Bold claim: the Cincinnati Reds delivered a showcase of power in a spring tune-up, turning Goodyear Ballpark into a home-run gallery as they crushed the Chicago Cubs 17-9. And this is the part most people miss: spring numbers can illuminate early roles, but they don’t decide them outright. Here’s how it unfolded and what it might mean for the Reds moving forward.
The Reds (5-4) erupted for six homers and 14 total hits, stuffing the scoreboard in their favor during Monday’s Cactus League clash with the division rival Cubs. Manager Terry Francona joked that it wasn’t a great day for fly-ball pitchers, a nod to Cincinnati’s power surge and the clean exit velocity they displayed all game.
Matt McLain is making a persuasive case for the No. 2 spot in the lineup. He went 2-for-2 with two three-run homers, drew two walks, scored three times, and drove in six runs. Through four games, he already owned a team-best six hits, and his performance has intensified the discussion about where he should bat this season. Francona has signaled that McLain would ideally slot second, but the final decision will depend on how he builds on last year’s .220 average and .643 OPS.
“First and foremost, I’ve got to go out there and earn it after last year,” McLain said. “Wherever I hit in the lineup, I’ll take my at-bats and do what helps the team win. If that’s the two-hole and we move a runner over, or if I’m in another spot, I’ll have competitive at-bats all year.”
Starter Brady Singer struggled in his spring debut, recording only two outs in the first inning before settling in a bit. He finished his day in the third inning, charged with five runs on seven hits with two walks over 46 pitches, 28 of which were strikes. Francona remained optimistic, noting catcher Jose Trevino’s positive feedback from behind the plate and insisting the ball came out fine for a first spring showing.
The power parade didn’t stop at McLain. Noélvi Marte sent a solo shot to the center-field batter’s eye, while Sal Stewart lofted a ball just left of that same feature. Rece Hinds and Garrett Hampson also contributed long balls. If you tally the home runs, Cincinnati’s blasts total more than 2,000 feet in distance, though MLB.com didn’t always record each mark precisely, leaving some distances open to interpretation.
Next up for the Reds is a World Baseball Classic-focused stretch. The team has March 3 off and returns March 4 for a WBC exhibition against Cuba at Goodyear Ballpark, a tuneup ahead of international pool play beginning March 4 in Tokyo. The Cubs also join the mix in Grapefruit and Cactus League action, as the World Baseball Classic teams begin their tournament journeys with pool play in Japan.
Thought-provoking takeaway: early spring performances like McLain’s flashy stretch can signal a shift in lineup dynamics, but they’re not guarantees. Do you believe a hot spring translates into regular-season impact for players like McLain, or do you expect the usual caution as teams refine roles before opening day? Share your thoughts in the comments.
