Brady Singer's gem leads the Reds to a 2-1 win over the Rays on July 27, 2025, completing a sweep. Cincinnati is now just one game from a Wild Card spot.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
This is what a playoff push feels like. The Cincinnati Reds capped a perfect weekend at Great American Ball Park on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays with a tense 2-1 victory. Behind a masterful performance from Brady Singer, the Reds have now won four straight, pushing themselves six games over .500 for the first time since 2023 and putting the National League on notice.
The Reds are now 56-50, six games over .500 for the first time since 2023 and just one game out of the final NL Wild Card spot.
Brady Singer (8-8) delivered his finest performance in a Reds uniform, carving up the Rays' lineup for 7 1/3 brilliant innings. The right-hander took a shutout deep into the eighth, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out eight. The only blemish was a solo home run by Taylor Walls. The Reds' offense did just enough, manufacturing two runs in the first inning on singles from TJ Friedl and Matt McLain, followed by an infield hit from Austin Hays and a Gavin Lux groundout. From there, it was all Singer, with Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán slamming the door for Pagán's 22nd save.
This sweep wasn't an anomaly; it's a trend. The Reds have now won 10 of their last 14 games and are a formidable 16-6 in their last 22 contests at home. Manager Terry Francona continues to push the right buttons, exemplified by starting Santiago Espinal at first base in the finale to optimize matchups. The team is firing on all cylinders and sits just a single game behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL Wild Card berth. The energy in the clubhouse and the city is palpable as the team proves it belongs in the postseason conversation.
With the team surging, all eyes turn to the front office as the trade deadline approaches. Reports indicate the Reds are aggressively looking to add a middle-of-the-order bat to solidify the lineup for the stretch run. Thanks to years of savvy drafting and development, Cincinnati boasts one of baseball's deepest farm systems, featuring high-end talent like pitchers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, infielders Sal Stewart and Cam Collier, and catcher Alfredo Duno. This prospect capital gives the Reds the flexibility to make a significant, impact acquisition without mortgaging the entire future.
While the offense may get a boost via trade, the pitching staff is already a major strength and is about to get even stronger. The rotation of Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and rookie sensation Chase Burns has been stellar. Now, ace Hunter Greene is reportedly nearing a return from injury. Adding a healthy Greene to the mix for the final two months would be like making a blockbuster trade in itself, providing another power arm to an already formidable staff as they chase down a playoff spot.
With a four-game winning streak, a dominant pitching staff, and a front office poised to make a move, the Reds are no longer just a fun story; they're a legitimate threat. The coming days leading up to the trade deadline will be critical. Will they add that final piece? Can they catch the Padres? One thing is certain: Cincinnati is alive with playoff baseball fever in late July.
