After having an off day on Monday the Cincinnati Reds are back on the field this afternoon. They will be playing host to the Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Ballpark. Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm ET.
Royals (2-2) and Reds (0-2) Lineups
Reserve players on today’s Reds roster
* denotes that they are expected to pitch today
Where to watch/listen/follow the game
First pitch for this game is set for 3:05pm ET. This game will be on the radio in the greater Cincinnati area on 1360 WSAI. No televised option for this game. If you want to follow along with gameday, here is your link for that.
News and Notes
Challenging the zone
The Cincinnati Reds have challenged seven calls by the umpire through two games this spring. They’ve been successful in their challenges five times.
Eno Sarris, Dan Hayes, and C. Trent Rosecrans joined together on a piece at The Athletic this morning that looks at which pitchers could benefit the most from the challenge system based on the pitches they throw and how umpires have called the zone versus the shape of the ABS zone. (subscription required to read this link)
Joey Votto was on the Jim Day Podcast
The Jim Day Podcast is back for 2026 and the first guest this season is Joey Votto. And it’s a long one, too, coming in at one hour and 42 minutes. It’s probably available on any podcasting service you use, but here’s a direct link to listen to it.
Out of Options
The following players have no options remaining: Brock Burke, Pierce Johnson, Sam Moll, and Tony Santillan.
Abbott offered a meat ball to surrender a 2-run homer… His fastball is at 90-92 mph
Myers with a called strike three turning into ball four because of ABS. About dang time they did implemented it.
I still believe it’s possible that Abbott could be the odd man out for 2 big reasons. 1. He has the least stuff between the top 6 pitchers and 2. No matter how well he throws he always seems to wear out. It might be good to let him start in the bullpen to limit his innings.
Abbott had a sub 3 ERA last year and was top 10 in the Cy Young award voting. There is literally zero chance that anything outside of injury is going to keep him out of the starting rotation, and likely from starting game 2 of the season.
I just….wow.
True, Abbott may not have the same “stuff” as some of the other pitchers on the team.
But he probably understands how to use the “stuff” he does have better than any other pitcher on the team.
Opie (Abbott) will never see the bullpen with the Reds. His “stuff” may not be top notch, but he understands how to pitch much better than any other Reds starter.
LOL…Every year this kid has doubters.
Please think before you post. Good grief
Relax folks, just a thought, nobody said that it would happen.
Elly has been fooled by Wacha today…
Williamson was very good…fastball topping 94.9 mph… the cutter and changeup working too…Nice spring first outing after literally 2 years without pitching…Will he going for another inning?
BWill looks incredible. 95 mph fastball at the top of the zone followed by a 75 mph curve at the bottom of the zone just is not fair.
K’d the side. No one came close to good contact. 10 strikes to 2 balls.
Wow!
Until some lefty on lefty violence from Cags
Yep. Well, he started strong! (focusing on silver linings here).
Since they will probably limit his innings, maybe all he will need is one inning of dominance.
Abbott will be fine & dependable throughout the 2026 season. He may not have the eye-popping fastball but his repertoire is still good enough to start for almost all of MLB.
Williamson surrendered a 0-2 homer and 1-2 RBI double in his 2nd inning of action today…
Question for the hive mind here – who calls pitches in ST games? It’s a variation of the “pitchers are working on things” – are they going thru the repertoire or are the focused on each pitch to each hitter in each situation? Would he have thrown others pitches in those 2 settings if it was a regulation game in the middle of June?
Listening to the radio broadcast and watching the snow melt…
Elly going deep for his first homer this year… 432 ft…
And also Geno! making it back-to-back …
Two great things to see.
Yunior Marte is topping 97.9 mph on his fastball mixing with a 86 mph slider…good stuff…
I really wish Hampson for won’t make the big league team
Why has Stewart not played with a lineup that looks like the regulars the last 2 games?
Maybe the signing of Suarez and Lowe sends him back to Louisville
And the first spring training Reds win is a walk-off over KC… Toglia did it…