Brooke: Seven runs in the ninth inning. A grand slam from Eugenio Suarez. A 10-9 comeback for the ages. And now the Reds are headed to Wrigley Field to face the Cubs. Can the magic carry over? You're not gonna want to miss this one.
Tony: Brooke, that was the most electric inning of the Reds' season. And we're about to see if they can ride that momentum into a huge four-game set. Welcome back to Beatline, Reds fans!
Brooke: I'm Brooke, and as always, I'm joined by the sharpest baseball mind in the podcast game, Tony. Today, we're breaking down everything you need to know before the Reds take on the Cubs.
Tony: We've got three things on tap. First, the pitching matchups and how the rotation sets up for this series. Then, we're digging into the key hitters and the bullpen questions that could decide these games.
Brooke: And finally, we'll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction that might just come true. Stick with us, because we're just getting started.
Brooke: Alright Tony, let's dive right in. The Reds are coming off that wild comeback win in San Francisco. But now they've got to reset and face the Cubs at Wrigley. How are they feeling?
Tony: I mean, you've got to think the confidence is sky-high. When you pull off a comeback like that, it can carry over. But they're facing a Cubs team that's been tough at home. Let's talk about the pitching.
Brooke: The first game tonight, August 28th, at 6:20 PM ET. Who's on the mound for the Reds?
Tony: It looks like Nick Lodolo gets the ball. He's been solid this year, and he's the kind of guy who can keep the Cubs' left-handed hitters off balance. But we need to see consistency from him.
Brooke: And for the Cubs? We don't have the confirmed starter, but they've got a deep rotation. What should we expect?
Tony: The Cubs have a few guys who can shut you down. The key is for the Reds to be patient at the plate, work counts, and get into that bullpen early. That's where they can win games.
Brooke: Now, we've got a four-game series here. Do we know who's pitching the rest of the way?
Tony: We don't have official probables beyond tonight, but I'd expect to see Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and maybe a bullpen game or Brady Singer. Speaking of Singer, he's listed as day-to-day, so we need to keep an eye on that.
Brooke: Day-to-day with what? Any details?
Tony: Not much, but any injury to a starter is concerning. If he can't go, that could really test the depth of this rotation.
Brooke: Alright, so the rotation is a bit of a question mark. But the offense is rolling. Let's keep that momentum going into the next segment.
Tony: Exactly. Stick with us.
Brooke: We're back! Let's talk about the bats. That ninth inning was absolutely unreal. Eugenio Suarez hit a grand slam — that was his second big hit in a Reds uniform this year.
Tony: Suarez has been a revelation since coming back. He's got that veteran presence, and he's been driving in runs when it matters. That grand slam was a thing of beauty.
Brooke: And he's not the only one. Elly De La Cruz has been on fire. We talked about him stealing bases earlier this week, and he's still doing it. What's his impact been?
Tony: Elly is a game-changer. His speed and power are unmatched. But he's also been more disciplined at the plate, which is scary for opposing pitchers. If he gets on base, he's a threat to steal every single time.
Brooke: And what about the rest of the lineup? We've got guys like JJ Bleday, who hit for the cycle a few days ago. That's a huge boost.
Tony: Absolutely. Bleday has been one of the most consistent hitters all season. When he's locked in, he can carry this team. And with Friedl, McLain, and the rest, they've got a deep lineup.
Brooke: But let's be real, Tony. The bullpen has been a concern all season. We saw it almost cost them in San Francisco. What are the worries heading into this series?
Tony: The bullpen has been overworked and inconsistent. The ninth inning comeback masked some issues, but they can't keep blowing leads. Guys like Pagan and Moll need to step up in high-leverage spots.
Brooke: And they've got some injuries to key guys. Spencer Steer is on the IL, and Graham Ashcraft is out for the season. How much does that hurt?
Tony: It hurts a lot. Steer provides pop and versatility, and Ashcraft was a reliable arm. But they've got to make do with what they have. The depth is being tested.
Brooke: So the lineup is dangerous, but the pitching is a question mark. What's the key to winning this series?
Tony: I think it comes down to the bullpen. If they can hold leads, the offense gives them a chance to win every game. It's that simple.
Brooke: Alright, we're going to take a quick break. But when we come back, we're diving into the keys to the series and our bold prediction. Don't go anywhere.
Brooke: Welcome back! We're ready to wrap things up with our keys to the series. Tony, what do the Reds need to do to take this series from the Cubs?
Tony: First, they need to get quality starts from the rotation. If Lodolo can go six or seven innings, that takes pressure off the bullpen. Second, they need to be aggressive on the basepaths. The Cubs aren't great at throwing out runners, so Elly and company should be running wild.
Brooke: And what about the Cubs' offense? They've got some dangerous hitters. How do they keep them in check?
Tony: They need to execute pitches and not fall behind in counts. The Cubs can make you pay for mistakes. The Reds have to be sharp from the first pitch.
Brooke: Now, we've been making predictions all week. Last episode, we said Elly would hit a homer and steal two bases in the same game. That hasn't happened yet. Are we sticking with that?
Tony: I'm going to double down. Elly is due for a monster game. I think he goes deep and swipes a bag in the same game during this series.
Brooke: Bold. And what about the series result? We said the Reds would take three of four from the Cubs. Are you sticking with that?
Tony: I am. The offense is too hot, and even with the bullpen concerns, I think they find a way to win three of four.
Brooke: Alright, there you have it. Reds take three of four, and Elly does something special. Let's see if they can make it happen.
Tony: Let's go Reds!
Brooke: That's all for today's show. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share this episode with your fellow Reds fans. We'll be back tomorrow with more coverage.
Tony: Until then, keep believing in this team. They've shown they can come back from anything. Reds on three!
Brooke: One, two, three... GO REDS!