2026 Cincinnati Reds Batting Order Projections, Late-Inning Fix | How Eugenio Suarez Changes Lineup
The Cincinnati Reds addressed a major offensive weakness by bringing back Eugenio Suárez, and this breakdown explains why the move matters — especially in late-game situations. Despite elite starting pitching last season, the Reds struggled mightily when games were close, finishing as one of the worst teams in MLB in the ninth inning and extra innings.
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Cincinnati consistently failed to score in high-leverage moments, even with the ghost runner on second base in extra innings. The lack of late-inning power made it difficult to capitalize against elite bullpen arms, where stringing together hits is increasingly unrealistic in today’s game. Suárez’s return directly addresses that issue by adding proven, game-changing power capable of flipping outcomes with one swing.
This video walks through the numbers behind the Reds’ late-inning struggles and highlights why Suárez’s career RBI splits are significant. When Suárez drives in runs, his teams tend to win — a reflection of how impactful his power is in competitive games. Even with strikeouts and a lower batting average, the value of home runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings cannot be overstated.
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The discussion then shifts to projected Reds lineups for the 2025 season, including a comparison between an analytically optimized batting order and what manager Terry Francona is most likely to implement. Key lineup questions include where Elly De La Cruz should hit, how to balance swing-and-miss bats at the top of the order, and how to best deploy players like Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Tyler Stephenson, and Sal Stewart.
Defensive alignment, positional flexibility, and lineup depth are also examined, along with how one addition can significantly change run expectancy late in games.
This video is a must-watch for Cincinnati Reds fans, spring training followers, and anyone analyzing roster construction, lineup optimization, and late-inning offense heading into the 2025 MLB season.
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