Reds vs Padres Preview: Courage in the Pitching Duel

Cincinnati is in tough right now. The Reds have lost four straight games and won only two of their last ten. Their record sits at 31-33, and they're limping into San Diego looking to bounce back against a Padres team that just beat them 6-2 yesterday. The good news? Chase Burns takes the mound for Cincinnati today. The Reds' pitching staff has big questions this season with Hunter Greene recovering from elbow surgery. Burns and the rotation need to keep games close so the young Reds offense can stay in the fight. Without star shortstop Elly De La Cruz out with a hamstring injury, Cincinnati's lineup looks even thinner. Every game matters now.

The Padres dominated yesterday. Manny Machado's squad cranked out six runs and looked sharp. You saw it in the play-by-play—runners scoring in bunches. Fermin's two-run blast in the third set the tone early. Then the Padres' bats kept buzzing through the middle innings. By the eighth inning, they were pulling away with runners crossing home plate on singles and smart baserunning. San Diego's record is 33-31, one game ahead of Cincinnati. Lucas Giolito takes the bump today for the home team. The Padres' pitching staff is solid and experienced. With Mason Miller locking down games in the bullpen, San Diego has what it takes to stay competitive in a tough division.

Both teams are hurting from injuries. Cincinnati lost superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz to a hamstring strain. San Diego's left fielder Ramon Laureano just had shoulder surgery and won't play again this season. The Padres also have Miguel Andujar dealing with a hamstring injury. Neither team is at full strength, but that's baseball in June. These are the moments when depth matters. Role players step up. Backups get their chances to shine. Today's game could shift momentum for whoever wins. A victory gives one team real hope. A loss digs the hole deeper. Chase Burns versus Lucas Giolito at Petco Park. Let's see who keeps their season alive.