The Cincinnati Reds (43-52) are back in action tonight after the four-day All-Star break with the start of a nine-game, ten-day road trip that lands them at Coors Field this weekend to take on the Colorado Rockies (39-59). The Rockies are in last place in the NL West, but compared to recent years, have won more games this season up to this point. The Reds last faced the Rockies at Great American Ball Park at the end of April, in which they took that series by winning two of three games.
First pitch for tonight’s matchup is at 8:40 PM EDT.
Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Colorado Rockies |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Jake McCarthy – CF |
| Sal Stewart – !B | Mickey Moniak – LF |
| JJ Bleday – LF | Hunter Goodman – C |
| Spencer Steer – RF | TJ Rumfield – 1B |
| Eugenio Suárez – DH | Kyle Karros – 3B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Wili Castro – 2B |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Troy Johnston – DH |
| Edwin Arroyo – 2B | Tyler Freeman – RF |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Ezequiel Tovar – SS |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Brady Singer | 89.2 | 4.72 | 1.47 | 31 | 76 |
| Gabriel Hughes | 9.0 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 3 | 8 |
| Links: Brady Singer’s Stats | Gabriel Hughes’ Stats | |||||
Brady Singer
Brady Singer pitching in what can be offensive-friendly Coors Field is not really want you want to see, but that is what is happening tonight. Singer is coming off a very good start against Philadelphia at Great American Ball Park last Thursday, where he pitched into the eighth inning. He allowed just one run on four hits with five strikeouts and only one walk in 7.1 innings. It lowered his ERA below 5.00. However, that was a home start, where Singer has pitched much better this season. He has a 2.98 ERA in 48.1 innings at home, but a 6.75 ERA in 41.1 innings on the road.
Left-handed hitters have really hit Singer hard this season. They hit him hard last year too, with 15 of the 19 home runs he allowed coming against lefties in 2025, but in 2026, they’re hitting almost .300 off him with an OPS of .885. He’s also already allowed 14 home runs to lefties in 2026. He gave up 15 home runs to lefties during the entire 2025 season.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 151 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 9% | 14% | .254 | .338 | .455 |
| LHH | 251 | 67 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 7% | 22% | .295 | .356 | .529 |
Pitch Usage
| 2-Seam | Slider | Sweeper | Cutter | 4-Seam | |
| Velo | 91.3 | 82.5 | 81.5 | 86.9 | 90.7 |
| Usage | 47.9% | 29.6% | 12.1% | 7.0% | 3.4% |
Gabriel Hughes
Twenty-four year old right-hander Gabriel Hughes gets the start for Colorado tonight. The Rockies called him up from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 3rd, where he had a 5.31 ERA in nine appearances and 40.2 innings. Hughes is the Rockies’ #16 prospect per MLB Pipeline and was their top draft pick in 2022 (10th overall). He had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missed all of the 2024 season, which set back his timeline for reaching the big leagues.
Hughes struggled early in the season and then was injured for most of May, but got the call to the show at the beginning of July. In his MLB debut, he pitched three innings to end the game in a 15-3 Rockies blowout over the Giants, allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout. Hughes got his first MLB start on July 8th against the Dodgers. He allowed three runs on four hits while walking two through six innings, but he did also strike out seven batters.
Before the TJ surgery, Hughes’ best pitch was his four-seam fastball, with a velocity between 94-97 mph and an ability to elevate it. However, he’s still working to get his velocity back to where it was pre-surgery. In his two appearances, that fastball has only averaged about 93.4 mph, though all eight of his MLB strikeouts have been with that fastball.
Splits (Minor Leagues)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 121 | 27 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8% | 27% | .245 | .306 | .345 |
| LHH | 110 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6% | 30% | .218 | .275 | .297 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Sweeper | Slider | Change | Curve | 2-Seam | |
| Velo | 93.4 | 85.4 | 86.3 | 88.5 | 78.4 | 94.1 |
| Usage | 57.8% | 12.2% | 11.6% | 8.2% | 6.8% | 3.4% |
Game Details:
- Time: 8:40 PM EDT
- Place: Coors Field, Denver, CO
- TV: Reds MLB Channel; Reds.TV (in market); MLB.tv (out of market)
- Radio: 700 WLW (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 92 degrees, mostly sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Dane Myers Returns
In Case You Missed It
The Reds may not have played any games this week, but there was plenty of news. If you took a break from baseball this week, Redleg Nation has you covered to get caught up with the latest news. The Reds signed most of their draft picks, including top selection Justin Lebron.
Down on the Farm
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Fangraph’s Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 59 | 37 | – | 98.0% |
| Chicago | 54 | 42 | 5.0 | 76.3% |
| St. Louis | 50 | 45 | 8.5 | 32.1% |
| Pittsburgh | 50 | 47 | 9.5 | 41.3% |
| Cincinnati | 43 | 52 | 15.5 | 1.0% |
Let’s go on a 3 and 6 road trip and give the fans a free pass on the rest of the season,it makes zero sense to keep hoping for a miracle with this bunch,let management count there money and be proud of the team they assembled this season that has been atrocious!!
Tonight I commit to avoiding any overtly negative posts. I will chime in with disappointment when warranted, but I’m going to sit back and enjoy baseball as my primary goal. I’d love to see a bunch of hits and Crooked Numbers. A solid QS from Singer would be fantastic. But I’m intent on just being a fan tonight.
OK – that’s out of the way … Let’s Break some Rockies into Fruity Pebbles Tonight!!! It’s almost time to Kick This Pig!!!
Great attitude! Go Reds! Lets have a great start to the second half.
Got to start somewhere … the money for watching is long spent 😀
OK, the Allstar break is over! Refreshed and ready to go and watch some winning baseball!
I did watch the Allstar game, but the NL team’s performance looked like some of the Reds games with only 3 hits and no runs!
Let’s pound some Rockies into pebbles!
Every time I see Hayes in the lineup, I just shake my head – is this really the best the Reds can do?
Head scratcher putting Hayes in the lineup and not Lowe. Reds will need 7-8 runs minimum to win as I expect Singer to give up a dinger…or two.
Hayes seems to fill out the Red’s bottom of the batting order with his below .200 average.
More like below .150 BA.
.138/.194/.215/.409
There are bad hitting players (Friedl, McLain, Marte e.g.) but he is beyond bad if one thinks his numbers are legitimate AT ALL. I don’t see how ANYONE can have that much “bad luck”.
I give him credit, much credit, for signing an extension in case something like a chronic bad back, auto accident etc. hindered him the rest of his career. He was very SMART/WISE. If he can’t live on that 36M + for the rest of his life he needs some serious canceling. I don’t think he’s one that will need it. Smart guy.
I’m also reading that his OAA (Outs Above Average if you’re into that stat) is at 0 this year after leading all of major league third baseman in 2025 with 21. Retirement may not be too far off for Mr. Hayes. I wish him well regardless. At least he should be set for life with his extension money. 🙂
We’ll see how Chris meshes with John … I’m instantly reminded of how much I liked Thrall and Larkin before the break.
Agree. I think Thrall drove the relationship between he and Larkin. They were in sync. He followed the game, kept a good banter with Barry and did not bloviate like Sadak.
Hey RLN friends … how’s everyone doing air quality and heat wise? I’ve got co-workers in Chicago, Syracuse, and Northern Jersey and I know the sky is more than a little orange. We’re sweltering here in the Raleigh area and it felt like there was no breathable air when I walked out of my office today. Very humid as well.
Just checking on you … hope everyone is staying safe.
Smokey everywhere, as you know…if it got to you, it came through me first.
Northwest OH has been hit, however finally moved up late this evening as we got rain
All good vibes this evening.
No complaints from me as its baseball I enjoy watching!!
Yep. I’m in.
Big outfield in Colorado isn’t it? Maybe Friedl Hayes can find get some balls to drop in and some green.
Wow. Rockies wearing softball uniforms?
Yeah … little bit.
Rockies city connect uniforms are fresh.
And there ya go textbook baseball
Typical Reds inning, Elly, Sal and then zip. I could have stood up there as well as Suarez and I am 68 and hobbled.
Steer’s 20 HRs is all fine & dandy, but you can’t keep failing with men on 3rd and less then 2 outs. Wish that was listed on their everyday stats somewhere. Batting avg risp doesn’t cover that
Great point. Something along the lines of “RBI with runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs”. I have to think that’s out there somewhere.
I’ve seen it shown on FSN or Ballys whatever. So & so is 15 for 25 (60% etc etc)
.227. .269 for career.
Nice, easy first from Singer. Let’s put up another run … or six … 😛
Nice, easy inning for Singer. Keep ’em coming!
Great 1st inning by the Reds
Arroyo should lower his chase%
Chris was just saying he liked him with 2 strikes because he shortened his swing and wasn’t as wild. Except for that AB apparently.
Reds hitters sure are free swingers who strikeout way too much.
Fortunately Elly and Sal make a nice 1/2 punch and Singer had a great 1st.
Another clean inning for Singer. Still need to string together some bases and back him more than just a single run.
Castro hit that ball at 111.3 mph …but it was caught by Steer
Twins 4 spot in Wrigley. They’re 9th in hitting and 6th in runs and Buxton is out again.
Kody Clemens is a 30 yr old retread and he’s their cleanup hitter.
Hire their guy or a disciple of their guy. They’re doing something right.
Ran across an article about umpires who are retiring after this season. CB Bucknor and Laz Diaz are among them. They took some sort of a buyout per what I read. I guess they aren’t happy with ABS … 😮
+ infinity
Quite a good throw to nail Stewart I thought he was gonna make it
Unexpectedly great throw from Freeman. Sal tried to avoid it, but no dice. I’m OK with him making the effort at this point.
Sal cutdown at 3rd. Solid throw.
Not smart Sal. Trying to score with 2 outs is a different story
You never make the 3rd out at 3rd base, it’s basic baseball. Great throw but still a rule is a rule.
What a great throw by Rockies rf… wow. Singer seems dialed in.
That throw was sick.
Big park, Sal running hard.
Thought there was no way on earth he had a chance.
100% agree
Amazing throw.
Great throw. I will take Stewart with all his warts and terrible aggression.
Not worth the risk though. Sal doesn’t run that good. He got those early steals and thinks he’s fast. He’ll learn…he’s a smart kid
Any park but Coors, and I’d agree.
Most don’t even attempt that throw.
Hopefully Singer gets hot as the trade deadline approaches.
TySteve for the ABS win AGAIN.
33 pitches through 3 for Singer. More of that PLEASE.
How about the temperatures in Denver this weekend? 95 tomorrow, 100 on Sunday? I didn’t think the Reds would ever play a game in Denver in the high 90s potentially.
Denver usually has great weather. Beautiful city too.
Nice three hitless frames by Singer…he also has been efficient…just 33 pitches
Very effective three innings for Singer. Looking good. Looking relaxed.
Nice hit Suarez.
And stranded. Shocking… not…
Not a clutch hitting team. That’s for sure.
After Steve struck out I didn’t expect Friedl was going to bring Suarez in
Have we heard or ready anything at all about Derek Johnson?
According to Google there’s not even any unverified speculation on social media. The Reds obviously know though, and there have been no changes to the staff.
Probably a private matter not for public consumption.
It’s not easy to throw 4 hitless innings at Coors…
Singer’s trade stock continues to rise with each quality inning.
I am sure they will, however I wouldn’t mind them signing Singer for another year or two.
+25,000
Hayes still looking for his first single after coming back from the IL… I think he’s the same …he can’t hit
He certainly fits in with a majority of the lineup, that’s for sure.
He’s hitting it. It’s going straight to the fielder.
Yes, hard to know what the front office is thinking. Tough decision.
From Chris’s lips to God’s ears and Elly gets “blind picked”.
Sure glad this team improved over the break.
Like the idea of trying to get a lead and timing the pitcher.
I have a feeling that will be the next area of improvement by Elly. Dude has impressed me with his improvements
Yes, but he was “sleeping” on the pitcher who wasn’t looking at him. The catcher was calling those throws directly. He’s got to be aware that’s happening.
I have faith he will improve on that
No pressure Singer. 1 run may be all the support you’ll get.
Yep … and his Boyz miss an opportunity.
Wheels getting wobbly on Singer. Can he hold on?
He’s certainly way more hittable with each subsequent run through the batting order.
Elly is having a good innings.
Announcer on point with
“Elly just too casual!”
That was a gift run.
Very sloppy
Perhaps just a little challenge “shaking off the break”?
And here I was thinking it would be rejuvenation lol
Inability to turn the DP costs the Reds a run.
Singer has been good recently but unlucky too…
He has looked sharp, when he is on like tonight he reminds me of Jimmy Key.
1-1 onto the 6th inning..
The team is battling
Hughes looking like a $105 million dollar pitcher against the Reds hitters. Wild how much the Reds hitters strikeout.
The team is just bad. When you consider what we had hoped for, and even expected, when the year started, they are worse than bad.
That’s what we needed right about now.
My man Steer! Thank you!
Complete meatball and he tattooed it.
2 run homerun by Steer!! This team is fun to watch
That was a no doubter!
Thankfully Hughes was pulled.
Oh no…Average consistent durable Steer hits #15.
+ 1,000,000,000,000,000
XBH 200, RBI 300 for his career.
On pace for another maybe 25ish. Never understood the hate. Oh well. Plus his stellar defense and versatility.
+50,000
That’s definitely a Coors Field HR. Just continued to carry.
So far out in front and still got out
Back-to-back folks… Steer – Suarez—
Suarez not quite the dud many make him out to be this season. Lovely.
People are judged on every AB….
Oh no…Saurez hits #12.
I thought RLN benched him and cut him?
Singer and Suarez are helping their trade value. We should all be pleased.
I just made it clear (when I had lunch with Tito) that we didn’t want him a 3B. As a hitter, we know who he is and that’s an example of the “good”.
😉
But you told Tito put Hayes at 3b?
And now Geno hits one low and away, all the way this time ! 4-1
Friedl should be the king of pop outs..
Crazy that ball went out off Geno’s bat. Didn’t even look like he swung that hard.
1 handed
barrell
backspin
Still think the Reds should hold on to Suarez. It hasn’t been a great year thus far, but that’s happened in the past.
I’m kind of ambivalent. He’s not going to bring back much. He is a great clubhouse guy. And he will do more of what we just saw.
Singer back out there for the sixth ? SMH
Why wouldn’t he be? He’s completely rested. Pitch count isn’t high. The run wasn’t on him. He looks pretty focused to me.
Two base hits and a run scored was what I was looking at.
He only gave up a leadoff single though … Good inning !
Singer has pitched so much better Since June.
Perhaps he’s been reading the tea leaves? He is pitching for his next contract.
The contract says it all.
Singer owning Goodman. Kudos to how he pitched him. Credit where credit is due.
Brady Singer a pitching clinic in Coors field.
His stock is blowing up.
Both catchers are a combined 0-6 with 6 k’s
I resigned myself that Stephenson is a defense first catcher. He’s a good receiver and game manger with elite ABS skills. That’s enough for me.
Maybe Duno pushes him sooner rather than later?
FA for 2027, isn’t he? He’ll have a decent market especially given his ABS work.
A thought; why would Singer be traded?
You have Burns with more in likely a innings limit, Lowder maybe same thing. I think you would want Singer to finish out the season. He is durable and if nothing else gives you innings.
FA next year. He’s likely wanting to test his market anyway.
Agree, just thinking out loud. LoL.
1000+
Singer gives a silver sombrero to Goodman tonight… he’s dealing so far going for 7 frames again..
Not a great throw, but not blocked well either.
And Elly moves him up with another single.
That works. Got our “gift run” back.
Tony Perez hits the sac fly to drive in the add-on run.
Good job Tony. Thats a winning play.
Nice job getting a run in Sal. Clearly our best and smartest hitter. Knows the zone. Knows situational baseball.
Vodnik K’d Bleday on a 99 mph fastball to end the Reds 7th. But we did get one run home … 5-1
Vodnik would be a good pick up.
5.72 ERA . Over 4 for his career.
Singer had the wth look after that fly ball went for a hr…
He did. It just carried like the one Geno hooked to LF.
Yep
He is an absolute ABS WIZARD!!! 😮
Love to see him excel at his craft. He’s phenomenal at ABS.
Maybe our beloved Reds missed their calling to be umpires?
Solid 7 from Singer tonight. Should have been only 1 run, but we’ll take this as a definite QS from him.
I’m still betting he’s getting moved this month.
I’d move him. A lot of teams still in contention and should bring back a nice return.
Steer baby
My man Steer X 2!
Phenomenal!
OH MY FREAKING WORD!!!
Give the boy some Oxygen.
Steer does it again. The dude is a flat out baseball player.
Steer doing things only Elly does
Elly could have started a 2nd trip around
Oh no.
Steer #16 and inside the park.
Those Steer false narratives are just getting hammered again.
100000
Arroyo due for a big knock…
I would trade Stephenson and keep Steer. However if you don’t want to trade the top 4 Greene, Elly, Sal or Burns the question becomes who do you have that will bring much back. Lodolo might have but that ship has sailed. I guess Singer might get you a little but nothing to get excited about. I am still in the camp of putting Elly out there and see if you can fleece someone for a king’s ransom.
Not going to get a haul, but I’d say decent value for Singer. SP’s who have his durability are a bit scarce.
I don’t want to see Tyler go, but I don’t see him in Red for 2027 (assuming we play).
As for Elly, he’s not signing long term and his arb salaries are going to skyrocket. That’s not likely to sit well with the FO and their wallets.
Unfortunate for Arroyo and the Reds.
That’s a hard-luck DP.
Is it a “tater” if it doesn’t leave the park, John?
Singer can still be a little shakey at times and I don’t know how related it is but for the most part he has been pretty good since the Pitching Coach has been gone.
Less walks, 0 tonight, certainly helps too.
Burke with a blood pressure rising inning but no damage. Thankfully.
Somebody please check on Dennis
Singer’s stock is up…sell. Burke and Ferguson….sell sell. Geno? He might take a discount for another 1 yr deal, but next year probably won’t happen or some 100 game nonsense. So sell him too.
They will be 2 under on the road and 6 under at home. Road wise they haven’t been bad. Beat NYY, swept Texas and Minn. If they didn’t blow those games in Wrigley they’d be .500 or better. Home though….flyball pitchers at Gabp. Something has to give
Is the Tito Bobblehead wearing the Tito Speedo? Asking for a friend.
4-hit night with that BOMB as an exclamation point. First Wife was thinking it wouldn’t go out. Talk about carry.
Nice night offensively Elly, thank you.
Great 1/2 punch with Stewart. That part is a plus.
Steer and Singer helping the Reds with great performances tonight, and also possibly really upping their trade value for the Reds should the Reds sell at the break. Kind of best case scenario for the Reds for now.
Toss up on who is best reds hitter/player.
I go with De La Cruz over Stewart.
Give Salbert Salvotto another 1.5 years and I think he’ll be a better overall hitter.
I do believe my commenting time tonight is up. Feeling pretty comfortable at this point. I’ll take the same approach tomorrow afternoon.
Good night, friends. Be safe wherever you are.
I think Elly not making the AS game is motivating him
22-18 with KBH. I demand an extension so his defensive greatness can be on full display into the 2030s
70% of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by KBH
Feels like the Reds are showcasing players for possible trades. Singer, Burke, Antone all most likely gone at the deadline. Potential for Steer or Suarez to be gone too. Hoping Friedl turns it around and they could maybe trade him too.
Or maybe the Reds go on a crazy Reds Sox type of winning streak and get back in the race?
What happened with Votto calling games for NBC/Peacock this season? Has he done any yet?
Nice win Reds. Nice to watch.
Nice 2nd half start by the Reds…Just win games starting today…
Reds win game one after the break. Can they get on a roll to close out July? Stay tuned