By MIKE ROBERTS
It was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of week for the Cincinnati Reds. While they suffered an embarrassing four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field that included three straight walk-off losses (the first time that’s happened to the Reds since July of 2010 against the Pirates), they switched things up and successfully took two of three at home against Houston this past weekend.
The Reds entered the week of May 11 dead-last in the majors in batting average (.219) and last in the National League – third worst in MLB – in walks allowed (211). As a result, the team that sat in first place in the NL Central 10 days ago is now in last in the division.
Oh well, that’s just the way sports go sometimes. While it certainly wasn’t a perfect week, here are a few positives for the 22-19 Reds.
A Short Break From NL Central Teams
For some strange reason, the Reds have struggled mightily this year against teams in their own division, posting a lousy 1-9 record (1-5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and 0-4 against the Cubs.)
Thankfully, Cincinnati won’t face a team from the division again until May 22 when it starts a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.
To make the playoffs this year, the Reds will obviously have to beat teams in their division.
Chase Burns to the Rescue
The previous week, Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (4-1, 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) had a great outing against the Pirates in a losing effort. He allowed just three hits and struck out seven batters in the 1-0 loss.
Burns had another strong performance this past week during Saturday’s 3-1 win over the visiting Astros. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and former Tennessee Vol hurler threw six innings of one-run ball, allowing only four hits and recording two strikeouts.
Receiving support from hitters such as Matt McLain (.204 AVG., .625 OPS, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 5 SB) and Elly De La Cruz (.288 AVG., .875 OPS, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 9 SB), Burns and Co. managed to snap an awful eight-game losing streak. It was Cincinnati’s longest skid since the 2024 season, which was also eight straight.
The 23-year-old Burns is clearly one of the top young starters in baseball and possibly the Reds’ best pitcher.
The New-Look Bullpen Is Stepping Up
Cincinnati placed closer Emilio Pagan (2-1, 6.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) on the injured list Wednesday with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Yet, the team’s bullpen stepped up over the weekend, allowing no hits, earned runs, or walks while combining for eight strikeouts during Saturday and Sunday’s wins over the Astros.
Abbott Gets the Job Done
Reds starter Andrew Abbott (2-2, 4.47 ERA, 1.51 WHIP), was instrumental in Sunday’s 5-0 victory over Houston. It’s been a rough season for Abbott but, in his six sharp innings pitched, the 2025 All-Star allowed only three hits and struck out five batters.
Abbott got support from players like Spencer Steer (.246 AVG., .768 OPS, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB), De La Cruz, and JJ Bleday (.262 AVG., 1.035 OPS, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 1 SB), who helped the Reds end the week on a good note.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Reds will stay at home and play a three-game series against the Washington Nationals, starting Tuesday. Then they’ll hit the road for a three-game series vs. in-state rival Cleveland that begins Friday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Tuesday, 5/12: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV, Miles Mikolas (WAS) (1-3, 7.44, 1.53 WHIP) vs. Brady Singer (CIN) (2-2, 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP)
Wednesday, 5/13: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV, Jake Irvin (WAS) (1-4, 5.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) vs. Nick Lodolo (CIN) (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP)
Thursday, 5/14: 12:40 PM, MLB.TV Foster Griffin (WAS) (4-1, 2.12 ERA, WHIP) vs. Chase Burns (CIN) (4-1, 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP)
Friday, 5/15: 7:10 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs Tanner Bibee (CLE) (0-5, 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)
Saturday, 5/16: 6:10 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (CLE)
Sunday, 5/17: 1:40 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (CLE)