Reds: Recipe for redemption vs Rockies requires more Tyler Stephenson

The Reds continue their quest for the elusive .500 mark against the visiting Rockies.

It was deja vu all over again this week for the Cincinnati Reds (29-31) as the Milwaukee Brewers once again humbled the Redlegs at Great American Ball Park despite rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson posting a career-best 3-RBI performance on Wednesday night. Throughout the past four seasons, the Beer Makers have been made to feel much too comfortable in the Queen City.

Since the 2018 campaign, the Brewers are a ridiculous 19-10 against the Reds at GABP. There was little mystery during the disappointing three-game set as the usual suspects were on full display.

The Cincinnati bullpen continued to maintain their firm grasp of being the worst bullpen in the National League. Tossing 11.1 innings, the relief corps supplied anything but by allowing 10 runs, including three homers, and issuing a frustrating 11 free passes. Interestingly, the Reds best bullpen option, Tejay Antone, failed to make an appearance versus the first-place Brewers.

However, the bullpen should not shoulder the entire blame. Cincinnati’s erratic offense continued to be just that, scoring a combined three runs in the two defeats. Infielder Eugenio Suarez collected just one hit in nine at-bats as his average sits at .160 as we approach the middle of June.

To call the Colorado Rockies (25-38), a poor road team would be an insult to poor road teams. Entering tonight’s series opener, the Rockies are a ghastly 5-24 away from Coors Field. Mercy! Amazingly, recent history has been kind to the Rockies when they visit the Queen City. Since 2012 Colorado is 12-12 at GABP and has taken the series in two of their last three trips.

This will be the final time the two teams will face each other in 2021. The two clubs split a four-game set in Denver last month, and the Reds will try to capture the season series from the Rockies for just the third time in the last decade.