The Reds fall 5-2 to the Dodgers on July 30, completing a sweep as the trade deadline passes. Despite a Nick Lodolo gem, a Shohei Ohtani HR proved too much.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
As the trade deadline clock ticked down Wednesday, the Cincinnati Reds offered a frustratingly clear statement—not through a blockbuster deal, but through inaction. The message was amplified on the field as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep at Great American Ball Park with a 5-2 victory, leaving fans to wonder if the current roster has enough firepower for a serious playoff push.
We’re always looking to improve, but we’re confident in the group we have.
It was a night of conflicting narratives on the mound and at the plate. Starter Nick Lodolo was electric, carving up a potent Dodgers lineup for a career-high 11 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Despite his dominance, a single mistake—a two-run homer surrendered to Shohei Ohtani in the third—proved costly. The Reds' offense, meanwhile, continued its slumber, managing just five hits. Spencer Steer's RBI double was a rare flicker of life, but it wasn't nearly enough to support Lodolo's gem. Manager David Bell summed it up postgame: 'Nick gave us a chance tonight. His stuff was electric.' Unfortunately, the bats couldn't capitalize.
If there's one player who consistently provides a reason to watch, it's Elly De La Cruz. He did it again in the 6th inning, launching his 19th home run of the season—a solo shot that lit up social media. But his impact wasn't limited to power. With a stolen base in the 4th inning, Elly reached 20 steals for the year. He is now just one home run shy of a 20-20 season, a feat no Red has accomplished since Brandon Phillips in 2007. His dynamic play is a constant reminder of the team's high ceiling, even on a day when the results don't follow.
While the team struggled on the field, the front office remained silent. With the Reds slipping to 8.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central but still in the thick of the Wild Card race, many expected GM Nick Krall to add a piece—a bat, an arm, anything—to bolster the squad for the stretch run. Instead, the deadline passed with no major moves. 'We’re confident in the group we have,' Krall stated, a sentiment echoed by manager David Bell. That confidence will now be put to the ultimate test as the team must navigate a tough schedule with the roster they have.
If help isn't coming from outside the organization, it will have to come from within. The best news on that front is the progress of Hunter Greene. Sidelined since early July, Greene moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville and looked sharp, striking out six over four innings. The team hopes he can rejoin the rotation during the next homestand, providing a massive boost. Further down the pipeline, 19-year-old catching prospect Alfred Duno continues to rake for Low-A Daytona, smashing two more doubles to raise his average to .298 and fueling hope for the long-term future.
The dust has settled on the trade deadline, and the path forward for the 2025 Reds is clear: it's up to this group. Getting swept by a powerhouse like the Dodgers is a harsh reality check, exposing the offensive inconsistencies that need to be fixed. The next few weeks will be telling. Can the offense wake up? Can the imminent return of Hunter Greene provide the spark they desperately need? The front office has placed its bet; now it's time for the players to prove them right.
