer-like streak
Yeah, wait for it.
Lux comes thru on the 10th pitch of that at bat … never say never !
Glad to have the run but I’d rather someone just hit one into the river.
They’ll do that….when no one’s on.
Lux can come through to bring first run home but Steer stranded two risp…
The Mets are 20 games over .500 at home and 9 games under on the road.
5:39 left and Florida State smells an upset in their grasp against Alabama.
nice rebound by Abbott against the bottom of Cards lineup
Good Abbott so far … with a little help from his friends (and the WLB’s)
Nice inning Abbott. What a fun pitcher to watch.
Rather Sam lecure as play by play with Sadak. Larkin brings nothing
Well, not exactly …
He brings out even more verbal vomit from Sadak’s inexhaustible supply of words, stats, and other nonsense unrelated to our Reds.
LOL, fair points Mark. Sadak can ask Larkin a question though and then silence or not commenting back.
The is too lol !
I agree Kevin – Larkin is weak as water as a broadcaster – he doesn’t bring anything to the table.
He sits back and enjoys Sadak making a pay check for him though. 🙂
True Melvin lol
Yes. All Reds announcers are afraid to question team decisions. Not one mention of the “Elephant in the room”, Sal Stewart.
At least you don’t have to listen to chip Carey make fun of Great American Small park for the 400th time. Did I ever mention how much he annoys me?
Close on Matty … he was hustling, I’ll give him that.
Filthy stuff tonight 😮
Herrera has become a tough out for Reds pitching…Abbott battled around the walk to reach 51 pitches through 3 IP
Mets lost to Miami 11-8. Let’s go Reds!
Mets lost 11-8
Why is Benson not given a chance for Friedl who is giving the team nothing.
Benson has had so many chances. It is my hope that Hector takes on the Centerfield challenge.
Benson
.218 avg
.269 OBP
TJ on base 5 times last 2 games
.342 OBP season
A better question in my mind is why is Benson on the 26 man roster?
Exactly
Stewart just knocked in two runs with a 112.7 EV single. 🙂
Who? Apparently he isn’t that good or the Reds would have called him up to help the offense. 🙂
Should have been at least a 113 EV single. Needs more seasoning. 🙂
Stewart’s ripping the cover off the ball. McLain’s hitting 220 and striking out at feverish pace.
What are you Clinging To! ?
Krall is taking a nap …
You mean cautious comfortable Krall is taking it easy in his cushy chair ya think? 🙂
You know it Melvin !
Reds could make McGreevy to throw 24 pitches in the 1st inning, but he threw 20 in the next two innings combined… I hate whe the Reds don’t wait pitches and helping the rival pitcher…
The Reds have made a many a starter this year look like a Cy Young contender.
10 pitch inning for whoever this kid is against the top of the order.Seven In a row after the double by Lux.
3 walks by Abbott is not good
Stewart will be brought up with Vilade or Hinds on Monday. I think they simply could not bring themselves to send MM or Benson down.
1 position player
1 pitcher is all that’s allowed.
Wow Abbot lost control ….it’s really bad sign…I don’t like it at all
flirting with danger.
Well that all stinks. And Abbott looks gassed.
I see coming this…it’s unbelievable what is happening with this team…
Abbott out of gas as usual this time of year.
Well Abbott night will be short.
Every pitch the starters have made all year long is high leverage.One pitch can be the game because this team can not hit.To think they would be able to go 162 games night after night this way just isn’t feasible.AA is gassed and was the last time out cause its a long season and he is tired and so is half the team.
Steer has 1 good game then sucks the next 10 …pop up King
Steer in August .205/.295/.434
They did not show it very well, but it sure looks like Elly did not react to that 2 run single very well. It went through no more than 8 feet to his right side. Seems as if his reaction time or anticipation is off the last month. Diving as first reaction rather than moving his feet like you see from KBH.
Ball hit at 103 MPH
He reacted well. He was up the middle more and as said ball was hit at 103…
First pitch outs second pitch outs time after time after time.No clue at the plate.None.How are earth does a guy beat you with 92?
A lead single and three outs on 4 pitches by the next 3 hitters.Just awful awful awful hitting
Stewart with another single. 102.4 EV 🙂
I’m right with you Melvin ! Eventually maybe somebody in that front office will WAKE THE HECK UP !
It’s insane that he isn’t already up here …
He’s playing 2B again tonight. I know he’s not exactly good there but:
McLain in August – .217/.254/.233
Espinal in August – .160/.179/.160
Not exactly a lot to lose wouldn’t you say? 🙂
Meanwhile third inning in Louisville – SAL Stewart 2-2 with 2 RBI —- but yea he can’t help this Reds lineup . Krall is a joke !
You maybe right and I looked at his stats. Yikes!!! He is hitting, then I look at Jackson Holiday a year ago. Started off 2-30. Yet we will never know until he is given a chance.
That’s exactly right – will never know
Unless you give the kid a chance …
The Cardinals look so much fresher than the Reds.
Abbott fatigue again in second half? Hasn’t won a game since AS break. 96 pitches through 5.
2026 can’t get here soon enough.
2025 can’t end soon enough, what an absolute collapse. Why should we be surprised?
It seems 1 run is unsurmountable
100% agree. They are just dead with no energy.
I feel the same.
1 run down feels bleak.
2 runs down, turn the game off.
Been hard to watch this team hit all season.
Somehow they are getting worse each passing day swinging the bat.
Jordan Walker looks to fit in the Reds… he hit a lot of pop ups apparently
Barlow is all over the place geeze man
Barlow has had good results. But he rarely can get 3 outs before he walks a batter.
I think he has had a very lucky season. Not that anyone was expecting much from him.
Reds pitching giving 6 walks up is absurd
LSU v. Clemson is on our bigger screen. First Wife and DD#1 are on the phone watching it together. I’m in the room with our game on my laptop on mute. It’s probably easier that way 🙁
Big K there. Gotta score.
Barlow got the scoreless on 30 pitches…
We will go out in less then 10 but he is done anyway for this game so go rest up dude.
Elly got a 93 mph fourseamer in the middle of the middle to only groundout to 3rd
As the pitch before was a 79mph curve ball. Baseball a tough game for sure.
So can Andujar repeat this type of season next year? Do the reds bring him back? As DH?
I can’t help but think about Nick Krall talking about how good they felt about the transactions they made at the deadline. The Reds are 11-14 since then.
No way …. this team is awful right now…Dayton Dragons is playing better
I wonder if these umpires get embarrassed anymore about how many calls they actually miss on the bases.
Two things are really bad in baseball right now.
1) The lack of a salary cap and floor.
2) The absolutely embarrassing level of poor umpiring + their sanctimonious attitude toward anyone who questions them.
+500,000
And I normally don’t award that may points to a post until the last week of the season.
+500,000
First post awarding that didn’t go though
I’m doing a Dr Evil impression with my 1 Million Points!
Thanks!!
Maybe the Reds should let Steer play every 8th or 9th game and maybe we get lucky and he shows up on those days or not.
Please Reds put some runs on the board to hopefully shut Chip Carey up. Even the Cardinals fans out here in Illinois hate him.
Seems every team has a Reds killer.
Contreras shouldn’t be playing but he is there because MLB rules…Phillips hung a sweeper
Ball game, oh bad this team has fallen, swept 2 series in a row. Francona has to take some of the blame.
Why? He isnt pitching or hitting, or making errors. At some point its on the players!!
Just thinking why Tito brought Barlow against the bottom of the order in the 6th and Phillips to face the top of it in the 7th…
Because Barlow had warmed twice already, so he was already to go.
Well all is not lost.We could string 4 or 5 singles this inning and tie it up.
Are you buying cigarettes from Cheech & Chong?
The Reds ARE aware of the following 3 things, correct?
1) The Mets lost earlier today!
2) The Cardinals are only 2 games behind the Reds!
3) There are only 27 games remaining in the 2025 season!
Krall isn’t unfortunately …
Mighty Mac gets a hold of one. 🙂
Good for Matt.
Good for MM.Center cut hanger and he nailed it
Matt says, not so fast rln… lol
Okay Kevin H. Okay
double-plays have killed this team all season
On the verge of 4 games under .500 since all star break meanwhile Pirates 4 games over .500 since all star break.
The Reds have become very boring baseball. Which is a shame as a life long fan.
I feel bad for the pitching.
WHY DO YOU PITCH TO PAGES????
Never lean Never !!! Dude has owned them a they still pitch to him ….
Maxwell doing the same error like Phillips …awful pitch …Pagés is overperforming in this series too…
It’s just Cardinal’s catcher thing.
No matter who it is …for years.
1 run down seemed possible. 2 down feels like a dozen.
It just means the Reds will get exactly 1 more run in the 8th or 9th.
Well at least we’re not the Pirates, amirite?
These guys are dead in the water … so is the do nothing front office
.472 winning percentage since 2000. Just not a great team.
Its like a repeat of the 2023 season. Very frustrating, and equally sure the players are frustrated as well. Played well all year only to go into a funk at the wrong time. Half game out a week ago to 4, or 5 games out.
Stick a fork in this team, all of them. They have zero energy and look like they have accepted that the season is a lost cause.
Checking in on the mood of the Nation. Ouch. FO, lads.
Folding like an accordion right here at end of August to take themselves almost
completely out of contention … don’t know why we all expected anything any different …
I for one sure did …
Long as the Castellinis own this team and long as Krall/Meador involved … this organization ain’t going nowhere fast …
Are the Reds throwing in the towell for the season?
With tonight’s imminent defeat, the Reds have a losing record against every team in the Central Division except Pittsburgh. And with 3 games left against the Pirates, they may well correct that oversight. That’s why they aren’t competitive – no matter how well they play elsewhere, they always rollover in the games within the division. They don’t need a new manager. They need a sports psychologist.
Big SWEAT does it again. What a disaster.
This will be the Reds last night in 4th for the last wild card spot. Just awful.
The thing makes me upset is this Cards team is pathetic , they are depleted, missing many pieces…Reds should crush them if they were a competitive team
Haven’t win in week. I don’t think they’re gonna win again.
There was an article today in Reds’ Blog, or somewhere like that, and it pointed out the obvious: These guys can’t hit. It also placed responsibility for this quagmire directly with the FO.
Two on no out will Reds come thru?
back-to-back singles after 0-2 count should be good…let’s see
Of course not. Unbelievable
Bunting is dumb when you need 2….but Banfield is probably one that should bunt.
I’d say my three words, but I don’t want to run out just yet.
Down 2 and they give up an out !!!
Unbelievable
Francona couldn’t possibly PH Benson there?
Benson PH earlier
And there is the whole season so far in a nutshell. First and second with no outs and we don’t even get a runner to third. We need help badly on O.
Sure, but remember, they fixed the offense by shoring up the defense at 3rd. We fans are just too clueless to appreciate Krall’s genius. All those guys in Louisville knocking the cover off the ball? We’re saving them up for 2027. Don’t want to take a chance on them yet. They’re still working on things, while the Reds “young core” pushes them into the playoffs. Krall will win MLB’s executive of the year for his shrewd team management.
After two singles no outs the next three batters did nothing at all …even can’t bunt well… pitiful, horrendous… I think the Reds is the worst MLB team right now…They aren’t doing anything well…
Reds 1-8 with RISP
Bats 5-16 with RISP
Reds offense sucks. It has all season. Pitching 5th best era since all star break yet team is 4 games under .500.
Why does grandpa always look sad? Cause he’s a Reds fan, honey…
Friedl couldn’t hit it in the ocean right now – JUST AWFUL !!!! been this way for a while too…
Friedl in August – .234/.333/.255
No Stikeouts and no errors. Still lost. WOW!
Whoever is pitching for the Reds tomorrow has to be thrilled.
Stewart just flew out to CF with an EV of 98.7. Even a lot of his outs are hit hard.
But but but where would he play on the Reds. Lol anywhere at this point.
Pick a position. lol Try ANYTHING. 🙂
Just looked to see how they are going. No surprise. They will finish under .500 and Pirates have gone 8-2 in last 10. Reds might come in last. Lol pathetic . Sell the team Bob!!
Sell! Sell! Sell!
Ownership is a joke. Counting those dollars.
At this rate we will finish last. I can’t believe just how inept our offense is. Wasted good pitching. That’s a shame. Francona runs out the same or similar lineups each night, perches up on his chair, eats his snacks and looks pretty clueless.
Post game he’ll get snarky if he’s asked a tough question. So much organizational ineptitude. Team looks tired like Terry.
Or if you’re not going to do that at least hire a different POBO/GM and staff. At least pretend to try to win….PLEASE.
“ Reds might come in last.”
Would you like wager on it?
Baltimore is stomping SF, so if the Reds can win tomorrow, they’ll hold on to 4th place in the WC standings. Of course, still 5 behind the Mets, but surrendering the spot to the Cards would be a real kick in the ….
And completely self inflicted. Embarrassing series so far at home after an abysmal road trip. This is a sub .500 team.
maybe the Cards manager will be playing his Sunday getaway lineup like our managers seem to love to do even if it’s a do or die game. of course we will counter that with our own getaway lineup – even if we aren’t going anywhere.
The Reds have now lost 8 of their last 11 games! Not the way to try and win a NL Wild Card spot!
Everyone on the Reds coaching staff who has the words “hitting” or “batting” in their job title needs to be fired at the end of this miserable season!
Absolutely. At some point there has to be accountability.
Embarrassing.
Agree Dennis !
Back to .500, this team won’t win 80 games. For that they would have to go 12 and 14 and I just don’t see it they are gasses. They have no leadership and not much pride.
Fire Krall, especially if they do not finish with a winning record. The owners are here to stay, so I just accept it. The ownership can do the team and themselves better if they just end Mr. Krall’s employment. He is a nice guy, but he is not getting the job done. Hire someone who is smarter with a proven record.
Tim Daniel on Locked On Reds, “Is it not malpractice to not have Sal Stewart up right now”?
Yes, Stewart should already be in a Reds uniform. The Reds needed hitting help, but Krall had other ideas.
The Reds leadership like athletic players who can run and field. They try to teach them to hit, and they end up with an offense that lacks power. I would like to see Kyle Schwarber on the Reds. He will not steal many bases, but I would love to see the 50 home runs (49 right now). I like the good fielding team, but it would be nice to see nine players on offense with the potential to lead the league in team home runs in a hitter friendly ballpark. I like the speed also, but many of the best hitters cannot steal 20 bases.