Reds fall to Phillies 3-1 on July 7 as Zack Wheeler outduels Nick Lodolo. Despite the loss, can Spencer Steer and Elly De La Cruz's hot hitting save the season?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another series slips away. The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up their weekend in Philadelphia with a frustrating 3-1 loss on Sunday, dropping two of three to the Phillies. Despite a solid outing from Nick Lodolo, the offense was silenced by ace Zack Wheeler, leaving fans to wonder where the consistent run support has gone as the team sits at a middling 45-43.
Spencer Steer has been on another planet, slashing .442 with 4 home runs over his last 11 games.
The story of Sunday's game was Zack Wheeler. The Phillies ace was simply dominant, fanning 10 Reds over seven innings and making a meager five hits feel like an accomplishment. Nick Lodolo battled, giving the team six innings of three-run ball, but with the offense only mustering a single run on an Elly De La Cruz RBI, it was a familiar script of solid pitching being let down. The bullpen was flawless, but the damage was done, marking another frustrating loss for a team trying to find its footing.
If you're looking for a reason to stay optimistic, look no further than Spencer Steer and Elly De La Cruz. While the team-wide offense has been inconsistent, these two have been anything but. Steer is in the midst of a jaw-dropping hot streak, slashing .442 with four homers in his last 11 contests. Not to be outdone, De La Cruz has been a force since early June, hitting .370 with six long balls and a .418 on-base percentage. They are the engine of this offense, providing daily highlights even when the final score doesn't go the Reds' way.
The excitement isn't limited to the big league club. The Reds' farm system continues to be a source of major pride and promise. Top pitching prospects Chase Burns and Chase Petty are turning heads, with Burns looking increasingly MLB-ready after a recent 7-strikeout performance. Both Burns and infielder Sal Stewart earned well-deserved selections to the All-Star Futures Game, a showcase of baseball's next stars. With Stewart and Cam Collier also climbing the organizational ranks, the pipeline of talent flowing towards Cincinnati looks stronger than ever.
All of this brings us to the big question: what's next? As of July 7, the front office has remained quiet on the trade front. The team's performance over the next few weeks will be critical in determining their strategy. Do they become buyers, adding a piece to bolster the offense for a playoff push? Or do they stand pat, trusting the current roster and the coming wave of prospects? With the team hovering just above .500, every game carries immense weight in shaping the franchise's direction.
The loss in Philadelphia stings, but it doesn't define this Reds team. The story of Monday, July 7, is one of duality: present-day struggles mixed with the undeniable brilliance of individual stars and a future that burns incredibly bright. As the trade deadline inches closer, the front office faces a crucial decision point. For now, fans can take solace in the nightly fireworks from Steer and Elly, while dreaming of the day Chase Burns takes the mound at Great American Ball Park.
