By MIKE ROBERTS
By MIKE ROBERTS
Following a disappointing performance the previous week, the Cincinnati Reds managed to get their act together. They won both of their series this past week, taking two of three from the scuffling San Francisco Giants 2-1 and sweeping all three games with the Minnesota Twins. The Reds begin the week 14-8 and lead the NL Central y a half-game over surprising St. Louis.
With Sunday’s 7-4 comeback victory over the Twins in 10 innings, Cincinnati has won three extra-inning games this season, matching its entire total from 2025. Now that you have that knowledge, here are a few things we’ve learned about the Reds this past week …
Sal Stewart Is Still “The Man”
In the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, the Reds might’ve made one of their smartest moves ever. That was when they selected a kid named Sal Stewart with the 32nd overall pick.
Stewart (.278 AVG, .978 OPS, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 4 SB) has been nothing short of spectacular through the first month of the season. The Miami native became just the fifth prospect to record at least 13 walks and 17 RBIs in his opening 18 games, joining Mel Ott in 1929, Johnny Groth (1955), Al Kaline (1955), and Willie McCovey (1960).
This past week, Stewart had at least one hit in four of the Reds’ six games, including three home runs (with two three-run homers in the second game of the Giants series). Stewart is turning into a superstar for the Reds and could certainly win Rookie of the Year honors.
The Reds Know How to Win Close Games
We mentioned it before (and for Reds fans, it’s worth mentioning again) … Cincinnati is now 14-8 and in sole possession of first place after one month. It’s the team’s best start since 2006 when the Reds began the season 14-7 – we, um, won’t get into where that group finished.
One big reason for the Reds’ success this year has been their ability to win close games. They’re 11-0 in games decided by three or fewer runs, including 6-0 in one-run contests. The Reds are also the fourth team in history to win each of their first 10 games decided by one or two runs in a single season, joining the 1946 Boston Red Sox, 1966 Cleveland Indians, and 1987 Milwaukee Brewers.
The Bullpen Has Been Impressive
With ace Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott (0-2, 5.84 ERA, 1.74 WHIP) still struggling, the bullpen is carrying the load.
Heading into Monday’s opener with Tampa Bay, the Reds had the best bullpen ERA (2.31) in the league. Cincinnati’s relievers, led by Tony Santillan (0.00 ERA), Brock Burke (0.96 ERA), Sam Moll (1.86 ERA), and Graham Ashcraft (1.50 ERA) have been lights out.
The bullpen was instrumental in Saturday ‘s 5-4 win over the Twins. The group pitched 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, highlighted by Kyle Nicolas (5.06 ERA) striking out the side in the eighth inning before Santillan fanned two in the ninth for his first save.
Looking Ahead
The Reds will remain on the road and play a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting tonight. Then they’ll return home for a three-game series vs. the Detroit Tigers that begins Friday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Monday, 4/20: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV, Rhett Lowder (CIN) (2-1, 3.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) vs. Jesse Scholtens (TB) (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP)
Tuesday, 4/21: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV, Chase Burns (CIN) (1-1, 2.42 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) vs. Steven Matz (TB) (3-0, 3.80 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)
Wednesday, 4/22: 1:10 PM, MLB.TV, Brandon Williamson (CIN) (2-1, 4.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) vs. Nick Martinez (TB) (0-1, 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)
Friday, 4/24: 6:40 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (DET) vs. Andrew Abbott (CIN) (0-2, 5.84 ERA, 1.74 WHIP)
Saturday, 4/25: 7:15 PM, FOX/MLB.TV, TBD (DET) vs. TBD (CIN)
Sunday, 4/26: 1:40 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (DET) vs. TBD (CIN)