By MIKE ROBERTS
A few days off couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cincinnati Reds. They went into the All-Star break losing four of six games, dropping two of three against both the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs to lose four consecutive series heading into the Midsummer Classic. As MLB action resumes across the league Friday, the 43-52 Reds remain in last place in the National League Central, trailing the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 15.5 games in the standings.
Here’s a look ahead to the second half of the season, and whether the Reds have a reasonable chance to rally and make the playoffs for the second straight year.
The Dynamic Duo
The Reds possess an outstanding pair of starting pitchers in Chase Burns (11-1, 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) and Hunter Greene (1-1, 6.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP). The 23-year-old Burns was an All-Star this year, while Greene (26) received the honor in 2024. Both also are locked up long term. Greene’s current deal runs throigh2028 with a club option for 2029. Burns, meanwhile, agreed to a seven-year, $105 million deal on Thursday.
Burns has been unbelievable this season, emerging as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Every time he’s on the mound, he gives the Reds a strong chance of victory.
Meanwhile, Greene has had an interesting year, to say the least. The former second overall pick missed the first three months and change of the season after having arthroscopic surgery on March 11 to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Unfortunately, his first game back was a nightmare, as he lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up eight runs, seven hits, and four walks. Greene redeemed himself, however, July 10 against the division-rival Cubs. He did his best Nolan Ryan impersonation in that game, striking out a whopping 12 batters over seven scoreless innings as Cincinnati won 4-0. He also allowed just three hits and a walk.
If Burns continues to pitch like a Cy Young candidate and Greene can find a way to stay healthy, this duo can surely help Cincinnati have a great second half of the season.
The De La Cruz-Stewart Combination
The Reds aren’t having the kind of year that fans were hoping for, but at least they still have one of baseball’s biggest superstars in Elly De La Cruz (.274 AVG, .839 OPS, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 14 SB). The 24-year-old shortstop more than likely would’ve been an All-Star this year if he hadn’t missed significant time due to a hamstring strain.
Even with the injury, De La Cruz is enjoying an excellent season. He mashed a home run July 11 against the Cubs, which made him just the second player in MLB history to record at least 75 home runs and 150 stolen bases within his first 500 career games.
This Reds squad also has Sal Stewart (.256 AVG, .812 OPS, 19 HR, 65 RBI, 11 SB), an NL All-Star and top candidate for rookie of the year honors. The 23-year-old leads all rookies in RBIs, and is tied with Baltimore’s Pete Alonso for the ninth most in the league.
The De La Cruz-Stewart can’t get the job done by themselves, though. Other Cincy hitters must continue to step up and help the team out. One prime candidate: JJ Bleday (.242 AVG, .846 OPS, 16 HR, 43 RBI, 4 SB), who recorded at least one hit in nine of the 11 games in July.
Will the Reds Return to the Playoffs?
Under new manager Terry Francona’s guidance, the Reds secured the third wild card spot in the NL, the team’s first playoff appearance after a full regular season since 2013.
The Reds pulled off a huge turnaround down the stretch of the 2025 campaign. On Sept. 5, the team was 70-71, trailing the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres by six games for the final wild card spot. Cincinnati wound up winning nine of its final 13 games and clinched a playoff spot on a tiebreaker advantage over the Mets.
Can Francona and the Reds return to the playoffs this year? While it’s an extremely difficult task, it could happen if everything goes right. We shall see.
Looking Ahead
The Reds return from the All-Star break to play a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies, starting Friday, followed by a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners that begins on Monday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Friday, 7/17: 8:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Brady Singer (CIN) (3-9, 4.72 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) vs. Gabriel Hughes (COL) (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)
Saturday, 7/18: 3:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Rhett Lowder (CIN) (3-6, 4.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) vs. TBD (COL)
Sunday, 7/19: 3:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Hunter Greene (CIN) (1-1, 6.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) vs. Ryan Feltner (COL) (3-3, 4.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)
Monday, 7/20: 9:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Andrew Abbott (CIN) (5-5, 4.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) vs. TBD (SEA)
Tuesday, 7/21: 9:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (SEA)
Wednesday, 7/22: 3:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (SEA)