Nick Martinez finally secured his first win of the season, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a solid 3-1 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Martinez started the game strong, allowing just one run, which came after a misplay by left fielder Gavin Lux. After the first inning, he settled in, giving up only three hits over five innings with three strikeouts, showcasing his potential to be a reliable arm for Cincinnati.

The Reds' offense was highlighted by a powerful home run from Jose Trevino, who tied the game at one and showed signs of breaking out of his slump. Additionally, Noelvi Marte delivered a crucial triple, bringing in Lux, who had an impressive night at the plate with three hits, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. The Reds’ bullpen was equally impressive, retiring all nine batters they faced, sealing the win and improving Cincinnati's record to 16-13.

The St. Louis Cardinals face the Cincinnati Reds in a crucial matchup today, after the Cardinals managed to take two of three from Milwaukee over the weekend despite a rough outing from Erick Fedde, who allowed seven runs in a 7-1 loss. The Reds come off a series sweep against the Rockies, highlighted by a strong performance from Nick Lodolo, who secured his third win with a shutout.

Starting for St. Louis is Andre Pallante, who holds a 4.05 ERA and a 2-1 record, while Cincinnati counters with Nick Martinez, looking to improve his 5.40 ERA and find his first win of the season. Betting trends indicate the Reds are favored with a -124 moneyline, while the Cardinals are at +104. With both teams showcasing mixed performances, this game offers a chance for fantasy managers to capitalize on players impacting the game, particularly hitters like Elly De La Cruz, who is currently on an 11-game hitting streak.

Nick Martinez's acceptance of the qualifying offer from the Cincinnati Reds, coupled with the trade for Brady Singer, has sparked speculation about Graham Ashcraft's future role within the team. As the Reds prepare for the upcoming season, pitching coach Derek Johnson emphasized that Ashcraft will initially compete for a starting position, with potential adjustments based on performance and team needs during spring training. Although Ashcraft faced challenges in 2024, including an elbow strain that sidelined him, Johnson reassured fans of his readiness to return to action in spring training.

Johnson expressed confidence in Ashcraft's abilities, stating, 'It’s hard to leave out that kind of arm and that kind of stuff.' While Ashcraft's recent performance has been scrutinized, with an ERA of 5.24 over 77.1 innings in 2024, he is reportedly in good health and committed to his rehabilitation. The Reds organization remains open to exploring various roles for Ashcraft, reaffirming their belief in his talent and potential contributions to the team's pitching depth.

FanGraphs has unveiled its projections for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, suggesting the team is likely to hover around a .500 win-loss record. Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the standout performer, projected to achieve an fWAR of 5.0 with a batting line of .263/.335/.472, including 25 home runs and 54 stolen bases. Matt McLain, returning from shoulder surgery, is anticipated to be the second-best player with an fWAR of 4.0 and a batting average of .254.

While the catching duo of Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino is projected to contribute significantly with a combined fWAR of 3.6, the overall lineup is seen as underwhelming. The third base position, manned by Noelvi Marte, Santiago Espinal, and Jeimer Candelario, is forecasted to have the lowest fWAR on the team at just 0.7. On the pitching front, Hunter Greene is projected to maintain a solid performance, with a record of 8-7 and a 3.62 ERA.

However, the Reds' bullpen is viewed negatively, with a combined fWAR of -0.3, highlighting a need for improvement. The projections echo fan sentiments, indicating the necessity for the Reds to bolster their roster if they aim to contend effectively in 2025.