Brooke: Elly De La Cruz is chasing history, Brandon Williamson just threw six shutout innings against the NL East champs, and the Cincinnati Reds are sitting on a massive momentum shift. But wait—can they keep this going against the same team that beat them earlier this week? Stick with us.
Brooke: This is the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast. I’m Brooke, and I’m joined by my analyst Tony. We are live on September 23rd, 2026. Good morning, Cincinnati fans! You survived the Cubs, you stunned the Braves last night, and now we have to do it again tonight.
Tony: Good morning, Brooke. It feels like we’re living in an alternate universe where the Reds are actually competing for something meaningful. Last night was a statement win. A 4-0 blanking of the NL East champion Braves isn't something you see every day, especially with the roster holes we’ve been talking about all season.
Brooke: It really is wild. So here’s what we’re breaking down today. First, we’ll look at the pitching matchup for tonight’s game—who’s on the mound for Atlanta and how Cincinnati’s depleted rotation handles it. Second, we’ll dive into Elly De La Cruz’s historic run toward 30-30 and how the rest of the lineup supported him. And third, we’ll talk about the injury report, specifically who’s still out for both teams, and give you our bold prediction for tonight’s series finale.
Tony: Exactly. The context matters. We’re coming off a loss to Chicago, a win in Atlanta, and now another shot at the Braves. The standings haven’t changed—we’re still fifth in the NL Central at 73-84—but the vibe has completely shifted. Let’s get into Segment One: the series and the pitching probables.
Brooke: Alright, Tony. Last night, Brandon Williamson stepped up and threw six sharp innings of shutout ball. That was huge. But tonight is the third game of this three-game set against Atlanta. Who is starting for the Braves, and what does that mean for the Reds' bats?
Tony: Well, Brooke, the headlines mention that the Braves took on the Reds in the first of this three-game series, and now we’re at the end. The Braves are 92-64, first in the NL East. They aren’t resting their starters just because they’ve clinched. If they start anyone other than their ace, that’s a mistake. But looking at the Reds’ side, Chase Burns is still on the 15-day IL with a groin strain. He went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA this year, so his absence is felt deeply.
Brooke: Right. And we know Spencer Steer and Michael Toglia are on the 60-day IL too. So the Reds are relying heavily on guys like Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and Carson Spiers. Who do you think gets the nod tonight if Williamson doesn’t go back-to-back?
Tony: If Williamson pitched well last night, he might need a day. Rhett Lowder is in the mix. Or maybe Brady Singer. Singer had some ups and downs earlier in the year, but with the bullpen tired from those losses, you want someone who can eat innings. The key is whether Atlanta starts a fresh arm or leans on their depth. Either way, the Reds need to match that intensity.
Brooke: I agree. The fatigue factor is real. Remember, last time we talked about the bullpen being stretched thin. Tejay Antone, Graham Ashcraft, Brock Burke—they’ve been working hard. If the starter doesn’t go deep, the relievers are going to be tested immediately. This is a crucial series for pride, even if the playoff picture is closed.
Tony: Pride is everything right now. These kids are playing for their futures. Every hit, every strikeout, it’s all about building resume value for next year. The ABS challenge system tracker shows batters and catchers getting ranked throughout the season. This is their chance to move up those charts.
Brooke: That’s a great point. The individual stats matter as much as the team record. Okay, before we jump into Segment Two, let’s take a quick breath. If you love what we do here at Beatline, please consider supporting us. Our show is free, with no ads and no paywall—that’s thanks to listeners like you. Your support keeps the coverage daily and unbiased. Check the link in the episode description to help us keep doing this work.
Brooke: Welcome back. Let’s talk offense. Elly De La Cruz closed in on a 30-30 season last night. That’s incredible speed and power combined. How did the rest of the lineup support him in that 4-0 win?
Tony: It wasn’t just Elly. The headline said 'Williamson throws six sharp innings,' which implies the defense held up. But offensively, we saw contributions across the board. Eugenio Suarez, Matt McLain, Juan Brito—they all had chances. The key was plate discipline. Against a team like Atlanta, who has elite pitching, you can’t chase pitches out of the zone.
Brooke: Absolutely. And with Steer and Toglia out, the middle of the order looks different. Ke’Bryan Hayes at third, JJ Bleday in left, Carlos Jorge in center. Are they stepping up?
Tony: They have to. Hayes has been solid defensively. Bleday provides pop. Jorge brings speed. It’s a different look than the usual lineup, but it’s working. The question is consistency. Can they replicate that 4-0 performance against whoever starts for Atlanta tonight?
Brooke: And what about the injuries on the Braves side? Ronald Acuna Jr. is day-to-day. Robert Suarez and Joe Jimenez are on the 60-day IL. Reynolds Lopez and Bryce Elder are on the 15-day IL. That’s a lot of missing pieces for Atlanta too.
Tony: Yes, and that changes the matchup dynamics. If Acuna isn’t full speed, the Braves’ outfield defense suffers. Suarez and Jimenez are gone from the bullpen entirely. That forces Atlanta to use their lower-tier relievers. If the Reds can put balls in play, they might exploit those weaker arms.
Brooke: So, if the Reds can leverage their speed and put pressure on the Braves’ depleted bullpen, they have a real shot. But they also have to avoid the errors that hurt them against Chicago. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 45th homer against them recently. Atlanta’s pitching is tough.
Tony: Exactly. Pitching is the great equalizer. If Cincinnati’s starter gives them five clean innings, the Reds’ speed becomes a nightmare for Atlanta’s defense. It’s about minimizing mistakes. No easy outs. Make them earn every single run.
Brooke: I like that mindset. Clean innings, aggressive baserunning. It’s a formula that worked last night. Now, let’s move to Segment Three: Keys to the series and our bold prediction.
Brooke: Okay, Tony. We predicted a 5-2 loss for the Reds last time, with Elly hitting a solo home run. Instead, they won 4-0. What’s your read for tonight? Is another upset possible?
Tony: I’m cautiously optimistic. The momentum is with Cincinnati. But Atlanta is fighting for home-field advantage in the playoffs. They won’t take this lightly. My key to the series: The Reds’ young pitchers need to trust their defense. If they allow only one or two runs, the offense can carry them.
Brooke: I agree. Trusting the defense is huge. With so many injuries, every defensive play matters. My prediction? The Reds win again. Maybe not a shutout, but a tight game. I’ll say 3-2 Reds. Elly gets another hit, maybe a double.
Tony: 3-2 Reds. I’ll take that. It’s bold, but the signs are there. The ABS challenge system is tracking these players closely. This series could define their offseason value. Let’s see if they can close it out in Atlanta.
Brooke: We’ll find out tonight. For Tony, I’m Brooke. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Go Reds!