NIGHTMARE: Cincinnati Reds Hopes DISAPPEARING Behind a Subpar Lineup and Awful Bullpen

Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen crisis threatens to sink their 2026 season. Despite a promising start and bright spots like Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart,, the Reds have plummeted to the cellar in the NL Central, haunted by late-inning meltdowns and a lack of reliable relievers.   Jeff and Steve break down Terry Francona’s lineup tweaks, Tyler Stephenson and Matt McLain's improvements, and the impact of Elly De La Cruz’s impending return. The episode pulls no punches on Nick Krall’s inaction, the front office’s systemic failures, and the urgent need for external bullpen help. With names like Tony Santillan, Emilio Pagán, and Pierce Johnson struggling or sidelined, can the Reds rescue their high hopes, or is hope the only thing left to cling to in Cincinnati?   Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…   Everydayer Club   If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join the Locked On Reds community: https://lockedonreds.supercast.com     BOOKMARK Sports Illustrated’s Cincinnati Reds site, Cincinnati Reds Talk! https://www.si.com/mlb/reds/               -     Also follow @jefffcarr and @soffenbaker on Twitter   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!     Cash App Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/2ut33jnc #CashAppPod     Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa®️ Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.     5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.   HIMS To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.comLOCKEDONMLB   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at https://Indeed.com/podcast   KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.     Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)   #Reds #CincinnatiReds #MLB Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.