The Cincinnati Reds head into their April 5, 2025 showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers desperate for a course correction after a frustrating stretch that has seen them drop four consecutive games. The club’s early-season struggles have been amplified by offensive stagnation—scoring just six total runs during that four-game skid—and repeated failure to cash in with runners in scoring position. For a team brimming with exciting young talent and managed by seasoned skipper Terry Francona, expectations were high heading into the season. But inconsistency at the plate, mental lapses in the field, and mounting bullpen issues have hampered their ability to finish games or play from behind effectively. With their record slipping and the surging Brewers pulling away early in the division standings, Saturday’s contest becomes pivotal for Cincinnati to stop the bleeding and get back into competitive form. Brady Singer provides a glimmer of optimism for the Reds on the mound. The right-hander, acquired in the offseason, has looked sharp in his 2025 debut, entering this contest with a perfect 1–0 record and an unblemished 0.00 ERA. Singer’s strength lies in his ability to generate ground balls with a heavy sinker and frustrate hitters with late-breaking off-speed pitches when working ahead in counts. His success in Kansas City carried over well into Cincinnati, and with the Brewers being a contact-oriented team rather than a slugging powerhouse, he’s well-positioned to attack the zone and pitch to weak contact. The challenge, however, is that Singer will need to go deep into the game, as Cincinnati’s bullpen has lacked reliability in recent outings. Long relievers have failed to hold narrow leads or prevent blow-ups, often forcing Francona to burn through arms early in the series. Singer’s efficiency and command will thus be critical if the Reds want to stabilize the game from the first pitch.

Offensively, the Reds have yet to find a consistent rhythm. While young phenom Elly De La Cruz continues to show flashes of brilliance—leading the team in RBIs with eight and displaying elite baserunning—he’s often been left stranded due to the lineup’s inability to extend innings. Matt McLain, who has three home runs, has done his part in terms of power, but outside of these two, the rest of the batting order has underwhelmed. Veteran bats like Jake Fraley and Spencer Steer have yet to heat up, and their inability to consistently get on base has left the team pressing for big hits rather than trusting in sequential offense. The upcoming matchup with Elvin Rodriguez, who holds a 9.00 ERA, presents a rare opportunity to break out of their funk—assuming they approach at-bats with patience and discipline, especially early in counts. If they can get to Rodriguez and force the Brewers into their bullpen by the fifth inning, the Reds have a real chance to flip the momentum. Defensively, Cincinnati’s lapses have come at the worst possible times—poor relay throws, dropped double-play balls, and hesitation on routine plays. These small mistakes have added up to big innings for their opponents. While the athleticism is there, especially with De La Cruz and McLain up the middle, the execution has to improve. Against a disciplined Milwaukee club that feasts on extra opportunities, Cincinnati must play cleaner, more aggressive defense. This game could very well be the swing point in their early season. If they can get six-plus quality innings from Singer, jump on a struggling Rodriguez, and finally tighten up the fundamentals, the Reds might finally put an end to their losing skid and reignite their 2025 campaign.