Brooke: A cycle. Four hits from Elly. And now a trip to San Francisco to face a Giants team that's lost three straight. If you missed Saturday night, you need to hear this. I'm Brooke, and this is Beatline Reds.
Tony: And I'm Tony. The Reds just split a wild series in Arizona, and now they head to Oracle Park with a chance to build some real momentum. Let's get into it.
Brooke: Today we're breaking down the Giants series, the pitching matchups, the bullpen concerns, and of course, that bold prediction we made on Friday. Stick around, because we've got a lot to cover.
Brooke: Alright Tony, let's start with what just happened. The Reds lost that series finale in Arizona 5-3, but Saturday night was one for the ages. JJ Bleday hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats. I mean, that's just absurd.
Tony: It was incredible. And Elly De La Cruz had four hits too. That's a dynamic one-two punch at the top of the lineup that we've been waiting to see all season.
Brooke: And we called it, Tony. We said Elly would have a huge series, maybe steal three bases. He didn't get the steals, but four hits? I'll take that.
Tony: Exactly. And even in the loss on Sunday, the offense showed some fight. But the bullpen gave up that four-run seventh inning, and that's been a recurring theme.
Brooke: Right. Now we're in San Francisco. The Giants are 52-78, fourth in the NL West, and they're on a three-game losing streak. This is a team that's struggling, but Oracle Park can be tricky.
Tony: It can. The ball doesn't carry there the same way it does in Arizona or Cincinnati. So the Reds are going to need to manufacture runs, play small ball, and get quality starts from their pitching staff.
Brooke: Let's talk about that pitching. Who do we expect to see in this series? We know the Reds have a deep rotation with guys like Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder, Brady Singer, and Chase Burns.
Tony: Yeah, it's a talented group. But we haven't seen the official probables yet. I'd expect to see one of the lefties, maybe Lodolo or Abbott, in the opener. And then we'll see how the matchups play out.
Brooke: The Giants have been struggling, but their pitching has kept them in games. This is a series where the Reds absolutely should win, but they can't take anyone lightly.
Tony: No question. The Giants have some young arms that can be tough, and if the Reds get too aggressive early, they could get burned. They need to be patient at the plate.
Brooke: Alright, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we're going to dive into the key hitters and that bullpen situation. Stick with us.
Brooke: Welcome back. Segment two, let's talk about the guys who need to step up. Elly De La Cruz has been on fire, but he needs help. Who else is key in this series, Tony?
Tony: Well, JJ Bleday is obviously hot after that cycle. He's a guy who can change the game with one swing. And Tyler Stephenson behind the plate is always a threat.
Brooke: And what about Matt McLain? He's been solid at second base. And we've got Ke'Bryan Hayes at third, who's a vacuum on defense.
Tony: Absolutely. Hayes is a Gold Glove caliber defender, and he's been swinging a hot bat lately. But the key is going to be getting production from the bottom of the lineup. If guys like TJ Friedl and Hector Rodriguez can get on base, that sets the table for the big boys.
Brooke: Now, the bullpen. This has been a sore spot all season. We saw it again on Sunday. What's the concern level, Tony?
Tony: It's a real concern, Brooke. The Reds' pen has blown too many leads, and in a series like this, you can't afford to give up late runs. Guys like Pierce Johnson and Emilio Pagan need to step up and get outs.
Brooke: And we've got some injured guys coming back, right? Spencer Steer is on the 10-day IL, and Graham Ashcraft is on the 60-day. Those are big losses.
Tony: They are. Steer is a versatile bat that they miss, and Ashcraft was a reliable arm. But other guys have to fill that void. Nick Lodolo has been solid, and Rhett Lowder is starting to come into his own.
Brooke: And we can't forget about the Giants' injuries. They've got Ketel Marte on the IL, and that's a huge blow for them. But they still have some dangerous hitters.
Tony: Right. They've got some young talent, and they're playing loose. That can be dangerous. The Reds need to come out focused and take care of business.
Brooke: Alright, let's wrap up this segment. We'll get to our keys to the series and that bold prediction in just a minute. But first, let's hear from our sponsor.
Brooke: Okay, Tony, final segment. What are the keys to this series? You've been thinking about this.
Tony: First, the starters need to go deep. The bullpen is shaky, so the rotation needs to eat innings. If Andrew Abbott or Nick Lodolo can give you seven, that's huge.
Brooke: Second, the offense needs to be patient. Oracle Park is a pitcher's park, so they need to work counts and get on base. No swinging at pitches in the dirt.
Tony: And third, they need to win the close games. The Giants are going to make it tough, but the Reds have to find a way to pull out the one-run games.
Brooke: Now, we made a bold prediction back on Friday that the Reds would take two of three from Arizona. They split, so that one didn't hit. But we're not afraid to go bold again. Tony, what's your call for this series?
Tony: I'm going to say the Reds sweep the Giants. I know they've been inconsistent, but the Giants are really struggling, and the Reds have the talent to dominate. I think they win all three.
Brooke: Bold. I like it. And I'm going to add one more: Elly De La Cruz steals three bases in a game during this series. He's been close, and I think he does it in San Francisco.
Tony: I love that call. Elly is a game-changer on the bases, and he's due.
Brooke: That's all the time we have today. Quick recap: the Reds split in Arizona, JJ Bleday hit for the cycle, and now they face the Giants in a three-game set. We're predicting a sweep and Elly stealing three bags. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline Reds. Share this episode with your fellow Reds fans.
Tony: And as always, go Reds. We'll see you back here tomorrow for all the action from Oracle Park.
Brooke: This is Brooke and Tony, signing off. Beatline Reds, out.