The Reds host the Yankees in June 2025, putting their historic 25-series unbeaten streak on the line. Can pitcher Nick Lodolo lead Cincinnati to victory?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
After a well-deserved day off, the Cincinnati Reds are back at Great American Ball Park, still buzzing from Andrew Abbott's masterful performance and staring down a massive test. The New York Yankees are in town, setting the stage for a crucial series that will measure the resilience of this young Reds team and the strength of their remarkable, season-defining streak.
The Reds have not been swept in any of their first 25 series this season, their longest such streak since 1989.
The Reds enter Tuesday's opener with momentum, thanks to Andrew Abbott's gem on Sunday where he retired the final 18 Cardinals he faced in a 4-1 victory. Now, the spotlight turns to fellow lefty Nick Lodolo (5-5, 3.71 ERA), who gets the ball for the series opener against the AL East-leading Yankees (45-32). New York will counter with right-hander Allan Winans, making this a critical start for Lodolo as he looks to set the tone against a formidable opponent and get the Reds (40-38) back over .500.
This Reds team just doesn't quit. Their refusal to be swept through 25 series is the franchise's best mark of resilience to open a season since the 1989 team went 30 straight. This incredible consistency is the primary reason Cincinnati remains in the playoff hunt, hovering within striking distance of a Wild Card spot despite being fourth in a tough NL Central. Every time they've had their backs against the wall in a series finale, they've found a way to win. That grit will be essential against New York.
A recent Baseball America report confirms what fans have seen all year: the Reds' future is built on the mound. With Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo anchoring the big-league rotation, help is on the way with top prospects Chase Burns and Chase Petty nearing MLB readiness. However, the report also highlighted the team's biggest question mark: the offense. While the arms are thriving, young hitters like Spencer Steer and Matt McLain have struggled to find consistency, and the farm system's offensive pipeline, aside from standouts Alfredo Duno and Tyson Lewis, appears thin. For the Reds to succeed, the bats must catch up to the arms.
The next three games against the Yankees aren't just another series; they're a barometer for this Reds team. Can the brilliant young pitching staff quiet one of the league's best lineups? Will the offense find the spark it needs to support them? This series will tell us a lot about whether this resilient, streak-loving squad has what it takes to turn a .500-ish season into a legitimate playoff push.
