3 bold Reds roster decisions that could swing the entire Cubs series

After losing 2-of-3 last weekend at home, the Cincinnati Reds are getting set for another three-game series against the NL Central Division-leading Chicago Cubs. If there was ever time for Nick Krall, Terry Francona, and the Reds' decision-makers to be bold, it's now.

The Reds are stuck in this vicious cycle of accepting mediocrity, and the fanbase is sick of it. Nothing illustrated this point better than the pathetic lineup that Francona trotted out on Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals. The bottom-third of Cincinnati's batting order featured Connor Joe and Garrett Hampson sandwiched around a struggling Matt McLain.

The Reds cannot afford to go into Wrigley Field with that kind of lineup. Thankfully, it looks like Chicago will send a trio of right-handers to the hill against Cincinnati, so the Reds might actually have a chance. If the Reds hope to emerge with a series victory, however, they'll need to make some bold roster adjustments before entering the Friendly Confines on Friday afternoon.

3 bold Reds roster decisions that could swing the entire Cubs series

Move Spencer Steer up to No. 2 in the Reds lineup

Francona's stubborn plan to keep Santiago Espinal batting ahead of Elly De La Cruz is hurting the Reds. Since being elevated to No. 2 in the batting order, Espinal is hitting .224/.274/.276 and has bungled a handful of opportunities with runners in scoring position. That's not a table-setter and it's not the type of bat you want you in the lineup ahead of your best hitter.

During the same span in which Espinal has posted a pathetic .550 OPS, Reds first baseman Spencer Steer is hitting .340/.386/.472 with a 135 wRC+. Francona has stated that he doesn't want to use Gavin Lux in the No. 2 hole because of his lefty/righty splits, meaning that Steer is the next best option.

Espinal is a fine defender, and a good situational hitter, but the situation doesn't (and almost never will) call for him to bat second in the Reds' lineup. It's time for Tito to get serious about who's setting the table for De La Cruz.

Select the contract of Joe La Sorsa from Triple-A

The Reds finally admitted that they optioned the wrong pitcher back to the minor leagues. Sending Lyon Richardson back to Triple-A instead of Luis Mey was a mistake. Mey showed his true colors on Wednesday night in Kansas City with his erratic command, and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. While Richardson was virtually un-hittable, MLB rules state that after a pitcher is optioned, he must remain in the minors for at least 15 days, so he can't be recalled unless there's an injury.

Enter Joe La Sorsa. The 27-year-old left-hander has been putting up zeroes at Triple-A Louisville and is the perfect pitcher to call-up ahead of this weekend's clash with the Cubs. La Sorsa hasn't allowed a run in the minors since May 2 and owns a 2.66 ERA on the season.

Another lefty in the bullpen will be an added benefit for the Reds during the upcoming series with the left-handed hitting quartet of Ian Happ, Michael Bush, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker all expected to be in the Cubs' lineup. Since the Reds traded Alexis Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, there's an opening on the 40-man roster and no corresponding move is necessary.

Reinstate Jake Fraley from the IL and option Connor Joe to Triple-A

The Connor Joe experiment should've been over a week ago. Some Reds fans may argue that it never should've started. A number of injuries, however, created a need for a player to like Joe to be added to the roster. With Jake Fraley's imminent return to the big leagues, there's every reason to believe that Joe will be sent back to the minors very soon.

With Chicago likely to deploy three right-handers over the weekend, the pitching matchup favors Fraley over Rece Hinds who, like Richardson, can't be recalled unless there's an injury. Fraley had a rough start to the season, but in the 46 plate appearances prior to his IL stint, he owned a 21.7% walk rate and was slugging .500. The Reds need that version of Fraley in the lineup this weekend.

Austin Hays' status may throw a monkey wrench into the entire equation. X-rays on Hays' foot were inconclusive, and if the Reds' cleanup hitter is out for any length of time, Cincinnati should look to recall more than just Fraley.

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