Elly De La Cruz has a number that he’s chasing: Be safe 90% of the time. It’s a sign of his growth and a sign of what this year is all about for him. “It’s about his continued leadership,” Hunter Greene said. “He sets the tone, inspires and motivates.”.

“(We wanted) to go through the motions and make sure I’m not giving any team an advantage,” Chase Burns said. “I feel like it helped clean up my mechanics today. I felt really confident going into it. We knew the small things they were picking up on.”.

Takeaways from the Reds' series loss in Philadelphia. -What worked for Chase Burns.-Some differences that decided the series.-How the depth keeps finding itself in the forefront.

Terry Francona announced the Reds’ All-Star to the media postgame. “Elly is our All-Star. I wanted it to be upbeat because it’s very much an honor for Elly. I also wanted some of the guys to know that we care. Friedl. Abbott.”. “I want them to know that I love this team. I.

Elly De La Cruz is a two-time All-Star at 23 years old. Terry Francona on Elly De La Cruz: “Everything he told me this winter — he’s not a big talker — but he told me what he wanted to be and how he wanted to get there. He’s doing that. He’s growing up. One of the things he has.

Andrew Abbott did not make the All-Star team. Terry Francona said that Abbott would be available to pitch as an All-Star replacement. “That’s my hope.”.

Terry Francona on Zack Wheeler: "He has got all of the weapons. And obviously he has the last weapon. The compete mode. That was impressive. Hays with a really good swing. We’re trying to make one hit, and we're being competitive. We have a chance. But that's a hard way to win.".

The Phillies beat the Reds, 3-1, and take the series. It had a bit of a playoff feel this weekend in a matchup between two teams playing good baseball. The Phillies’ stars shined brighter, and that was the difference.

Santiago Espinal is in at third base for CES. CES made the error earlier. Espinal is due up second next inning.

But also, the Phillies closer is one of the best left handed relievers in MLB.

Zack Wheeler has whatever pitch he needs for whatever moment. He's getting better as the game goes on, and it feels like he could throw 12 innings today if needed. Every inning has felt high stress for the Reds. Wheeler is just cooking.

Early on this season, Graham Ashcraft spoke about figuring out managing the adrenaline rush coming out of the bullpen. It's a completely different rush of ups and downs. He has really grown a lot in the relief role. He bounced right back after CES' error with a terrific.

The Reds have one hit. Zack Wheeler has been able to reach back at any given moment and just overpower the hitter with a high velocity fastball. One of the best pitching performances the Reds have faced in a while.

Also, a conversation for another day, how the Reds keep ending up with RHP on the mound in the biggest moments vs LHH.

Because he's not a flamethrower, Scott Barlow doesn't get enough recognition for being the type of pitcher he is. He's a strikeout guy. The guy who has a shot to get the big swing and miss in the big spot (or walk the guy in some cases). He has been a great signing.

Chase Burns made a great adjustment to fill up the zone more over his final 2 2/3 innings. Part of the plan with him up in the big leagues is managing his pitch count carefully. They're doing that again here. The command early cost him being in line for the win, but that's.

As Chase Burns warms up for the fifth, there's also action behind him in the bullpen. Looks like Sam Moll.

Recently, Austin Hays said this about his time in Philly last year: "That gave me a ton of confidence in myself to realize: Oh my gosh, I have a kidney infection and I had an infection in my blood stream and if that would have continued for a couple of more days I could have.

Austin Hays rounds the bases to a chorus of boos. Hays is an experienced, professional and strong hitter. He brings something different to the lineup, and there's a homer to add to his big season.

This is as good as it gets from Zack Wheeler. The Reds, facing one of the strongest lineups in MLB, are going to have to find a way to match that production on the mound today.

Chase Burns has five strikeouts through two innings. The stuff is always going to be there, and it's always going to give him room for error. But the Phillies are really working his pitch count. A quality that you kept hearing about Burns in the minors was how he lived in the.