By MIKE ROBERTS
It has been a rough time for Cincinnati Reds baseball. The team lost two of three against both the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians, but then won its series with Philadelphia, 2-1. After starting the season with an impressive 20-11 record, the wheels have fallen off in May, as the Reds are only 6-13 during the month.
Cincinnati (26-24) is now in fourth place in the National League Central after being first in the division at the first of the month. But it’s not the end of the world. There’s plenty of time for the Reds to pick themselves up and get back on track. If you didn’t pay much attention to the team over the past 10 days, here are a few things that you might’ve missed.
Reds Signed Chris Paddack
The Reds’ rotation has been hit hard with health problems. Hunter Greene (elbow), Brandon Williamson (left shoulder), and Rhett Lowder (right shoulder pain), who was placed on the injured list earlier this month, have each been bitten by the injury bug.
As a result, Cincinnati signed former Miami Marlins pitcher Chris Paddack (0-5, 7.07 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) on May 13 to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old right-hander made his debut in Saturday’s loss to Cleveland. He pitched five innings, striking out three, and allowing two runs on six hits.
Even a Grand Slam Wasn’t Enough
Early in last Wednesday’s game against Washington, it looked like the Reds were on their way to a blowout victory. The fans at Great American Ball Park erupted as Tyler Stephenson (.183 AVG., 5.83 OPS, 3 HR, 13 RBI) crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning, helping Cincinnati stake a 5-0 lead. However, the Nationals’ offense woke up and ultimately won the game 8-7 in 10 innings.
Stephenson is no stranger to grand slams. The 29-year-old Georgia native has hit three in his MLB career. His latest wasn’t enough to lead the Reds to a victory.
Burns Stays Red Hot
With all the aforementioned injury issues, Chase Burns (6-1, 1.83 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) has stepped up and is arguably the best starter on the squad. Burns was fantastic in his past two starts, going six innings against both Washington and Philadelphia and notching 16 combined strikeouts in the two appearances. In his past seven starts, Burns is 5-0 with 46 strikeouts and 10 walks in 42 2-3 total innings of work.
Burns is having a sensational season, and his next appearance in Philly could come at this year’s All-Star Game.
Have a Bleday
JJ Bleday (.299 AVG., 1.038 OPS, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 1 SB) has been putting on a show for Cincinnati. He homered twice last Thursday against the Nationals, and is hitting .310 while slugging at a .621 pace in his past seven games.
Hitting Machine
Elly De La Cruz (.290 AVG., .881 OPS, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 9 SB) is another prime All-Star canddiate. De La Cruz was instrumental in last Thursdays win over Washington; he doubled and singled for his sixth consecutive multi-hit game, which is tied for the longest streak since 1900 by a Cincinnati switch hitter. De La Cruz had a hitting streak of 10 straight games at one point, and his .881 OPS leads the team among players qualified for league-wide stats.
Back on Track?
Andrew Abbott (4-2, 3.97 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) got off to a rough start this season but looks to be rounding into All-Star form. Abbott is 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA in his past seven starts, tallying 26 strikeouts against 18 walks. He’s been even better in his four starts in May, going five or more innings in all four and surrendering just two earned runs in 22 total innings.
Hot and Cold
Second baseman Matt McLain (.208 AVG., .652 OPS, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 7 SB) has yet to recapture the consistency he enjoyed before missing all of the 2025 season to injury. Still, he has his moments. In Friday’s series opener of the “Battle of Ohio,” a 7-6 Reds victory, McLain drove in three runs. In the five subsequent games? McLain went a combined 2-for-21 at the plate.
Stewart Comes Alive
Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart (.265 AVG., .865 OPS, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB) had a red-hot start to the season, playing like a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, but then he cooled down significantly. In Philadelphia, he heated up again.
In Monday’s series opener against the Phillies, Stewart had two hits in the contest, including a seventh-inning home run that tied the game at 3-3 before Philly rallied for the 5-4 win.
Stewart was also huge in the Reds’ lone win against the Phillies, coming away with his first career four-hit game. Plus, he joined Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as just the second Reds rookie with 12 or more home runs in the team’s first 50 games of a season.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Reds will return home and play a three-game series starting Friday against the surprising St. Louis Cardinals, who went into their May 21 matinee with Pittsburgh with a 28-20 record and a share of second place in the division. Then the Reds hit the road for a three-game series against the New York Mets that begins on Monday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Friday, 5/22: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV/Reds.TV, Kyle Leahy (STL) (5-3, 3.94 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) vs. Chris Paddack (CIN) (0-5, 7.07 ERA, 1.63 WHIP)
Saturday, 5/23: 7:15 PM, FOX, Andre Pallante (STL) (4-4, 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) vs. Brady Singer (CIN) (2-4, 6.26 ERA, 1.70 WHIP)
Sunday, 5/24: 1:40 PM, MLB.TV/Reds.TV, Matthew Liberatore (STL) (2-2, 4.70 ERA) vs. Nick Lodolo (CIN) (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP)
Monday, 5/25: 4:10 PM, MLB.TV, Reds.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (NYM)
Tuesday, 5/26: 7:10 PM, MLB.TV, Reds.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (NYM)
Wednesday, 5/27: 7:10 PM, MLB.TV, Reds.TV, TBD (CIN) vs. TBD (NYM)