The Reds fell to the Dodgers 5-2 on July 30 as Shohei Ohtani homered off Nick Lodolo. With the front office standing pat at the deadline, can this team end its slide?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Wednesday was a day of high stakes and quiet disappointment for the Cincinnati Reds. As the MLB trade deadline passed without a single move from the front office, the team on the field dropped its third straight game, a 5-2 decision to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. The loss stings, but the silence from the front office speaks volumes, signaling a massive vote of confidence—or a significant gamble—on the players already in the clubhouse.
'Elly's energy and consistency have been a spark for us all year.'
As the trade deadline came and went, the Reds remained unchanged. Despite widespread speculation that the team was seeking bullpen reinforcements and a right-handed bat to bolster their lineup, the front office stood pat. The decision leaves the Reds to navigate the final stretch of the season with the current squad, a move that will be heavily scrutinized as they chase a Wild Card spot, now sitting at 56-52 and 8.5 games behind the Brewers.
On the field, the story wasn't much better. The Dodgers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Starter Nick Lodolo battled through 5.1 innings, but surrendered four runs while striking out six. A Shohei Ohtani home run, his 38th of the year, punctuated the Dodgers' offensive display. The Reds' bullpen managed to keep things close with 3.2 innings of one-run ball, but the offense couldn't muster a comeback.
The brightest spot in an otherwise gloomy day was, once again, Elly De La Cruz. The dynamic shortstop extended his hitting streak to seven games with a 2-for-4 performance, including an RBI double. Now hitting .282, Elly leads the team with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs and is tantalizingly close to a 20-20 season with 28 stolen bases. His consistent production is the engine of the Reds' offense, even when the results don't fall their way.
While no external help arrived, a major internal boost is on the horizon. Hunter Greene made a promising rehab start for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, striking out six batters over four innings. Recovering from a forearm strain, Greene looked sharp and is expected to rejoin the Cincinnati rotation within the next week, barring any setbacks. His return could provide the exact jolt the pitching staff needs for the playoff push.
The path forward is now clear: this is the team. With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Reds' fate rests on the shoulders of the current roster and the imminent return of Hunter Greene. The three-game skid is concerning, but with Elly De La Cruz playing at an elite level and a key arm coming back, the hope for a postseason berth is not yet extinguished. The pressure is on, and the next few series will be critical in proving the front office's faith was well-placed.
