The Reds' win streak ends in a 12-5 loss to the Twins on June 19, 2025, as Byron Buxton homers twice. Cincy now faces the rival Cardinals seeking redemption.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
After a four-game winning streak came to a screeching, 12-5 halt against the Minnesota Twins, the Cincinnati Reds have no time to dwell on the loss. Tonight, they've opened a crucial weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals, a rivalry matchup that carries significant weight in the tight NL Central race. It's a classic 'get right' game, and the Reds desperately need one.
The loss ended the Reds' four-game winning streak.
Just 24 hours ago, things were looking rosy. But the finale against the Twins was a brutal reality check. Minnesota, desperate to snap a six-game skid, came out swinging. Byron Buxton was a one-man wrecking crew, launching two home runs, while Ryan Jeffers added his own blast and drove in four runs. The Reds' pitching, a source of strength during the win streak, faltered badly as Nick Martinez was tagged for multiple homers. A lone RBI single from Tyler Stephenson was a minor highlight in a game the Reds would rather forget.
As of Friday night, the Reds are back on the field, battling the Cardinals in the series opener. With the loss to Minnesota still fresh, the pressure is on to immediately turn the page. Beating a division rival is always sweet, but doing so now would send a message that the club can take a punch and keep fighting. Offensive standouts Spencer Steer and Matt McLain will be looked upon to spark the lineup and set the tone for the weekend.
While the big-league club deals with its immediate pitching woes, the cavalry is developing down on the farm. The organization's focus on stockpiling high-upside arms is looking smarter by the day. Recent first-rounders like Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder headline a deep group of prospects who could be impacting the Great American Ball Park mound sooner rather than later. This long-term strategy, complemented by intriguing shortstop prospects like Sammy Stafura and Tyson Lewis, provides hope that the pitching depth needed to sustain success is on its way.
The sting of Thursday's blowout loss won't fade easily, but a series win against a division rival would be the perfect remedy. This weekend against the Cardinals is more than just a few games; it's a test of this team's resilience and a chance to prove that the recent winning streak was no fluke. All eyes are on Great American Ball Park to see if the Reds can answer the bell.
