Brooke: Sal Stewart just went yard for the third straight game, but can he keep it going against a San Diego lineup that’s trying to stop its own slide? The Reds are coming off a wild 7-5 win over Chicago, but the injury report is looking more like a hospital ward than a roster.
Tony: It’s a tough spot to be in, Brooke. You’ve got Elly De La Cruz listed as day-to-day, Spencer Steer and Ke’Bryan Hayes on the IL, and your rotation is picking up pieces from all over the place. We need to talk about who is actually taking the mound tonight.
Brooke: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast! I’m Brooke, and I’m joined by Tony. If you’re new here, we live for the details, the stats, and the stories behind the score. Today, we are previewing the Cincinnati Reds’ matchup against the San Diego Padres.
Tony: That’s right. It’s August 31st, 2026. The Reds sit at 65-72, fifth in the NL Central, while the Padres are 72-65, sitting third in the West. They’re both fighting for positioning, even if Cincinnati feels like they’re playing with house money at this point.
Brooke: Here is what we are tackling today. First, we break down the pitching matchup and who the Reds might turn to in an already thin rotation. Second, we look at the offensive keys, specifically Sal Stewart’s hot streak and how the rest of the lineup handles the Padres' bullpen.
Tony: And finally, we get into the injury crisis. With so many guys out, how does the Reds' depth chart hold up against a disciplined San Diego team? Let’s dive into the first segment.
Brooke: Okay, let’s start with the big question. Who is starting tonight? The rotation has been decimated. We know Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson, and Edward Cabrera are all on the IL. Shelby Miller is out for the season.
Tony: Right. And Gavin Hollowell is on the 15-day IL too. So when you look at the available arms, you have Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Burns. It’s a mess, but they have to pick someone.
Brooke: I remember last night we were talking about Andrew Abbott getting the ball against the Cubs. Did he go? Because the headline says the Reds won 7-5, but it doesn’t explicitly name the starter.
Tony: Well, the brief doesn’t specify the starter for yesterday’s win, but given Abbott was our focus for the series finale prediction, it’s highly likely he took the hill. But for tonight against San Diego, the decision gets tricky. The Padres are a contact-heavy team that loves to put the ball in play.
Brooke: So if you’re the manager, who do you trust? Do you lean on Brady Singer’s ground-ball tendencies, or do you go with Rhett Lowder’s stuff?
Tony: I’d argue you go with whoever has the best recent command. Lowder has the high-upside stuff, but Singer is more reliable for innings. The issue is that neither of them has had a full healthy stretch recently. You also have Chase Burns coming up, which adds another variable.
Brooke: And let’s not forget, the Padres are aiming to end a three-game slide themselves. They’re desperate. That usually means their hitters are aggressive early in counts.
Tony: Exactly. So if the Reds’ starter falls behind early, it’s going to be trouble. You don’t have the luxury of burning through your bullpen because Tejay Antone, Brock Burke, and Julian Garcia are your main guys, and you’re already short-handed.
Brooke: It feels like every pitch tonight matters twice as much. Stick with us, because after the break, we’re talking about Sal Stewart’s bat and why the Reds’ injury list is scaring me.
Brooke: We are back. Let’s talk offense. Sal Stewart. Rookie. Three home runs in a row. He helped offset two homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong in that 7-5 win. How real is this surge?
Tony: It’s very real. When you see a rookie launch balls for three straight games, it’s usually a combination of good timing and the pitcher missing his spots. But Stewart is making hard contact. The Padres have a decent bullpen, but they struggle with power threats.
Brooke: But who is hitting around him? We know Elly De La Cruz is day-to-day. That’s huge. And Spencer Steer is on the 10-day IL. Tyler Stephenson is there, but without Elly driving in runs, the pressure is on everyone else.
Tony: The gap in the middle of the order is glaring. You have JJ Bleday in left, TJ Friedl in center, and Eugenio Suarez designated. Without Steer, you’re losing a consistent OBP guy. And without De La Cruz, you lose the speed element and the defensive anchor.
Brooke: Ke’Bryan Hayes is out too, right? On the 10-day IL? That’s another hole in the infield.
Tony: Yes, and Hunter Harvey is on the 60-day IL. The injury list is extensive. Tyler Austin is out too. It’s not just the stars; it’s the depth. Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo are handling second base duties, but they aren’t getting the same support.
Brooke: This feels like a case where plate discipline will win or lose the game. If the Reds’ hitters can’t make the Padres work, they’ll get crushed by the bullpen.
Tony: Agreed. Look at the ABS challenge system tracker headlines. Teams are being fined for challenges, but more importantly, batters are being ranked on their ability to draw walks. The Reds need to improve their walk rate to compensate for the missing power from Steer and potentially De La Cruz.
Brooke: So, Sal Stewart needs to keep swinging, but the rest of the lineup needs to slow the game down. It’s a tall order with half the roster injured.
Tony: Tall order, but not impossible. If Andrew Abbott or whoever starts can keep the game within one run for six innings, the bullpen has a chance. But if they fall behind, it’s going to be a long night.
Brooke: Let’s move to the final segment. What are the keys to this series? And give us a bold prediction.
Brooke: Okay, keys to the series. First, health. Can Elly De La Cruz play? Even if he’s day-to-day, if he gets any at-bats, it changes the entire dynamic of the lineup.
Tony: Second key is the ABS challenge system. The Padres are smart. They use challenges well. The Reds need to be careful with their challenges. One wrong call costs you a timeout, and in a close game, that timeout could be crucial for reviewing a borderline pitch.
Brooke: Third key is stopping Pete Crow-Armstrong. We saw what he did in the previous game—three home runs, six RBIs. If he gets going again, it’s game over.
Tony: Absolutely. The Reds’ defense needs to be sharp. With injuries, you might have guys playing out of position or less experienced defenders. That leads to errors, and errors against a team like San Diego are fatal.
Brooke: Alright, Tony. Bold prediction time. Last night we talked about the Cubs series. Where do you see this game going?
Tony: I’m going to say the Reds lose this one. The Padres are fighting for playoff positioning, and the Reds are dealing with too many injuries. I think San Diego wins 4-2.
Brooke: Wait, you’re picking against the hot hand? Sal Stewart has homered three times in a row!
Tony: I am. But look at the context. The Reds are 65-72. The Padres are 72-65. Motivation matters. Plus, De La Cruz is questionable. I think the Reds’ bullpen collapses late. I predict a 4-2 Padres win.
Brooke: Wow. Okay, I’ll take the contrarian stance. I think Stewart keeps the bats hot, and the Reds steal one at home. Maybe 5-4 Reds.
Brooke: There you have it. Two different predictions for a crucial NL matchup. Whether you’re with Tony on the Padres or with me on the Reds, it’s going to be an exciting night at Great American Ball Park.
Tony: Just remember to check the lineup card before first pitch. If De La Cruz is out, the Reds’ chances drop significantly. Keep an eye on Sal Stewart, though. He’s the only bright spot in a rough month.
Brooke: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network on your favorite platform. Share this episode with a friend who loves baseball.
Tony: Go Reds. Even when the odds are stacked against you, you keep fighting.
Brooke: Thanks for listening, fans. We’ll see you tomorrow for more insights, analysis, and everything Cincinnati Reds. Have a great night!