The Cincinnati Reds traveled to San Francisco for a rematch of Opening Weekend. So far up to this point, the Reds are the only team to defeat the Giants.
Game 1:
It would be an Opening Day rematch of starters. Hunter Greene faces off against Logan Webb, two of the best pitchers in the National League. The Reds would threaten Webb in the second, but bad base running would kill the momentum. Both starters were dealing 7 scoreless innings each, but the Giants would turn to the bullpen in the 8th. The Reds would work the bases loaded off of relievers Doval and Miller with Blake Dunn due up. Dunn would have his clutch moment. He would rip an opposite field double, scoring two to give the Reds a 2-0 lead. Hunter Greene would go 8.2 innings—a career high—with Tony Santillan to come in to get the final out. Reds win 2-0.
My Takeaways:
The offense is not good, and I don’t see it getting much better.
Hunter Greene is HIM! Top pitcher in the NL.
Game 2:
Nick Lodolo has been great to start the season. He looks to pick up his 2nd win in 3 starts, while only allowing only 2 runs all season. He takes on Landon Roupp of the Giants as he makes his 6th career start. Lodolo would escape a base runner on third on a Matt Chapman fly out to keep the Giants scoreless after 1. Spencer Steer would double and would be brought home on a Jose Trevino groundout, Reds lead 1-0. That is all of the offense we would see tonight. Steer would be thrown out at home on an attempted safety squeeze by Trevino in the 5th. Lodolo would escape the bottom of the 5th with a baserunner on 3rd. Jake Fraley would make a leaping catch near the warning track to end the inning and the Giants threat. Graham Ashcraft would pitch 2 scoreless innings and Emilio Pagan would get the save in the 9th. Reds win 1-0.
My Takeaways:
The offense is still struggling to find anything. Steer seems to be finding his timing.
Nick Lodolo is the second ACE on this team. Should he remain healthy, I expect big things from Nick.
Game 3:
The Reds go into Wednesday looking for a sweep and their first series win of the young season. Nick Martinez takes on future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. The Reds would jump out early on a TJ Friedl double that just missed leaving the yard in the top of the 3rd. The Reds would score 5 overall on a pair of doubles by Elly De La Cruz and Gavin Lux. Jung Ho Lee would hit an RBI triple off of Martinez, but would not score himself. The Reds would tack on 1 more in the 6th on a bases loaded walk, Reds lead 6-1. The Giants would score 4 in the 6th off of a combination of Nick Martinez and Taylor Rogers, the lead is cut to 1. Noted Reds killer Wilmer Flores launched a game-tying home run in the 8th off of Tony Santillan, we’re squared away at 6. The Reds offense just couldn’t get anything going. For the first time this season, we’re going to extra innings. After a scoreless top of the 10th, Mike Yastrzemski would launch a ball into McCovey Cove off Emilio Pagán to give the Giants an 8-6 win. The Giants avoid the sweep. Pagán made a good pitch off the plate inside but Yaz was looking for it and helped the Giants avoid the sweep.
My Takeaways:
While we scored runs, the offense still can’t get going. We score in bunches or not at all.
Nick Martinez is suited for the bullpen, but I think his salary is the determining factor to why he’s not. He has struggled after the 1st time through the lineup.
The Reds take on the Pirates for a 3-game series at home. Austin Hays will begin a rehab assignment and is looking to into the Reds lineup fairly soon. Will Benson and Noelvi Marte were promoted during the previous series. Benson wore the Golden Sombrero with 4Ks on Wednesday and Marte was relegated to a pinch runner role. I’d like to see both guys get more chances in the lineup.
Follow me on 𝕏 for my live thoughts on the Reds and Reds MiLB. Follow my podcast; The Red Hot Reds podcast on all socials and YouTube. We have some big interviews lined up and we go live every Sunday at 8pm EST to talk about the week that was in Reds baseball.
***Are you interested in sports betting? If so, make sure to use our promo code below where you can get your deposit matched (up to $1000). Use promo code Sportz***
***Have you tried Dubby?? Are you looking for a Pre-Workout??
Our promo code : WeLikeSportz for 10% off!***
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 
Leave a comment