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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-hunter-greene-takes-big-step-towards-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Hunter Greene takes big step towards injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Reds-SP-Hunter-Greene-1.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: © Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Hunter Greene takes big step towards injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-05T12:59:28-07:00">July 5th, 12:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-05T12:59:28-07:00">July 5th, 12:59pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds-2025-over-under-win-total-prediction-odds-pick">Cincinnati Reds might be</a> seven games behind the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs, but they are far from out of the playoff hunt. Currently, the Reds are just a game and a half out of the last NL Wild Card spot. As manager Terry Francona’s roster continues their push towards the All-Star break, they’ve received some encouraging injury updates on a couple of contributors. Reds beat writer Charlie Goldsmith <a href="https://x.com/CharlieG__/status/1941547486746902967" rel="noopener">posted news on</a> starter Hunter Greene and outfielder Jake Fraley on his X (formerly Twitter) account Saturday.</p><p>“Hunter Greene is set to start a rehab assignment in Triple-A on Tuesday,” posted Goldsmith on the social media platform. “Jake Fraley is also doing really well, taking at-bats this weekend. They’ll check in with him when they’re back home on Monday about the next step.”</p><p>As long as Greene and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/reds-news-jake-fraley-steals-paul-goldschmidt-home-run-yankees">Fraley continue progressing</a> in their rehab at this pace, then Cincinnati should have them back around the All-Star break in a few days. For a team that is in the thick of the postseason race, this is good news for Francona and his maturing squad. If they can get pieces like Greene and Fraley back, it will only help their case for October baseball.</p><h2><b>Getting Hunter Greene, Jake Fraley back from IL would boost Reds roster</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Reds-OF-Jake-Fraley-1.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/reds-news-terry-francona-brutally-honest-update-hunter-greene-injury">Greene has grown into</a> the role of staff ace, a dream that the Reds’ leadership could envision as soon as the moment they took him second overall in 2017. Last season, he earned his first All-Star nod. Now, under the direction of Francona’s coaching staff, Greene’s growth has increased even more. If he’s back in the rotation once the All-Star Break ends, then Cincinnati’s odds at getting back to October grow as well.</p><p>Fraley has become a key member of the outfield rotation, showing an ability to play all three positions. His shoulder sprain received a shot of cortisone a few days ago, so hopefully that has helped the healing process speed up. Having him on the bench gives the Reds a deeper roster that can withstand the rigors of postseason baseball. If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/reds-news-terry-francona-hunter-greene-update-catch-cincinnati-fans-attention">Cincinnati is to get there,</a> then having Greene and Fraley back will certainly be something that only helps the club moving forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Hunter Greene takes big step towards injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-spencer-steer-reveals-cincinnati-mentality-win-phillies');   ga('set', 'title', 'Spencer Steer reveals Reds’ mentality during comeback win vs. Phillies');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cincinnati-Reds-first-baseman-Spencer-Steer.jpg"><figcaption>© Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Spencer Steer reveals Reds’ mentality during comeback win vs. Phillies</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-04T21:17:44-07:00">July 4th, 9:17pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-04T21:17:44-07:00">July 4th, 9:17pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On July 4th at Citizens Bank Park, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-will-benson-downs-padres-bases-loaded-walk-off">the Cincinnati Reds battled back in dramatic fashion</a>, using clutch hitting and determination to secure a 9-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, Cincinnati responded with runs in each of the next four innings, led by a collective offensive surge and a steady bullpen effort.</p><p>Reds starter Andrew Abbott, who had not allowed a first-inning run in his previous 14 starts this season, struggled early, surrendering four earned runs and nine hits over 3.1 innings. Nick Castellanos’ two-run homer off Abbott contributed to the early deficit. Abbott didn’t have his best stuff, but the Reds didn’t let that slow them down <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-spencer-steer-blasts-3-hrs-vs-padres">as Spencer Steer helped</a> kickstart the rally at just the right time.</p><p>Steer went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His two-run double in the third inning flipped the score, giving the Reds a 5-3 lead. Over his last 14 games, Steer is batting .408 (22-for-52) with five home runs and 15 RBIs, raising his season totals to a .256 average, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs, and an OPS of .726 across 319 plate appearances.</p><p>Steer <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/reds-score-5-runs-in-3rd-inning-to-come-back-vs-phillies" rel="noopener">credited the team’s mindset during the comeback</a>, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.</p><p>“It’s just understanding that when we go down early, [there’s] a lot of game left. I think offensively, we’re finding our stride. We’re taking good at-bats, putting pressure on defenses, and when we do that, I think we’re a tough team to beat.”</p><p>The Reds batted 11-for-35 (.314) as a team, drawing five walks and going 6-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Contributions came throughout the lineup: Elly De La Cruz had two hits and two RBIs, Austin Hays and TJ Friedl each added two hits, and Will Benson delivered a pinch-hit RBI single. Noelvi Marte returned from injury and chipped in with a sacrifice fly and a key defensive play.</p><p>De La Cruz’s best moment came in the fourth, when his throw to the plate completed a rare 1-6-2 double play, halting a Phillies rally.</p><p>On the mound, the bullpen covered 5.2 innings, allowing two runs. Sam Moll, who was credited with the win, threw just six pitches to record four outs. Taylor Rogers allowed a two-run double to Kyle Schwarber but avoided further damage by striking out Bryce Harper. Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagan closed out the final two innings without allowing a run.</p><p>The Reds’ victory kept them within striking distance in the National League Wild Card race, still sitting one game behind the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals for the final postseason spot.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Spencer Steer reveals Reds’ mentality during comeback win vs. Phillies

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-matt-mclain-terry-francona-winning-baseball-play');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Matt McLain earns Terry Francona’s praise for ‘winning baseball’ play');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Matt-McLain.jpg"><figcaption>© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Matt McLain earns Terry Francona’s praise for ‘winning baseball’ play</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-02T22:10:09-07:00">July 2nd, 10:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-02T22:10:59-07:00">July 2nd, 10:10pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a much-needed 8-4 win to avoid a sweep in their three-game series against the Boston Red Sox, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-will-benson-downs-padres-bases-loaded-walk-off">Cincinnati Reds witnessed a defining moment</a> from shortstop Matt McLain — a play that drew high praise from manager Terry Francona, who called it true “winning baseball.”</p><p>After missing all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, McLain is steadily rounding into form. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, walk, and stolen base, and is now hitting .309 over his last 15 games. But it wasn’t just his offense that made the difference Wednesday. In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Reds clinging to a 5-4 lead, Romy Gonzalez ripped a ball down the left field line.</p><p>The Reds’ official X account (formerly Twitter) shared the moment, showing Francona smiling as he <a href="https://x.com/Reds/status/1940601294487801898" rel="noopener">recounted</a> the clutch defensive play by the Reds’ shortstop against his old team.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"That's winning baseball"<a href="https://twitter.com/mattmclain_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mattmclain_</a> <a href="https://t.co/1BbqcdEZG1">pic.twitter.com/1BbqcdEZG1</a></p><p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1940601294487801898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I gotta say like my funnest moment of the night, was when Hayes tried to get that ball and you look up and (T.J.) Friedl and Mac (Matt McLain) are surrounding it? To me, that’s, that’s baseball.”</p><p>The two-time World Series champion with the Red Sox (2004 and 2007) had a reaction that spoke volumes — this wasn’t just a flashy moment. It was a smart, instinctive, high-IQ play, the kind that only special players make. The type of effort that truly defines winning baseball. Francona’s praise carries weight not only because of his Hall of Fame-caliber resume, but because it underscores McLain’s growing reputation as a cornerstone piece for the Reds.</p><p>The Reds, now 45-42 after the win, remain in the thick of the postseason hunt. They trail the Cubs by 6.5 games in the NL Central, and with playoff odds already stacked against them, every win matters. That’s what made Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s grand slam so crucial — and why McLain’s defensive gem stood out as the game’s turning point.</p><p>McLain’s play was emblematic of a team refusing to fold, even after tough losses in Games 1 and 2 of the series. His ability to contribute both at the plate and in the field is a reminder of his 2023 breakout campaign, where he slashed .290/.357/.507.</p><p>As the Reds open their next series on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies, plays like these could be the difference between staying alive or slipping out of postseason contention. With Andrew Abbott set to take the mound and McLain seemingly back in form,<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-nick-martinez-standing-ovation-failed-no-hitter-bid"> Cincinnati has reason to believe this stretch could shift</a> the trajectory of their season. In a year shaped by injuries, emerging talent, and razor-thin margins in the standings, it’s moments of pure effort and awareness that embody winning baseball—and plays like McLain’s might be what keeps the Reds in the hunt.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Matt McLain earns Terry Francona’s praise for ‘winning baseball’ play

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-fans-cant-believe-francisco-lindor-all-star-starter-nod-over-elly-de-la-cruz');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds fans can’t believe Francisco Lindor got All-Star starter nod over Elly De La Cruz');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Elly-De-La-Cruz-of-the-Cincinnati-Reds.jpg"><figcaption>Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds fans can’t believe Francisco Lindor got All-Star starter nod over Elly De La Cruz</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-02T17:26:05-07:00">July 2nd, 5:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-02T17:26:05-07:00">July 2nd, 5:26pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Players around the league are being named to the All-Star team with the MLB All-Star Game right around the corner. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/elly-de-la-cruz-pete-alonso-headline-biggest-2025-mlb-all-star-game-starter-snubs">Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz</a> was somehow not named the starter for the NL. Fans jumped on social media and shared their surprised reactions.</p><p>New York Mets star Francisco Lindor <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1940547182471594393" rel="noopener">was named as</a> the All-Star starter at shortstop instead. Although he’s been having a solid year himself, it’s commonly believed that De La Cruz is arguably the best shortstop in the league.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Francisco Lindor is named starting shortstop at the All-Star Game for the first time! <a href="https://t.co/EnRVlQBMJ5">pic.twitter.com/EnRVlQBMJ5</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1940547182471594393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Reds fans, along with MLB fans in general, simply couldn’t believe Lindor got the starting nod over Elly De La Cruz. Numerous individuals hopped on social media and shared their reactions. Some were rather funny, while others were calling out the league.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="es">Elly De La Cruz rn: <a href="https://t.co/Q273X6Vayn">pic.twitter.com/Q273X6Vayn</a></p><p>— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SleeperMLB/status/1940550036997525793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Elly De La Cruz got robbed,” <a href="https://x.com/juice_glc/status/1940559011335819664" rel="noopener">said one sports fan</a>.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/titletalkpod_/status/1940551968403157183" rel="noopener">Another user admitted</a>, “Love Lindor, but this should’ve been Elly De La Cruz for sure, man.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elly De La Cruz seeing Lindor get the starting SS vote at the ASG  <a href="https://t.co/BbDe2VKJwK">pic.twitter.com/BbDe2VKJwK</a></p><p>— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetMGM/status/1940548516205756906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Lindor starting over Elly De La Cruz is asinine. Ban fan voting,” <a href="https://x.com/n_rossoll/status/1940550052411592845" rel="noopener">explained one individual</a>.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/ClarkF0r3/status/1940564865741107448" rel="noopener">This person claimed</a>, “Elly De La Cruz might have the worst PR I ever seen.”</p><p>For comparison’s sake, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-makes-home-run-derby-decision">the Reds’ star</a> is putting up much better numbers this season than Lindor. Through 326 at-bats this season (not including Wednesday’s game), the 23-year-old shortstop owns a .279 batting average and .355 OBP while recording 91 hits, 18 home runs, and 57 RBIs.</p><p>As for Francisco Lindor, who is 31 years old, he currently has a .258 batting average and .327 OBP while totaling 86 hits, 16 home runs, and 42 RBIs through 333 at-bats (not including Wednesday’s game). It’s pretty clear that the Reds’ phenom shortstop is having a better season than Lindor.</p><p>However, that’s how fan voting plays out sometimes. The NBA had to readjust the fan voting for its All-Star Game, as players who seemingly didn’t deserve an All-Star spot were being voted in. Perhaps MLB should adopt a similar rule to ensure the right players are being given an All-Star starting nod when they deserve it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds fans can’t believe Francisco Lindor got All-Star starter nod over Elly De La Cruz

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-will-benson-downs-padres-bases-loaded-walk-off');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Will Benson downs Padres with bases-loaded walk-off');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cincinnati-Reds-outfielder-Will-Benson-in-the-dugout.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Will Benson downs Padres with bases-loaded walk-off</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T15:57:04-07:00">June 29th, 3:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T15:57:04-07:00">June 29th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Reds clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, thanks to Will Benson’s walk-off single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. The win secured a 2-1 series victory for Cincinnati and was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-walk-off-win-yankees">their third walk-off of the season</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Will Benson walks it off for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Reds</a>! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/CRniPrC8rv">pic.twitter.com/CRniPrC8rv</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1939421589210349734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Trailing 2-1 entering the final frame, the Reds <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1939421589210349734" rel="noopener">mounted a rare comeback</a> against Padres closer Robert Suarez, who led MLB with 23 saves entering the day. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/padres-news-robert-suarez-collapses-ninth-inning-vs-angels">Suarez (2-4) suffered only his third blown save</a> of the season.</p><p>Elly De La Cruz opened the bottom of the ninth with a 10-pitch at-bat that resulted in a ground ball mishandled by third baseman Tyler Wade, putting De La Cruz on first. Gavin Lux followed with a four-pitch walk, and Spencer Steer delivered a line-drive RBI single to center field that scored De La Cruz, tying the game. Jackson Merrill’s throw home was high, allowing the run to score. Jose Trevino then loaded the bases with a single to right, setting the stage for Benson.</p><p>Ahead in the count 2-1, Will Benson drove a 92 mph changeup into the right field corner, scoring Lux to complete the comeback. It was Benson’s third hit of the game, capping a standout performance. He also had a single in the sixth and a double in the eighth.</p><p>The Reds improved to 44-40 and have now won six of their last eight games. Since June 6, the Reds are 14-7 and have taken six of their last seven series, including wins over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees.</p><p>Spencer Steer contributed two hits and a walk, extending his hitting streak to eight games. Over his last 11 games, Steer is hitting .442 (19-for-43) with an OPS of 1.281. Every Reds batter recorded one strikeout except Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who avoided striking out entirely.</p><p>The game was evenly contested from the start, with strong performances on the mound. Reds starter Nick Lodolo navigated early trouble, including escaping bases-loaded jams in the second and third innings, but surrendered a solo home run to Xander Bogaerts in the fourth. Bogaerts finished with a homer and two doubles.</p><p>In the sixth, Benson led off with a single, and Matt McLain added a two-out hit before De La Cruz tied the game 1-1 with an RBI single off Adrian Morejon. The Padres quickly responded in the seventh when Jose Iglesias drove in the go-ahead run with a fielder’s choice after a costly walk and Bogaerts’ third hit of the game.</p><p>Despite walking four batters and recording no strikeouts, the Reds’ bullpen limited the damage, allowing just one run and one hit over 3.2 innings. Emilio Pagan (1-2) earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning.</p><p>The Padres stranded 13 runners and went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. San Diego dropped to 45-38 and is now just 37-3 when leading after eight innings.</p><p>Up next, the Reds will face the Boston Red Sox on Monday, June 30th, 7:10 p.m ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Will Benson downs Padres with bases-loaded walk-off

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/san-diego-padres/gavin-sheets-does-it-all-for-padres-vs-reds');   ga('set', 'title', 'Gavin Sheets does it all for Padres vs. Reds');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/San-Diego-Padres-left-fielder-Gavin-Sheets-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Gavin Sheets does it all for Padres vs. Reds</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-28T17:22:29-07:00">June 28th, 5:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-28T17:22:29-07:00">June 28th, 5:22pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A strong all-around effort <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/2-sneaky-trades-padres-must-make-boost-world-series-chances">powered the San Diego Padres</a> to a 6-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/3-san-diego-padres-must-make-all-star-team">with Gavin Sheets leading the charge</a>. Sheets went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a three-run homer, and a critical defensive highlight, helping San Diego even the series.</p><p>With the Padres trailing 4-1 in the fifth inning and the Reds threatening with a runner on third, Sheets <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1939081352714035653" rel="noopener">made a diving catch</a> in left field on a liner off the bat of Rece Hinds. The catch ended the inning and preserved the deficit, allowing San Diego’s bullpen and offense to stage a comeback.</p><p>Sheets’ signature moment came in the seventh inning. After Jackson Merrill led off with a double and Xander Bogaerts drew a one-out walk, Sheets stepped to the plate and blasted a 422-foot three-run home run to right field off Lyon Richardson. The homer gave the Padres their first lead of the game at 6-4. It was Sheets’ 13th home run of the season, tying him with his previous career-high from 2022 with the White Sox, achieved in 124 games. Sheets now has 49 RBIs in 79 games this season.</p><p>Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal before the 2025 season, Gavin Sheets has proven to be an outstanding value. His performance against the Reds was pivotal, especially with San Diego going just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, Sheets delivered the only hit in that category.</p><p>The Padres’ offense started slowly, stranding runners in scoring position in the second, third, and fourth innings. Luis Arraez finally put San Diego on the board in the fifth with a solo home run off Reds starter Andrew Abbott, only his fourth homer of the season. Jake Cronenworth followed with a two-run home run in the sixth off former Padres reliever Scott Barlow, cutting the deficit to 4-3.</p><p>San Diego starter Randy Vásquez struggled, allowing four earned runs on nine hits across 4.1 innings. The Reds scored three runs in the first two innings and added one more in the fifth. Cincinnati finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.</p><p>The Padres’ bullpen took over from there, allowing only three baserunners across the final 4.2 innings. Bryan Hoeing (1-0) earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings. Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam each threw a shutout inning, and Robert Suarez, returning from a two-game suspension, closed out the ninth for his MLB-leading 23rd save in 25 opportunities.</p><p>With the win, San Diego improved to 45-39, while Cincinnati dropped to 43-40. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday, with Stephen Kolek starting for the Padres against Reds lefty Nick Lodolo.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Gavin Sheets does it all for Padres vs. Reds

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-nick-martinez-standing-ovation-failed-no-hitter-bid');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Nick Martinez gets standing ovation after failed no-hitter bid');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nick-Martinez-make-big-decision-on-Cincinnatis-qualifying-offer-1.jpg"><figcaption>David Banks-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Nick Martinez gets standing ovation after failed no-hitter bid</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T21:11:53-07:00">June 27th, 9:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T21:11:53-07:00">June 27th, 9:11pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-nick-martinez-make-big-decision-qualifying-offer">Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez</a> came within three outs of making history Friday night at Great American Ball Park. Facing his former team, the San Diego Padres, Martinez carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before surrendering a double to Elias Díaz that ended the bid. Despite falling short of a no-hitter, Martinez <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1938777058852622532" rel="noopener">walked off to a standing ovation</a> from the crowd of 26,746 after delivering a career performance in the Reds’ 8-1 win.</p><p>Martinez threw 112 pitches over eight-plus innings, tying a career high. He allowed just one hit, two walks, and struck out six batters. The 34-year-old faced 30 batters, only three more than the minimum, with his only blemishes before the ninth being walks to Jackson Merrill in the first and Trenton Brooks to open the ninth. Díaz’s double to deep left-center ended his attempt at recording the 18th no-hitter in Reds history and the first since Wade Miley accomplished the feat in 2021.</p><p>The Reds called on reliever Taylor Rogers after the double, and one of the two inherited runners eventually scored, preventing Martinez from securing even a shutout. Rogers retired three of the next four batters to finish the game.</p><p>This was Martinez’s first start back in the rotation after being briefly moved to the bullpen following a disastrous outing against the Twins on June 19, where he allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. Entering Friday’s contest, Martinez carried a 4.40 ERA across 15 starts and two relief appearances. His previous two relief appearances totaled three scoreless innings.</p><p>The near no-hitter capped a remarkable journey for Martinez, who had spent four seasons in Japan before returning to MLB in 2022. He pitched for the Padres in 2022 and 2023, primarily in relief, before joining the Reds in 2024.</p><p>While Martinez flirted with history on the mound, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-spencer-steer-blasts-3-hrs-vs-padres">Spencer Steer dominated at the plate</a>. The Reds’ first baseman went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBIs, becoming the first Reds player with a three-homer game since Jesse Winker in 2021. Steer hit home runs in the second (382 feet), fourth (403 feet), and fifth innings and narrowly missed a fourth in the eighth, striking out to end his bid. It was the 40th three-homer game in franchise history.</p><p>The Reds’ offense provided early and consistent support. Cincinnati took a 2-0 lead in the first via an Elly De La Cruz RBI groundout and a passed ball by Díaz. Austin Hays, returning from the injured list, contributed a double and scored in the fifth.</p><p>With the win, the Reds improved to 43-29, having won 13 of their last 19 games. They sit just 2.5 games back of the third National League wild-card spot. Despite the heartbreak of a lost no-hitter, Nick Martinez’s dominance and Steer’s power helped the Reds start their series against the Padres emphatically.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Nick Martinez gets standing ovation after failed no-hitter bid

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-spencer-steer-blasts-3-hrs-vs-padres');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Spencer Steer blasts insane 3 HRs vs. Padres');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cincinnati-Reds-first-baseman-Spencer-Steer.jpg"><figcaption>© Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Spencer Steer blasts insane 3 HRs vs. Padres</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T18:23:23-07:00">June 27th, 6:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T18:23:23-07:00">June 27th, 6:23pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Reds were handed a blowout loss by the New York Yankees on Thursday. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-walk-off-win-yankees">Cincinnati’s walk-off win earlier this week</a>, they left the series with a lot to prove after the loss on Thursday. On Friday, though, Terry Francona’s team returned the favor against the San Diego Padres. Reds first baseman Spencer Steer led the way, hitting three home runs, two against Dylan Cease.</p><p>The fourth-year pro tagged Cease in the second and fourth innings. His third homer of the game was off Yuki Matsui in the fifth, a <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1938763722127712695" rel="noopener">364ft. moon shot</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">SPENCER STEER HITS HIS 3RD HR OF THE GAME 🤯😤<a href="https://t.co/0iSo9k9nD3">pic.twitter.com/0iSo9k9nD3</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1938763722127712695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Steer’s three home-run game is the eighth of its kind this season. His performance puts him on a list featuring Aaron Judge, Jose Ramirez, and Kerry Carpenter. Steer does not have the same reputation as those All-Stars. However, he proved on Friday that he is a key piece of the Reds’ offense.</p><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-makes-home-run-derby-decision">Cincinnati’s star, Elly De La Cruz, turning down the Home Run Derby</a>, Steer can submit Friday’s performance as his audition tap. His three home runs give him 11 on the season. The feat is more impressive considering who he did it against. Cease is one of the best pitchers in the National League, and Steer made quick work of him, twice.</p><p>Steer’s performance comes at a great time for the Reds. Francona’s team has been within arm’s reach of their rivals in the NL Central all season. With the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers making their push to catch the Chicago Cubs, the Reds must keep pace.</p><p>Winning their division is the cleanest path to the postseason for Cincinnati. The Reds have not been to the playoffs since the shortened season in 2020. With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-chase-burns-strikes-out-6-first-7-batters-mlb-debut">the emergence of Chase Burns, Francona</a> might have a team capable of making it to the postseason and surprising people like the Detroit Tigers did in 2024.</p><p>Steer’s dominance against the Padres is a great way to start the Reds’ regular season series against San Diego. His team hopes that they can keep the momentum going and ride it all the way to the top of their division.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Spencer Steer blasts insane 3 HRs vs. Padres

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-makes-home-run-derby-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Elly De La Cruz makes Home Run Derby decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Elly-De-La-Cruz-makes-Home-Run-Derby-decision.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Albert Cesare</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Elly De La Cruz makes Home Run Derby decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T13:51:13-07:00">June 27th, 1:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T13:53:24-07:00">June 27th, 1:53pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.spiering.3" rel="facebook">Chris Spiering</a>Chris Spiering graduated from the University of San Diego with a Communication Studies Degree. He spent his final year as the Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris manages the betting team at ClutchPoints and contributes about the NFL, MLB, and NBA, but he follows most sports, including NCAA Basketball. Chris also covers San Diego State men's basketball for East Village Times.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Cincinnati Reds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-walk-off-win-yankees">star Elly De La Cruz</a> is not just known for his power, he can do it all on the baseball diamond. His elite play has helped turn the Reds into a good team. At 42-39, the Reds are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in the National League. They take on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/1-trade-san-diego-padres-must-avoid-making-before-2025-deadline">San Diego Padres</a> this weekend, and a series win would go a long way toward inching closer to a playoff position.</p><p>Elly De La Cruz has smashed 18 home runs this season. He leads the Reds and is tied for 13th in the majors. That makes him a candidate to be in the Home Run Derby. However, on Friday, it was <a href="https://x.com/ctrent/status/1938688942230176172?s=46" rel="noopener">announced that he decided to decline the event</a>. Participating in the Home Run Derby has had a history of getting players to go on slumps in the second half of the season. It can be a tiring event. Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/seattle-mariners/mariners-news-cal-raleigh-makes-hr-derby-decision-monster-campaign">Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh</a> are the only two who have accepted.</p><p>This does not come as a shock, as he will without a doubt be an All-Star. He likely will be the only Reds player in the Midsummer Classic. The shortstop <a href="https://x.com/CBoxSports/status/1938395929918509509">wasn’t voted as one of the final All-Stars</a>, so he would have to make it as a reserve. He competes against some of the league’s best, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies.</p><p>On the season, De La Cruz is batting .277 with 55 RBIs, a .862 OPS, with a .511 slugging percentage. These are all on pace to be career highs. If he continues to hit at this rate, the Reds will be in contention to make the playoffs. We are at the halfway point of the season, and De La Cruz is on pace for roughly 40 homers, 100+ RBIs, and 40+ stolen bases. If he can work on reducing the strikeouts, then he can turn into one of the best all-around players in the league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Elly De La Cruz makes Home Run Derby decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-gavin-lux-100-real-dodgers-move');   ga('set', 'title', 'Gavin Lux gets 100% real on Dodgers-Reds move');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Gavin-Lux-3.jpg"></figure><h1>Gavin Lux gets 100% real on Dodgers-Reds move</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-26T13:22:55-07:00">June 26th, 1:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-26T13:33:09-07:00">June 26th, 1:33pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-cincinnati-swing-surprise-gavin-lux-trade-dodgers">Gavin Lux was traded to the Cincinnati Reds</a> in a surprise offseason move by the defending champs. However, Lux has embraced the situation, using the change of scenery as an opportunity to improve.</p><p>Lux recently spoke to veteran starting pitcher and fellow former Dodger Ross Stripling about the <a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1937997985196982694" rel="noopener">positive aspects</a> of changing clubs. “Sometimes it’s refreshing getting around new people, new voices and just trying to hear what guys [think],” Lux said, per Foul Territory.</p><p>“Whenever you get a new voice or get around different people with different thoughts… it might be the same thing that you heard before but it’s said in a different way that makes more sense,” he added.</p><h2><b>Gavin Lux is embracing his move to the Reds</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Gavin-Lux-i.jpg"><figcaption>Katie Stratman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Lux played the hero for Cincinnati in a wild win over the New York Yankees Tuesday. The Reds were down 3-0 in the seventh inning but fought back to tie the game and send it to extras. Lux pinch-hit for Rece Hinds in the 11th inning and delivered a walk-off single, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-walk-off-win-yankees">driving in Elly De La Cruz for the winning run</a>.</p><p>Lux credits Reds hitting coach Chris Valaika with helping improve his swing. Valaika focused on adjusting Lux’s posture and setup in the batter’s box, which he says, “puts me in a better spot body-wise to get my swing off.”</p><p>The advice appears to be helping as Lux is slashing .270/.358/.391 with a 103 OPS+ in 72 games with the Reds. The slash line and OPS+ are above his career averages and an improvement over his numbers from last season with the Dodgers.</p><p>However, those numbers are propped up a bit by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-gavin-lux-makes-honest-admission-amid-2025-success">Lux’s early season success</a>. At the end of April he was slashing .327/.416/.439 with 14 RBI and 13 runs scored in 29 games. But he’s cooled off after the hot start, posting a .694 OPS in May. And he’s struggling again in June, hitting .210 with a .645 OPS. Perhaps the pinch-hit walk-off against the Yankees will lead to a rebound.</p><p>While Lux has tailed off in June, the Reds have played well this month. The team is 13-7 since June 3. After starting the month nine games back in the NL Central, the Reds are now 5.5 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati has jumped from four to 2.5 games back in the Wild Card hunt in that span as well.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Gavin Lux gets 100% real on Dodgers-Reds move

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-terry-francona-hilarious-message-scout-evaluated-chase-burns');   ga('set', 'title', 'Terry Francona’s hilarious message to scout who evaluated Reds’ Chase Burns');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Chase-Burns-of-the-Cincinnati-Reds.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Terry Francona’s hilarious message to scout who evaluated Reds’ Chase Burns</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T12:04:25-07:00">June 25th, 12:04pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T12:04:25-07:00">June 25th, 12:04pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Top pitching prospect <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/yankees-news-aaron-judge-reacts-chase-burns-debut">Chase Burns made his MLB debut</a> on Tuesday night in the Cincinnati Reds’ 5-4 win over the New York Yankees. Burns displayed major potential, and it sounds like manager Terry Francona is over the moon to have him on the team.</p><p>During the postgame press conference, Francona raved about the 22-year-old starting pitcher, according to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. The Reds’ manager was so elated with Chase Burns’ performance, he <a href="https://x.com/char_cliff/status/1937704631708324058" rel="noopener">sent a hilarious message</a> to the scout who evaluated the young prospect.</p><p>“I could kiss [the scout] right on the lips.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Terry Francona says he wants to give a kiss to the Reds scout who did the work on Chase Burns <a href="https://t.co/YAorUqshvB">pic.twitter.com/YAorUqshvB</a></p><p>— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) <a href="https://twitter.com/char_cliff/status/1937704631708324058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Chase Burns looked solid throughout most of his debut. Through 5.0 innings pitched, the 2024 first-round pick totaled eight strikeouts while allowing six hits and three earned runs. That’s a great showing for a rookie, considering he was going up against Aaron Judge and the other big bats in the Yankees’ lineup.</p><p>The Reds’ pitcher was over the moon with his performance as well. After the game, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-chase-burns-favorite-strikeout-epic-debut-aaron-judge">Chase Burns admitted that his favorite strikeout</a> he recorded was against Judge. It’ll be interesting to see how Burns continues to develop, but he’s off to a nice start to begin his major league career.</p><p>Chase Burns’ next start is slated for the last day of June in the Reds’ matchup against the Boston Red Sox. It’ll be the first contest of a three-game series. With Burns in the rotation, Cincinnati will hope he can help keep the team in the mix of the NL Central.</p><p>The Reds are 4.5 games back from the first-placed Chicago Cubs and are ranked fourth in the division. Burns joins the majors after owning an impressive 1.77 ERA and .77 WHIP while recording 89 strikeouts through 66.0 innings pitched in the minor leagues this season. The potential is there, and Cincinnati may just have a future ace on its hands in the coming years.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Terry Francona’s hilarious message to scout who evaluated Reds’ Chase Burns

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-chase-burns-favorite-strikeout-epic-debut-aaron-judge');   ga('set', 'title', 'Reds’ Chase Burns on favorite strikeout from epic debut: ‘Gotta be Judge’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Reds-Chase-Burns-pitches-in-MLB-debut.jpg"><figcaption>Katie Stratman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Reds’ Chase Burns on favorite strikeout from epic debut: ‘Gotta be Judge’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-24T22:54:35-07:00">June 24th, 10:54pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T12:40:48-07:00">June 25th, 12:40pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Reds</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Future Hall of Famer Terry Francona has a tough balancing act to perform in his first season as Cincinnati Reds manager. He is tasked with guiding this group to a winning season while also helping the younger players come of age. Both things happened on Tuesday, as the gritty ballclub pulled out a 5-4 extra-innings victory over the New York Yankees in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-chase-burns-strikes-out-6-first-7-batters-mlb-debut">Chase Burns’ big-league debut</a>.</p><p>The right-handed starting pitcher, who is ranked No. 11 on MLB’s top-100 prospect list, emphatically introduced himself to the Cincy faithful in Great American Ball Park. He struck out the Yankees’ first three hitters, including Aaron Judge, to begin what scouts and fans expect to be a successful career in The Show. They all went down swinging, powerless against Burns’ devastating fastball-slider combination.</p><p>The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft faced considerable trouble in the fourth inning, though, allowing a 427-foot home run to Ben Rice and a two-RBI triple to Anthony Volpe to put the Reds in a 3-0 hole. He trudged on and finished with eight strikeouts and no walks in five innings of work. A giddy Burns savored his inaugural outing after Cincinnati rallied and earned its third straight win. He did not hesitate when revealing <a href="https://x.com/char_cliff/status/1937702629783798000" rel="noopener">his favorite punch-out</a> of the evening.</p><p>“It’s gotta be Judge,” the 22-year-old told the media, per WLWT’s Charlie Clifford. When a newly-minted rookie overpowers one of the greatest hitters of his generation, he is going to remember it for a long, long time. Aaron Judge did record a single in his second at-bat, but Chase Burns displayed electric stuff in front of the home crowd.</p><h2><b>The future looks bright for Burns, Reds</b></h2><p>If this young righty can steadily improve his command as he logs more MLB innings, Francona could have another ace to call upon in the near future. Andrew Abbott has quietly been sensational this season (1.79 ERA in 13 starts) and Hunter Greene has remained excellent when healthy — currently on injured list with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-terry-francona-brutally-honest-update-hunter-greene-injury">right groin strain</a> — but Burns could potentially boost the Reds’ pitching rotation to towering heights.</p><p>It was the lineup and bullpen that really came through on this night, however. A dominant Carlos Rodon left the game after six scoreless innings, apparently because of the stifling heat, and Cincy capitalized. Christian Encarnacion-Strand tied the game with a three-run double in the seventh inning, and offseason addition Gavin Lux hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th.</p><p>A see-saw kind of matchup, which included a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-elly-de-la-cruz-walk-off-win-yankees">perplexing lapse in concentration</a> by franchise cornerstone Elly De La Cruz, ended in euphoria. The Reds (42-38) are only two games out of the third and final National League Wild Card slot. Burns may lack experience, but if this fun squad is going to squeeze its way into the playoffs, he will probably have plenty to do with it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Reds’ Chase Burns on favorite strikeout from epic debut: ‘Gotta be Judge’

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2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.294	3	17	0.857	4

2025 SEASON STATS
BA	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
.294	3	17	0.857	4