The Cincinnati Reds stormed out of the gate this season, fueled by dominant pitching, a lockdown bullpen, and stellar defense. But as the calendar turns toward this weekend's showdown with the Houston Astros, the buzz around Great American Ball Park has cooled. We sat down with Lance McAlister, the voice of Reds pre- and post-game coverage on WLW, to get the inside scoop on the team's pulse and what Astros fans should expect.
Q: The Reds have hit a rough patch since their hot start. What's the mood in the clubhouse right now?
A: It's a precarious spot. They built that early momentum on pitching, defense, and a bullpen that could lock down any lead. Everyone hoped the bats would catch up, but they haven't. Now, the other areas are starting to show cracks. Everything that was going right—winning close games, finding ways to pull through—has flipped. Three starting pitchers on the IL is a tough blow, and missing Eugenio Suarez's bat (oblique injury) stings. Even rookie sensation Sal Stewart has cooled off. The recipe that worked early is now leaking oil.
Q: Tonight, Nick Lodolo takes the mound. What can Astros fans expect from his arsenal?
A: When he's healthy, Lodolo can be dominant, thanks to a wipeout slider that leaves hitters guessing. The problem? A recurring blister on his finger has landed him on the IL in three different seasons. It's directly tied to that slider grip—the pressure point that makes the pitch so nasty also causes the friction. They haven't been able to solve it, and honestly, there's no reason to believe they will anytime soon. His last two rehab starts were okay, but it's anyone's guess how he holds up tonight.
Q: Shortstop Elly De La Cruz seems to be the engine of this lineup. When he's hot, the whole team feeds off him. Fair assessment?
A: Absolutely. Elly stirs the drink. He can change a game at the plate, in the field, or on the bases. This season, the game has finally slowed down for him. He looks more relaxed, and that confidence is contagious. When he gets rolling, the whole lineup seems to find another gear.
Q: One last question—JJ Bleday has shown some pop since his call-up. Do you like him in the No. 2 spot?
A: He's been an interesting addition. The Reds signed him to a one-year, $1.4 million deal in the offseason—their first free-agent move. He didn't make the team out of spring training, but instead of pouting, he went to Louisville and just kept hitting. With the outfield production lagging in the majors, they gave him a shot, and he's continued to rake with power. The No. 2 spot was a black hole before he arrived, so seeing him settle in there has been a nice boost.
As the Astros roll into Cincinnati for a weekend series, all eyes will be on whether the Reds can recapture that early-season magic—or if Houston's bats can exploit the cracks. Either way, it's shaping up to be a must-watch matchup at the ballpark.