A Team in Freefall
The Cincinnati Reds are in trouble. They’ve dropped 13 of their last 20 contests.
This collapse kicked off right after a seven-run ninth-inning rally against the Giants on Wednesday, a win that briefly halted a three-game slide. It feels like a fluke rather than a turning point. The roster is stuck in last place, moving nowhere fast. Management placed high-priced veterans on waivers, yet other teams passed on them entirely. Nobody wants these players right now. That’s a terrible omen for a squad that desperately needed a total overhaul this past winter.
According to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the front office only tinkered at the margins when they needed a turbocharge. The farm system is too thin to absorb the wave of injuries. Their ace and top relievers all hit the disabled list simultaneously. Now, the team leans heavily on Chase Burns, who will be shut down soon, and Elly De La Cruz. That isn’t enough depth to win games in August. The data reveals a roster literally falling apart.
Worst Stats in the League
The offensive numbers are terrifying. The Reds rank dead last in team batting average. They also sit at the bottom for on-base percentage and wRC+. Only the Colorado Rockies have fewer wins above replacement from their position players. Even that gap is microscopic, just 0.3 fWAR. The situation is so dire that Pete Crow-Armstrong’s individual value exceeds that of the entire non-pitching portion of the Reds. He holds 8.6 fWAR while the rest of the position players combined have 8.3. He is also worth more than their entire pitching staff, which sits at 8.5 fWAR.
Per Bleed Cubbie Blue, the only question left is how much house cleaning happens before 2027. Will manager Terry Francona stay? Will Nick Krall get more promotions? The owners adore Krall and let him run the draft. But the results are poor. Among all MLB clubs, the Reds face the most difficult remaining schedule. Even now, their standing in this sport remains among the very worst. A weekend series against a strong Cubs team could drive the final nail into their coffin.
What the Cubs Need to Do
This series marks the Reds’ last visit to Wrigley Field this season. The teams will play three more games in Cincinnati later in September. The Cubs have already played all their games against the Cardinals. Beginning with four home games on Monday, they have seven remaining contests against the Brewers. The Cubs must take advantage of this weak opponent. The Reds aren’t going to get better soon. Hunter Greene is out for the 2027 season after a second Tommy John surgery. He missed most of 2026 due to elbow surgery too.
The Cubs have a chance to build momentum.They face a team that has lost its top talent and depth. The Reds are just a shell fo baseball team. The Cubs need to play with energy and confidence. If they play hard, they can win this series easily. the fans should expect a good showing from the home run. The Reds have nowhere to go but down. The Cubs should be ready to finish then off in Chicago.
The Cubs need to win these games now, not later.
