Brooke: Elly De La Cruz just hit a two-run homer that stopped the Dodgers from clinching the NL West on Wednesday night. But now? They have to do it all over again in Game Four, with the entire season on the line for Cincinnati and the division title hanging by a thread for Los Angeles.
Tony: It’s a massive moment. The Reds are 71-81, sitting fifth in the NL Central, while the Dodgers sit at 92-60 atop the West. This isn’t about playoff positioning for Cincinnati; it’s about pride, momentum, and seeing if this young team can keep up with the best in baseball.
Brooke: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast. I’m Brooke, and I’m here with Tony Santillan. Today we’re previewing tonight’s clash between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park.
Tony: That’s right. We’ve got three big things to break down: who is starting on the mound for this pivotal Game Four, how the Reds’ battered lineup looks without Spencer Steer and Dalton Rushing, and what the bullpen situation really means for a team fighting just to avoid the sweep.
Brooke: We’ll get into the pitching matchups first, then dive into the offensive gaps caused by those injuries, and finally, we’ll look at the keys to victory for a Reds squad that has shown incredible resilience lately. Let’s get right into it.
Brooke: So, let’s talk about the rotation. We know Hunter Greene is out for the season with a 60-Day IL stint, and Gavin Stone and Jake Cousins are also deep in the trenches on long-term IL lists. Who is taking the ball for Cincinnati tonight?
Tony: Based on the available roster, it’s likely going to be Andrew Abbott or Brady Singer. Given the stakes, I’d lean toward Abbott if he’s healthy, as he provides more strikeout potential against a lineup like LA’s. But honestly, either starter needs to go deep to give the bullpen a chance.
Brooke: And for the Dodgers, they already saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominate earlier in the series, allowing just one hit through seven innings in Game Three. Do you expect another strong start from their ace, or will they rest him given the division title is essentially theirs?
Tony: I think they’ll stick with Yamamoto or bring in a high-leverage reliever to protect a lead. The Dodgers are trying to secure that NL West crown, so they aren’t taking chances. If they have a lead, they’re going to lean on their bullpen, which features Edwin Diaz—though he’s currently on the 15-Day IL, so we need to see who steps up.
Brooke: Right, Diaz is out too. So the Dodgers’ bullpen depth is being tested despite their dominance. For Cincinnati, Tejay Antone and Tony Santillan are the anchors of the relief corps. How critical is it that they stay fresh?
Tony: Critical. If the Reds’ starter doesn’t go at least five innings, Antone and Santillan could face back-to-back days. That’s a recipe for disaster against a Dodgers lineup that scores runs consistently. The Reds need their starters to eat innings, period.
Brooke: It’s a tough spot for Cincinnati. Their rotation is decimated. Let’s move on to the offense. The Reds beat the Dodgers 6-2 yesterday thanks largely to Elly De La Cruz’s heroics. What makes his performance so special in this context?
Tony: De La Cruz is the engine. When he’s hitting, he’s putting pressure on every pitch. His ability to drive the ball and create extra-base hits forces the pitcher to make mistakes. Against a team like the Dodgers, you need that kind of explosive power to keep the game close.
Brooke: Exactly. And yet, we still have to account for the injuries. Spencer Steer is on the 10-Day IL, and Michael Toglia and Blake Dunn are on the 60-Day ILs. That’s a significant chunk of the middle infield and outfield production missing.
Tony: It changes the defensive alignment and the batting order significantly. Without Steer, there’s a void in the cleanup spot or the heart of the order. The Reds have to rely on guys like Juan Brito at second base and Matt McLain, though McLain’s status has been tricky this series.
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Brooke: Thanks for listening. Now, let’s get back to the lineup card. With Steer out, who steps up in the middle of the order? We have Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base and Eugenio Suarez designated for hire. How does that change the dynamic?
Tony: Suarez brings experience and power. He’s a veteran presence who knows how to handle high-leverage situations. Hayes is a defensively stellar player, but offensively, the Reds need someone to drive in runs. If Suarez can get hot, he could be the difference-maker tonight.
Brooke: What about the outfield? We have TJ Friedl in center, JJ Bleday in left, and Hector Rodriguez in right. Also, Carlos Jorge and Dane Myers are listed as CF options. How does the coaching staff navigate these spots with so many bodies moving around?
Tony: They’ll likely stick with Friedl in center due to his range and speed, which is crucial against Dodgers outfielders who can stretch hits. Bleday provides solid left-handed power, which is good against right-handed pitching. The key is platoon splits—if the Dodgers start a lefty, they might need to adjust the lineup accordingly.
Brooke: Speaking of lefties, the Dodgers have some quality arms in their bullpen. Who do you think poses the biggest threat to the Reds’ hitters if the game goes into late innings?
Tony: Even with Diaz out, the Dodgers have depth. But for the Reds, the immediate concern is their own bullpen usage. If they burn out Antone and Santillan early, they’ll be forced to use less experienced arms like Brock Burke or Julian Garcia. That’s a risky gamble against an elite offense.
Brooke: It’s a balancing act. The Reds need to score enough runs early to not put excessive pressure on the bullpen. Tyler Stephenson is catching, often providing leadership behind the plate. Does his presence help stabilize the pitchers?
Tony: Absolutely. Stephenson is a great defender and catcher. He can manage the game from the back end, calling pitches and keeping the pitchers calm. In a high-stakes game like this, having a veteran catcher like him is invaluable for guiding the rotation.
Brooke: Let’s talk about the ABS challenge system tracker mentioned in the headlines. How does the challenge system impact umpiring decisions in this series? Are the Reds using it effectively?
Tony: The ABS challenge system adds a layer of strategy. Teams have limited challenges, so they need to be selective. For the Reds, challenging borderline calls on balls and strikes could be crucial if they’re trailing late. It’s a small edge, but in a close game, every call matters.
Brooke: Right. And with the Dodgers pushing for the title, they might be more focused on their own execution than arguing calls. But the Reds, fighting for pride, might feel compelled to challenge anything that goes against them. It’s a mental aspect of the game that’s often overlooked.
Tony: Exactly. It’s about maintaining composure. If the Reds can stay disciplined at the plate and trust their defense, they can keep the game within reach. But they can’t afford to get frustrated by missed calls, as that leads to poor decision-making.
Brooke: We’re almost through this segment. One last thing on the injuries: Dalton Rushing is also on the 10-Day IL. He’s a promising young catcher. How does his absence affect the catching tandem with Stephenson and Will Banfield?
Tony: Rushing’s absence means less flexibility behind the plate. Stephenson becomes the primary catcher, and Banfield might see spot starts. This limits the Reds’ ability to rest Stephenson during long games or doubleheaders, potentially leading to fatigue later in the series.
Brooke: Alright, Tony, let’s wrap this up with the keys to the series. We’ve talked about pitching, injuries, and offense. What is the single most important factor for the Reds to avoid the sweep tonight?
Tony: Early offense. The Reds need to score in the first few innings. If they fall behind early, the Dodgers’ bullpen and defense will take over. Getting on the board early takes pressure off the starter and allows the bullpen to work in a manageable role.
Brooke: So, patience at the plate and capitalizing on mistakes. Elly De La Cruz seems to be the catalyst for that. If he gets hot, can he carry the team?
Tony: He’s the X-factor. When De La Cruz is swinging well, he disrupts the pitcher’s rhythm. He creates chaos in the box score and on the bases. If he can replicate his Wednesday night performance, the Reds have a real shot.
Brooke: I agree. And don’t forget the defensive effort. With so many players injured, the remaining guys need to be sharp. A couple of errors could seal the deal for the Dodgers. Defense wins championships, even in a regular-season finale.
Tony: Definitely. Fielding plays a huge role. If the Reds can make the routine plays and turn some double plays, they keep the inning alive and limit damage. It’s about execution under pressure.
Brooke: Let’s make a bold prediction. Based on everything we’ve discussed—the injuries, the pitching matchups, and De La Cruz’s form—what’s your final score prediction for tonight’s Game Four?
Tony: I’m going to predict the Reds win it, 4-3. It’ll be a tight game, but I think Elly De La Cruz delivers another clutch hit, and the bullpen holds on for dear life. It’s a bold pick, but I believe in this team’s grit.
Brooke: Wow, 4-3 for the Reds! That’s a strong stance. I’ll go along with it. I think Cincinnati finds a way to pull off the upset, keeping the series alive and sending a message to the rest of the league.
Brooke: There you have it, folks. Tonight’s matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers is loaded with intrigue, injury drama, and the potential for more Elly De La Cruz magic.
Tony: If the Reds can execute early and stay disciplined, they have a chance to spoil the Dodgers’ party. But it won’t be easy. Respect the opponent, but believe in the fight.
Brooke: Thank you for tuning into the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed today’s preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Reds fan!
Tony: Support the show by checking the link in the description. Your contributions help us keep delivering high-quality analysis every day.
Brooke: This is Brooke, signing off with Tony. Go Reds! Let’s see what happens tonight at Great American Ball Park.