David Bell frustrates Reds fans yet again with senseless lineup switch

David Bell just can't help himself sometimes, can he? After making a rather bizarre move — that worked by the way — to swap out Jonathan India for Spencer Steer on Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds skipper decided to go back to his regular season leadoff hitter on Tuesday.

That's right, one day after Steer blasted two home runs and almost singlehandedly defeated the St. Louis Cardinals (with some help from starter Andrew Abbott), Bell decided the Reds would be best served to put India back atop the lineup once again. Keep in mind that India has been struggling since June, hitting .180/.292/.320 in his last 33 starts.

Bell's lineup card has India leading things off, followed by Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson. Steer, who'll be back in left field, is hitting fifth with TJ Friedl batting cleanup. It's certainly not the worst lineup ever Bell's ever concocted, but sometimes it might be better if the Reds manager just left well enough alone.

Reds manager David Bell moved Spencer Steer out of the leadoff spot

Reds fans weren't so much frustrated at the fact that Bell put Steer in the leadoff spot on Monday night, as much as they protested him playing second base. Instead of Steer in left field, Bell put Will Benson — who hadn't had an extra-base hit all month — in left field with a right-handed pitcher on the mound.

If you're going to sit India, why not install Santiago Espinal at second base. Though Steer has played second base throughout his career, the 26-year-old has been a mainstay in the outfield and first base for most of the 2024 season. Thankfully, Espinal in the lineup on Tuesday night and will be playing third base in place of Noelvi Marte.

Obviously players need days off, and Bell knows a lot of what's going on behind closed doors that fans don't have access to. But most fans throughout Reds Country want to see players rewarded for their fine play. That's why the Cincinnati faithful wanted to see Espinal in the starting lineup on Monday night, and it's the same reason the fans are frustrated that Steer isn't leading off on Tuesday.

In the two games in which Steer has batted leadoff this season, he's 3-for-6 with four walks, three home runs, and eight RBI. For a team that's barely clinging to life in the playoff race, is switching things up really the best course action?

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