The Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays are both entering their final series of the season tonight. Both teams are in last place in their division and have failed to live up to expectations and will finish below the .500 mark. Each club will be looking to head into the offseason on a high note, though. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Carlos Jorge – CF | Charles McAdoo – 2B |
| Elly De La Cruz – DH | Alejandro Kirk – C |
| Sal Stewart – 1B | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B |
| JJ Bleday – LF | George Springer – DH |
| Eugenio Suarez – 3B | Kazuma Okamoto – 3B |
| Hector Rodriguez – RF | Nathan Lukes – RF |
| Juan Brito – 2B | Davis Schneider – LF |
| Jose Trevino – C | Ernie Clement – SS |
| Oswaldo Cabrera – SS | Myles Straw – CF |
| Nick Lodolo – LHP | Jose Soriano – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Lodolo | 103.2 | 5.04 | 1.47 | 44 | 80 |
| Jose Soriano | 174.1 | 3.72 | 1.26 | 73 | 167 |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Jose Soriano’s Stats | |||||
Nick Lodolo
The 2026 season hasn’t gone the way that Lodolo would have liked it to. Blisters kept him off of the mound multiple times and it also led to him having to scrap the grip on his breaking ball and learn a new way to throw it. The results haven’t been great as his ERA on the year sits just over 5.00. In the last two starts he’s thrown 7.0 innings, the most he’d thrown in a game all year, but he’s also allowed seven total runs in that time frame.
Teams are not sending many lefties out to face Lodolo this year but the ones that do get to face him are finding tons of success against him. They are hitting for a high average, walking at a good rate, making contact, and hitting for power. Right-handed hitters are doing well, too, but they are hitting for a good average to go along with a good walk rate and a bunch of power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 350 | 77 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 33 | 56 | .260 | .348 | .486 |
| LHH | 112 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 24 | .323 | .411 | .521 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.8 | 93.6 | 82.3 | 88.0 |
| Usage | 26% | 27% | 25% | 22% |
Jose Soriano
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Angels, Soriano was good in his first two starts with the Blue Jays but he’s struggled for the most part since and has a 4.73 ERA in his nine starts with Toronto. After having some bouts with control early on with the Blue Jays, he’s only walked three batters in his last 18.1 innings over three starts. On April 12th when he was with the Angels he struck out 10 batters in a 7-inning shutout performance against the Reds.
The splits against Soriano are noticeable in 2026. Teams have stacked lefties against him and they’ve done better than their right-handed counterparts across the board. They hit for a better average, get on base more, and while they don’t show much power it is more power than righties have shown. Right-handed hitters aren’t doing much of anything against him this season.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 308 | 59 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 84 | .215 | .295 | .302 |
| LHH | 421 | 88 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 45 | 83 | .239 | .330 | .364 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Split | |
| Velo | 97.2 | 96.4 | 85.4 | 90.3 | 92.4 |
| Usage | 21% | 30% | 26% | 5% | 19% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:07pm ET
- Where: Rogers Centre
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: They play in a dome
Notes worth noting
More Records
When Elly De La Cruz hit his 30th home run last night he joined teammate Sal Stewart in the 30-homer club. They are the only Reds teammates to both hit 30 home runs in the same season while being 24 or younger.
Division Standing
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Milwaukee | 100 | 59 | 0.0 |
| Chicago | 88 | 71 | 12.0 |
| Pittsburgh | 81 | 78 | 19.0 |
| St. Louis | 77 | 80 | 23.0 |
| Cincinnati | 74 | 85 | 26.0 |
Time to get them Jaybirds scotchies in a twist, eh?
Let’s Kick This Pig!!!
+10,000
stay positive!
It’s like a little weird to face a team for the first time in the season just to close it out and with nothing more to play for than stats and pride…
Soriano is a tough pitcher for the Reds. I think they should be patient in their approach so perhaps he will be with no good control and command.
Hoping Elly could steal 1 base at least today…
Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo are not playing 2b or SS when Elly gets a break at DH but Juan Brito and Oswaldo Cabrera are. Who had that on their bingo card in spring training
.
McLain is being paid $ 2 million + and will get an arbitration raise next year despite being roughly replacement level depending on which WAR you use. He has also been very vocal on the players union stance heading into a lockdown. Are the Reds going to nontender him? Brito seems to be getting some run at 2b.
McLain is still hitting below the Mendoza line the last time I looked.
Reds need better hitters.
I hope the Reds treat this as our World Series finale over the weekend…
Go for broke guys ! There’s nothing ahead but next year.
I’m remaining on my Positive Bandwagon for tonight’s game as well.
Melvin – here’s the menu for the weekend at my house:
Saturday morning – the usual breakfast scramble with peppers, onions, mushrooms, eggs, breakfast ham, and some sausages on the side.
Saturday evening – brats on the griddle with onions, peppers, and mushrooms.
Sunday evening – First Wife’s homemade pizza crust and sauce with whatever toppings I see fit to include (probably red peppers, red onion, and mushrooms).
Maybe just come stay for the entire weekend? 😉
I will bet a bucket of poutine that Elly gets stolen base number 30 tonight. Extra cheese curds if it’s a steal of home.
I’m not betting against him tonight. He gets on with 2nd open, it’s a done deal. Period.
If that’s primary fare during the season, you must be praying for Monday morning.
You mean the menu I posted? We tend to “cook it up right” on the weekends. What I listed has Monday and Tuesday dinner covered as well because Melvin never shows up to claim his serving.
Stewart swinging to everything …I think he should be patient with Soriano
He should probably practice some patience in the offseason.
Oops … 😮
I’m thinking Cowboy’s comments about where Trevino is asking Nick to pitch has some merit.
And another cookie for an RBI.
Lodolo needs to go.
Disagree. He needs to work on getting back his breaking stuff with the revised grip. Changes during the season of that nature are far from easy.
I just cannot see the reds going into a playoff series with Lodolo and Greene getting the ball and feeling good about it. Acknowledge this is assuming they are both healthy for this mythical series, but even then, both are just so Jekyll and Hyde. Might throw a no hitter; might give up 6 in the first. Don’t love it
Fair points to consider.
What a horrible season for the Reds starting pitching aside Burns…Lodolo couldn’t have lowered his ERA below 5.00
Some 30 years ago, First Wife and I spent a weekend in Toronto in celebration of 10 years married. We saw Phantom, dined at Ruth’s Chris, and had dessert in the Hard Rock at a window overlooking this very field. Seattle had visited and Griffey, Jr. had blasted one out. We watched them cleaning out the stands. Funny the things you remember. Geno’s blast made me think of it.
First Wife is not fond of the Jay’s Friday night CC uniforms.
Not fooling anybody tonight so far. Need Bike Helmets to shut this down.
Did I call that or WHAT???
Lodolo could get out of the jam unscathed somehow
Wow … did not have that one on my BINGO card tonight.
Elly on second with no one in front of him.
And there’s number 30. Congratulations!
Elly is the 4th 30-30 player in Reds history!!
Plus that was his 30th double. Only Elly and Larkin. Some fine company.
#30 for Elly and another RBI for Sal. I’m loving this.
Still nobody out.
Elly Sal and burns great
And Sal picks up another RBI.
This is THE inning of the season, is it not? Good hitting all around and Elly joined a very exclusive club
1 of 4 AND 1 of 2 when you take doubles into account.
Sal looks kind of tired. This is by far his longest pro season.
I don’t care about draft order. Win as many as you can.
Lodolo has been dancing on the edge all game long.
Lodolo is trying hard to ruin the night. How many times have we seen this movie? 2 outs and he’s getting himself in this mess
Another Lucky Houdini act from Nick.
The Great Loldini.
Reds pitchers must be among the league leaders in converting pitcher’s counts into hitter’s counts. Lodolo just didn’t with three hitters in a row after getting the first two outs.
Lodolo escaped the bases loaded unscathed again somehow…hr’s at 65 pitches thru 3 frames
The North is bringing out the best in Reds hitters. 9 hits and we’re still in the 4th inning. A lot of contact hitting that has found green field
It’s hard to believe that Toronto gave the Dodger’s everything they could handle in the WS last year, and now they are finishing this season under .500.
It’s a weird game to say the least. We’re not seeing much of a contending team right now. Frankly, I’m OK with that 😉
And I think they have almost all key players back except for Bioche, right? Albeit Bioche was a big bat for them last year. But that’s baseball. Every season is so different except for LÀ and Milwaukee
It was a great World Series last year, and could have gone either way.
Must be some changes in the Toronto lineup.
Cowboy did call that one 😮
A dbl play ends the blue jay 4th ! Nice when that happens ….
That was way too quick … Cellucci has got the right stuff.
Good thing he is being taken out of the game.
Surprisingly, Lodolo cruises through the 5th … Reds still up 5-2
If that’s all for Lodolo, it was a nice 2026 send-off.
Agreed. I’d like to see Julian Garcia today if he’s available.
He’s injured…
Lodolo got through 5. I’d have put big odds against that in the first.
Lodolo settled in last 2 innings and finally lowered his ERA below 5.00 …I think he’s done at this point…
Garcia is done for the season. He had a nice year for the Redlegs.
Rally by Brito and Trevino. Brito has been impressive in his short stint for the Reds.
Brito keeps hitting well since landed in Reds
He’s growing on me.
Had to laugh at HRod’s at bat … He took one pitch and it was the only strike. (for the K) Nothing else was even close.
Otherwise the Reds produced back to back singles !
Time to shine, Luis Mey !
Lookin’ good with that K ! 1 down
And we roll the dice with Mey … let’s see if he can consistently find the strike zone.
Rolls a seven and walks away unscathed.
He lost it momentarily on the 3rd batter, but threw a strike on 3-0 and got the fly out !
You won’t be able to get any more soft drinks during the game. They just used the last Straw.
That’s a +50,000 and a face palm for the dad joke
a moan from the peanut gallery …
Good job, Luis.
This game started out a slugfest and morphed into a pitcher’s duel.
Leadoff runner works a free pass. Insurance please.
We think the Reds have had a tough season…imagine being 2 inches from winning the World Series like the Jays were and coming back the next year and going under .500. It feels like they still haven’t gotten over that heartbreak.
Still hoping for Stewart to somehow win the RBI race! Need maybe a 3 run homer, grand slam, sometime this weekend.
Amen.
Gut wrenching
Looks like Elly doesn’t want 31 …
Look at that they bring in a lefty to face Bleday … one out and one on.
7th inning stretch. Is it Ashcraft?
Nope. Luis Mey is going to stay in.
Tito’s talisman is hanging around the hot corner now.
Nothin’ doin’ for the Reds in the 7th …
But “he” wants to live dangerously… Mey on the mound again for the Jays half.
back to back walks proves “he” was wrong.
5-3 now, 1st and 2nd, no outs …
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mey. You never know what you’re going to get from him.
I think a new reliever is in order.
bases loaded with no outs, 1 run in already
Someone wake up Francona.
Nothing about this inning is surprising. Nothing.
It’s who this team is.
The wheels are going off of the car
Double play ball deflected by a broken bat, e6….. unbelievable.
I guess he’s saving Ashcraft for the 8th inning. Maybe?
Almost on a tee …
Please help me with this.Why oh why with two games left does Tito set and watch this game slip away with 9 pitchers left or 11 if you aren’t counting the next 2 games starters?Its insane.
Defeat from the jaws of victory.
I just don’t get it
Guy at the poker table was bewailing the turn of events with me. Someone else says, “I sort of respect people who still care.
The Jays are now up 6-5, first and 3rd, with still no outs… P. Johnson now on the mound. Tito gets credit for this one.
Tito should respectfully resign after this season. It makes no sense for him or the club.
I have supported Tito all year and have stated many many times he is doing his best to win games but not tonight.There are two games left and everybody is available to pitch.You don’t lose the game worrying about tomorrow or even Sunday cause its over.Just awful.
Luis Mey has shown that he does not have a future with this team. ERA well over 6 now.
I agree but he got 3 outs so take him out,let him go out this year with a good outing.Uncalled for to go 2 innings with him.Two games remain in the season.Who is he resting?Goodness how foolish if wins matter and this one must not have mattered at all.
Reds two slogans next year should be: throw the darn ball over the plate and lay off the darn ball off the plate. Nothing fancy, just simple stuff.
Is MattyMc not available for some reason? His defense at SS would have greatly helped this late in the game. A bit baffling to me.
If you pitch Luis Mey late in a game you want to win, you are two pair short of a full house in a poker game.
I would have given Mey one hitter in the 7th. One.
Rally in the 8th. I feel it.
HRod with a lead off single in the 8th.
But nothin’ doin’ after that…
Hector loves to swing a baseball, no matter where it’s pitched. Single though.
Not a great feeling at this point.
Oh GOOD! Thank GOD Ashcraft is in NOW!
That was Francona’s plan the whole time. Someone wiggle through the 7th. And then Ashcraft worked the 8th and Pagan the 9th.
I’m done commenting for the evening, friends. What happens in the 9th happens. I’ve got no magic or talisman with me.
Game on the laptop since we’ll be watching Notre Dame on the TV.
Catch you all tomorrow. Hoping Sal can rack up a bunch of RBI’s tomorrow and Sunday.
We got as good a chance as we’re going to get in the 9th, top of the order …
But Varland was lights out good … Blue Jays win 6-5
100 mph most pitches
Off topic. St X Bombers (my alma mater) 31, Purple People Panthers 29 on last second FG by X kicker at The Pit.
Elder came into the game the top-ranked team in the state and X was below .500 at 2-3. Those GCL rivalry games are always special.
Reds lost an incredible game after leading by 3 runs in the bottom of 7th and Tito let Mey go for his 2nd inning and everything went wrong after the inning started with two walks…This bullpen ‘B’ is not reliable so an implosion came quickly
I sure hope they had decided that since a win didn’t really matter, they left Mey in to give him experience. Otherwise why would you wait until a reliever had blown a three run lead?
Congrats to Ellie on reaching 30/30, with games to spare and to Sal for another rbi.
A very poorly managed game by Francona. He should own the loss. Words like “I left my reliever in too long” or something like that.
… Toronto took the lead in the seventh. Mey (0-2) walked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez and Kirk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an RBI single when the broken top half of his bat redirected the ball into right field. George Springer reached first on Cabrera’s error on a grounder to shortstop. Okamoto hit a two-run double to left-center against Pierce Johnson and Lukes guided an RBI single to left …
Ashcraft after the game was decided…ouch. Thats on Francona of course. Ashcraft is better then Mey….go with your best guy.
It does you no good to have Ashcraft come in in the eighth if your team coughs up the lead in the7th. It’s like track: You can’t medal in the finals if you get knocked out in the heats.