The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a 39-46 record and sit 14.5 games back in the National League Central. In the last 24 hours, the club experienced its fourth consecutive loss. They fell 4-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.
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MLB Game Recap
Cincinnati fell 4-2 to Milwaukee as the Brewers extended their season-high winning streak over the Reds to six games. Reds starter Andrew Abbott surrendered two runs and walked a season-high five batters over five innings of work. The game remained tied until the seventh inning. Garrett Mitchell tripled in the go-ahead run against reliever Brock Burke. He also allowed an insurance run to score on a wild pitch.
Standout Performer
Noelvi Marte was the offensive highlight, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and one run scored. Marte’s fifth homer of the season was a 107.4 mph laser in the second inning that temporarily tied the game at 2-2. This performance provided the only runs for a Reds offense that went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Key News & Notes
The Reds placed reliever Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day IL with a UCL sprain. This move suggests a long-term absence. In a positive roster development, closer Emilio Pagán was activated on Tuesday. He recorded a strikeout in his first appearance since May. Additionally, manager Terry Francona indicated that Hunter Greene is expected to make his season debut this weekend against Baltimore. He had a dominant rehab assignment where he retired 16 consecutive batters in his final start.
Farm Report
- Louisville Bats (Triple-A): Dominic Pitelli went 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI in a 5-4 loss. He snapped an 0-for-22 slump by reaching base three times.
- Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A): Jay Allen II went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, and 2 RBI in a 6-5 defeat. The Lookouts split their doubleheader. There was a high-scoring opener that featured nine combined home runs.
- Dayton Dragons (High-A): Peyton Stovall went 2-for-4 with a home run and two walks. He also hit a walk-off RBI double in an 11-inning, 9-8 victory. Stovall is hitting .329 since the beginning of June.
- Daytona Tortugas (Single-A): Ty Doucette had a notable performance. He went 1-for-4 with a 401-foot home run and a walk. The team lost 4-3 in extra innings. Doucette has slugged .548 over his last ten games.
Deep Dive: The Reds Need to Sell High on One of Their Biggest Trade Assets
The Reds currently face a difficult deadline decision as they sit 14.5 games behind the Brewers in the division and five games out of the final wild-card spot. The sources suggest that unless the team initiates a significant winning streak, they should transition to “selling.” They need to prioritize moving valuable trade assets while their market value is peaking. Specifically, Nick Lodolo is identified as the primary candidate for a “sell high” move.
Lodolo is coming off a productive 2025 season where he recorded 156 strikeouts over 156 2/3 innings with a 3.33 ERA. His 2026 performance has been less consistent. However, he has recently demonstrated elite form. He surrendered just three hits and zero runs over his last two starts. Lodolo is scheduled to reach free agency after the 2027 season. The Reds are unlikely to extend his contract. The sources argue that his value will never be higher than at the 2026 deadline. The strategy mirrors the Brewers’. They successfully traded top-tier talent, like Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader, while still under team control. This approach helped them replenish their minor league system, which now boasts nine Top-100 prospects. Other potential trade candidates mentioned include impending free agents Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer, and Brock Burke.
The division is out of reach. The wild card is slipping away. Trading key assets like Lodolo now could secure the high-end prospects needed to actually compete in 2027. What do you think?
Looking Ahead
The Reds conclude their four-game series in Milwaukee this afternoon with Chase Burns (9-1, 2.36 ERA) set to face Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski (9-3, 1.45 ERA).
