The St. Louis Cardinals secured a commanding 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, aided by a ninth-inning offensive explosion. The Cardinals' Masyn Winn opened the scoring with a solo home run off Cincinnati starter Brady Singer, who pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run. However, it was Reds' reliever Alexis Diaz who faced the brunt of the Cardinals' late-game firepower, giving up three consecutive home runs. Miles Mikolas pitched 5.1 innings for St. Louis, contributing to the Reds' struggles with only one hit and striking out four batters.

The game marked the end of Cincinnati's five-game winning streak as the Cardinals improved their record to 13-17 while the Reds fell to 16-14. Key performances included a stellar outing from Mikolas and impactful swings from Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar, who each homered in the top of the ninth. The Reds, despite a strong start from Singer, could not capitalize on their chances, with only one hit through the first eight innings. The loss prompted Reds manager Terry Francona to reflect on Diaz's performance, noting the critical moment when the game slipped away.

In a pivotal matchup against the Miami Marlins, the Cincinnati Reds faced challenges that proved detrimental to their chances of success. Relief pitcher Alexis Diaz struggled significantly, allowing the Marlins to steal bases effortlessly, which directly impacted the game’s outcome.

Diaz’s inability to prevent stolen bases was highlighted during the broadcast, with four successful steals against his pitching. Marlins starter Max Meyer showcased his dominance as he struck out a career-best 14 batters, a feat not achieved against the Reds since Max Scherzer's performance in 2019.

The Cincinnati Reds activated key players Alexis Diaz, Matt McLain, and Austin Hays ahead of their series against the Seattle Mariners, marking a significant boost for the team. Diaz, who was expected to be the closer, had been sidelined with a hamstring strain but returns just as Emilio Pagán has shone with a 1.23 ERA. McLain returns to second base after recovering from a hamstring issue and is positioned at the top of the lineup, while Hays, newly signed from Baltimore, makes his debut as the designated hitter after overcoming a calf strain.

With five wins in their last six games, including a recent sweep against Pittsburgh, the Reds aim to capitalize on this momentum with a fully operational roster. This newfound health could be pivotal as they face the Mariners in the next three games, all eyes on how these returning players can impact the lineup and overall team performance.

As the MLB season progresses, keeping a close eye on injury updates is critical for fantasy sports success. Alexis Diaz, Zach Eflin, and Max Scherzer are among the prominent players currently on the injured list. Diaz, the Reds' closer, is recovering from a hamstring injury and could return as soon as Tuesday against the Mariners. Despite concerns over his command, his previous performance in 2023 makes him a valuable addition once activated.

Zach Eflin, pitching for the Orioles, is dealing with a low-grade lat strain but is expected to return soon after being placed on the IL. His strong performance prior to the injury, including three consecutive quality starts, suggests he could provide significant value down the stretch. Max Scherzer's situation is more complicated; recovering from a thumb injury, he hasn't thrown much since April 7 and may be out longer, making him a risky hold in fantasy leagues.

The Cincinnati Reds are poised to make a strategic shift in their bullpen as Alexis Díaz returns, but they should think twice before reinstating him as the closer. Emilio Pagán has emerged as a strong candidate, boasting a remarkable 1.23 ERA and four saves this season, far surpassing his previous two years combined. Pagán revamped his physique with a carnivore diet, sharing insights on its effectiveness for his performance. The Reds have found success in the closer role without a designated closer, converting five of seven save opportunities so far. Managerial strategies may evolve as Diaz transitions back into play, which suggests a less intense role initially for him. Meanwhile, a potential signing of veteran closer David Robertson could bolster the bullpen further, bringing experience and reliability.