The Cincinnati Reds exploded off to a strong start. Yet the manner in which they continue to win games mystifies. C. Trent Rosencrans of The Athletic delved into how the Reds find a way.
“In fairness, the Reds’ three losses on the season have come against perhaps two of the top starters in the game: Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
Currently, the Reds own an 8-3 record, which stands second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yet, in eight games, Cincinnati scored three or fewer runs. Under those circumstances, you’d expect the ballclub to languish near the bottom of the National League Central. However, the opposite happened, and the franchise sits as one of the biggest surprises of the early season.
Cincinnati’s wins come against pitchers with above-average movement and velocity.
Here is a complete list of teams with more runs score this season than the first place Cincinnati #Reds:
— Astros
— Dodgers
— Brewers
— Nationals
— Braves
— Mets
— Cardinals
— Rays
— Marlins
— Yankees
— Pirates
— Cubs
— Angels
— Twins…— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) April 8, 2026
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Age-Old Reliance on Defense Pays Dividends
In scoring an average of 3.09 runs per game, the Reds depend on near-pristine defense. In their first 11 games, the team committed just one error, sporting a .998 fielding percentage. Rosencrans ties the success to the ability to field.
“The Reds haven’t played perfect baseball, just clean baseball. There have been plays like Sal Stewart’s sixth-inning conversion of a Wyatt Langford bloop single that might’ve put runners at first and second with no outs into a force at second. (On Sunday).”
Making the basic plays in the field ends the inning, stranding baserunners that could prolong the frame.
#Reds pitching staff keeping them in every game. When the offense rolls around could be a dangerous team… https://t.co/sObiVsnqGr pic.twitter.com/btp3ls2zok
— Justin Whitlatch (@WingT_Football) April 8, 2026
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Team Benefits from Quality over Quantity
As a team, Cincinnati is batting .204 with a .288 on-base percentage. Only first baseman Sal Stewart and shortstop Elly De La Cruz sport a batting average of at least .250. On top of that, 103 strikeouts in 11 games signify an over-aggressive approach.
In their defense, according to Baseball Savant, Cincinnati sees an above-average number of pitches in the strike zone. For instance, the MLB average is 46.7%. The Reds see 49% of pitches. This helps the team, as the Reds own a 3-0 record in one-run games.
WWWWW… #ATOBTTR!
FINAL: Reds 6, Marlins 3!
Celebrate at your neighborhood @Skyline_Chili! pic.twitter.com/Rl2JUQ56lx
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 8, 2026
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Pitching Depth Keeps Games Close
Manager Terry Francona uses an interesting approach to handling his staff. Only lefthander Andrew Abbott averages at least 16 innings. As a result, Francona uses the pen frequently. Reliever Graham Ashcraft serves as the workhorse out of the pen. The 28-year-old applies a basic but effective approach to pitching.
Ashcraft offers two pitches, a cutter that hovers around 98 miles per hour and a slider that dances around 90. Under those circumstances, batters know what they will see. The slider is his out pitch, accounting for 64% of the swings and misses he recorded.
GettyCincinnati Reds releif pitcher Graham Ashcraft.
Moreover, Ashcraft’s pitches, in terms of heaviness and movement, force batters to pound the ball at a 51.8% ground-ball clip. Subsequently, the double play comes into play. De La Cruz and second baseman Matt McLain accounted for a combined 11 twin-killings.
Graham Ashcraft, Flaming 101mph Cutter. 🔥✂️ pic.twitter.com/FYbAUaGcTw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 26, 2026
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Can the Team Continue This Path?
In all honesty, the Reds need to score more runs. A bullpen that could become overworked will not help them in the long run. De La Cruz needs teammates to help out. For example, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, and Noelvi Marte combined for a .132 average. Can the bats match the gloves quickly enough to prevent a slump?
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