The Cincinnati Reds have dropped the first two games of the series with St. Louis. This afternoon the Cardinals will be going for a 3-game sweep. Cincinnati will be looking to get back to the .500 mark with a win. First pitch today is scheduled for 2:15pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Blake Dunn – CF | JJ Wetherholt – 2B |
| JJ Bleday – LF | Ivan Herrera – C |
| Sal Stewart – 3B | Alec Burleson – 1B |
| Nathaniel Lowe – DH | Jordan Walker – RF |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Lars Nootbaar – DH |
| Will Benson – RF | Bryan Torres – LF |
| Matt McLain – SS | Jose Fermin – SS |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Nolan Gorman – 3B |
| Edwin Arroyo – 2B | Victor Scott II – CF |
| Rhett Lowder – RHP | Michael McGreevy – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Rhett Lowder | 38.1 | 5.40 | 1.41 | 18 | 27 |
| Michael McGreevy | 66.1 | 2.98 | 1.10 | 17 | 44 |
| Links: Rhett Lowder’s Stats | Michael McGreevy’s Stats | |||||
Rhett Lowder
The season through the end of April was going quite well for Lowder. His ERA was at 3.18 and the Reds had won four of his six starts. But his first two starts in May saw him all 11 earned runs in 4.1 innings before he exited his start on May 7th with a shoulder injury. This will be his first start back after making one rehab start for Triple-A Louisville earlier this week.
The splits have been strange for Lowder this season. Neither righties or lefties are hitting for a lot of average or hitting for much power against him. Left-handed hitters are walking a ton and making plenty of contact against him. Righties aren’t walking much but are also making contact at a good rate.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 68 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | .250 | .294 | .313 |
| LHH | 98 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 15 | .238 | .347 | .393 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Change | Slider | |
| Velo | 93.2 | 92.5 | 86.2 | 84.9 |
| Usage | 24% | 30% | 22% | 25% |
Michael McGreevy
By and large McGreevy has pitched well this season, but he has had a few not-so-great starts mixed in there, including one in Milwaukee at the end of May where he allowed five runs in 4.0 innings. He rebounded the last time out by giving up just two runs in 6.0 innings, but only had one strikeout and he walked two batters in that one.
The splits aren’t big for McGreevy in 2026. Neither lefties or righties are doing much of anything productive. Left-handed hitters are making significantly more contact but that hasn’t led to more hits and while they have hit for a little more power than righties it’s still mediocre power at best.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 94 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 21 | .239 | .287 | .352 |
| LHH | 168 | 35 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 23 | .223 | .274 | .382 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.6 | 90.5 | 86.6 | 77.7 | 82.0 | 86.8 |
| Usage | 25% | 17% | 12% | 11% | 15% | 21% |
When and Where
- Game time: 2:15pm ET
- Where: Busch Stadium
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 86°, cloudy, 15% chance of rain
News and Notes
Luis Mey to Triple-A
To activate Rhett Lowder for today’s game the Reds optioned Luis Mey back to Triple-A Louisville.
Jose Trevino to stay in Triple-A on rehab
Trevino played for Louisville for a second time last night. He went 1-4 with a double and two of his three batted balls were over 100 MPH off the bat. Trevino is not in the lineup today and the Bats are off tomorrow. Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 is reporting that Trevino will play in Louisville on Wednesday. Why he needs to go four days between games is not clear.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 39 | 23 | 0.0 | 93.4% |
| St. Louis | 34 | 28 | 5.0 | 36.2% |
| Pittsburgh | 34 | 31 | 6.5 | 54.7% |
| Chicago | 34 | 31 | 6.5 | 46.9% |
| Cincinnati | 31 | 32 | 8.5 | 8.6% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Still here rooting the team on. There is NO other place to go. Reds fan ever since Grandpa took me to games at Crosley Field. To a kids eyes it was the most wonderful place I’d ever seen or could imagine.
I can still remember seeing the diamond the first time we walked to our seats from the concourse. June 21, 1964. I have the boxscore framed in my office.
+10000000
My first game was mid 80’s. I was 8 years old. We got there late to river front stadium. Green seats lol… Eddie milner hit a triple. I remember thinking this is so awesome. I have always enjoyed reds baseball win or lose.
This year’s team a tad frustrating, but I decided look its not yet the all star break. Let’s see what can happen. Besides 3 months till Bengals football!!! Lol
Two years ago the CHISOX had the worst MLB season EVER. Last year, they lost 102 games. This season at 34-30 they have a record that is very surprising but probably won’t last (Fangraphs rates them to achieve 76.9 wins.) Another team is slumping pretty badly but their projection is still much worse than the current results. That team’s projection is also 76.9 wins. Guess who? Yep, that’s right. No need to think about adding at the break, the amount to be dumped takes precedence.
Reds have to face McGreevy today who has been tough in his previous outings against them… Looking to avoid the sweep and the losing spiral… Still there is time to recover but winning some games is necessary… We’ll see how Lowder can handle this outing after a month out in pesky Busch Stadium
Friedl starting to hit down at Louisville. Should we put Daryle Ward on the big league staff?
2 hits in 13 abs
No, just put AAA pitchers on the opponents pitching staffs.
Just 7 pithces by McGreevy… Bleday made good contact but it went directly to CF glove
vs 30 pitches for Lowder
This game is about one thing
Rhett lowder
Can he be the 4 th starting pitcher and help the reds win to add to lodolo burns and Abbott
Pitching pitching pitching
Benson in right instead of Marte.I get it but then I don’t.Benson pinch its and gets a hit and a start just like he did when he homered the other day.Thats a great job if you can get one like that. I hope he goes 4-4 so I watch with expectations and no more criticism of the lineups.At least its just one person in and one person out and no moving around.Geno out and Lowe at DH.GO REDS
RG, I don’t get it
Time to bail. 21 pitches, 8 strikes. Does not portend well
Lowder throwing soft stuff under the zone and not challenging hitters
Cards spitting on it
Brantley explains things so well. Basically saying Lowder just getting feel for 1st inning. Etc etc…
I thoroughly enjoy listening to Cowboy call a game. His insights are on point.
Our starters just make it so easy for the other team to get to our pen.Throw strikes please.
Thankful for 0 runs allowed but 30 pitches to do so and walks just drives me insane. Hopefully just some rust and Lowder settles in. Zero faith in our bullpen currently.
30 pitch inning
McLain is a good defender and has value with defense and speed and middle infield
Hes not a 2 hole hitter and may just be a utility guy but he has value on the 26 man
Hes a good SS and a great 2b
Wish McLain could hit though.
He’s a solid late inning defensive substitute.
Responding to me not u
MM is frustrating. Tools are there but erratic and then plays well randomly
That aged well!
Maybe we’ll see Paddack today in the mid-game
On any given day, anything can happen with any lineup. That’s the outlook for the Reds today. Gotta feel for Francona. He’s trying to create offense with duct tape, matches, and wood glue.
…and the Mendoza boys at the bottom of the lineup.
Very early but our offense could be in for a long day.
Is it too early for a nap? Lol
Greg maddux painting the corners on the Reds with changeup and movement
See if Lowder can match location and command
So far , Stephenson has him
Missing badly
Looks afraid to challenge
Good observation
I have often wondered if the problem with our pitchers is our catchers, particularly Stephenson?
We have often read how some catchers work wonders with pitchers.
Just trying to think outside the box Stephenson supporters.
Years ago, Luis Castillo ERA with Curt Casali was sub 2.00 and pushing 5 with Tucker Barnhart
Carlton had mcCarver as his personal catcher
Baseball has so many caveats
Not talking personal catchers. Talking about catchers that are better receivers for pitchers. Catchers that have an ability to nurture catchers through a game to success.
Let’s see how it goes for Suarez from now until EDLC return, but if Arroyo can show his value it’ll be a tough decision. Another failed FA signing by Krall.
Remarkable. From 20-11 to virtually unwatchable in just a few weeks. My goodness.
Feels like that’s gotta be some sort of record drop in record time. Pretty darn sad.
All the wheels seem to be falling off.
They were not that good according to Pythagoras
Come on Lowder. 4 walks, about 50 pitches, going to be a bullpen day early at this rate.
Two scoreless by Lowder but he’s battling a lot with control…50 pitches is too much…
Lowder needs a “Parris Island” special.
Where is Lowder 95-97 mph fastball???
Hes Rick Mahler soft tosser
Reds spent a top 10 overall pick on a pitcher who cant hit 96 mph on a fastball? Nibbling at 92 mph?
McLain? Wow. Very pleasantly surprised.
Back-to-back! Reds ahead…
Lookie what the 7/8 hitters did for us 😮
Wow
Now Stephenson? 2 lower ops+ players with back to back home runs. I’ll take it. Shocked!
Wow, bottom 3 all got hits!!!
Not on my bingo card today!
Very pleasantly surprised!
Absolutely surprised.. man we need Mclain and Stephenson to get hot!!
Arroyo well I think he will hit
The Reds offense seems to explode but simmediately cools off
MMC and Tyler and Arroyo saw 18 pitches combined.The next 3 hitters saw 7 combined and went out.Not sure if that means anything at all other then maybe they were in too much of an attack mode.They also saw just 7 pitches in the first inning and went out as well.Lowder with a 4 pitch walk.He has no fastball and is nibbling
4 innings max at this rate. He’s definitely rusty.
Absolutely
C’mon Mark
69 pitches in 3 scoreless innings!!! Is that bad?
Mahle was the nibbler but perhaps we have a new one who max velo is 93
Looks like Paddack needs to give 3-4 out of the pen
Didn’t say I was happy about it 😉
Lowder hit 95 MPH a few times today.
Lowder definitely doesn’t need to be 96mph+ to be successful with his repertoire.
Now he does need to throw strikes. 5 walks is crazy.
Long layoff is showing. He’ll be fine ultimately. But today’s optics are bad.
Definitely rusty. Which is understandable.
I think he’s got what it takes pitch wise to be successful.
I’m guessing he might be done for the day?
Lowder has put hitters out while he can command the pitches…I think the next inning would be his last for today…
I feel for Benson. He plays so inconsistently but what he’s shown when he does play doesn’t inspire confidence that he’s a big league player.
Agree, I like his hustle,speed, and demeanor. Yet, well we see
Perhaps a prime candidate for a change of scenery? Rockies perhaps?
Lead off double and the next 3 hitters never made contact and fanned.Its been home run or no score way way way too much this year.
Single and advance on a WP, but still …
My mistake a single then a wild pitch gets Lowe to second.
Walking Scott II every at bat makes me crazy…
You, Cowboy, and pretty much the rest of us 😐
6 walks and we’re in the 4th inning… Geesh.
These Reds pitchers can frustrate with these free passes this season.
Baseball a funny game
Reds up 2-0 in the 5th on 1 StL hit
Easy so far!!!
Seen enough.Reds must be already on the plane.Saw 5 pitches and made 3 outs.Guys homer and it spreads like crazy the grip and rip way of hitting.Lots of talk about replacing the hitting coach but I am not sure about that.Hope the pen holds up cause we need this win badly.GO REDS
Paddack just isn’t good. This could get ugly fast.
Thanks Paddack for blowing a lead.
this BP is an absolute joke
That one feels like a dagger to the kidneys.
2-12 versus the NL Central in 2026 and now losing again today. Beyond atrocious.
This is n Francona they had L,R,L,L coming up and he pulled Ferguson for Paddack, what a poor managerial decision = 31 and 33.
This season could be over before Elly gets back and that impacts roster construction
Arroyo Marte and Benson are playing for 2/3 spots when Elly returns
Benson does not belong in the same category as those other two.
Benson and Mclain have proven over and over, that they can’t hit. 200 BA and HR once a month doesn’t cut it. I’ll take Arroyo and Marte any and everyday. And Paddock is not very good. That’s why his ERA is over 7 and his record is 0-7.
Marte cant hit either
Paddack why Krall signed him escapes me as it did when he was first signed. Richardson was arguably better and younger.
You’re funny KH
I try lol
The fact that I continue to watch this Clown Show on a daily basis, must say something about me.
My wife asks me the same question. Don’t beat yourself up.
it’s like watching a car accident…can’t look away
It’s time to be sellers
I’ll play along …
Who are you selling and what do you expect to get in return?
Don’t take the bait Mark!!! LOL
Lodolo, Stephenson, Lowe, Ferguson, Burke, Suarez.
Who knows what they can get for those guys. But whatever it is, it will be worth more to the future Reds who might have a snowball’s chance.
Benson gets a chance to start….strikes out 3 times so far….back to the bench
If he gets a hit next time up he’ll be right back in there.
Is McLain eating spinachs?
Matt McLain
Where have u been?
Seems to be responding to Arroyo’s presence. Wants to keep his job. Competition is a wonderful thing sometimes.
First Wife just said, “At least he showed up today.”
Got to smile at that. And he’s not trying to blast it, it’s just “easy juice” that keeps flying at the tarps off idiots. 😀
McLain? Dat you?
Nice to see. Can we do this consistently?
Twin brother Mark McLain.
+5,000 🙂
Is it too late for Paddack to catch that bus heading to Louisville with Mey ? Maxwell can drive them there and stay as well …
Embarrassing ain’t a strong enough word for this collection of gas cans in the bullpen …
Rent them a car.
Problem is, “next man up” isn’t really an option.
Very true !
Dunn has some wheels. No doubt about that.
Really liking Blake Dunn. Complete Heart and Hustle on that play.
JoJo vs. JJ and a very unlucky smoked liner.
Bleday is 0 for 4 with 3 line drive outs. Tough unlucky day for him.
We got company, so have to follow on gameday lol… ugh
Incredible how Wetherholt salvaged the Cards in this inning with two great plays…Reds have no luck
Blake dunn just beat out a mostly routine grounder to SS for a hit
Friedl makes $3.8 million
Its official
Dunn isnt going anywhere . Myers isnt either.
Doubt we ever see Friedl again
Unreal how fast that happened
This team can’t buy a break and right now everything is going St. Louis ‘s way. They are better than the Reds right now, The question is will they be in a month when the Reds get a lot back?
This infield works. Elly comes back and you can still do some shuffling with Arroyo and MattyMc. But Steer at 1B should be a fixed spot.
And I agree we’ve likely seen the last of our friend TJ Friedl in a Reds uniform. We’ll eat some salary and get a fringe prospect from somebody.
Dunn’s speed is a great asset.
Dunn is the CF and I have no idea why he played Benson over Marte today. Marte has reversed splits Tito, wake up.
The Reds OF should be Bleday-Dunn-Marte apparently… Benson is pretty inconsistent…
Sal trying to kill the ball again = slump and he has no idea of the strike zone = way too many lost challenges.
Simply not true dude.
Absolutely true
100% correct please tell Tito.
Kevin: You seem to protect everybody. When Sal goes the other way = good hitter, when he pulls off = slump Dude
Myers pretty good at pinch hitting
Yes he is.
Just think if Paddack hadn’t been used.
Cowboy and Sadak talking about the WLB’s catcher who, apparently, can’t throw worth spit and we’re not taking chances. Puzzling indeed.
Why Benson Tito = KKKK.
Benson consistent today. At striking out.
I wonder which reliever will give up the run(s) in the 8th or if we will have to wait for the 9th to lose.
I am trying to be positive, but the only positive I see is more free time this summer as I won’t be watching every inning of every game.
What should the Reds do about Benson?
I really like the guy. But I’m thinking it’s time to move on. Bleday is a fixture in LF. Dunn is fine in CF or RF. Meyers is a solid piece. Marte seems to have adjusted his approach upon his return. Ultimately, the math just doesn’t work.
I doubt very much Marte would have K’d 4 times in 4 ABs
Hindsight is always 20/20 lol
And the ugly begins to show … 8th inning curse?
Smacking Moll around to start the inning. Need a DP.
I am laughing, only way to keep my sanity. I mean hey where u gonna go
Oh no! Ballgame?
And there it is!!! 8th inning curse maybe a thing. My goodness
Bullpen to the rescue again I see …..mill throwing batting practice ….
WHAT A COMPLETE JOKE THIS ENTIRE
ORGANIZATION IS – TOP TO BOTTOM
What’s worse is watching the game out here in Illinois on St Louis broadcast and listening to chip carey gloat.
Hey Tito this is why you bunt. Good things seem to happen.
Done. Won’t watch again until Wednesday with the start times out in SD. First Wife says I should take a little nap now.
Moll blows it 2 days in a row. Why Tito the 7th inning went well, why change pitchers,?
Because that is what he does!!! Clueless on how to manage pitchers!
We might end up 5-21 for the month of June at this rate. At least we have some options to sell some veterans at the deadline and replenish our below average minor league system as well. The franchise sold everyone on hope and consistency, but has only deliver mediocrity at best and 100 loss seasons at worst. Time for Krall, Meador, Johnson and company to go. I don’t trust that group with the trading off Elly and a Hunter when it comes due after next year.
Meet the new loss, same as the old loss
More dependable: This year’s Reds Bullpen or last year’s Bengals defense?
First Mey and Maxwell now Moll is the latest M pitcher to fall apart. Too bad.
Forgot about Marte earlier this week.
You almost have to be kidding me about these relief arms we continue to roll out there. What is the name of this game? Try to set the record on how many different relief pitchers we use in a month? Marte, Mey, Maxwell, Paddack, Richardson, Leibrandt, McCandless. Any of them with an ERA of less than 10? I really can’t believe the front office is allowing this to happen. “We intend to be competitive in 2026.” Sorry I do not get that impression over the events of the last couple of weeks. It looks to me more like trying to survive and it is not happening. Johnson andPagan appear to be at least another 10-15 games away. I asked a couple weeks ago what was the panic threshold? 10 games out of first? 6-7 games out of second? 5 games under 500? I just don’t get why the front office would allow this blood bath to continue. It seems obvious to me that the team is no where near being competitive. 11-22 kind of speaks to that and we just sit by.
Nice job Moll … what an outing … what could possibly go wrong here with Santillan
entering … little league bullpen
Tuned in just in time to witness another meltdown by the Reds bullpen! If it’s not a WALK it’s a fielding or throwing error by The Arson Squad!
Yep, now here comes the GS!
When we visit St Louis this summer there will be no Reds logos going along. What an embarrassing pitching performance!
Scratch that, E6!
Moll gives the lead to STL for 2nd straight game and couldn’t make a single out…Really bad outing… The Reds bullpen keeps struggling a lot…
Is McCambley not available today?
Francona has been out-coated this entire series, I have lost all faith in him. Santillan coming in now it will get really ugly.
Santillan in with the bases loaded and NO OUTS! I’m out! Swept by the Cards and now 2-13 record in the NL Central
Thought McLain was known for his defense?
Apparently not…
The list of pitchers along with the Hayes trade is what I would look at to say goodbye to Krall and the PC. List of pitchers who were ok to good to barely average here. The list is growing of how well they go and pitch elsewhere.
Jeff Hoffman
Fernando Cruz
Jakob Juno’s
Luke Weaver
Scott Barlow
Nick Martinez
Even Zack Littell could have been useful as a swung man like Nick. A lot more useful than what passes for the 12th and 13th pitchers this team tries out.
The money spent on the above players after they left has to almost? Equal what they paid Hayes. Candy Man.
Now the wheels took off of the car…
Reds doing their best impression of the Bad News Bears
Sorry, would rather have them!!
Not fair to the BNB
This is unacceptable …. When are you gonna stop tolerating this crap Tito ????
Do something man to wake these guys up . There is nothing professional about this group of dudes or how they are playing the game . AWFUL !!!!!
Tito could have not gone back to the Moll well after yesterday, so he’s at least as much to blame. McCambley has done well since coming up.
It is going to take a new ownership group for this Organiztion to have any chance of turning this team around.
Reminds me of a great Metallica song, “Sad But True.”
Santillan doing his job with the ground balls and pop fly. Just some bad luck out there.
Best Santillan has pitched in a long long time.
Santillán could stop the bleeding but the Reds are already trailing
I was happy with the Suarez signing and was happy to pay for REDS TV. Even considering making some 3 hours trips to a couple of games. Games are off the table and will not pay for REDS TV if major changes are not made after this season.
Too many LOB and Reds need some major league arms in the bullpen. I guess there’s only so many to go around but yikes!
There’s such a small chance of that.
Everybody asking for Tito to do something has got a long wait, wrong man for this team.
Yep!!!
there is one thing you can count on with this BP….if one guy does his job, surely the next guy will blow up …..second thought….Benson runs into one once in a while…otherwise he’s not worth the roster spot
Ain’t done yet Ty Steve!
Fitting that former Red Riley O’Brien comes in to close this game against us.
Interesting that cowboy said that the St Louis catcher could not throw out my grandma, but the reds did not test him one time today…someone wake Tito up
Tito doesnt like to to run.
Swept in St. Louis. NL Central owns the Reds. Too bad. Another song I’m reminded of, the late great Tom Petty “Free Fallin’.” Just like our record.
+1000 for Free Falling,
Meanwhile, those of us of a certain age with Reds memories long past sit in the back of a The Sad Cafe and ask, what does one do After The Thrill Is Gone ?
And one thing to always do before and after the thrill is gone is to check that the auto editor has not played havoc with embedded HTML codes. 😉
Horrible weekend, may send this team into a spiral to virtually end the season before mid-June. I am sorry for you Tito lovers but he has done a horrible job with this team. Hopefully he retires and they go get a young manager with some much needed fire. I actually thought Bell was just as good.
Oh just stop Mark. Francona is a darn good manager and the right one for this team.
Kevin: The Cardinal catcher throws out 8% of the runners and Tito tried to steal 0 times. How can you like what this team looks like right now?
Sure. He’s done one heck of a job in the past 4 series.
To be fair, no one could take this roster and win, but aside from being run on Friday, he’s been completely milquetoast for the past 5 weeks.
Francona is far from the biggest problem. Start with Krall and Meador. The bullpen they assembled is running on fumes already and we’re barely a third of the way through the season. The farm is bare of any notable help.
Another good game. Frustrating but they battled. Just gotta get bullpen figured out. My goodness.
Tomorrow is a new day!!
i think we do have the BP figured out….it stinks!
Reds are more than just one or two bullpen arms away from contending for a division title. And they currently sit 9 games out in arguably the toughest division in baseball.
Soon to be 91/2 in last place, this season is over folks.
Expect nothing but crickets from the FO. They. Do. Not. Care.
I hope nobody comes out to watch this clown show Friday night after most likely an 0 and 6 road trip to put them at 31 and 36. The Padres are playing poorly they need the Reds to help them out. Right now they may be the # 30 team in baseball, that’s as low as it goes. However, I will continue to watch and pray they wake up.
They stole 3 bases yesterday. Why would they not try today at all.
i does not help when the media refuses to hold anyone accountable….Jim Day is a joke. Why can’t you ask your manager why you would not try to steal 1 base against their weak throwing catcher??
This infuriates me. They NEVER ask tough questions. Way too easy on him. Sucks.
Reds are finished for 26 and there will be no season in 27 so time to start another rebuild. Drastic moves needed since there is little if any help still coming from the minors. I do think Carlos Jorge might be in the outfield in 28 and beyond.
Let me say this about the Reds predicament since 2014 how many rebuilding cycles have they been through with this current regime?How many managerial hirings and firings have been made?How many high draft picks,international signings,and free agents they sign?How many NLCentral Division Titles and postseason games they have won since 2012?Please can anyone come up with any positive answers hopefully for all Reds fans someday the baseball gods can smile down on the Queen City before we leave this earth.
This team also needs to manufacture runs and Francona does not seem to know how to do this! Time for a change in the front office but also the coaching staff.
The front office was satisfied to enter 2026 with lots of players deemed “maybe” and “hopefully” and “if all goes perfectly.” So many question marks have given us harsh (but, if we’re honest, not unexpected) results. The farm, despite unrealistic optimism, was never loaded with guys ready to contribute this year. And so, this is where we sit. Disappointing but not really surprising. Near .500 but deceiving because it could be a lot worse. Hopeful to turn it around, but fully prepared to enter the offseason with less optimism than the previous two offseasons. Unless there are significant changes in the FO and its passive non-strategy.
True dat
If Rhett Lowder can be a high end starter. If Hayes can hit for a respectable average. If Suarez can produce. If McLain can get back on track and hit like he did in the spring. If Stephenson can get back to being decent at the plate. If Pagan can be a productive closer. If guys in the minors can step up and produce if called up.
Then the Reds can contend for a division title.
The more money you spend, the fewer ifs you have and the fewer ifs, the greater your chance of success.
Until the Castellinis bow out of this operation, what we saw last year is about the best that can be expected. GMs, players, managers, and scouts have come and gone, but Bob Castellini has been the one constant throughout this long stretch of mediocre to bad baseball. The sample size is large and the results continue to disappoint. Not sure what more a Reds fan can do, but to just sit around and take it for who knows how many more years. They brought back Geno, did well to sign Tito, and then apparently felt they had done all they needed to do to field a winning team. Ownership wants a Lamborghini but they only want to pay a Prius price for it. I question the owner’s passion and loyalty. He is a charlatan.
This was a defining moment in the season. It’s the tipping point to being a seller come the trade deadline. It would not be in the best interest of this organization to be a buyer. That ship has sailed.
Can’t disagree, but unfortunately this organization has dealt prize chips at the trade deadline in the past and gotten burned. There was no franchise-altering return for Cueto, Chapman, Bruce, Castillo, Suarez, etc. Think about it, the returns for those guys should have set up this franchise for a generation. Instead, the trades set the franchise back a decade or more. Yes, the jury is still out on Marte and Arroyo, but that’s about it and it isn’t much.
For some reason I had less enthusiasm for this season than I have ever had before. There ARE some talented players, but far too few of them. I was sick of Francona after last year and this year is worse. Quit flip flopping lineups everyday. Marte should be starting almost every game right now until he proves he can or can’t hit! Tito’s use of the bullpen is unforgivable.
Try to manage this team yourself with all the injuries. I do not think the Reds problem is their future Hall of Fame manager. Please. Let’s have a more serious discussion.