CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS

• Reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list RHP Ben Lively (#59). Selected from Chattanooga the contract of RHP Carson Spiers (#68). Returned to Louisville as a substitute player RHP Connor Phillips. Placed on the 15-day injured list RHP Tejay Antone (right elbow discomfort).

TODAY’S GAME

• Is Game 3 (2-0) of a 3-game series vs Miguel Cabrera’s Tigers and Game 3 (2-0) of a 6-game road trip that includes an upcoming weekend visit to NYM’s Citi Field. Prior to this afternoon’s game, the Reds will present to Tigers star Miguel Cabrera a custom pillbox bat that highlights Cabrera’s career against the Reds. Following this road trip, the Reds return to Great American Ball Park for their final homestand of the championship season (3g vs Min, off day, 3g vs Pit).

BIG ROAD MACHINE

• The Reds are 33-17 over their last 8 road trips covering 16 road series. The Reds won 10 of their previous 15 road series, including a streak of 7 straight road series wins snapped by the Brewers in the last series before the All-Star Game break. From 5/26-7/6, the Reds won at least 7 straight road series for only the third time in their history (1923, 1976).

ROTATION

• Rookie pitchers have made 51 starts for the Reds. The Reds started a rookie pitcher in 6 of the last 7 games, a stretch interrupted by Hunter Greene’s start on Sun, and in 9 in the last 10 games. RHP Lyon Richardson (4gs), who began the season at Class A Daytona, started twice in that 10-game span. LHP Andrew Abbott (18gs), who began the season at Class AA Chattanooga, started twice in that 10-game span. RHP Carson Spiers (2gs), who began the season at Class AA Chattanooga, started twice in that 10-game span. LHP Brandon Williamson (20gs), who began the season at Class AAA Louisville, started Tue’s win at Det after a stint on the COVID-19 IL. RHP Connor Phillips (2gs), who began the season at Class AA Chattanooga, started twice in that 10-game span. Richardson, Abbott, Spiers, Williamson and Phillips made their Major League debuts this season, along with fellow starter RHP Levi Stoudt (2gs), who began the season at Class AAA Louisville.

ROSTER NOTES

• 65 players have appeared in at least 1 game for the Reds, the most of any team in the Major Leagues this season and 1 player shy of the single-season club record established in 2022. 40 pitchers, including position players C Luke Maile (4 times) and IF Jason Vosler (twice), have appeared in at least 1 game for the Reds, a new single-season club record (38 pitchers, 2022). 17 pitchers have started at least 1 game for the Reds, tying the singleseason club record (2003, 2022). The Reds have 9 rookies on today’s roster. RHP Fernando Cruz, IF Elly De La Cruz, IF Christian EncarnacionStrand, IF Noelvi Marte, IF/OF Spencer Steer, LHP Andrew Abbott, RHP Daniel Duarte, RHP Carson Spiers and LHP Brandon Williamson. Had a season-high 12 rookies on the 27-player roster for the 8/23 day/night doubleheader at LAA. 16 Reds players made their Major League debuts this season, the most of any team in the majors…listed below in the order in which they debuted: RHP Casey Legumina, RHP Levi Stoudt, IF Matt McLain, LHP Brandon Williamson, RHP Eduardo Salazar, OF TJ Hopkins, LHP Andrew Abbott, IF Elly De La Cruz, RHP Ricky Karcher, RHP Randy Wynne, RHP Jake Wong, IF Christian Encarnacion-Strand, RHP Lyon Richardson, IF Noelvi Marte, RHP Carson Spiers, RHP Connor Phillips. 23 rookies played in at least 1 game for the Reds, the most of any team in the Major Leagues and tied for fourth-most in club history (26 in 1909, 25 in 2016, 24 in 1914 & 2017, 23 in 2022)…courtesy @EliasSports.

LET THE KIDS PLAY

• The Reds are the first team in Major League history with 3 rookies, in a single season, with at least 10 HR & 10 stolen bases each (Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer). • For the first time since 1890, when Cincinnati joined the NL, 3 Reds rookies have produced at least 10 HR. With 54 HR the Reds have tied the franchise record for home runs in a season by rookies (Spencer Steer 20, Matt McLain 16, Elly De La Cruz 11, Christian Encarnacion-Strand 6, Noelvi Marte 1)…the 2008 team also recorded 54 Home runs by rookies (Joey Votto 24, Jay Bruce 21, Chris Dickerson 6, Ryan Hanigan 2, Paul Janish 1). On 8/22 at LAA, in his 64th career game, Elly De La Cruz recorded his 20th stolen base to become the fastest player since 1900 to accumulate at least 10 HR and at least 20 steals…Barry Bonds did it in his 65th career appearance, just ahead of Reds rookies Chris Sabo (66g) and Gary Redus (67g)…courtesy @EliasSports. Elly De La Cruz is the only Major League player since RBI became an official statistic in 1920 to produce in his first 80 career games at least 79 hits, 11 HR, 36 RBI and 25 stolen bases…courtesy @EliasSports. Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer on 7/4 at Wsh became the first set of rookie teammates in Major League history to finish in the same game 4-for-4 with at least 1 RBI (since RBI became an official statistic in 1920)…courtesy @EliasSports. IF Matt McLain (5/22-5/28) and IF Elly De La Cruz (6/19-6/25) each earned National League Player of the Week awards, McLain in the second week of his career and De La Cruz in his third week.

STARTING PITCHER – 47 DEREK LAW, rhp Homestand: 4g, 0-1, 3.1ip, 7h, 6er, 1bb, 1k, 2hr

• This afternoon will make his third spot start of the season, the seventh start of his Major League career. His starts this season are his first since 2019, when he made 4 starts for the Blue Jays. In addition to his 2 spot starts (1.1ip on 5/11 vs NYM, 1.1ip on 5/13 at Mia), 10 times in relief threw more than 1.0 inning…4 times threw at least 2.0 innings, including season highs of 2.1 innings on 5/6 vs WSox and 8/5 vs Wsh. Fri vs StL threw a scoreless ninth inning to snap a stretch in which he had allowed a run in 5 consecutive apps (4.1ip, 9h, 8er, 2bb, 3k, 2hr, .423baa). Posted a 4.15 ERA in 13 apps in April, a 1.80 ERA in his next 27 apps through 8/20 and a 12.79 ERA in his last 8 apps beginning 8/23 (6.1ip, 12h, 9er, 5bb, 5k, 2hr, .400baa). Retired the first batter 27 of his 46 relief Opps…inherited 20 base runners, 1 scored… stranded his last 10 inherited runners. Was charged with 2 pitch timer violations (5/9 vs NYM, Starling Marte batting & 8/19 vs Tor, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting). 7 times pitched on consecutive days, most recently 8/28 and 8/29 at SF…twice in his career threw on 3 consecutive days (6/28-6/30, 2016 & 7/29-7/31, 2016). From 5/19-7/1 missed 41 games while on the 15-day IL with a right flexor mass strain. In 2 of his last 3 apps prior to the injury was used as a spot starter. Was 1 of 3 non-roster invitees to make the Opening Day roster (LHP Alex Young, IF/OF Jason Vosler)

DETROIT TOGERS NOTES:

TIGERS UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON OPPORTUNITIES IN ONE-RUN LOSS: The Tigers left 13 runners on base in a 4-3 loss to the Reds on Wednesday. Spencer Torkelson had a pair of hits, including a two-run homer, his 28th of the season. Akil Baddoo added two hits, including a double, and a RBI, while Andy Ibáñez also had two hits. On the mound, Eduardo Rodriguez started for the Tigers and took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits with five walks and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Alex Faedo struck out three and gave up one hit over 3.0 scoreless innings in relief.

FULLY TORKED: Spencer Torkelson continued his impressive second half of the season last night, going 2×4 with a two-run homer, his team-leading 28th of the season. His 28 homers are the most by a Tigers batter since Justin Upton also hit 28 in 2017 and are the third most by a Tiger in their age-23 season, trailing only Rudy York (35 homers in 1937) and Matt Nokes (32 in 1987). Since June 27, Torkelson has a .906 OPS with 14 doubles, one triple, 20 home runs and 46 RBI in 67 games. During that stretch, he ranks tied for first in the American League and tied for fourth in the Majors in home runs, while he is tied for fourth in the AL in extra-base hits (35), sixth in RBI and ninth in slugging percentage. MOVIN’ ON UP: Miguel Cabrera was on base twice last night, going 1×3 with a walk. The hit was the 3,161st of his career. He enters today’s game five hits shy of tying Adrián Beltré (3,166) in MLB history.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: Alex Faedo pitched 3.0 innings of scoreless relief last night, allowing a hit and a walk, while striking out three. Faedo has been impressive in recent outings, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.31 ERA (35.0IP/9ER) and 30 strikeouts. Over that span, he has a 1.03 WHIP and has limited opponents to a .163 batting average.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 2-3 on their current six-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Chicago (AL) (2-1) and three games vs. Cincinnati (0-2). Detroit is 31-43 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .239/.308/.374 at home, while the pitching staff has a 4.70 ERA (678.0IP/354ER).

TIGERS AND REDS: The Tigers and Reds conclude their only series of the season this afternoon. Cincinnati has a 19-18 edge in the all-time series, but Detroit has an 8-7 advantage in games played at Comerica Park.

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: The Tigers continue their interleague schedule today against the Reds. Detroit is 19-23 against National League foes this season, including a 7-8 record against NL Central teams. The Tigers have finished with a winning record against NL opponents in each of the last two seasons.

ON DECK: The Tigers begin their final road trip of the season tomorrow as they open a three-game series against the Angels. The two teams met earlier this season at Comerica Park with Los Angeles (AL) sweeping a three-game series. The Angels won two-of-three games when the two teams met last season in Anaheim.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

• LHP Tyler Alexander (left lat/shoulder strain, 60-day IL on July 4, retroactive to July 3)
• LHP Matthew Boyd (left elbow sprain, 60-day IL on June 27)
• RHP Mason Englert (left hip tightness, 15-day IL on July 24, retroactive to July 23)
• OF Riley Greene (right elbow inflammation, 10-day IL on September 2)
• RHP Matt Manning (right foot fracture, 15-day IL on September 7)
• OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
• LHP Andrew Vasquez (left calf tightness, 15-day IL on August 29, retroactive to August 28)

TODAY’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

45 Reese Olson • 3-7, 4.50 ERA (86.0IP/43ER)

• Olson will make the 19th appearance and 16th start of his Major League career today in the series finale vs. Cincinnati. Took the loss in his last start on Friday vs. Chicago (AL), giving up two runs on two hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings… threw 6.1 no-hit innings before allowing a double to Luis Robert Jr… has given up just three runs in 18.0 innings over his last three starts. Will be making his first career outing against the Reds today…in 11 appearances, including nine starts, at Comerica Park, Olson is 2-5 with a 4.89 ERA (53.1IP/29ER) and 62 strikeouts. Struck out a season-high 10 batters in 4.1 innings on August 28 vs. New York (AL)…joined Tyler Alexander (10 strikeouts in 3.2 innings on August 2, 2020 vs. Cincinnati) as the only Tigers pitchers to strike out 10 batters in 4.1 innings-or-less. Earned his first big league win on June 24 vs. Minnesota, allowing one run on four hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings… became the 11th Tigers pitcher since 1901 to strike out nine-or-more batters in one of his first five Major League games. Made his Major League debut on June 2 at Chicago (AL), allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.0 innings… carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning until allowing a single to Romy Gonzalez…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first Tigers pitcher to throw at least 5.0 no-hit innings in his debut since Bill Slayback pitched 7.0 hitless innings on June 26, 1972 vs. New York (AL).