Brooke: Elly De La Cruz just dropped a four-RBI performance against the Brewers, but this time he’s heading to Dodger Stadium with a team that’s 69 and 74. Is it too late for the Reds to make noise?
Tony: It’s going to be a steep hill to climb. We’re looking at an 86-57 Dodgers squad, and our rotation is missing half its staff.
Brooke: Welcome to Beatline, America’s number one daily sports podcast network! I’m Brooke, and alongside me is Tony. If you missed yesterday’s recap of that wild 12-8 win over Milwaukee, you are in for a treat today because we are previewing the next chapter. We’ve got three things coming up: first, who is starting on the mound for Cincinnati against the league's best team? Second, how the injury list impacts our lineup depth right now. And third, what it actually takes for these Reds to steal even a single game out in LA.
Tony: Exactly. Yesterday was a great offensive showcase, but tomorrow is a different beast entirely. Let’s dive into the pitching matchup.
Brooke: Alright, let’s talk about the big picture here. The Reds are currently fifth in the NL Central at 69-74. They just finished a series against the division-leading Brewers, where we saw some real fireworks. But now, they travel to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers, who sit atop the NL West at 86-57. That is a massive gap in the standings. When you look at that disparity, what is your immediate read on the pitching battle?
Tony: Well, Brooke, when you have an 18-game lead over your closest competitor in terms of wins above .500, you generally have a dominant rotation. The Dodgers are playing like a World Series contender. For Cincinnati, the challenge isn't just winning; it's survival. They need to minimize damage early. The ABS challenge system has been huge this season, and facing a lineup as disciplined as LA’s means every pitch counts. You can’t afford to get caught ball-hawking or making bad calls in the zone.
Brooke: Right. And speaking of the mound, who is the guy in the circle for the Reds tonight? With Hunter Greene, Rob Zastryzny, Bryse Wilson, Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, and Angel Zerpa all on the 60-day IL, plus Ke'Bryan Hayes and Spencer Steer on the 10-day IL, the options are limited.
Tony: Looking at the active roster, the starters available are Andrew Abbott, Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Brady Singer, and Brandon Williamson. Given the timing and the importance of the game, I expect them to go with someone who can eat innings. Andrew Abbott has been a staple for them, but if they want to keep their younger arms fresh for the future, maybe they lean on Brady Singer or Brandon Williamson. It’s a tough spot regardless of who starts.
Brooke: I remember back on September fourth, when we were previewing the Brewers series, we talked heavily about Andrew Abbott needing to step up. He did his job then, helping secure those wins. But against the Dodgers? The margin for error is non-existent. Their offense is potent, led by players who understand plate discipline better than almost anyone in the league. If the Reds' starter goes deep into the game, that puts a massive strain on a bullpen that is also dealing with its own challenges.
Tony: That’s the key. It’s not just about who starts; it’s about how long they last. If the Reds’ pitcher gets through five solid innings, then we look at Tejay Antone, Tony Santillan, and Pierce Johnson. Those are the guys who will have to close the door. But if the starter struggles early, you’re asking relievers like Graham Ashcraft, Brock Burke, or Julian Garcia to face the heart of the order in a hostile environment. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Brooke: It really highlights the difference between a team in contention and a team rebuilding. The Dodgers have depth; the Reds are scraping by. Let’s shift gears to the other side of the ball. Even with the injuries, there are bright spots in this lineup. Elly De La Cruz had that huge night yesterday.
Tony: He did. Hitting a two-run homer and a bases-loaded double to drive in four runs is exactly the kind of production this team needs. But let’s be clear: Elly can’t carry this offense alone. Against a team like LA, you need contributions from everywhere. Matt McLain showed he can change the game with that leadoff homer against the Brewers recently. He’s capable of breaking ties and getting the crowd involved.
Brooke: McLain is definitely someone to watch. But what about the rest of the order? We know Eugenio Suarez provides power, and Tyler Stephenson is reliable behind the plate. But with Spencer Steer out, there’s a hole in the middle of the lineup. Who steps up in that vacuum?
Tony: That’s where it gets interesting. You start looking at guys like JJ Bleday in left field or Hector Rodriguez in right. Bleday has shown flashes of ability, but consistency is the issue. And don’t forget about the catchers. Will Banfield, Tyler Stephenson, and Jose Trevino are all on the roster. Trevino is known for his defensive prowess and contact hitting. In a high-stakes game like this, having a catcher who can manage the strike zone and keep the pitcher calm is invaluable.
Brooke: I agree. Jose Trevino’s presence could be a subtle but crucial factor. He doesn’t always put up big stats, but he keeps the team organized. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the injuries. We listed them earlier—Hunter Greene, Brandon Woodruff, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Spencer Steer, Michael Toglia, Blake Dunn, Rob Zastryzny, Bryse Wilson, Quinn Priester, Angel Zerpa. That is a significant chunk of the roster. How does this impact the daily strategy?
Tony: It forces the coaching staff to be incredibly flexible. You can’t rely on platoon splits as much when you don’t have enough bodies to rotate effectively. If you’re down multiple infielders and pitchers, you’re likely playing guys who aren’t comfortable in certain positions. This affects defensive positioning and batting orders. For example, without Steer, you might have to move someone else around, which changes the flow of the lineup. It’s a puzzle that keeps getting harder to solve.
Brooke: It’s frustrating for the fans who have stuck with this team through thick and thin. We saw Cooper Pratt dominate the Brewers earlier this week with four RBIs. The Reds need to find ways to counter that kind of pressure. Do you think the current group has the mental toughness to handle the Dodgers’ intensity?
Tony: Mental toughness is built through adversity, and this team has seen plenty of it. The fact that they went and beat the Brewers 12-8 after losing so many key players shows resilience. But playing in Dodger Stadium is different. The energy there is electric, and the Dodgers feed off it. The Reds need to bring their own energy. Elly De La Cruz is great at that—he brings excitement. If he can get the team fired up early, it might help neutralize the home-field advantage slightly.
Brooke: Absolutely. And let’s not forget the bullpen usage. With Tejay Antone and Tony Santillan being the closer-type arms, how do they manage fatigue over this three-game series? If they blow their top guys in Game 1, they’re in trouble for Games 2 and 3.
Tony: That’s why inning management is critical. They can’t afford to use Santillan in low-leverage situations unless absolutely necessary. Every out in the ninth needs to be preserved. If the game is tied or within one run, you go to your best arm. But if you’re up by three, you might take a risk on a younger reliever like Luis Mey or Emilio Pagan to save the veterans. It’s a balancing act that often determines the outcome of these close games.
Brooke: We’ll see if that balance holds up tomorrow. Before we wrap up, I want to ask: if these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is what keeps us coming back with free, honest analysis every single day. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description—it helps us keep the show running and supports the work we love doing for you.
Tony: Thank you for listening, Reds fans. We predict this series will be tough, but if Elly stays hot and the bullpen stays sharp, a split is possible. Go Reds!