Latest Reds lineup from Terry Francona feels like a cry for help at this point

Yes, the Cincinnati Reds have already won the first two games of the series against the Kansas City Royals, but there's no shame in a three-game sweep. Terry Francona's lineup for Wednesday's series finale, however, is reflective of a roster with some major flaws.

It must be stated from the top that the Reds are facing a left-handed pitcher, so fans should expect to see a barrage of right-handed hitters in the lineup. But Cincinnati's batting order for Wednesday's series finale at Kauffman Stadium is borderline pitiful.

Francona has TJ Friedl leading off with Santiago Espinal — the Reds' so-called best situational hitter — batting second. Elly De La Cruz, who smashed two home runs on Tuesday night, is batting third. Austin Hays is hitting fourth and will be followed by Tyler Stephenson and Spencer Steer. Espinal's inclusion in the top-third is debatable, but most fans will live with the first six in that lineup, right?

The Reds lineup against left-handed pitchers leaves a lot to be desired

The bottom-third of the Reds' lineup on Wednesday night, however, is another story entirely. Matt McLain is batting eighth and sandwiched between the Reds' corner outfield combination of Connor Joe (RF) and Garrett Hampson (LF). Are they even trying to win or just catch an early flight to Chicago? Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte can't come back soon enough.

If this is the Reds' best lineup against left-handed pitching, Cincinnati has a massive problem. The Reds are hitting just .216/.305/.344 against southpaws this season. Their .649 OPS against lefties is good enough for 15th in Major League Baseball.

This combination may be enough to upend a struggling Royals team on Wednesday night, but if Francona and the Reds' front office think that a lineup like this stands a chance against the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, they've got another thing coming.

The Reds need to get healthy (and maybe even add a piece or two before the MLB trade deadline) if they hope to compete for the NL Central crown. Encarnacion-Strand and Jake Fraley are currently at Triple-A Louisville and could return to the roster as early as this week. Cincinnati is also hoping for both Marte and Candelario to begin rehab assignment in the near future. The Reds are still in the chase for the NL Central championship, but that window will close quickly if they keep running out lineups like this.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors