Earlier today the Reds and Cardinals played the first game of a twin bill. Things didn’t go Cincinnati’s way at the plate as they managed just three hits in a 2-1 loss to St. Louis. The two get back on the field this evening for the night half of the doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
St. Louis Cardinals | Cincinnati Reds |
| JJ Wetherholt – 2B | Elly De La Cruz – DH |
| Ivan Herrera – C | Sal Stewart – 2B |
| Alec Burleson – 1B | JJ Bleday – LF |
| Jordan Walker – DH | Eugenio Suarez – 3B |
| Joshua Baez – RF | Michael Toglia – 1B |
| Nathan Church – CF | Matt McLain – SS |
| Masyn Winn – SS | Hector Rodriguez – RF |
| Bryan Torres – LF | Jose Trevino – C |
| Blaze Jordan – 3B | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Andre Pallante – RHP | Rhett Lowder – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Rhett Lowder | 94.1 | 5.15 | 1.48 | 40 | 77 |
| Andre Pallante | 130.0 | 3.46 | 1.22 | 40 | 92 |
| Links: Rhett Lowder’s Stats | Andre Pallante’s Stats | |||||
Rhett Lowder
When Lowder returned to the rotation after a brief stint in the bullpen, things did not go well. He gave up 11 hits and eight runs in 2.1 innings. But in the four starts since then he’s also allowed eight runs – but that’s come in 22.1 innings (3.22 ERA).
The splits against Lowder are pretty big in 2026. Righties and lefties both have the exact same average – .266. But that’s where all comparisons end. Righties are hitting for absolutely no power and they draw almost no walks. Left-handed hitters are hitting for a good amount of power when they get their hits and they are walking at a high rate. Not shown below in the splits is that his ERA at home is 3.06, compared to 7.23 on the road.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 153 | 38 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 26 | .266 | .309 | .343 |
| LHH | 270 | 62 | 12 | 2 | 11 | 33 | 51 | .266 | .361 | .476 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.5 | 92.8 | 79.6 | 84.9 | 86.3 |
| Usage | 21% | 29% | 2% | 28% | 21% |
Andre Pallante
2026 has been the best season of Pallante’s career. His rookie year back in 2022 was mostly spent in the bullpen, though he did top 100 innings that season. This year he’s thrown more innings over his 23 starts and while his ERA isn’t quite as low as it was then, his overall production has been better due to the larger workload. The righty has faced Cincinnati twice thie year and has allowed one run in 13.0 innings while walking two batters and striking out 11.
The splits this season against Pallante aren’t huge, but they so exist. Left-handed hitters have been better across the board against him. They make more contact, show a little more power, and they are getting on base a little more frequently. Righties are hitting for a low average, not getting on base much, and when they do get hits are showing next to no power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 248 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 45 | .223 | .294 | .317 |
| LHH | 291 | 68 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 47 | .254 | .313 | .381 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.2 | 95.4 | 78.4 | 87.7 | 88.4 |
| Usage | 32% | 18% | 18% | 30% | 3% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 77°, cloudy, 35% chance of rain
News and Notes
Kent Emanuel DFA’d, Zach Maxwell called up
The Reds called up Kent Emanuel to start today’s game one of the doubleheader and after 5.0 innings of 2-run baseball he gets designated for assignment less than four hours after his first pitch. Zach Maxwell was called up to take his spot on the roster.
Division Standings
*Standings entering the day*
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 77 | 48 | 0.0 | 100.0% |
| Chicago | 72 | 53 | 5.0 | 97.9% |
| St. Louis | 63 | 61 | 13.5 | 9.1% |
| Pittsburgh | 61 | 65 | 16.5 | 3.7% |
| Cincinnati | 59 | 64 | 17.0 | 0.2% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Kent Emmanuel probably didn’t even get a chance for a cup of coffee.
He did a really good job and deserves a longer look
Wow, the quick pressure he was under, and Emmanuel did so well for the Reds.
Only a couple of teams may have better SPs than us, but that’s it. We can’t start 4 guys with sub .200 batting averages and another at the Mendoza line and expect to score 4-5 runs every night. Stop picking up other team’s castoffs and bring up a couple of the best hitters we have in the Minors and see what happens. Nothing to lose at this point! Insanity is doing the same thing every night and expecting different results. Make changes to show we still feel we can play .750 ball, or quit. I haven’t quit on the Reds, why are they quitting on me!
Best hitters in the minors? Who? There’s no one left. They’ve literally called up every possible “solution” and the results have been just sad.
You are correct about that and that is why Krall must go. The team can’t hit and there is no help on the way.
We have called up about 5-6 of the best. Hinds, Dunn, CES, Benson, HRod, Arroyo, Toglia, and Marte. At least 3 have been DFAd and I am pretty sure more are on the way. There is absolutely nobody left. That is a major part of the Reds problem….Krall overbetting his hand on these guys. Time to turn the page and move on from about 6-8 of these guys……or suffer the consequences.
It’s time to mercy rule the Reds’ season.
You are sadly right about that as well.
That is not the intended way of the 27th player in a DH. Abusing the system. Not a competitive thing at all. Saves an arm or two if Game 2 goes sideways. I would guess Garcia, Antone, and Mey are all down and maybe Pagan if we dont have a late lead. Lots of McCambley and Maxwell. And Krall thinks we have a playoff run in us. We have a couple of Louisville players who are like a combined 2 for 35. And no new prospects from the deadline fiasco. When is enough is enough? Embarass your team further and play the young guys forever and sit the outgoing: Tyler, Geno, MM, Bleday, and Hayes. Maybe even put a few guys like Geno and Singer on waivers and save a few more $. Cause in 2027, you will need to spend and spend to catch the Brewers and Cubs.
Tito, if you are so proud of Emmanuel, why did you DFA him?
I could see putting a few guys on waivers now and see if someone claimed them. Might save a few bucks. My #1 pick would be Suarez
Except that’s the “we pay” waiver … other team picks up about a month of MLB minimum for their trouble. I think we’re even on the hook for any options.
Sigh all I can find is the Cardinals broadcast with Chip Carey. Woe is me.
YIKES!!! You can’t even get a different audio overlay?
Not very tech savvy. It’s gonna be excruciating. And people complain about our announcers. …
Here’s how I do it, Chris.
I mute the TV and fire up either the app on my phone or a fresh window on my laptop. Then I do the “audio only” option (easy to launch from Reds main page) and pause which ever is ahead (usually the radio audio) until it’s reasonably close. Easy enough to do that on the pitch sound getting to the glove or bat.
We need this one … pig kicking … etc.
Le sigh …
Thanks Mark!
DP a pitcher’s best friend.
Once again, I am going to call for a coaching change. Chris Valaika was a failure in Cleveland and has been a failure in Cincinnati. Some claim it’s a talent problem, and rightfully so. But at some point, there has to be some accountability. What can it hurt to have a new voice? The entire organization is in shambles.
Good comeback by Lauder, now find a way to score some runs.
The hit was a solid hit. 4-pitch walk was problematic. All is now forgotten with the Bike Helmets to end it.
An unlikely Bike Helmets to get us out of the inning. I’ll take that.
I think Chip Carry is great. It,s a thousand times better than Sadak and Larkin.
That’s a pretty low bar GnW … 😉
Chip Caray is the worst PBP guy in MLB…..IMO
Hideous to listen too.
That is nice to see.
Good short swing by Elly on that one.
That’s a better start.
Bases loaded no out one run is all we get I guess we should be appreciative of that oh man.
More than what we usually get. 🙂
Unlucky DP there. But we scored in the 1st so that’s a positive takeaway.
Well one is better than zip. They did hit the ball hard however, Poor base running by Sal.
Really? Get doubled off on a liner to the glove by just a foot?
Your point, you have to make sure it gets through period.
The better Matty … I like that. Still rooting for him.
CES down 0-2 with men on 2nd/3rd 1 out. Worked it to 1-2 single up the middle for 2 more rbis. I hope the O’s make it, but their schedule is alot tougher
Reds gave up on him to soon.
HRod swings at 2 pitches out of the zone while MMC is trying to steal after 2 disengagements. Not baseball smart.
Another “unlucky” DP. Too bad Matty wasn’t already on 2nd.
I remember back when some were calling for Trevino to be the reds everyday catcher…good lord…he is terrible
He’s a solid #2 as a defensive catcher. He caught some lightning in a bottle last season, but he is who he is. He’ll have a job as long as he wants one, basically. Either with us or elsewhere.
Any hit of any kind is a bonus.
He had the team’s only two hits in a recent game.
Suarez making it look easy
Geno is looking good so far tonight. Accurate throws are a good thing.
Good first 3 from Lowder. Let’s see some run support (haven’t we all said that before?)
I am sorry but Friedl should be DFAd asap.
Yep. We definitely agree on that.
Friedl is just unbelievably bad now… this dude has just flat out plunged off a cliff ….not fallen, plunged
It’s very sad to see. Completely different than last season. I hope he saved his money or is ready to play in Asia.
From my angle, it looks like when Friedl swings it appears that he goes a little bit cross-eyed. That is bound to make you miss.
Double NUTS!
One for our inning, one for that meatball.
Need to reset Lowder here, Jose.
No idea if he could have gone to Geno. Always a risky thing anyway.
Bad time for Wynn to wake up just a tiny bit.
Playing from behind again and with this offense that is a bad thing.
It was fun and exciting to have a lead for a while. Reds should try that more often.
+10,000
OK. Just lift one a bit. Chip away at it.
Toglia needs to go back to the ‘Ville. We’ve seen all that we need to see.
He’s the only legit backup to Sal at 1B right now.
That guy sitting behind the plate looks like he could do as well.
Trevino is barely passable there. And you can’t play him that frequently between C and 1B at this point in his career.
Just bad options with Steer out.
Strikes out on ball four. And the pitch wasn’t even close to the strike zone.
Every time they pull me back in … *$_!^!?
The Reds offense incompetence is reaching brutal levels wow …never seen
Runners on the corners and nobody out. And they still don’t score. SMH
Oh my Lord, this game is over. These guys are so bad it is hard to believe they are playing for a major league team. Sorry a little disgusted.
Now, I know how Pink Floyd feels. Comfortably numb.
I just came upon the Reds game by accident, and to my stunned horror watched their latest OF candidate, Toglia, attempt to hit mlb pitching. Pretty sure I’ve never seen a big league hitter lunge at a bouncing pitch and nearly tip over doing it. How did he ever get called up, and who made that decision? I feel sorry for the kid. He must feel as if he lost his pants out there.
He’s not a kid. He’s had 4 years of MLB experience with Colorado Rockies before this season.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/toglimi01.shtml
I’m well aware of that. Still a kid to me. The critiquing of words in an effort to prove knowledge often causes people to totally ignore the larger message.
Insult to injury there. Didn’t look it into his glove all the way (regardless of what Cowboy just said).
The most annoying thing is this shame is happening to the team and and everything is ok in the org …
Follow the money … they are making “enough” from their perspective. But, hey, you’ve got bobbleheads and concernts.
Break between innings and the song that ran through my muddled brain was “Doctor My Eyes” … especially, “Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?”
Lowder is still basically doing his job … just like we’ve seen starters do very frequently. I know the days of the Kangaroo Court are long gone, but why don’t we ever hear about a players only meeting anymore?
And Valaika is still drawing a paycheck.
CES #6 with 4 rbis. 3 ribbies yesterday. I’m done. Krall should be done too! I’ll never spend another dollar at Gabp until he is. Its not all on him, but alot of it is.
This “He’s doing what ownership wants him to do” is ridiculous. They’re 19th-20th in payroll? Moneyball is an old movie. There are other ways. Today McLain 2-0 count and he chases a changeup low. They’re hackers. Its a hacker mentality from A-Z
Ryan Vilade is another one. #11 ops .815, .863 vs lefties. We had him at AAA and never brought him up? You have some of the pieces, but they slip thru our fingers? Can’t coach them up or get them in the right place.
Vilade was a mediocre hitter for three other teams before BRIEFLY being a Red.
Once again, Ot, stating the obvious that everyone already knows. The larger message beyond Vilade: the Reds are not very good at evaluating or developing talent. Yes, they’ve hit on a few, like every team. But I’d say the complete void of dependable-at-the-plate OFers for several years speaks volumes. I’m not even sure how it’s possible to have such bad production from a position that needs to produce.
Lowder pitching is best part of the game. Success story of the season, along with Burns and Sal
How many more games are Reds fans going to have to watch Friedl play.
The fact they are only 6 under .500 either speaks to how good Tito is or how bad the rest of the league is. To have such an abysmal offensive team, shaky bullpen, and average starting pitching— but still only be 6 under is something I cant wrap my head around. The team that lost 100 games had better players in my opinion. Even if I am wrong, they werent THAT much worse than this roster. Not a shot on Bell, just genuinely do not understand it.
TJ Friedl’s last base hit was on July 11.
In 2026?
MMXXVi
That’s a good one Mark
Tito is trying to win every game possible because thats his job.Until Krall says you know what lets see what this guy can do the rest of the season,Tito is still going to play Friedl and others that will not be here next year.Who the others are I do not know.For me I can lose watching minor league guys like Hrod and Arroyo.I can also give Bleday a few games off and Sal and even Elly if Krall doesn’t care about 75 wins more then he does 70.
All I can say is at the end of this season ….people better be losing their jobs
Couldn’t agree more with this statement … 1000 %
Might be the absolute poorest roster
construction I’ve ever seen on a Red’s team .
Laugh if you want and I’m grasping at straws because we’re dead last in hitting.
Michael Lorenzen DFA. Pick him up and make him a hitter. Career .710 ops with 7 HRs in 133 at-bats. Maybe he should’ve stayed a hitter? Half our team would have to hit .500 for a month to get to .710
Valaika is not telling this call up to not swing at a straight fastball on 0-2 and then swing at another 0-2 pitch that was never a strike from the time it left the pitchers hand.
Then Matt does the same thing on 3-2 on pitch that was ridiculous.
I don’t know what you can do with that incompetence.
Now if CES continues to hit even if he is not walking at all. And is actually just at least a little better at pitch recognition. Then you can start to ask how it was not taking here.
If Hinds does the same or Benson goes elsewhere and does to. Then sure. This coaching staff is very much in need of firing.
So, if up and down the lineup the team has terrible approaches at the plate, that’s not the purview of the hitting coach. Okay.
Why have a hitting coach then? What is his responsibility. No one is expecting Valaika to turn these guys into all-stars. But, is a professional at-bat asking too much?
Our starting 9’s batting average tonight is .193.
I’d wager that is the lowest in the history of baseball.
To field the worst in the history of baseball takes a whole lot of things done poorly, such as super poor: scouting, trading, minor league development and coaching.
I’ve been a Red’s fan for 64 years and have never felt we’ve had a less potent team than I do now. Such a shame, especially with solid SPs.
65 years for me and I am just hoping for better times ahead!
Reds fan for 70 years. This has been a tough year. But so were 1960, 1966, 1971, 1982, 1983, and most of the 21st century Reds teams (except 2010, 2012, and 2013).
The are historically a .500 W-L team, especially if you overlook the Big Red Machine decade.
It’s been a long day for me. Had a late meeting that even required an early dinner (eaten in my office). With run #4 crossing the plate, I’m going to tap out for the night and watch something else with First Wife.
Back at it tomorrow (I guess).
Not just losing Lowe which was a waste of a trade if you’re not trading the rest. Losing Steer hurt badly too. So Krall will stay beacuse. Injuries.
I’m guessing no good offers for Reds players at the trade deadline.
Got it.
The Reds struggles are tied to losing Nate Lowe for 2 months.
The did the right thing by trading an expiring contract from a team going nowhere.
This should be all from Lowder… the Reds were hitting Pallante hard, but only one run to show for it. Without the homerun ball, the Reds are hurting. 4-1 going into the bottom of the 6th …
Let’s just call the Reds the One Run Reds! One run in Sunday’s loss to the Marlins. Then only one run in today’s first game loss to the Cardinals. Finally, only one run in what will probably be a loss in game 2 and a doubleheader sweep by the Cardinals!
Between the GIDPs, SOs with RISP, one run seems to be the limit for the current offense!
Yeah, the magic is gone. Don’t know where the spark is going to come from, but Bleday just got his third hit of the day !
My comment worked! Reds scored 3 runs to tie it up!
Hey Mcalin how about getting one run home.
Is Matt going to redeem himself here?
Wow Suarez should have been home there 3rd base coach!
no way.
Should have taken a chance there on scoring.
Nope. He’s slow. And it doesn’t erase the lead. And a base hit changes the game, which it did.
Rodriguez comes thru but should have had more runs
The Louisville Connection comes through. Tie ball game.
Tie game tho. It’s a new ball game!
H Rod ties it up in the 6th, driving in 2, before he’s thrown out at 2nd. Yes, the game is tied at 4 a piece ! Take that !
I think he was safe Reds can’t buy a break.
No way Lowder should still be on the mound, no way.
Hector will be batting clean-up tomorrow.
Lowder giving the Reds a chance pitching a strong game in the 7th.
Nice to see some runs! Congrats to Rodriguez. I like Lowder going a little further here. With the Reds pen I’d rather see a pitcher go 7 innings giving up 3-4 runs then 5 innings letting up 1 run.
Lowder with a gutsy effort. Brock Burke comes on.
On comes Burke with 2 outs in the 7th. Applause for Lowder …
Tito squeezed as much as he could out of Lowder, then went out and got him. Relievers are not like endless breadsticks at the Olive Garden.
Oh…but that bottomless salad bowl….mmm
Can the Reds have another rally?
Strzelecki takes the mound for the Birds … can the Reds keep the momentum going ?
Burke comes thru again
Lowder being stretched like he’s a 1980s starter. He’s been doing well.
Why did Friedl bat?
why is he not bunting ? Has he lost that too ?
That was a feeble home half of the 7th.
My bad. They challenged and won.
challenge, challenge, challenge that third strike call !
Pitchers’ fastballs keep getting faster and TJ Friedl keeps getting older.
A tale as old as time.
they won the challenge but not the at bat …
EDLC nearly makes them pay.
Meanwhile another big game for CES with the O’s and it’s now sporting a .840 OPS in 80 AB.
I don’t know but I think that’s a LITTLE bit better than most of our guys. 😉
The Reds don’t need guys like that. Showing off and acting better than others. 😉
“The Reds don’t need guys like that. Showing off and acting better than others. ?”
Yeah. Who needs em? 😉
Lefty on lefty match up… Burke needs to throw strikes !
A steal of third, and that makes it easy. Reds give up one … 5-4.
Horrible walk.
On an 0-2 count I believe . Unreal …. That’s what these guys do though ..
If only we could all be as utterly incompetent at our jobs as this FO and remain employed…CES is the latest example of them misjudging their talent…
He is an example of change of scenery benefit we have others that hopefully get same opportunity. Bleday is some other team’s complaint for a couple of months while playing for us for us it happens every year to most teams.
80 bouncer the infield… I’ve never seen a team with so many bloop and bleeder hits.
Stewart-Bleday-Suarez. That’s good for something.
Jordan goes down in a Blaze of glory.
The teeth of the Reds order to face Strzelecki in the 8th …
The Cardinals hit little grounders to the opposite field both games.
Geno on standing on 2nd with Toglia at the plate, 2 outs.
It is so sad they are going to lose when 1 lousy strike had them out of the inning.
It ain’t over yet!
Suarez is having himself a nice game, reaching all 4 trips.
Correction: Reaching 3 times and hitting a sac fly.
McCambley on to pitch the 9th (?)
And another 80 bouncer for a hit….
If Reds want to win this game, they need a 9th inning rally! Problem is it will be on the shoulders of McLain, H-Rod, Trevino and lastly, Friedl. That assumes the Reds bullpen doesn’t implode in the top of the 9th! Hold onto your butts!
Oh, ye of little faith. Some guy named Myers hit HR to tie it. He is no among the four players you listed. Does the typing run still count?
Edits. “Not” instead of “no” and “tying” instead of “typing” above.
Tito was smart enough to use Myers as a PH! Then he inserted Ty Steve for Mr. Popup! Ironic that Ty Steve scores the winning run on Elly’s double in the bottom of the 10th!
You never know McLain and Hayes were big the other night
Take a bow McCambley.
McCambley takes care of business, Strzelecki back on the mound for the Birds in the 9th.
Strzelecki needs to buy a vowel!
😀
McLain keeps the slim hopes alive of double-digit strike outs.
Hector does his part by whiffing. Pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Trevino.
Nope. Dane Myers will get the honors.
Com’on Myers!
Oh yeah!!! Why wasn’t he in the lineup to begin with?!
Oh my goo….Myers
Dannnnneeeeee!!!!
WOW
Myers pinch hitting for Trevino just tied the game up ! 5-5
The guy has always been a very good pinch hitter…
Our power bench guy ties it up with two outs in the bottom if the 9th. I KNEW he was going to do that. 😉
Free baseball courtesy of Dane Myers.
Alright. The Ethan O’Donnell trade didn’t totally suck.
All 250 people left in the stadium were on their feet!
Did the Cardinals think that Strzelecki was Clay Carroll or something, trying for a 3-inning save?
Great start Pagan! Two more
Baez homered in his first three plate appearances and has now gone 0-15.
Sets up the double play
Sit down Ollie
Let’s get some hits and finish it now!
Do your job Elly, please.
Great job, Pagan. Now, chase that ghost runner home.
Pagán got the job done again! Now is the Reds chance to win this…
Top of the order. No excuses.
Come on win it right here !
Pitching around EDLC.
I bet they wished that they had pitched around him.
There’s the ball game Elly comes thru!!!!!
Fun game actually
Walk it off, boys!
Baby!
(Why do I care so much?)
Any win over the Ratbirds is a good win.
Elly did it! a Reds walk-off win ….Avoiding to get swept
Elly comes thru in the clutch for the win in the 10th !!!
Glad I was alive for this one !
Clutch hit by Elly wins the game. 🙂
and a 2 out homerun in the bottom of the 9th got us there …
Games like this are rare indeed.
Yes sir.
We’ll take it !
Tuned back in on the phone when it was tied. Got to love that finish.
Glad you didn’t miss it !
WE WIN!
Reds might as well take the next three.
Elly is clutch. His first walk off hit amazing.
Great comeback. Did anyone else see the postgame celebration when Friedl intercepted a Reds teammate (couldn’t tell who it was) with a forearm across the chest as the teammate was going towards Elly. Friedl stopped him cold and it appeared they had words.
The last post from a guy above…not a peep since:
“It is so sad they are going to lose when 1 lousy strike had them out of the inning.”
Did we give when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Heck no! Great come-from-behind win and another great job by the bullpen, especially Pagan!
Another one run game, but this is a big win for the Reds in this topsy-turvey year.
Reds refused to let losing streak reach 4. Francona went with Meyers instead of Stephenson, a very interesting call, and it worked. Pagan has been money since coming off the IL. Lowder went toe to toe with Pallante, that’s something. Solid #4 starter.
How about that relief pitching! 1 run in 7+ innings. Kudos to all.
And Dane Myers with the clutch hit of the year. Lots of lesser heroes including a few youngsters.
Just completely don’t understand this keeping Friedl around. Yeah, I hear no other CF but Will can do better than this. Or put MM out there and Arroyo at 2B. Isn’t that still better? I know Dane doesn’t hit RHP in general but he did tonight.
Relief pitching still a little thin going into tomorrow night but maybe Abbott can give us 7+.
maybe time to bat Myers leadoff. gets a producer higher in the order. some speed and pop t the top of the order in front of Elly and Sal.
Pagan has so far become the Reds player of the year. He’s adjusted to age and is the Reds unexpected reliever.