Cincinnati Reds Pitching “Issues” EXPLAINED | NL Central Championship REMAINS in Reach

Cincinnati Reds fans panic over the starting rotation as Hunter Greene’s injury, Brady Singer’s blister scare, and Chase Burns’ spring pitch count dominate headlines. Are concerns overblown, or is this the storm before a breakout season? Jeff Carr breaks down why the rotation remains strong, spotlighting the 6-man strategy and the impact of pitching coach Derrick Johnson. Plus, Matt McLain’s scorching spring triggers MVP talk—are expectations for the breakout second baseman getting out of hand? Key stats reveal what to really expect from McLain in 2026.

Major League Baseball’s new partnership with prediction market PolyMarket raises big questions about Pete Rose’s reinstatement and gambling’s place in the sport. Meanwhile, Alta Fiber and other local cable providers make Reds games easier to watch, signaling a shift in access for fans. Jeff previews Andrew Abbott’s rise, the effect of cord-cutting on baseball viewership, and why the Reds are poised to contend for the NL Central crown.

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12 comments

  4. I would love to see them use this experiment until Hunter comes back. I would rotate these three pictures in such a way that let’s say we start with Williamson followed by Lowder with Burns in the pen for the first time through the rotation, then Burns followed by Williamson with Lowder in the pen, the second time through the rotation, followed by Lowder and Burns with Williamson in the pan for the third time through the rotation and keep rotating it that way through the season. Even if those three guys held those two spots all season long, they would each get 21 starts, plus another 20 or so games in the bullpen which would keep them all between 130 and 140 innings pitched. Which if I’m not mistaken, is exactly where we want them at the end of the season. If everyone is still healthy when Hunter comes back, then we can make an adjustment. Otherwise, Hunter can come in if one of the other three is injured around the same time. I’ve been thinking about this for the past couple days and I love this idea.

  5. Maybe these guys need to chop wood in the off season with an ax with an old hickory handle. I threw thousands and thousands of pitches and never once got a blister.. 😅

  9. Get all gambling out of sports. Let people bet on games, but official sponsorships and partnerships out of sports. It causes too much distrust between fans and the leagues.

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