The Cincinnati Reds have lost eight games in a row and most of them have been blowouts. This afternoon they’ll send the ace of their season to this point to the mound to try and put an end to the streak as they face off against the Houston Astros in game two of their 3-game series at Great American Ball Park. First pitch this afternoon is set for 4:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Houston Astros | Cincinnati Reds |
| Jose Altuve – 2B | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Yordan Alvarez – DH | JJ Bleday – LF |
| Isaac Paredes – 3B | Elly De La Cruz – SS |
| Christian Walker – 1B | Sal Stewart – 3B |
| Cam Smith – RF | Nathaniel Lowe – DH |
| Zach Cole – LF | Spencer Steer – 1B |
| Brice Matthews – CF | Will Benson – RF |
| Braden Shewmake – SS | Jose Trevino – C |
| Christian Vazquez – C | Matt McLain – 2B |
| Spencer Arrighetti – RHP | Chase Burns – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Chase Burns | 41.0 | 2.20 | 1.02 | 13 | 46 |
| Spencer Arrighetti | 23.0 | 1.96 | 1.30 | 14 | 25 |
| Links: Chase Burns’ Stats | Spencer Arrighetti’s Stats | |||||
Chase Burns
Coming off of the longest start of his career when he threw 7.0 shutout innings against Pittsburgh, Burns will look to keep his outstanding start to 2026 going. In six of his seven starts he’s allowed two or fewer runs and has only allowed four earned runs total in his last four games.
The platoon splits this year against Burns have been quite large. Right-handed hitters have found some limited success when facing him. They aren’t hitting for much average, but they are walking at a high rate and when they have found hits they’ve shown solid power on them. Left-handed hitters are doing absolutely nothing. They can’t hit singles, they’ve shown no power, and they have walked just once against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 69 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | .147 | .159 | .206 |
| LHH | 92 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 27 | .238 | .337 | .413 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 98.3 | 90.9 | 89.9 |
| Usage | 55% | 38% | 7% |
Spencer Arrighetti
When the 2026 season began for Arrighetti it began in Triple-A. After giving up just five hits in 14.1 innings with Sugar Land in his first three starts he got the call to join the Astros rotation. Houston has won each of his four starts since he joined the club and he’s allowed just five earned runs. Walks have been an issue as he’s handed out four, four, one, and five free passes in his games this year.
We’re dealing with a smaller than usual sample size given that he’s made just four starts this season, but so far he’s dominated right-handed hitters, holding them to a very low average and little power. Lefties aren’t hitting for average or power, either, but they’ve been able to walk a ton against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 34 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | .167 | .235 | .300 |
| LHH | 67 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 17 | .212 | .388 | .269 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 92.4 | 87.2 | 76.2 | 78.9 | 83.9 |
| Usage | 24% | 12% | 10% | 35% | 11% | 8% |
When and Where
- Game time: 4:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market), FS1.
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 70°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Edwin Arroyo is on fire
Yesterday afternoon at RedsMinorLeagues.com I wrote about how well that Edwin Arroyo has been hitting this season. I took a deep dive into the numbers and found some interesting things about why he’s hitting for much more power this season (along with the shoulder being healthier now, of course). Then six hours after I published it he hit two home runs in the night game for Louisville. He’s been getting time mostly at shortstop this season for the Bats, but also some time at second base and third base.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 27 | 12 | 0.0 | 91.2% |
| St. Louis | 23 | 15 | 3.5 | 33.3% |
| Milwaukee | 20 | 16 | 5.5 | 50.5% |
| Pittsburgh | 21 | 18 | 6.0 | 58.5% |
| Cincinnati | 20 | 19 | 7.0 | 13.6% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Just as a heads up – I am busy all afternoon and into the evening today. If the lineup changes or any news breaks between now (1:50pm ET) and probably around 7pm, I will not be around to make adjustments or new articles about it.
Please be on your best behavior in the comments section.
Where’s the fun in that? Seriously though, at one point I think you indicated that Arroyo was better defensively at SS than Elly. If that’s true, call him up and shuffle Elly to another position, e.g., 3B. at least, until Arroyo shows he can’t hit ML pitching either.
If that statement was indeed made and not misunderstood that he had the potential to be better defensively, it doesn’t matter today. Elly is a much better defender today than whenever that statement was made and even if Arroyo were better, which he might not be, they aren’t moving De La Cruz to another position for an unproven rookie. That ship sailed a while ago. And until he’s a true liability in the field at shortstop, he’s not moving off that position.
I actually am leaving the house now.
Arroyo has a career fielding percentage of 953 at short. So slightly worse than Elly. But Elly’s fielding percentage this year is 980. So Rlly is much improved. Also leds the league in double plays with whom ever plays second.
I’d personally stick Arroyo at 2B, ala Brandon Phillips, who also made the transition from SS to 2B.
That worked out pretty well.
Players out = 2 of 3 Dunn, Friedl, Mclain Players in = Marte, Arroyo.
Nobody is more worthy of a demotion than miserable Matt. It is beyond overdue and would be the best thing for him and the team.
If Friedl has options he needs to go as well. Same with Hayes.
Benson , Trevino, McLain , Friedl.
Four consecutive outs that can not be hidden or ignored.
Dunn should be starting and leading off. Not that he will do any better but it is a start to taking the trash out and sending a clear message to Friedl that he is out of rope. He wants so bad to be a big boy and hit bombs instead of working counts and getting on base.
Enough is enough!
And popout artist McLain is just the same.
The little fellers need to get their heads screwed back on.
It’s great Tito “believes in them” .
Good observation about Friedl. Makes way too many fly ball outs. Needs to be moved down (or out). Can’t have a lead off hitter with his kind of numbers. Just move everyone else up a spot.
Let me get really creative here and lets say Friedl MM and Benson go down to work on some things and bring up Marte Hinds and Arroyo to replace them.Give them oh 40 games or so to see what happens while those sent down get the same to see if they improve.Playing every day of course.I figure we gain some on defense in the outfield and hold our own at second with Arroyo and maybe just maybe we get better on offense.Any takers and oh yeah leave Sal at third forever and the rest of the lineup plays most of the time.That would put us at the half way mark in the season.Give fans maybe some hope and maybe just maybe light a fire on this team.Just a thought.
Sign me up. I am on board!
I would even consider Hector the hit collector to relieve Friedl of his misery.
Why not since we are just being well us.
I wonder what Doug is doing today? He could of giving us a little hint but nooo he leaves us hanging
Seen enough of Hinds.
Losing streaks are a part of baseball and change is usually needed to end them. Get involved Phil. Put some pressure on the front office to bring up Marte and Arroyo.
I tend to agree with the fangraphs odds but little surprised they believe so much on Pittsburgh when you think how bad as a franchise Pittsburgh has been for about 10 years. But I guess it’s solely based on talent within this season.
Benson getting a lot of grief but I think he’s been ok as a 4th or 5th outfielder recently who can start once or twice a week.
Pittsburgh has the pitching and improved offense to go along with the 2026 NL ROY.
HA!!!!! HA!!!!!!! HA!!!!!!
Another soft tosser today. Losing streak might continue.
Burgers tonight, Melvin. And, of course, a good beer (which I need to go fetch from the upstairs fridge). First Wife made herself a carrot cake for Mothers Day but I don’t know when that will be all frosted and ready.
Off we go … again … time to play sync the WLW audio with the video feed. For however long it lasts.
Missed y’all yesterday. Asked the following after Thursday’s mess …
If I paid for my MLB.tv with my credit card, could I claim “defective product” and get a refund?
Burgers are good. Just make sure to put plenty of cheese on it and maybe tomato. 😉
Lets kick this …..
RIP Bobby Cox …
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/bobby-cox-passes-away.html
Good inning by Burns, trying to stay positive today. My wife says I can’t be so crabby because the Reds stink.
I don’t know what’s worse getting blown out or the one run losses. I like this lineup myself minus Trevino.
How is everyone today? Windy day in Northwest Ohio
House has been open here in NC all day. A bit overcast, but very comfortable.
Still need rain like so many others.
We have had alot of rain up here. Too much actually.
Just got a little rain over here in Fort Wayne, IN. What part of NW Ohio are you in, Kevin?
Toledo area
Nice! Got a good friend in Oregon over there.
92 today in Sarasota. Humidity is high .Our Boston Terrier Romeo refuses to go for a walk
Man what a curve ball there to Elly
Go get them next inning Reds, staying positive.
Reds facing Arrighetti today isn’t encouraging
Stay positive boys, I know it’s hard after losing 8 in a row.
Trying to stay positive but they may not score today, their at bats are awful so far.
Six up and six down
Those 2 outs are why I really like Benson in RF.
100%
Only 1.5 games out of the wild card but the division is a whole 7. Got to start winning today.
Great article on reds website. Francona talking about basically having his teams back. I said it earlier this week. Francona is right manager for this team.
Trevino bunts to bring up MM?
WLW 700 announcers liked it. Reds not hitting. Trevino not hitting. Bunt moved baserunner to 2B for McLain and Friedl to get a hit and score him. They didn’t but it was a good move to try (said the Reds announcers).
Yes, the bunt is brilliant especially when you are not seeing the ball very well per the batting average. Strikeouts don’t move the runner.
I just can’t believe Friedl is on this team and leading off. Staying positive is to hard with this team.
One of the reasons I took a break from watching last night. I watched the score climb and shook my head.
McLain and Friedl …It’s hard to keep them everyday in the lineup so far…
16 straight scoreless innings for Reds
Friedl one walk over last 20 games .
Tito believes in these guys
Hard to pitch knowing that your offense is nowhere to be found
Burn those challenges.
I see what you did!! LOL
Something has to be done, a good start would be at least removing Friedl from the leadoff spot.
Burns is forced to put zeroes if he want to have some chance….what a press on the rookie
I don’t understand Friedl. Due to the ABS in play this year he said he was going to stand up Instead of crouch when batting. Then when he gets 2 strikes on him he said he will crouch. Makes no sense in my opinion. ABS doesn’t change at 2 strikes. You got here by crouching and hit well. Stick with it.
Don’t crucify me but Stewart may need a few weeks in AAA, he is lost.
Astros catcher shaking his head like not on me. Dude your thrown was so off line it took the tag into Cruz. Lmao…
Elly has been caught the last 3-4 steal attempts right? Unheard of, one of the fastest players…
Elly now is being caught often, he doesn’t look as faster as before… Is he hurt again?
That might be your ballgame right there.
17 straight scoreless
Another Cy Young pitching against us
Was that a late break steal by Elly? If it was I’m not sure why he is doing that. He has great speed just go on first movement.
Exactly, quit trying to think your the smart and doing a delay steal, he should be just doing a straight steal ! He is just giving them a better chance to get an easy out !
I love Elly , but sonetines his base running is just not smart ! ( getting doubled up on line drive on third base ,that little league kids no better ) ugh
Go Reds!
Some times *
Also , after Homer, is game over since Reds cant score ? Or even get a hit ? No offense at all ! Hoping we can somehow get a win though ! Go Reds !
You are right JB. Elly needs to trust who he is… I think it was a delayed steal.
It was a delayed steal.
Announcers said the pitcher went to slide step which was new for him
Thanks VA
Well looks like 20 and 20.
A middle down of the plate changeup by Burns could mean a loss… Let’s see…
Hey uh fellas thats not Cy Young out there.
That’s how you steal a base Elly. Stop the delay crap.
Ball game and what a shame.I will take a break from the games and just check to see from time to time if the Reds actually make any moves.I get it Tito has their back etc etc etc and I respect that but this team is lost in so many ways its just not even fun any more to follow them.
It’s only 1-0!!
See you missed it.
Sorry to hear…
Benson has a great eye. This junker won’t work on him.
He seems much better than earlier in his career.
A LL Keystone Kops play …
And MattyMc knocks it down the line!!!
Wooooo lol
We are all down on McLain but he is 5 for his last 12. Baby steps
Finally! McLain comes through …. Now he earns at least next 10 games in the starting lineup by Tito
And with that hit, and his average topping .200, MM will be back at the top of the order tomorrow.
What a strange site watching a Reds player crossing the plate.
The AAA Bats Saturday lineup has been posted. For the 8th consecutive game, Edwin Arroyo will be leading off, and just saying to keep an eye on this.
Take it for what it’s worth, but Larkin said on the air he was headed to Louisville after this series to watch Arroyo.
I hate to say it, but TJ has made himself redundant with how this roster is constructed. Better options at CF and probably at lead-off as well.
May be time for a change of scenery.
Arroyo has been leading off for the last 8 games.
By my count, tonight will be Arroyo’s 8th consecutive. Per the box score, Dunn led off on April 30. Arroyo has led off every Bats game since. Tonight will be the 8th. There was a doubleheader on Thursday, but also a rainout on Tuesday.
What position is he playing? I’d like to see him get a few more starts at 3B. Not that he couldn’t play it right now and be the second best defender we have there assuming Elly and Matt aren’t moving.
A TJ Friedl walk … and great cracks appear in the Earth’s surface … 😮
Grandslam coming up
Or a rbi single.. lol
Yet another bad decision at third base by Harris.
You had to send him the way Sal is hitting. I think Bleday and Lowell may have had the 15 minutes of Fame. It is time for Marte and maybe more.
Elly picks up ugly Bleday’s at bat but the rally is killed by McLain trying to score… It’s hard but I’ll take it 3-1 Reds
We have the lead. Now my heart is pounding thinking about the BP holding it. Don’t know if I can handle it
Sadly I thought same thing LOL ugh…
I am with you
Burns has been very good but it’s weird he’s got only 2 Ks…
Because the Astros have as bad as pitching as we do but there hitters are more disciplined and better averages.
Need to let Burns pitch until he runs in trouble.
You know I have been thinking and perhaps wrong. I would let Hayes go and bring Arroyo up. I do think defense is important, however watching Sal at third. I think they will be fine!!
The two guys who irk me most are Hayes and TJ. They need to go. Ican live with Mclain and Benson
Agreed, but ownership isn’t going to do that owing Hayes $7MM this year.
Sadly you are correct.. Who knows Hayes can get hot. I just think with Arroyo who is extremely hot. How can you keep him at triple A. Same with Marte right now.
I have been critical of Marte, however he is Hot as well.
Hayes needed to be gone before he got here. It was obviously a terrible trade. That was my turning point for Krall losing my support. Stewart should be the every day third baseman for years to come.
Per earlier comments, on Elly and caught stealing, and Friedl / McClain not starting…….
Elly, is very fast but he may be tipping his steal attempt. Stealing also involves knowing the pitcher and catcher syncing, the ball/strike count, being deceptive, and getting a good lead and jump.
I said this a few games ago about Fiedl and McClain, that change is needed with them starting and they should not be starting in the same game. Also, Friedl needs to be removed from lead-off; it simply is not working out this year.
I feel badly for Burns, he pitches well and keeps the team in the game waiting for run support that barely/rarely comes.
It reminds me of a similar style pitcher with the Reds back in the 80’s. Anyone remember Mario Soto? A good strikeout pitcher with great speed, movement and selection of pitches with low ERA, AND rarely got any run support.
Astros really working hard at giving this one to the Reds today. Reds must seize these opportunities.
Well Steer hit it hard, just right at the SS.
Steer to me is a solid baseball player. I think 1st is his best position
Same story Steer…runner on 3rd 1 out…nothing
Line shot at SS. Bad luck.
Matt McLain played 50 out of 61 games in centerfield his freshman year at UCLA. The Reds have no centerfielder. Give him some reps before and after the game and on days off. He can’t be any worse than Friedl and Meyers and his arm has to be better than old noodle arm. Call Arroyo up and put him at 2nd . If he doesn’t do well then send him back and make the necessary moves every game.
I’d be okay with MM in center, as long as he doesn’t bat
Last 7 games he is batting 250. He is coming around slowly
Who else you going to put in center? Meyers and Friedl can’t hit.
Myers hasn’t hit well lefties in last games either
Nope, should be Marte in CF.
He can’t play CF. He should be in RF
Marte certainly can play centerfield with his speed, arm and hitting.
Who is going to close? Not Santlilan
Good job by Burke and Ashcraft…so.. Who’s gonna close this? Santillán??
I hope not. Never a big fan of him. He is more a 7th inning guy.
Again, Marte should be regular outfielder from day one. As long as Bleday is productive and Benson gets his 2 hits a week, Marte will stay down. Maybe if he hits .500 for a couple months. I don’t look for him anytime soon
I agree. Put him in RF every day and leave him alone. I don’t see Arroyo being called up either. If McLain is Tito’s guy at 2nd then Arroyo is blocked from playing. That’s why I would move McLain to CF.
What are Mclain defense metrics?? I am so lost on the analytics in terms of defense. Lol
At 2nd? I don’t know. I think he plays a great 2nd and he turns a great DP. I haven’t seen Arroyo play it but personally if he’s playing short and is suppose to be a glove first then he would probably play 2nd just as good. McLain has stated he would play anywhere as long as it helps the team.
Thanks JB.
You are correct and not bringing him up makes no sense. I don’t care what Bleday is doing Marte has a higher ceiling than most players the Reds have.
Johnson has closing experience. Here we go!!
As long as he gets out that’s all that matters.
This has actually been a….
Pretty normal game.
Forgot what that felt like.
Hope I didn’t jinx it.
+5,000
Buckle up and hold on to your butts …
WE WON!!!!!!!!
That’s a major exhale …
Catch you all tomorrow, friends.
Now I need a stiff drink or two to calm down
They looked good today. All the way around. Reds Win
Long may it continue.
We back!!! lol
Can Chase Burns pitch every game?
REDS WIN! the losing streak is over for the time being… Nice outing by Burns and the bullpen could do the job this time… McLain plays the hero today and he won’t be sent down to Triple-A …
They won but only got 5 hits and got gifted some runs on a dropped fly ball. But a win is a win = 21 and 19 = 84 or 85 win pace.
Could be one hell of a lot worse
Welsh is fired up. LOL
Burns pulled it off. Didn’t SO as many as usual, but shutdown Houston all the same. Could have used some hitting – but the losing streak has ended.
RIP skipper B Cox!!! I watched a lot of games you managed.