Locked On Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are off to their best start since 2013 but coming off a 2-4 road trip has dampened spirits a bit. The Reds have succeeded largely because of their pitching, which is not something we'd thought we would say. Is the lineup going to be a problem for the Reds all year or is there another explantation? Who is the biggest contributor to the Reds early success? And who is holding them back the most? Also, what can we expect from this series with the Baltimore Orioles and we take your questions and comments on this live edition of the podcast! Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…  

The Cincinnati Reds won the first game, but ultimately dropped two out of three to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Jurickson Profar was on another level as the Padres out-manned the shorthanded Cincinnati Reds. Fernando Tatis didn't quite get going in this series but Elly De La Cruz is very similar to the way early career Tatis played. Looking ahead, the Padres are one of the most confusing teams in baseball while the Reds are one of the most exciting and intriguing. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds fell to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night in a frustrating way. Jeff and Steve discuss what it means for Nick Martinez and if it's time to look elsewhere when the Reds need a spot start. Is someone like Connor Phillips or Carson Spiers a better option to call up from Triple-A Louisville next time? Also, the Reds are playing shorthanded with Tyler Stephenson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jake Fraley all sitting on the bench and not getting into the game. Why do the Reds do this and are they tipping their hand as to how they feel about their own depth, at the moment? And it's time to stop worrying about Jeimer Candelario, but maybe Fraley needs to be the guy we show concern for. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Nick Lodolo allowed a leadoff home run and nothing else as the Cincinnati Reds lefty dominated the San Diego Padres lineup. Lodolo having two pitches that baffled hitters really showed his potential to be the Reds ace. Did a tweet from Jeff have something to do with Lodolo's success (probably not). The lineup was clutch, starting with two hits from Jeimer Candelario and a homer from Elly De La Cruz. De La Cruz officially entered into the record books as the only guy to ever have the month that he is having. And Fernando Cruz is better than Alexis Diaz right now, but does that mean there should be a closer controversy? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds may have lost the series to the Texas Rangers, but Hunter Greene's stellar performance and Jonathan India's hot bat were huge developments for the Reds. With Greene and India rolling ,the Reds will be better equipped to face the gauntlet ahead. Also, one of the guys is worried about Jeimer Candelario, and one isn't sure. And will one-run games become a sticking point for the Reds? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds split with the Philadelphia Phillies in the last four games at Great American Ballpark. Plenty of heroes emerged like Elly De La Cruz, Santiago Espinal, and Fernando Cruz as the Reds begin their gauntlet of the season. The next four weeks for the Reds will be playoff team after playoff team that they face, including the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers this weekend. The pitching matchups for the Reds and Rangers presents an opportunity for the Reds at Globe Life Field. And Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Will Benson are primed to break out. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Elly De La Cruz had another special performance for the Cincinnati Reds as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday at Great American Ballpark. De La Cruz could exceed even Jeff's most optimistic prediction for him as he continues to lead the Reds to a hot start to the 2024 MLB season. How does Elly's first 24 games compare to another great player? You will be surprised. Also, Santiago Espinal has been a key player in back-to-back games now and understanding what his role is to the Reds will help you understand why he is right in the middle of where he should be, performance-wise. And Jeff knows who the next Reds hitter to break out is. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds lineup beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The Reds had gotten next to nothing from Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Santiago Espinal so far this season but they broke out in this win. Elly De La Cruz added in another homer and another stolen base as he was happy to have some help in the Reds run-scoring effort. Andrew Abbott didn't have his best stuff and David Bell made a beautiful choice to go to his bullpen early as that decision also was a big factor in the Reds win. Nick Lodolo is the biggest reason to be optimistic about this Reds rotation. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Hunter Greene took somewhat of a step forward for the Cincinnati Reds on Monday even though they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Greene's performance can be looked at in two different ways as the Reds did not win, but Greene went seven innings. Should Greene go to the bullpen? Also, the Reds lineup was shut down by Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez. There lineup included Stuart Fairchild leading off, which led to Jeff saying it's weird that Elly De La Cruz is Lowe in the lineup than Fairchild. That has led to Fairchild joining an elite group, based on the reaction of some. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Locked On Reds podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Cincinnati Reds and Major League Baseball.

Elly De La Cruz was instrumental in the Cincinnati Reds sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. De La Cruz is taking the next step as his pitch recognition and plate discipline are surging forward and the Reds lineup benefits tremendously because of it. De La Cruz showed last week why he could be the next Reds player to win a MVP award. Also, the Reds bullpen was October good this past weekend. TJ Friedl may actually be ahead of schedule and Hunter Greene is on the mound tonight and Jeff has a stat about Greene that his detractors will dislike. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds return home to Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels after a roller coaster road trip. Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer will look to lead the lineup out of it's slumber for the Reds. Jeff and Steve look at what matchups the Reds can take advantage of and how the Reds pitching will stack up. Ian Gibaut had a setback as the supposed Reds roster crunch works itself out, once again. What does the Reds depth look like now that illness has tested the lineup with guys like Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand missing time? We will also give you our picks for which Reds player will have the best weekend! Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…  

The Cincinnati Reds had no answer for the Seattle Mariners pitching or the Mariners discipline in the strike zone. George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Bryce Miller largely shut down the Reds lineup while Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, and Lucas Sims all struggled to get to the third out in most innings. Also, Julio Rodriguez got right in this series. Rodriguez showed how he can take over a game in multiple ways. And Elly De La Cruz may be figuring things out faster than we anticipated. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds are 9-9 after being swept by the Seattle Mariners. While it may be easy to go negative and scorched earth on the Reds and say this season will not be as fun as we've been saying, that's not what Jeff is doing today. Jonathan India's start to the season hasn't looked great, but it's not time for the Reds to make a change in the lead-off spot. India's breakout is coming. And we do a wellness check on Reds fans in the final segment of today's show. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds lost a frustrating game to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. It seems like no Reds pitchers, including Hunter Greene, could throw strikes. Greene and Emilio Pagan helped the Mariners to their first series win of the season. Elly De La Cruz was thrown out at third base to end a rally that felt like the gamecjager for the Reds. Should De La Cruz change how he runs the bases? Also, Andrew Abbott is tasked with being the stopper for this team, can he do it? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds did't have it on Monday night as the Seattle Mariners had a cathartic game for their lineup. Was this one managed well for the Reds by David Bell? Also, CES is starting to right the ship, what does that mean for the lineup? And we give you are picks for the second Late Night Reds of the season. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…  

The Cincinnati Reds swept the Chicago White Sox and beat them by a combined score of 27-5. What catapulted the Reds to the sweep was the amazing starting pitching of Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft, but who had the best weekend? Also, this weekend saw a couple of players get right at the plate like Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Elly De La Cruz had his on-base streak snapped, but his season still looks good for the Reds. There are signs that Tyler Stephenson is about to break out for the Reds, as well. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers ended up having a three-game series, thanks to Mother Nature. This series shows that the Reds aren't ready to overtake the Brewers, yet. Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer impressed, while Christian Yelich continued to prove the Reds should never throw a strike to him. The Brewers are not rebuilding, as Chuck Freimund from Locked on Brewers says. The Brewers don't do that. Milwaukee has had a hot start, but that may not continue given their injuries. The Reds have started off okay. Not hot, but not cold, either. They're building for a long season. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Hunter Greene is looking to take a step forward and become the ace of the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff in 2024. Wednesday night presented worries about Greene being able to do that. The Reds lineup is full of slumps like Jeimer Candelario, Tyler Stephenson, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, but which slump has us the most concerned? Also, are the Milwaukee Brewers actually a threat for the division? And why Elly De La Cruz and the Reds bullpen provided some optimism.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

Spencer Steer is leading MLB in RBI and the Cincinnati Reds need him to be hitting in the middle of the order. For some reason, Steer has been hitting seventh against right-handed pitching. It is time for David Bell to bump Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Jeimer Candelario down in the lineup and move Steer up. In fact, Elly De La Cruz should move up, too. De La Cruz provides endless joy on the field and endless debate off the field. Are the Reds star' shortstop's strikeouts too much? Is Elly a good hitter? And Tejay Antone showed why he is an inspirational persona and player. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…