When the Cincinnati Reds needed a spark, they found it in the most unexpected place: the underwear drawer.

Bench coach Mike Napoli made a bold fashion choice before the Reds' crucial Ohio Cup series opener against the Cleveland Guardians, and it's already paying dividends. The secret weapon? A custom-made "Tito Speedo" gifted to manager Terry Francona by catcher Tyler Stephenson during spring training.

The story begins during a daily cribbage session between Napoli and Francona before the series finale against the Nationals. "I looked over and saw his Speedo hanging over there," Napoli recalled. "I was like, 'Is it washed?' He said, 'Yeah, why?' I said, 'I'm wearing it for the game today.'"

Francona didn't even need to ask if Napoli had brought the infamous garment to Cleveland. "He goes, 'Do you even have to ask me that? I'm offended,'" Francona said with a laugh.

The timing couldn't have been better. The Reds had been mired in a brutal offensive slump, averaging less than three runs per game during an eight-game losing streak. But as soon as Napoli squeezed into the bright-colored Speedo—emblazoned with images of Francona's face as a 1980s Reds player—the bats came alive.

The result? A 15-run explosion against the Nationals that snapped the team out of its offensive funk. As the runs piled up, Napoli couldn't resist sharing his secret with some of the hitters. "I might have pulled down my zipper and showed a couple of guys," he admitted.

Now, as the Reds look to carry that momentum into their rivalry series against the Guardians, one thing is clear: Napoli is committed to the Tito Speedo for as long as it works. In baseball, superstitions run deep, and this one might just be the key to turning the season around.