Homers by Spencer Steer, T.J. Friedl and Tyler Stephenson led the Cincinnati Reds to their biggest win in years, 6-3 over the Chicago Cubs, before 31,756 at Great American Ball Park.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs (88-67) | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (79-76) | 6 | 9 | 0 |
| W: Littell (10-8) L: Pomeranz (2-2) Sv: Pagan (29) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Combined with a Mets 5-3 extra-inning loss to Washington, Cincinnati’s win draws them within one game of the third and final National League Wild-Card playoff berth. It sets up a seven-game sprint to the regular season finale for the Reds and Mets. Cincinnati has one game against the Cubs, three at home against Pittsburgh, and three on the road in Milwaukee. The Mets finish their series against Washington tomorrow, then end with a six-game road trip (three to Chicago against the Cubs) and three in Miami against the Marlins.
The Offense
Cincinnati’s box-score offensive stats: 9-for-34 (.265 batting average), two walks and nine strikeouts.
After the Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, Matt McLain led off the bottom of the inning with a single to right. He stole second, then went to third on a Friedl single to right. Steer bounced one to Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, who threw home late as McLain slid under the tag. Two outs later, Will Benson smoked a Javier Assad pitch 111 mph up the middle for a single to score Friedl and put the Reds up, 2-1.
With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth and one out, Steer cracked a solo homer to left off Cubs lefty reliever Drew Pomeranz to put the home team up 3-2. Miguel Andujar followed with a pinch-hit single up the middle, but was stranded at first.
Facing righty reliever Aaron Civale in the bottom of the sixth, Elly De La Cruz led off with an opposite-field double down the left field line, but was left stranded there on two strikeouts and a flyout. In the seventh, Friedl lined a homer to right, just inside the fair/foul pole to put Cincinnati up 4-2.
Ahead by just a run in the top of ninth, Noelvi Marte led off for the Reds with a single against righty reliever Andrew Kittredge and stole second. An out later, Tyler Stephenson launched one into the lower right-field seats to put his team ahead 6-3 with two critical insurance runs.
Friedl’s two hits topped the hit column, while De La Cruz and Stephenson both reached base twice (once each with walks).
The Pitching
Cincinnati’s combined pitching line tonight: 9 innings, 7 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts and the 3 runs, all earned.
Starter Zack Littell surrendered the game’s first run in the top of the third on a solo shot by Michael Busch, his 30th. It was the 35th homer allowed by Littell on the year, but due to his low walk rate, many of them have come with nobody on base.
In the top of the fifth, catcher Reese McGuire hit his ninth homer of the year to right, again a solo shot, to tie the game at 2-2. It turned out to be the final inning for Littell, who threw 73 pitches in five innings. He’s had some issues during his third time through the lineup since joining the Reds, and Manager Terry Francona made sure that didn’t happen today.
Graham Ashcraft entered in the top of the sixth, and retired the side on three grounders over only five pitches. Chase Burns was summoned for the top of the seventh, and retired the Cubs in order on only 11 pitches. But in the eighth, Willi Castro led off with a double, followed by a McGuire double to bring Chicago within 4-3. An out later, Nico Hoerner bounced one off Burns and then also off McLain for a single that moved pinch-runner Kevin Alcantara to third. Francona then called Tony Santillan to face famed Reds-killer Ian Happ, who struck out swinging. Moises Ballesteros then ended the inning with a weak grounder to shortstop, which De La Cruz made a good play on to end the inning. It might have been the most consequential appearance and “hold” of Santillan’s career.
Emilio Pagan closed things out around a double by Shaw for his 29th save.
One fan’s thoughts
I spent some time during the game looking at a lot of different scenarios that could develop over the final seven games. But there really is no other way to look at this final week of the season than it’s a race to the finish line, and that the team between the Reds and Mets that wins the most games over those seven is going to the playoffs.
Maybe you have felt the same vibe, but I have gotten the feeling that the Reds finally believe in the fact that they CAN make a legitimate run at the playoffs. They have spent most of September hanging within striking distance of the Mets for the third Wild-Card playoff berth. But they have failed to take advantage of opportunities time after time. But now being one game behind with seven left means it is sitting right there for them to take it, if they can.
The Reds’ longest win streak this season is five games, which they can equal with a win Sunday for a sweep of the Cubs. Their best record over seven games this season so far is 6-1. They can also equal that with a win Sunday. But that alone won’t be good enough. I’ll suggest that anything less than 6-1 over the final seven games probably means Francona’s team will be watching the postseason on TV. This team is going to have to achieve things it hasn’t achieved so far this season to bring this dream scenario home.
The effusive joy Stephenson displayed while rounding the bases after his eighth-inning homer said it all. And Pagan’s face after striking out Seiyu Suzuki to finish it added to it. They know they have a big chance, and their belief in themselves continues to grow. They might just be in the process of learning how to win. Since this team hasn’t done it in so long, how could most of them possibly know? I’m excited to see if they can do it.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds
Sunday, September 21, 1:40 p.m. ET
Jamison Taillon (10-6, 3.93 ERA) vs. Andrew Abbott (9-7, 2.88 ERA)
Excuse my ignorance, if Reds and Mets tie, is there a 1 game playoff for last WC or do they now do it NFL style and use tie breakers.
Either way, we need payback on the Mets for Leiter in 99
The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets since they won more games in head-to-head play. So all the Reds need to do is end the season with the same record as the Mets to win the tiebreaker. That’s my understanding.
Your correct, Tom. This was changed for 2022 postseason, using head-to-head season record as the first tie break.
Thank you Tom for your time and effort . It was so much fun reading your post.Now I don’t agree that the Reds must go 6 and1. Mets could lose 4 maybe 5 of 6. Maybe
It gets more confusing only if there are *more* than 2 teams tied and none of the tied teams have a head-to-head advantage over all the other tied teams, or the only 2 teams tied are also tied head to head.
So if we were somehow able to pass the Mets up and get a one game lead in essence it would be like having a two game lead since we hold the tie breaker correct?
@Melvin, Yes, and the Reds also have the head to head over the DBacks, so they would win on the tiebreaker in a two way tie with them or a three way tie among the Reds, Mets, and Dbacks.
Tom, love your fans thoughts section. Spot on. Be Nike. Just do it.
Thank you so much. This team seems to be coming together at the perfect time. Now, if the Mets win the rest of their games, it won’t matter. But the Mets’ pitching is not so good, so I don’t think that’s likely.
They’ve teased us a few times this year re: coming together. But this time the vibe feels different, like you said in the article.
I’m just happy the Nats won a game too. I was afraid they wouldn’t.
Really good write up, Tom. My impression about the Reds’ dawning belief in themselves is the same as yours, and you stated it admirably. Tony the Tiger is a Reds’ hero, as is Pagan.
If I read this right, the Reds playoff odds jumped from about 4.5% to 21% today. Still not great odds but almost 1 in 4 chance. I will take that all things considered.
You betcha. They have a real chance. Now they just have to win the games necessary to do it. In essence, the playoffs are already underway.
Agree. This has been a 3 games playoff series and we have a 7 game playoff series to close out the reg season. Go get it Reds.
Can’t write an article and not mention Arizona who is 1 game back of the reds.
Arizona finishes with 3 versus both the Dodgers and Padres. The Reds have the tiebreaker over Arizona. Thus, Arizona needs to pick up 2 games on the Reds to get the nod over them. If they can do that versus their schedule, either the Reds handed it to them, or they truly earned it.
By the way Jim. What’s wrong with Hinds?
@Melvin>>> I almost asked you the same up the thread. Hinds was pulled mid-game for a pinch hitter on Wednesday, but has not been in a game since.
The way his September turned on a dime late last week, I’m guessing he was dinged and tried to play through for a couple of days after the off day Monday, then said (or was told) “no mas”.
I saw a couple of his PAs on Tuesday, and he just didn’t look like the same guy at the plate. He looked unfocused in them. I did not see either of the final two PAs on Wednesday.
His BA was down to .302, and his OPS was hovering just above .920. Maybe he is sitting out to have that .300+ seasonal BA for his resume? Guess we will see today.
He is with the Bats because he accepted the Bats 2025 team MVP on the field Friday.
Yeah. He was spotted on the field in the post game celebration.
Sunday game gonna be tough. Probably no Santillan, no Pagan, no Burns.
They will have to find a way. Phillips maybe? And tonight may have been Ashcraft’s best relief outing ever.
There’s always Martinez, and why not Burns for an inning?
Martinez will indeed play a big role in a close game. Burns I’m pretty sure they said would not go back to back, and with good reason.
Abbott will just have to pitch a complete game. No problem. 🙂
When you look back, the Greene game was huge saving the bullpen for a day. Greene enabled Santillan and Pagan to be available the last 2 days.
And if Abbott can give us a strong, deep game as you say, would also be huge.
Great recap Tom and I’m feeling the same energy you are. Tony punching out Happ in the 8th, Elly NOT making a throw in the dirt for the third out, and Ty Steve with the big blow in the bottom of the inning was electric. Go Reds, you can do it!!
“They might just be in the process of learning how to win. Since this team hasn’t done it in so long, how could most of them possibly know? I’m excited to see if they can do it.”
Good point and good job as usual Tom. I’m sure this is one post game write up you enjoyed writing. 🙂
Is there anything wrong with Skenes?
Skenes last pitched on Tuesday. His spot in the rotation is up tomorrow,but someone else is pitching. The Pirates are off tomorrow, but have TBD listed for Tuesday’s game against the Reds
I meant the Pirates are off on Monday.
Tues is their 5th game since he last pitched.
It may be possible that learning has taken place in-season. That the failed opportunities have had an effect. I agree with Tom, there is a vibe, of determination IMO. We shall see.
Nothing builds confidence like winning.
Bullpen has really shined in the last two games. Came through when needed most.
Santillan really saved the day in the 8th. Elly made the throw when we needed him to make an accurate throw.
The Reds record when offense scores 4 runs or more is pretty good. Score 6 runs a game and we will make the playoffs, and go deep in playoffs even. Can Steer, Benson, and Stephenson stay hot? Stephenson has made a significant impact since coming back.
Sure hope AA brings his A-game tomorrow.
One game out with 7 to go. Ain’t that a wonderment. Steer is having a really good couple of weeks. Now if someone else would step up and help him out. Win the last 7 and keep Milwaukee from winning 100.
As a side note, did Francona out manage Counsell tonight and win the chess match? When is the last time a Reds manager did that?
A sweep of the Cubs–not too shabby!
Yep, one more Cub game in the series, but miraculously the Reds have won the season series from the Cubs. More remarkable is that if the Reds can win 5 of their remaining 7 games, they’ll have their best record since 2013. 4 wins matches 2021, 3 wins 2023, 5 of 7 might be tough, but I didn’t expect them to beat the Cubs the 1st 3 games of the series. That Oakland series is looming large right now. Even one win there would have changed everything.
Wow. Nats blew 3-0 and Mets had 1 out in a 3-3 game with bases loaded and choked.
I was positive the Mets would sweep.
We beat the Cubs again too. Burns looked a little green, but we got it done. Pretty exciting stuff
It’s ours for the taking.
Hope Hays is ok. And I hope we simply blow them out tomorrow so Tito doesn’t have a stressful game. He deserves one.
Well that was fun! Let’s see Abbott at his best tomorrow and find out if a sweep of the Cubs just might pull them even with the Mets with 6 to go. Can’t wait to find out. Go Reds!
The next game is the most important game and I’m we happen to have a chance to sweep the Cubs in a 4 game series. It’ll be tough. We don’t just fight with the Cubs. We fight with human nature: Cubs pride and Reds complacency. But if we have the best of Abbott, we will win.
I just don’t think when the Reds hit poorly it is due to complacency. Poor decisions maybe. Talent ? Maybe.
Agree. At this level I find it hard to believe complacency is an issue given what is on the line (possible playoff spot).
If the Reds can tie the Mets within the next few days whether tomorrow, Tuesday, etc. I’d think that’d put a ton of pressure on the Mets, and perhaps they’ll fully collapse. Reds I think are going to have to win at least 5 of their final 7 to get the last spot, maybe 6 of 7.
Pretty impressive what the Guardians are doing on the other side of the state. 10 in a row, tied for a Wild Card, and a game back from Detroit! It shows if you just kind of stay in the race and get hot for about 2 weeks you can pretty much make the playoffs these days.
Guards are going for the glory! With them, the Yanks, and Seattle playing so well, Boston may get pushed out.
EDLC is still in mid-air, I think. Being the people like thinking of him as a superstar, they thought they’d leave him in a superstar pose, even if he didn’t make the play.
So many games the Reds have played this season, and lost by one run, or lost the lead late, that you wish you could get back.
So very close. Maybe the guys smell it and are playing and pitching with more intensity.
I had a feeling the Friedl would have a big game today.
Don’t know who will play tomorrow, but all hands on deck to win tomorrow. It’s a cliche, but one game at a time. Every game here at the end matters. I think SF, and the Diamondbacks are out of it. It’s just the Reds and the Mets.
Same thing with Extra Innings games. We lost way too many of those this season.
I would like to have been present at the Reds team meeting after losing three games to the A’s. This manager knows how to win.
The Giants look cooked. The DBacks’ ceiling is still mathematically at 85; however, their final seven are versus the Philles, Dodgers, and Padres…. And we thought the Reds had a tough last 2 weeks! 😉
It is a lot like 1999 all over again, with the roles reversed. This time, the Mets are the staggering leader, and the Reds are the chasing team.
After tomorrow (Sunday), the Mets have 3 with the Cubs in NYC, then finish with 3 versus the Marlins in Miami. Currently, the Mets are 5-5 with the Marlins on the season, and the Marlins are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Unless the Marlins turnabout and phone in their final series, it is not at all inconceivable that the Mets will end up 3-3 in those last six.
So, Sunday is pivotal for both the Mets and Reds. If the Mets get back the game they lost to the Reds in the standings on Saturday, they will have some breathing room. Meanwhile, the Reds’ road will be steep and very difficult as they will need 2 more wins than the Mets in the final 6.
If there is no change in the standings after Sunday’s games, the Mets still have a bit of a schedule advantage on the Reds, who would have to win 1 more than the Mets in the last 6.
However, if the Mets and Reds are tied after Sunday, I like the Reds’ chances of winning as many as the Mets in the final 6, which would get the job done thanks to their tiebreaker edge.
One huge problem. Last 3 games against a team we can’t seem to beat very often over the past few years. The Brewers are scary good this year.
indeed, that is my worry also. We might win the next four, but how about the last three??
Somehow we need to be 2 ahead before we go to Milwaukee. Brewers are our kryptonite.
Brewers might be resting players at that point to prepare for the playoffs.
The Brewers would *want* the Reds in the playoffs.
Let’s hope that the Brewers are magnanimous enough to forfeit all three games.
I am concerned about Pitt as well. We have a tendency to lay bad against these types f teams. If we had taken care of games against the As and THE braves earlier we would not be n suspense. Oh well
I think the key decision for the last week will come on the off day on Monday. Will the Reds be tied with the Mets, a game behind or 2 behind? Will the Reds go with Greene on regular rest or Singer on Tuesday? Do the Reds pitch him twice for the best chance to get into the playoffs to end the regular season or once and save him for game 1 of the playoffs, if they make it? If he pitches twice and the Reds make the playoffs, he could go on short rest in game 3, if there is one. Do the Reds end the season with Abbott and Singer or Abbott and Greene? I’m thinking the Reds must go with Greene on Tuesday. Right now for the Pirates, Ashcraft is the tentative starter on Tuesday and Skenes on Wednesday. If Singer goes on Tuesday, Greene will face Skenes on Wednesday. I think the Reds have to play the odds on the matchups that will have the best chances for making the playoffs . Also, if it comes down to needing a win on the last day to get into the playoffs, I would feel more confident with Greene on the hill in a do or die game.
Yeah, Tuesday is Greene’s fifth day, and pitching Tuesday means he could also pitch the last game of the season in Milwaukee.
I would go Greene, Singer, Lodolo against the Pirates, then Littell on Friday against the Brewers, Abbott on Saturday, and Greene finishing the season against the Brewers.
The Reds are 3 – 0 against the Pirates in Cincinnati this year (Early in the season, seems like a long time ago), and 6-4 overall meaning they are 3-4 against the Pirates in Pittsburgh (all the more recent games in memory). Yes, the Pirates are much better at home than on the road.
The Pirates are 6 games OVER .500 at home, but 23-52 on the road. The odds are in the Reds favor this week against the Pirates, but they REALLY do have to win all three, when they are going to the Milwaukee torture chamber next weekend.
The way I see it, we need to go into the last series of the season with a game lead over the Mets. If (there’s a high chance of it) we go 1-2 against Mil, all we need is for Miami to take 1 game from the Mets. What it means is we need to gain 2 games on the Mets over the next 4 games. How do we do that? We beat the Cubs tomorrow meaning the Cubs will be super mad when they play the Mets and sweep the Mets while we take 2 from Pirates.
Exciting times for the reds. My thoughts at this time are;
1. The pirates series scares me the most. Perfect time for a let down. Plus the pirates have our number this year.
2. What will the crowd sizes be for the Pirates? Late september weekday games at gabp usually drawv very small crowds. Wii reds fans show up to brimg some energy.
3. With the off day Monday do we try to move Hunter Greene’s start so he gets 2 more starts down the stretch?
Please Reds fans, get out to the ballpark. These should feel like playoff games!
Bullpen gonna be a tightrope today. We need a good start by AA and a blowout win followed by a day off.
I would love to see these young guys get a taste of the playoffs this year. Even if they miss it, they will have at least tasted a “pennant race” in the last week of the season. That means they’ll want more in the future. Go Reds!
Meaningful Cincinnati reds baseball. There is nothing better.
Been a fan for many years. My first game was 1961 game 4 of the World Series. I collected baseball cards when they were a nickel a pack and you got 5 cards and a stick of gum in a pack. Listened to Waite Hoyt on radio. Attended many opening days with family and friends at Crosley Field. I now go to games with my children and grandchildren. Love it when the reds are playing games that could lead to title.
Ah, that stick of gum! Always brittle and stale, but delicious nonetheless. And Waite Hoyt was the sound of summer in my house.
You win, you win. You lose, you lose. That’s what it comes down to regardless of what other teams do. Forget about whether teams are so-called strong or weak. Get runners, who are in scoring position, across the plate and win.
I’ve had enough of Lux (.200/.590 in September) and KBH (0-19 streak, .561 ops in September). Other then that though Tito is pushing all the right buttons. He could play Sal 3B and then def sub KBH in.
These Reds have beat up Taillon in the past (.899 ops over 115 at-bats) while AA has held the Cubs to a .690 ops. He has been hurt by Swanson, Nico, and Justin Turner. I’m sure TIto will go to the pen pretty early if he has to. They’re off tomorrow. I think its going to take atleast 5 to win it
@IRM,
You think five of seven or five of six for the Reds to get the wildcard?
I don’t think the Mets win five of their final six. I see the Mets at 4-2 at best in their final six. I do not think they will sweep either the Cubs or the Marlins. If they lose their series with the Cubs, the door is wide open for the Reds at 4 of the final six if the Reds get out of Sunday at -1 or even with the Mets. This is how big I see Sunday being.
Idk Jim? My guess would be the Mets go 4-3. If we sweep the Cubs then they’ll be amped up for Tuesday. Nobody wants to go in the playoffs with a string of losses. We missed Horton and he goes Tuesday for the Cubs so thats a break. He’s been fantastic. Marlins are surging too. I also like the fact we’re off tomorrow because its easier to overcome a young teams let down with some time to refocus. If we win today then I think they’ll make it, but I never thought the Reds would sweep
Phillies lost so Milw is 3 ahead for the #1 seed and Milw has the tiebreaker so its effectively a 3.5 game lead. Great chance Milw will be resting up in that final series, but the Reds can’t let up.
If the Brewers have the tiebreakers on both the Cubs and Dodgers, the Phillies are the only team with a mathematical shot of overtaking them for the overall #1 seed, but that is a huge reach for them.
The Dodgers are 4 back of the Phillies for the #2 spot and final first-round bye. The Padres are 4 back of the Dodgers in the West and 4 above the Wildcard bar.
The only real race is the for the #3 Wildcard, presumably to face the Dodgers in the Wildcard round (unless the Phillies, Cubs, or Padres lose out).
Great week for baseball coming up. Reds and Mets and 4 game set between Detroit and Cleveland. Who would have thought a week ago that Detroit might not even make the playoffs. Heck even Toronto with a bad week might not make it. The American League is getting tight. In the National League the Marlins have caught fire and even they have an outside chance. Scoreboard watching will be a must for teams this week.
Every game is crucial for the Reds they can afford to miss one or two chances of picking up a game but they can’t afford to fall 2 games back with only 6 games to play. Just win everyday.
I think the Reds are the only team who can overtake the Mets at this point and frankly I don’t think the Mets are going to make it.
This week just shows you how important pitching is to a team. The Mets have Lindor, Alonso and Soto in the their line up, but their pitching stinks.
I am so glad the Reds are focusing on pitching. For as much grief Nick Krall gets for the offensive woes (and I think a lot of it is deserved) he should get credit for building a formidable starting rotation.
Mets weren’t counting on a bunch of rookies coming in, but they sent Senga down?
He has a 3.02 era? Rough crowd. I guess he’s getting beat up in the minors too though. I think they’re in trouble if we can go 5-2
So true Votto4. Singer for India, what? At the deadline, Littell. We would not have made it this far without either.
I admit, I thought of Singer to be more like Littell, a 5th starter who would give you 5 innings every night and be taken out the 3rd time through.
I know DJ’s magic doesn’t work every time but Singer has been better in GABP than anyone but Tito probably emagined.
He probably could work wonders with Littell even though we will never see that with so much pitching coming back next year.
Love that Sal is getting this experience and want the Reds to play some October games for the maturation of all the kids.
I still do not understand Ashcraft with 6 pitches not going out for another inning, but in Tito I trust. And he wanted more pitching like Bruce Dickinson needs more cowbell
Every game has been virtually the equivalent of a 1 game playoff game. Knowing that intensity I’m proud of how the Reds have showed grit and moxie knowing that wins are a must to have a shot. Winning the first 3 divisional games has been massive. We’ve seen the Reds use GABP to their advantage and hit some long balls. Littell did enough to keep the Reds in the game. Gotta love it.
The work is not done. Today is again a 1 game playoff atmosphere. Abbott needs to again show why our starting pitching is Top 5 in this league. Play smart, solid fundamentals and keep the intensity going.