The Reds played a well rounded games on offense and defense to spoil the home opener for the Rangers. Gore showed why he is one of the best pitchers in the game striking out 9 Reds batters. In fact Matt McLain was the only Reds hitter to avoid striking out against Gore. The Reds hit 3 home runs in a 5-3 victory. Let's talk about it!
Let's start with the pitching. Singer started the game for the Reds going 5 innings giving up 2 runs. Singer struck out 5 and only walked 1. These are the starts that I am confident the Reds will produce more times than not. You should win a lot of baseball games when you only give up 2 runs through 5 innings. The bullpen was coffin nails when it needed to be. The Reds used 4 guys from the bullpen all throwing an inning. The only one to buckle was Ashcraft. He gave up a triple to Nimmo and the next man up, Langford, hit a double to score Nimmo. Santillan was called on to keep the game tied. He sat the Rangers down in order. After taking the lead in the top of the 9th, Pagan was sent out for the save. He, like Santillan, sat the Rangers down in order. I ragged on Pagan saying he could be at risk of losing his job and he made me eat my words in his next appearance.
Another guy that I was giving a hard time to was Spencer Steer. He broke out yesterday. He went 2 for 4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and both hits were extra base hits. A home run in the 2nd, a double that started the 9th off strong. In a 3-3 game with Steer on 2nd, Stephenson stepped up to the plate. After getting behind in the count 0-2, Stephenson then battled working the count full. On pitch 8 he hit a sinker over the right center fence into the Rangers bullpen. Reds lead 5-3. The bats that had started the year slow came alive in a big way leading the Reds to victory.
Elly De La Cruz also homered in yesterdays game. He gave the Reds the lead in the 6th. Elly hit a laser over the left field wall. It left his bat at 107. mph. The home runs are what won the Reds the game yesterday and that is what they were lacking last season in those close ball games. That is one big difference I've noticed between the 2025 team and the 2026 team.
Tonight two young future stars take the mound. Kumar Rocker, former Vanderbilt great, gets the ball for the Rangers. This will be his first start in 2026 after carrying an ERA well north of 5.00. He will face Rhett Lowder who in his first game got a no decision in a 3-2 win over Boston. I think the Reds get to Rocker early and chase him by the 5th. I think Lowder gives the Reds 5 solid innings again.
Prediction:
Reds: 8
Rangers: 4
If you read the article predicting yesterdays game, I had 5-3 Reds. My first correct score prediction of the year!
As always, thanks for reading and interacting! Who Dey & Go Redlegs!
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