Brooke: Tony, I still can't get that ninth inning out of my head. Dane Myers drops a routine fly ball with two outs, and suddenly the Cardinals hang a six-spot. That's the kind of loss that stings for days.
Tony: It was brutal. And now the Reds have to turn the page and head to Arizona for a three-game set with the Diamondbacks, who are fighting for a wild-card spot. Talk about a gut check.
Brooke: Welcome back to Beatline, Reds fans! I'm Brooke, and as always, Tony's here with the deep dive. Today we're previewing the series in the desert, breaking down the pitching matchups, the bullpen concerns, and what has to go right for Cincinnati to bounce back.
Tony: We'll also talk about the injuries piling up, the guys stepping up, and I might even drop a bold prediction for this series. You don't want to miss it.
Brooke: Alright, let's start with the matchup. The Reds are 61-67, sitting fifth in the NL Central. The Diamondbacks are 67-61, third in the NL West. This is a team that's playing meaningful games in August.
Tony: And that's exactly the kind of team you want to measure yourself against. Arizona's got a solid lineup, and they're at home. But let's talk about the pitching first. Who do we expect to see on the mound?
Brooke: The probable starters for the Reds in this series are Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer. Those are your three guys, right?
Tony: Yeah, that's the rotation as it stands. Abbott's been the anchor, Lodolo's been solid when healthy, and Singer gives you that veteran presence. They'll need all three to step up against a Diamondbacks offense that can put up runs in a hurry.
Brooke: And the Diamondbacks? Any big names we should worry about?
Tony: They've got a balanced attack. It's not just one guy, which is dangerous. They've got guys who can hit for power, guys who can steal bases. You can't pitch around one hitter because someone else will make you pay.
Brooke: So what's the mindset for the Reds coming off that heartbreaking loss? Do they come out with a chip on their shoulder?
Tony: They have to. Last night's game was a punch to the gut, but the only way to get over it is to get right back on the horse. The best teams have short memories. The Reds need to flush it and focus on the task at hand.
Brooke: And the task is a division rival in the wild-card hunt. This is a big series, not just for pride, but for the standings. Stick with us, because after the break we're going to dive into the lineup and the bullpen.
Brooke: Welcome back. Let's talk about the offense. The Reds have been getting contributions from some unexpected places. Sal Stewart hit a three-run homer in that win over the Cardinals on Wednesday. That's the kind of pop they need.
Tony: Absolutely. Stewart's been a bright spot. And you've got Elly De La Cruz, who can change a game with his legs and his arm. But they need more consistency up and down the lineup.
Brooke: They've got a bunch of guys on the IL though. Spencer Steer is on the 10-day, and you've got Blake Dunn, Ramon Urias, and Max Rajcic on the 60-day. That's a lot of depth being tested.
Tony: It's a real challenge. But that's why you have a guy like Michael Toglia at first, or Ke'Bryan Hayes at third. They've got to step up. And the bullpen, well, that's the big question mark.
Brooke: The bullpen. Last night was a disaster. Dane Myers' drop in center field opened the floodgates, but the relievers couldn't stop the bleeding either. What's going on there?
Tony: It's a mix of inexperience and overuse. You've got young arms like Chase Burns and Zach Maxwell, who have electric stuff but are still learning. And then you've got veterans like Emilio Pagan and Sam Moll who need to be more reliable in high-leverage spots.
Brooke: So what's the fix? Do they need to shorten the games and rely on the starters to go deeper?
Tony: That's part of it. If Abbott, Lodolo, and Singer can give you six or seven innings, that takes pressure off the bullpen. And defensively, they can't afford mistakes like last night. Routine plays have to be made.
Brooke: And they've got some guys back from injury. Tony Santillan is on the 15-day IL, but he's been a key piece when healthy. Any word on when he might be back?
Tony: No timetable yet, but that's a name to watch. In the meantime, the guys they have need to step up. It's about finding the right mix and getting outs when it matters.
Brooke: Alright, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we'll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Brooke: We're back! Time for the keys to the series against the Diamondbacks. Tony, what's number one?
Tony: It's simple: get ahead early. The Reds can't afford to fall behind in this ballpark. Arizona's a good team, and they'll make you pay if you're chasing the game.
Brooke: And what about the bullpen? How do they fix that?
Tony: They need to be aggressive in the zone. Trust your stuff, attack hitters, and avoid the free passes. Walks kill you, especially late in games.
Brooke: And finally, a bold prediction. Give it to us, Tony.
Tony: I'm going to say the Reds take two out of three. They're wounded, but they've got pride. And I think Elly De La Cruz is going to have a huge series, maybe even steal three bases in one game.
Brooke: I love that. A little swagger. Okay, that's our show for today. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share this episode with your fellow Reds fans.
Brooke: Remember, it's a long season, but every game matters. Let's go Reds!
Tony: See you next time, Reds fans. Stay locked in.