Brooke: Tony, did you catch what JJ Bleday did last night? Because I’m pretty sure he just made history and we need to talk about it.
Tony: A cycle in his first four at-bats? That’s not just a good game, that’s a statement. And Elly with four hits on top of that? The Reds looked unstoppable.
Brooke: You’re listening to Beatline Podcast Network, and this is your Cincinnati Reds show. I’m Brooke, and as always, the brilliant Tony is here with me. We’ve got a big one today because the Reds are going for the sweep in Arizona.
Tony: And after that 11-5 rout, you know the vibes are high. But we’ve got to stay locked in because the D-backs are fighting for a playoff spot.
Brooke: Here’s what’s on tap: first, we’re breaking down the series and the pitching matchup for today’s finale. Then we’ll get into the bats and the bullpen, plus the injury report. And finally, we’ll give you our keys to the game and a bold prediction.
Brooke: Alright, let’s start with the rubber match. The Reds took game one 9-0, then lost game two, but last night they exploded for 11 runs. What’s the story heading into today?
Tony: Well, the series is tied at one, and today’s game is the decider. The Reds are sending Brady Singer to the mound, and he’s been solid lately. But the Diamondbacks are tough at home, so we’ll see how he handles their lineup.
Brooke: Brady Singer, right. He’s been the stabilizer in the rotation. What do you expect from him today?
Tony: He’s a ground-ball machine, so he’ll need that defense behind him. The D-backs have some power, but if Singer keeps the ball down, he should be fine. The key will be limiting walks and letting the defense work.
Brooke: And what about the D-backs’ starter? We don’t have the name, but we know they’re throwing someone. How do the Reds approach a fresh arm after seeing a lot of their bullpen?
Tony: That’s the advantage of a day game after a night game – the Reds should have a good book on their relievers, but the starter is a wild card. They’ll need to be patient, work counts, and get to that bullpen early.
Brooke: Patience at the plate, that’s been a theme all series. And you know, we talked before the series about the Reds taking two of three. After last night, that’s looking pretty good.
Tony: Absolutely. We stuck with that prediction even after that 9-0 stinker, and now they’re one win away from making us look smart. But we’re not there yet.
Brooke: Stick with us because we’re just getting started. Next up, we’re breaking down the bats and the bullpen – and we’ve got some injury news to sort through.
Brooke: Alright, Tony, let’s talk about the offense. JJ Bleday hit for the cycle, Elly De La Cruz had four hits, and the Reds put up 11 runs. What did you see from that lineup?
Tony: It was a complete performance. Bleday was locked in from the first at-bat, and Elly is just a different animal when he’s on base. He’s a game-changer with his speed, and when he’s hitting like that, it opens up everything.
Brooke: Elly had four hits last night – is this the breakout we’ve been waiting for? I mean, he’s been good, but this is the superstar level.
Tony: He’s been trending that way. The discipline at the plate is improving, and when he’s not chasing, he’s dangerous. And don’t forget, we predicted he’d steal three bases in a game this series. He didn’t do it last night, but today’s the perfect chance.
Brooke: Ha, we’ll hold you to that. But let’s talk about the bullpen for a second. They’ve been a concern all season, but last night they held it together. What’s the status going into today?
Tony: The bullpen has been taxed, especially with the back-and-forth games. But they got a bit of a breather in the blowout. Still, you have to watch the workload. Guys like Sam Moll and Tony Santillan have been used a lot, so the starters need to go deep.
Brooke: And that brings us to the injuries. We’ve got a long list – Ryan Thompson, Drey Jameson, Tommy Troy, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Blake Walston, Michael Toglia, Brandon Williamson, Graham Ashcraft, Spencer Steer, Blake Dunn. That’s a lot of names.
Tony: Yeah, it’s a lot, but the Reds have managed to keep winning despite it. The big ones are Steer and Toglia – both are key bats, and their absence changes the lineup. But guys like Bleday and Elly have stepped up, and that’s what you need.
Brooke: So the depth is being tested, but they’re passing so far. Let’s take a quick break, but when we come back, we’ll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Brooke: We’re back. Tony, what are the keys to today’s game? We need to lock in and get that sweep.
Tony: First, get to their starter early. The D-backs bullpen has been shaky, so if the Reds can knock him out by the fifth, they’re in good shape. Second, keep the ball in the yard – Chase Field can play small, so limit the damage.
Brooke: And what about the defense? They made some nice plays last night, but there were also some miscues earlier in the series.
Tony: Defense is huge. The Reds need to make the routine plays and turn double plays when they get them. Singer is a ground-ball pitcher, so the infield has to be sharp. If they do that, they give themselves a chance.
Brooke: Alright, bold prediction time. We said Reds take two of three, and we’re one win away. But we need something spicier. Tony, give me your bold call for today.
Tony: I’m going to double down on Elly De La Cruz. He’s going to steal three bases today, and he’s going to do it in the first five innings. He’s been aggressive all series, and today is the day he breaks loose.
Brooke: I love it. That’s the kind of swagger we need. And if he does that, the Reds are almost certainly winning. Let’s make it happen.
Brooke: That’s all for today’s show. We’re sticking with our prediction – Reds take two of three – and we’ve got a bold call on Elly’s legs. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show, and share it with your fellow Reds fans.
Tony: And as always, go Reds! Let’s get that sweep.
Brooke: Catch you next time on Beatline. We’ll be back with all the reaction. Until then, stay loud, stay proud, and Go Reds!