EPISODE · Jul 5, 2026 · 5 MIN
The Cincinnati Reds stink. They need to trade everyone. #Redsreaction
from Red Hot Reds: A Cincinnati Reds Podcast
As of July 4, 2026, the Cincinnati Reds have had a disappointing first half of the season. They're 40–47, sitting in last place in the National League Central, and trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by a significant margin. Their postseason odds have dropped to around 1%, meaning they'd need a strong second-half turnaround to reach the playoffs. Some of the biggest storylines include: A difficult stretch against division rivals. The Brewers have been especially troublesome, winning six straight meetings with Cincinnati entering the July 4 weekend. The return of ace Hunter Greene. After missing the first half following elbow surgery in March, Greene is making his 2026 season debut on July 4. The Reds hope his return can stabilize the rotation and spark a late-season run. Young talent remains encouraging. Elly De La Cruz continues to be the club's most dynamic everyday player, while rookie pitcher Chase Burns has emerged as one of the brightest stories of the season. Burns reportedly owns a 10–1 record with a 2.40 ERA through 17 starts, giving the Reds a potential top-of-the-rotation arm alongside a healthy Greene. The offense has shown flashes, with contributions from players such as Noelvi Marte, Sal Stewart, and Spencer Steer, but inconsistency has made it difficult to string together winning streaks.Looking ahead, the Reds' priorities for the rest of the season are likely to be: Seeing if Greene can stay healthy and return to ace form. Continuing the development of Burns and their young core. Deciding whether to buy or sell before the MLB trade deadline, depending on whether they can make up ground in the Wild Card race. Despite the record, the organization still has a promising young nucleus. If Greene returns to form and players like De La Cruz, Burns, and Stewart continue developing, the Reds could be positioned to contend more seriously in 2027, even if 2026 ends up being a transition year.
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The Cincinnati Reds stink. They need to trade everyone. #Redsreaction
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