Brooke: He joined Eric Davis. He joined Barry Larkin. He joined Brandon Phillips. Tonight, we’re talking about the only player in franchise history to join that exclusive club, and whether he can keep his magic alive against a tough Toronto squad.
Tony: It’s not just the speed anymore. It’s the power. Elly De La Cruz has hit his thirtieth homer, making him the fourth Red ever to hit thirty homers and steal thirty bases in a single season. That is historic stuff.
Brooke: But here’s the reality check for you all at home. The Reds are sitting at 74 and 86. They finished their last game with a heartbreak, losing 6-5 to the Blue Jays on Friday night after Lukes hit a go-ahead single in the seventh. And let’s be honest, looking at this roster right now? It’s decimated.
Tony: It is. We’ve talked about this for days. Spencer Steer is out for the season on the 60-day IL. Tony Santillan is out too. Even Jonatan Clase is down for the year. You are trying to compete in the NL Central, where you’re currently fifth, with holes everywhere.
Brooke: So, what do we have coming up today? First, we break down the pitching matchup for tonight’s game in Toronto. Then, we dive deep into who is actually stepping up in the lineup when you look at the injuries. And finally, we’ll give you our bold prediction for how this series ends. But before we get there, quick favor to ask. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small contribution via the link in the episode description keeps us free and daily. Just saying thanks helps more than you know.
Tony: We appreciate it. Now, let’s get into it. The Reds are in Toronto. Again. And again.
Brooke: Alright, Tony. Let’s talk about the mound. We know the Blue Jays won the last one 6-5. Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and three RBIs, and Nathan Lukes was the hero with that go-ahead single. But tonight is a new day. Who do you think starts for Cincinnati?
Tony: Well, if you look at the roster available, we have Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers, and Brandon Williamson. Given the rotation depth issues, I’d expect them to lean on someone who can eat innings without burning out the bullpen. I’m thinking Brady Singer gets the call here.
Brooke: Singer makes sense. He’s got experience. But the Blue Jays are hitting well. Last night, they rallied from an early deficit to win. How do you stop a team that’s scoring six runs against you? Especially when you’re missing guys like Santillan who usually anchors that defense behind the pitchers.
Tony: Exactly. Without Santillan, the defensive positioning changes. You lose that elite arm strength at third base. So, if Singer goes, he needs to keep the ball on the ground. The Blue Jays love the fly ball. Okamoto proved that last night. If Singer gives up air balls, it’s going to be a long night for Cincinnati.
Brooke: What about the bullpen? Tejay Antone is still listed as a reliever, but with so many guys on the IL—Chase Burns, Julian Garcia—he’s probably seeing a lot of work. Do you trust him in high-leverage spots right now?
Tony: I’m cautious. When you’re short-handed, you use your best arms. But Antone has been inconsistent. I’d rather see Brock Burke or Connor Phillips get those late-inning looks. They’ve shown flashes of stability. Using Antone as a closer type role might be a mistake if his command isn’t sharp.
Brooke: Fair point. So, we’re looking at a battle of attrition. The Reds are trying to survive an injury crisis while facing a Blue Jays team that feels momentum. It’s tough. But let’s shift gears to the offense. Because despite the losses, one name continues to shine.
Tony: Elly De La Cruz. Of course. He hit his thirtieth homer recently. He drove in runs against the Braves. He’s just a different athlete. But the question is, can he carry this whole lineup by himself?
Brooke: That’s what we need to discuss next. Because when you look at the rest of the order, it’s... complicated. We lost Steer. We’re dealing with Urias on the IL. Who is actually getting on base for these Reds?
Tony: It’s a patchwork job. You have Matt McLain at second base. He’s been solid. And then you have Ke’Bryan Hayes at third. Hayes is a defensive wizard, but can he produce offensively enough to support Elly? I think the key is plate discipline. If they can draw walks, they put pressure on the Blue Jays' bullpen.
Brooke: Right. And speaking of the bullpen, we mentioned the injuries earlier. Let’s list them out because it’s staggering. Shane Bieber is out. Rudy Martin Jr. is out. Luis Urias is out. Brett Bateman is day-to-day. And don’t forget Spencer Steer and Tony Santillan are on the 60-day IL. That’s a massive chunk of talent gone.
Tony: And Michael Toglia is on the 60-day IL too! So you’re missing a first baseman and a third baseman. That forces Oswaldo Cabrera to play more infield spots. It changes the entire geometry of the field. You’re asking players to adapt on the fly, literally.
Brooke: It’s incredible resilience. How does that affect the hitters? Does it make them more aggressive at the plate, trying to make up for defensive lapses later?
Tony: I think it makes them desperate. And desperation leads to chasing pitches outside the zone. If the Blue Jays pitchers can sit on the edges, Cincinnati will struggle. You need calm, methodical at-bats. But with the roster so thin, the mental fatigue is real. These guys are playing through exhaustion.
Brooke: So, who steps up? Besides Elly. We saw Carlos Jorge hit a homer against the Braves. Hector Rodriguez also went deep. Are those the guys you want betting on?
Tony: Jorge is a rookie. He’s exciting. But rookies can be volatile. I’d actually look at JJ Bleday in left field. He’s got power. If he can square up the ball, he’s a threat. And Sal Stewart at first base—he needs to provide some middle-of-the-order protection for Elly. Otherwise, the opposing pitchers will just pitch around him.
Brooke: Bleday and Stewart. Okay. So the strategy is: feed Elly, protect him, and hope the middle of the order doesn’t collapse under the weight of these injuries. It’s a tall order. But let’s talk about the ABS challenge system tracker. Did you see the rankings?
Tony: I did. It’s interesting to track how umpires are calling balls and strikes. For a player like Elly, who swings at a lot of pitches, having favorable calls—or even neutral ones—is crucial. If the umpire is tight, he might take a walk. If he’s loose, he might chase. It’s a subtle factor, but it matters in close games.
Brooke: Absolutely. One bad call can swing a series. And with the Reds fighting for pride in the standings, every run counts. They’re fifth in the NL Cent. They aren’t playoff bound, but winning these games matters for morale and for the future. What do you think is the biggest key to the series?
Tony: Bullpen management. That’s it. If Cincinnati can keep the game close through the sixth inning, they have a chance. But if they blow a lead in the seventh, like they did last night, it’s over. The Blue Jays’ offense is too hot right now. Okamoto and Lukes are clicking.
Brooke: So, containment. Keep it within one run. And then, who wins it? I know we predicted Elly would hit a homer in the opener last time, and we were wrong on the score, but he did get on base. What’s your bold prediction for tonight?
Tony: I’m sticking with my split theory. I think the Reds will take one. Maybe not the big blowout, but a gritty win. I’ll say the Reds win 5-4. Elly drives in two runs, and the bullpen holds on in the ninth.
Brooke: 5-4. A grind-it-out victory. I like it. It fits the narrative of resilience. They’re battered, bruised, but they’re still finding ways to score. Elly De La Cruz joins that elite club, and maybe tonight, he helps them secure a much-needed win against the Jays.
Tony: If they can stay healthy enough to finish the series, who knows? But for tonight, I’m going with the Reds. It’s a bold pick, but I believe in the fight.
Brooke: There you have it. A preview of the Reds vs. Blue Jays, focusing on Elly’s historic 30-30 season, the massive injury list, and our prediction that Cincinnati takes a gritty 5-4 win tonight.
Tony: Keep an eye on the bullpen usage. If they manage it well, the Reds have a shot. If not, it’s going to be a long night in Toronto.
Brooke: Thanks for listening, Beatline fans. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Redleg. Go Reds!