2 Reds players who must improve vs. Phillies and 1 who needs to stay hot

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The Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies (1-5) today. The series was slated to begin on Thursday with an off day on Friday, but that game was postponed nearly 24 hours in advance.

The Reds are off to a decent start with a 3-2 record, and they'll be visiting a struggling Phillies squad who's missing some key players. Both Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins are on the IL. Zack Wheeler, who finished second inthe Cy Young voting two years ago will be on the bump today for Philadephia's home opener.

The Phillies went to the World Series last year and added All-Star shortstop Trea Turner. Former teammate Nick Castellanos will be lurking in right field, and a certain Middletown, Ohio native will be looking to launch some Scwar-bombs into the upper deck of Citizen's Bank Park. Which two Reds players need to elevate their game, and who needs to keep rolling?

Reds vs. Phillies: Starting pitcher Hunter Greene must improve

There's no easy way around it, Hunter Greene must have a better outing than he did on Opening Day. Fans can debate whether or not David Bell pulled his starter too early, but even if the Reds manager left Greene to face Oneil Cruz in the top of the fourth inning on Opening Day, his day was going to be over before the fifth inning began.

The Reds need Greene to be dominant No. 1 that everyone in that clubhouse knows he can be. Despite the fact that the bullpen is coming off two full days of rest, no one in Reds Country wants to see Bell hand the ball over to a reliever with more than three innings remaining in the game.

On the plus side, Greene was dominant in terms of the strikeouts. While he only recorded 10 total outs, eight of them came via the punch out. But Greene has got to be more efficient and get into, at least, the fifth inning on Friday afternoon.

Zack Wheeler will be opposing Hunter Greene on Friday, and he's unlikely to allow many cheap ones this Reds lineup. Greene will need to work deep into the game and keep it close. If not, this one will not belong to the Reds.

Reds vs. Phillies: Relief pitcher Buck Farmer must improve

Several Reds fans would point to the likes of Will Benson or Jose Barrero in terms of players who need to improve during the upcoming series. While it would be terrific to see both Benson and Barrero begin to swing a hot bat, the expectation isn't quite there yet.

But Buck Farmer was signed to a one-year deal during the offseason and was supposed to be one of the more reliable arms in the Cincinnati bullpen heading into the 2023 season. That has not been the case so far.

Farmer has made four appearances out of the Reds pen and been saddled with both the team's losses. The right-hander, who struggled out of the gate last spring, has allowed four runs on two hits and two walks. Basically, if an opposing batter gets on base, he's coming around to score. That can't happen.

Farmer needed a tune up down in Triple-A to begin last season, and it may be in order once again in 2023. The veteran made it just 10 games into the year last season before being handed his walking papers. Farmer started out the season by allowing 15 hits through 12 innings pitched and posted a 6.75 ERA.

The Cincinnati Reds will not be so patient this season. With pitchers like Ricky Karcher and Casey Legumina licking their chops down at Triple-A, Cincinnati has some arms they're looking to deploy sooner rather than later in 2023. Farmer needs to bounce back against the Phillies.

Reds vs. Phillies: Outfielder TJ Friedl needs to stay hot

You thought it was going to be Jason Vosler, didn't you? Well, you wouldn't be wrong to suggest Vosler, and Reds fans are hopeful his performance wasn't just a fluke. But the player who really needs to keep trending in a positive direction is TJ Friedl.

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder had a rough outing on Opening Day, but Friedl has responded in a big way and has six hits in the last three games. Friedl began the season 0-for-7, but is 6-for-10 with two home runs and a triple since.

Friedl has also laid down two successful bunts for base hits. It's rare to find a player with the type of speed/ power combination. Reds manager David Bell has also been batting Friedl second against right-handed starters.

Expect to see Friedl in the No. 2 hole on Friday against Zack Wheeler and Sunday versus Tijuan Walker. But just becasue left-hander Bailey Falter is headed to the hill for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, don't think that Bell will just remove Friedl from the lineup.

In the Cincinnati Reds two games this season against left-handed starters, TJ Friedl has batted ninth. Friedl is 2-for-7 in those games, and has had success against southpaws in the past. It would be quite surprising to see Friedl on the bench at any point this weekend.

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