The Cincinnati Reds are in Chicago tonight as they get set to try and put a stop to their 3-game losing streak. They’ll have to do that against the American League Central division leading White Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40pm ET this evening.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Chicago White Sox |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Brenton Doyle – CF |
| Sal Stewart – 1B | Munetaka Murakami – 1B |
| JJ Bleday – LF | Miguel Vargas – 3B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Randal Grichuk – LF |
| Eugenio Suarez – DH | Braden Montgomery – RF |
| Hector Rodriguez – RF | Colson Montgomery – DH |
| Dane Myers – CF | Edgar Quero – C |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Sam Antonacci – 2B |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Luisangel Acuna – SS |
| Nick Lodolo – LHP | Sean Burke – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Lodolo | 62.2 | 4.60 | 1.47 | 27 | 50 |
| Sean Burke | 128.2 | 3.08 | 1.12 | 39 | 144 |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Sean Burke’s Stats | |||||
Nick Lodolo
Will this be a new, different Lodolo? The lefty is coming off of the injured list after dealing with a blister issue once again. This time while he was out he changed the grip on his breaking ball to try and avoid the issue from coming up again. He pitched to teammates once while he was on the injured list in a simulated game and then he made one start in Triple-A where he threw 69 pitches.
Teams haven’t sent too many lefties out to face Lodolo, but the ones who get to face him have found plenty of success. They don’t hit for much power, but they’ve found a lot of hits and walk nearly as much as they’ve struck out. Right-handed hitters are hitting for a solid average, walk at a solid rate, make contact at a solid rate, and hit for a solid amount of power when they do get their hits.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 209 | 45 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 39 | .256 | .343 | .438 |
| LHH | 70 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 11 | .339 | .429 | .475 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.0 | 93.7 | 82.0 | 88.1 |
| Usage | 27% | 26% | 24% | 24% |
Sean Burke
Four times this season Burke has come out of the bullpen, but he threw a starters workload in each of those games as he followed an opener. It’s been a breakout year for Burke, who currently is 7th in the American League in ERA. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last nine starts and has just 11 walks in that stretch.
The splits aren’t that big for Burke. Teams do try to stack lefties against him, but they don’t do much different from righties when it comes to average or on-base percentage. Where left-handed hitters do have an advantage is in their power output. When they do get a hit they show mediocre power output, where as right-handed hitters show minimal power on their hits.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 206 | 42 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 58 | .225 | .296 | .337 |
| LHH | 319 | 63 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 26 | 86 | .220 | .288 | .392 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.8 | 94.6 | 90.1 | 79.4 | 86.6 | 86.0 |
| Usage | 37% | 15% | 8% | 21% | 17% | 2% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:40pm ET
- Where: Rate Field
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 77°, sunny, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Roster Moves
Cincinnati made a bunch of roster moves today. They called up slugger Michael Toglia from Triple-A Louisville and moved Hunter Greene to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man roster spot for him. They also activated Nick Lodolo from the IL and optioned reliever Zach McCambley to Triple-A. On Monday they optioned utility-man Ivan Johnson to Triple-A.
Draft Picks getting on the field
Cincinnati has assigned 1st round pick Justin Lebron to High-A where he’ll play with the Dayton Dragons and 2nd round (competitive balance) pick Mulivai Levu to Single-A Dayton where he’ll be with the Tortugas. Those two, along with 2nd round pick Eric Becker (Dayton) are the only three draft picks the Reds have assigned to teams so far.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 74 | 45 | 0.0 | 100.0% |
| Chicago | 69 | 50 | 5.0 | 98.6% |
| St. Louis | 59 | 60 | 15.0 | 4.7% |
| Pittsburgh | 58 | 62 | 16.5 | 6.4% |
| Cincinnati | 56 | 61 | 17.0 | 0.4% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Weather check shows mid-70’s and a bit humid. Hope we can find our groove early and keep it up. Looking for a good outing from Lodolo. will be interesting to see how his “new stuff” plays out.
Just thinking … why not a throwback game where the Sox wear those beer league softball uniforms? That would be fun, right?
Sean Burke is the pitcher prototype which always dominates the Reds …the Reds offense was awful on the weekend hopefully an awakeness is upcoming starting tonight
I bet McLain feels better that he’s not hitting BEHIND Hayes anymore. Things are looking up.
Let’s win. 🙂
Both provide great protection to the other. Haha
With only 45 games remaining in the 2026 season for the Reds, they need to bounce back and win this series in Chicago! They are hanging on for dear life in the NL Wild Card race being 5 games behind the 3rd and final spot by 5 games in the loss column! Difficult? Yes! Impossible? NO!
Need a strong outing from Lodolo tonight! Some early runs, heck, any runs would be helpful to the cause!
Let’s do this!
“heck, any runs would be helpful to the cause!”
😀
I’m expecting the Reds offense to rebound tonight, but I don’t know what to expect from Lodolo, who they say has changed his grip on his breaking ball. Inter-league match ups have gone well for the Reds in the past, so just gotta hang in there and take it as it comes…
Not an encouraging first inning by the Reds offense…
Elly took a solid ambush rip at it, but Sal looked a bit lost and JJ continues to struggle.
Buckle up and hold on to yo’ butts!!!
What a horrible first inning, it looks like Sal may be tired.
Took speak and he has appeared in every game this year.Probably is tired.
WOW brain and fingers way off tonight.Should have been took a peak
Tired of LOSING I’m sure.
What a worser bottom of the first inning.
Let us see what “Blisters” can do.
Incredible …first Lodolo pitch and got deep…LOL
One pitch, one homer. Welcome back, Lodolo!
Me thinks Lodolo is a little rusty? One pitch one HR.
I hope that HR wasn’t his “new” curve ball. 😉
Ha ha! I didn’t even think about that.
Ooops … that’s an ugly start. It’s early, but not encouraging.
Oops!
The alarmists and town criers were out for Brady Singer the other day in the first inning last start but he was mostly good. Lodolo may struggle. I have no idea. Sal may tire. But the alarmists making narratives over 1 inning in Mid august is exactly that. Outrageously reactionary.
Reds didnt score in the first. White Sox got 1.
Its 1-0. Thats all. We got 8 more innings and seeing what Lodolo has as a starter is worth watching. See what Hrod does. See if McLain can get to .220. See if Hayes can get to .125. See if Ty Steve can make case for a good contract.
All solid points. We have to expect some settling in for Lodolo with the new grip. But if he’s reasonably effective and doesn’t blister up then I see that as a win. Solo homers rarely beat you.
But we still gotta hit and the Sox are not going to lay down with the unexpected season they are having.
This is not about 1 inning it’s about this whole miserable season.
Sal’s whole year has been spectacular! You chose to criticize 1 at bat…… Which is it?????? You said its the whole year????? If it’s the whole year…..then its not about Sal 1 at bat in the first inning?????
Hypocrisy at its finest and you doubled down on it… Nice work coach!
Every AB, every pitch, has become a referendum on whomever is the author’s scapegoat of the moment here. It’s funny and tiresome at the same time.
Frustration and anger wears many hats.
The words Richard Fitch wrote earlier today are now echoing in my head … ball in play is better than not … ball in play lifted a bit beats the ground balls right into a fielder’s glove.
OK, HRod “swiped” first … go figure.
You can really tell that Cowboy is fed up with Reds hitters.
Another leaves the yard off of Lodolo. Am I allowed to say that or is that being too much of an alarmist?
Now, to my point earlier, two solo HR’s can begin to hurt if we can’t answer.
Le sigh …
Nothing a 2 run shot won’t cure
Now it would be a grand slam
Pope hat giveaway tonight at the park.
Very creative…and a full stadium
It has to be one of the most unique give aways that I remember seeing.
WHAT??? Now I’m watching crowd shots. Too funny.
2 runs already feels like Mt. Everest in the third inning ….. just pitiful
You are correct, at this point I would just like a hit.
White Sox announcers are insufferable. Talking about their golf game. Basically laughing at us.
He’s got the Boyz mostly guessing. Still early.
Lodolo and Lowder are now crucial pieces to the Reds starting pitching puzzle with Greene done for 2027. Hunter Greene hasnt ever won 10 games in a season nearly 10 years into his career and is simply a 2028 1 year rental. Hes been on the IL 9x. Thats where this franchise is.
Reds simply dont have any internal solutions to fill for Lodolo Singer Lowder Stephenson Steer or McLain in 2027.
Farm system at the upper minors is dreadful x for Duno.
Looking at players with over 140 PA….Reds have 4 of the worst 20 in MLB. Hayes is the worst. Friedl is 3rd worst. Marte is around worst 10 and Arroyo worst top 20. That doesnt include Benson or Hinds or CES. This offense minus Elly Sal Steer Stephenson Bleday has been historically awful but we choose to focus on those 5 as the problems.
You are right. There are a LOT of issues with this team and not much help to look for coming from the minors. Not a good situation to be in.
No hits and 4 SOs thru 3 innings! Awesome!
Despite the 2 dingers, Lodolo is doing his part. His movement looks good and it appears he’s gaining confidence. Let’s remember the Sox are leading the ALC for a reason.
I don’t want to lose here. I do want to see us turn it around and get some groove back. Statue play and flailing whiffs won’t cut it though.
Crooked number going up. Kick back and enjoy.
Maybe next inning. Made him work though – 7 pitches.
CES 2-2 4th HR .849 ops 26 years old, but hey KBH has it under control
Ughhh! So sickening. I’m not saying he will keep this up but they may have given up on him too early.
CES has always chased but last I looked he has fanned 10 times and walked yes walked 5 times.If he continues to that well his power has always played and he has played mostly third base I believe.I wish him well.
The Angels fired their pitching coach. Why in the world have the Reds not fired their hitting coach? This is awful, they are not even competitive.
You would think they would try something. Seems not.
Uh, it is the lack of TALENTED hitters, not the hitting coaches fault for the lack of offense from this baseball squad. Repeat that 100 times, you may get it.
At least they’re solo shots. I guess.
Another big shot given up my Lodolo. Woof!
Hey! Burke has a no hitter going. jinx
jinx jinx jinx
The Reds have no hits.
White Sox pitcher has allowed no hits so far
jinx
These solo shots are getting a bit irritating.
Turn out the lights, the party’s over.
Lodolo not fooling anybody tonight! Get the bullpen ready!
Reds offense is simply offensive. So many hitters with no approach in the batters box. It’s sad. Swept in Washington, is a Chicago sweep in the cards? Not feeling like we stand a chance this series. Offense looks so lifeless.
4-0 seems like trying to climb Mount Everest at this point.
Yep! Barefoot with no oxygen!
Ha ha! For sure
And we wonder why this Reds team struggles to score runs? 3 batters in the Reds starting batting order tonight hitting below .200 and Suarez hitting just .202. By comparison, the White Sox only have one hitter in their lineup hitting below .200.
I’m done. Other things to watch. Catch y’all tomorrow.
You missed so much fun!
This series has a sweep written all over it. One team is really playing hard to win the other has given up.
Glad you said what everyone is seeing! This team has given up! 18 days until the start of NCAA football!
Unless Geno runs into one, you can’t expect the bottom half of this lineup to put any runs on the board.
And right on cue, Suarez delivers.
That was nice! Good way to break up the no hitter and shutout with one big swing.
That’s the kind of answer we needed ! now 4-1
Hope the Reds honor him in some way at the end of the season.I get it he will probably want to and may get to play next year but he has always been a fan favorite.Geno is the man.
He’s one of my favorite players over the last few years. It’s really disappointing he hasn’t been able to make more of an impact this season.
I agree with you both. Geno is a class act and one that I will always root for.
Reds scored 6 runs against the Nationals terrible pitching staff in 3 games and now being no hit. ( Nope…Geno just spared us ) . Reds are dead last in MLB in Offensive WAR. Dead last in MLB in wRC+. I would love to just be average. Maybe someone someday will appreciate Spencer average Steer and his .243 BA and .745 OPS and 22 home runs and 85 RBI and GG defense at 1b and ability to fill in 4 glaring holes on the diamond because the FO cant field 8 position players who can both hit and field and throw.
McLain and Rodriguez at-bats were pitiful. Just pitiful.
Let’s have another good outing from Mey and build some confidence for the young man. Getting that first pitch strike in the Nats series seemed to really help him.
They missed a challenge on that 4th pitch, but Mey still came thru ! One hard hit ball, but he’s got it under control.
1-2-3. Easy peasy.
Great play. Myers is a heckuva centerfielder. Great awareness of where he is near the warning track. Those are tough plays.
Reds and Pirates are done with Nats and Cardinals hanging by a thread. That leaves the Padres, D-Backs, Phillies and Marlins for 2 spots. I am pulling for the Marlins.
Me too! If Marlins make the playoffs, I may make the drive from Orlando to Miami to see one of their games!
Cowboys doesn’t seem very impressed with this WS pitcher. Sounds like he is throwing a lot of home run meat balls up there.
All we have now are moral victories! At least we aren’t looking at a no-hitter or a shutout!
This team is just about unwatchable ….. if nothings else , hoping this pathetic excuse for a season clears out this joke of a front
Office (wishful thinking I know …..)
I feel the same way.
I have to wonder what the Reds club house is like these days. Just think 5 days ago they were talking about going on a run and making things weird. Well that ended in a hurry.
A two out single from Sal makes our 2nd hit of the day … but that’s it so far.
Reds made the right decision not trading or benching or DFA-ing geno. None of those options would have helped the team get better. He is a Reds future Hall of Famer and a class act.
Should be showed a first class exit last home game. Hit 4th Play 3rd and make it Geno Suarez day. That is the proper treatment for a great Red.
I just checked in to see the score…a solo HR….what a shocker
Luis Mey is mowing them down.
Definitely looks like a different pitcher than times before …. Good for him !
Yeah, how ’bout them apples ? Mey is looking very good…
Triple A is basically bare. We are going to see a lot of these guys back next year. Basically need a salary floor so Bob can open the purse and actually spend some money on free agents or next year is going to be unwatchable.
Geno doubles to raise his OPS over the .700 mark.
Its not a good time of year right now and we all know what the outcome will be.If younger players like Mey or others can have some good outings or good at bats it can only help them going forward.Success even if its just a little success can make a difference.Nobody knows what could happen from here on in with this player or that player.
Tough K by Hector there with Geno on 2nd… the Knuckle Curve got him.
Myers follows suit, and the Reds come up with nothing after a Dbl by Geno… only 3 hits on the day.
The Reds had zero walks last game, and zero walks so far tonight. Ouch!
HRod probably didn’t see breaking balls like that in AAA.
I like Myers and his OBP but we are beginning to see why he had a career OPS+ of 80 coming in to year.Like his defense also.
Myers is simply not an everyday player. Good guy to have on the bench. For the budget-minded Reds tho, this is where they are forced to shop.
Agree Roger and Richard. begs the question though.
We need a CF and we dont have one.
Justin LeBron is 2 for 3 so far tonight with a single and a double.
Is it too much to ask for 2 baserunners in one inning?
Sean Burke takes a seat. TYVM.
The fact is at this time the Reds don’t have one every day outfielder on their 40 man going into 2027. How in the world can that happen?
… if we’re going to do it, it better be now in the 8th ! Just closer music in the 9th.
Matty starts it off with a dribbler. He is on first though.
Wow. Two base runners. Time to do some damage Elly!!!
!!!
Toglia with a bloop. An honest-to-goodness rally.
Beautiful! Still no outs for Sal!
EDLC – Rally Master. 4-2.
Dribblers and bloops and a blast work any time.
Elly looked like he was trying to hit it there.
Three hits in a row so make it 4 Sal and keep the line moving.
Moved em over anyway.
Hot can tie it
Hit
Bases loaded!
Walk by Bleday. Bases juiced.
Reds pretty good at challenges!
Hector Rodriguez has looked over matched tonight
Ty ties it up!!!!
Tyler!
Tyler ties it up. Certainly would be nice to have him back season.
JJ Bleday is absolutely CLUELESS on the bases …. Not the first time this year either !
Amazing how much better they are when hit oppo.
Tyler ties it
Just hit it in the air.
OBTW, Everest does get summited on a regular basis.
It also takes around two months to do such feat. Let’s see if the Reds can make it over the top tonight.
No sherpas unfortunately.
Awesome display of clutch hitting by Ty Steve … 4-4 going into the btm of the 8th.
Nice job by TySteve tying the game up but JJ Bleday killed the rally running bases…it seems always they can do something bad…
Meh. He may have been trying to draw the throw so Elly would score without a throw home.
An old school rally – 4 singles and a walk.
Ok let’s score again send White Sox fans home with nothing but a loss and a Pope hat!
Solid effort Tejay. How about another run?
Wow, White Sox Pope hats already sold on eBay for $70.
Golden sombrero for H-Rod… what a ugly night
Man those stands are packed. For a Tues night game no less.
Well reading through I see Reds gave up and the other team is motivated and we are down by three. Why oh why are we in extra innings I wonder hmm?
Sorry tied bottom of ninth my error.
Saw the Reds do this a little while back (score 3) and went up 8-7 in the 8th, and got the win… Against the A’s I think.
Yep, maybe question results but effort seems present most of the time. Poor execution often looks like a lack of caring or effort. I give the benefit of doubt that most MLB players play with effort.
No, it was against the Pirates, where we won 3 of 4.
Burke, not Pagan to pitch the 9th. Score tied…
Is Burke doing a Monica Seles imitation out there?
I thought same resemble service in tennis
I think he means the “grunt”.
We’re into Extras !
… and two batters later the Reds are up by 1
to play extras folks
Some ghostly magic please.
Mclain on third gotta get him in!
Good job of moving him along.
At least Toglia didn’t K. Good PA.
Yes! Got the lead!
Good job of moving him up 90 feet.
back to back sac flies … not seen in recent years.
Whooho
We actually played good baseball in the 10th.
Two productive outs. I’ll take it.
Credit Elly for getting McLain across the plate.
I have to give the boys some credit. It didn’t look good early against Burke, but they fought hard and have a lead in the 10th now. I hope Pagan can nail it down.
I do, too. I’d hate for someone here to DFA him.
Ha ha!!! Not here.
White Sox are sending up the botting of their lineup.
Reds manage to score the ghost runner at least…
Apparently Elly is clutch,however you wont see some give him credit.
And taking second on a fly out to right was helpful tying the game.
I give him credit and a long term deal (were he to take it)! 🙂
Powerball win in your future JJ?
Ha ha! I sure wish. I was trying to spend Bob and Phil’s money. 🙂
Pagan should be rested. Irony – Pagan gets the save on a night they gave out Papal Hats.
well done.
That was a good one! Well played. lol
Pagan has been pretty good at closing since returning from his injury.
Take pills for nerves but hope Pagan can pull it off again
Great battle right there. Pagan wins that one
14-pitch at bat …insane
Wow ! Gets him on the 14th pitch … one down in the Sox 10th.
1 pitch for the 2nd out…
One more out. Just one more.
How tough is hitting a baseball? Antonacci did everything he could to stay alive and still …
Amazing! What a battle.
And how tough it is to strike a major leaguer out! Epic.
It is never easy.
How about that!! What a come from behind win!
What a great comeback tonight! This team didn’t quit. Good job boys!!!
Did it
Heck of a job Pagan ! Outstanding
Good win against good team
I’m here to admit that I was completely wrong about Emilio Pagan earlier this season. He has been lights out since coming back from the IL. I will take my crow medium well.
It sucks when players give up tonight…like the Reds did.
That guy stopped posting as per usual when they win.
Some just like misery only???
Yep he does indeed.
If you noticed the 3 guys who talk negatively all quit posting when the Reds tied it up.
If perhaps you are including me in that group who stopped posting I took a break to talk with my brother who is in the hospital. But thanks for noticing AND caring! Baseball is still just a game!
I can gripe with the best of them when things aren’t going well in games but also like to celebrate the good times. I don’t get being negative all the time. Life sure wouldn’t be any fun.
I get fed up with the team, and the management as well, but I’ll never accuse guys of quitting.
If perhaps you are including me in that group who stopped posting I took a break to talk with my brother who is in the hospital. But thanks for noticing AND caring! Baseball is still just a game!
I hope your brother is doing better, Dennis. I am sorry to hear he is in the hospital.
Reds win! Come from behind W …They ambushed the Sox bullpen in the 8th that was pivotal … Ty Stephenson was key…Nice job by the bullpen … Toglia debuted with a huge single to spark the rally
Reds win in a miraculous comeback !
I was wondering if the Baseball gods had deserted us … well, we did drop three in a row in Washington, but here we are back in the win column on a night where it looked like we had no shot.
Must be nice to be in the AL Central.
Yeah crazy. Tigers seemed to have gotten better without Skubal. Apparently he was holding them back.
Gets the elephant out of the room, if nothing else…
I think Detroit and Cleveland are both better than these guys but the Sox do have electricity on their side. Hard not to root for them.
I’ll root for the Sox, when the Reds leave town.