Freddie Benavides' humdrum lineup won't prompt Reds fans to want interim tag removed

The Cincinnati Reds are about to take the field for the first time this season without David Bell in the dugout. Bell was fired last Sunday night, and the Reds named bench coach Freddie Benavides as the team's interim manager for the final five games of the 2024 season.

Benavides has been part of the Reds organization for a long time, and has kept Bell's seat warm whenever the former Cincinnati skipper was ejected during his six seasons at the helm. That happened often, as Bell was prematurely sent to the locker room 32 times during his Reds' tenure.

But Benavides is hoping to shed the interim tag in the coming weeks and take over as the next manager of the Reds. Benavides spokes openly about the opportunity earlier this week, and will get a chance to show what he can do as the head-man over the last week of the season. Unfortunately, the 58-year-old Reds-lifer is not off to a great start.

Freddie Benavides' humdrum lineup won't prompt Reds fans to want interim tag removed

Strangely, Benavides' lineup card for the Reds' game against the Cleveland Guardians looks eerily similar to what Bell might've drawn up. In fact, one has wonder if Bell left this exact lineup on his desk upon leaving Great American Ball Park on Sunday night.

Benavides has Jonathan India in his typical leadoff spot and playing second base. Elly De La Cruz is (rightfully) batting second and playing shortstop, while Tyler Stephenson rounds out the top-third of the lineup and will be hanging the signs for starting pitcher Carson Spiers.

Spencer Steer will be in left field and batting cleanup, with TJ Friedl and Ty France to follow. Friedl will man center field, and France will be plugged in at first base. The bottom of the lineup features right fielder Jake Fraley, third baseman Santiago Espinal, and designated hitter Noelvi Marte.

So, if you were a Reds fan hoping to see Benavides go rogue and take the bull by the horns, you're probably wildly disappointed at the moment. That said, Benavides is trying to win the job, and is likely following the script from the Reds' front office and analytics department.

Maybe Benavides will get a little squirrely later in the game and have the players execute a double-steal or maybe a safety squeeze. Perhaps the interim skipper will pinch hit with Reds' rookie slugger Rece Hinds rather than Amed Rosario or Luke Maile.

More than likely, however, Reds fans will watch the same lineup they've seen all season run out over the final few games of the 2024 campaign. Benavides will likely be retained by the incoming manager, whether it's their top target, Skip Schumaker, or someone else.

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