Woeful Reds hope to jumpstart 2022 campaign with a return to Great American Ball Park

Reds outfielder Tommy Pham brings his revenge tour to GABP

It was only a matter of time before Tommy Pham got off the schneid, and he did so in a big way earlier this week when the 34-year-old took aim at his former team. Pham took Padres' pitchers deep twice and posted a 1.417 OPS during the previous series.

I don't think that Pham won a lot of fans with his pre-season comments about "getting his numbers". While the fanbase may not like that type of selfish, me-first attitude, it appears to be working for Pham. Despite going 1-for-31 in his first eight games, he looks to have turned a corner after getting a late start to spring training.

Pham may be a difficult player for Reds Country to embrace, but right now, he's all we got. The rest of the Cincinnati offense is struggling mightily. After Joey Votto's resurgence last season, many fans expected the six-time All-Star to begin this season where he left off in 2021.

Unfortunately, Votto has crashed and burned in the early-going. The former MVP appears lost a the plate and has changed his batting stance repeatedly over the last week. The 38-year-old owns a 9.6% walk-rate and a 38.5% strikeout-rate so far in 2022. Votto is 2-for-23 in his last six games and has gone down on strikes 12 times during that stretch.

With Jonathan India, Tyler Stephenson, Mike Moustakas, Donovan Solano, and Jose Barrero out of the lineup, Tommy Pham and Joey Votto must come up big in the upcoming series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Prediction: Reds vs. Cardinals

Whew! The Cincinnati Reds have lost nine straight games. Something's gotta give, but I don't have the confidence to suggest that our beloved Redlegs will be able to turn the tide with the St. Louis Cardinals coming to town this weekend.

I think it's fair to say that the Reds have a decided advantage on the mound, but it's hard to depend fully on two rookies versus this St. Louis lineup. Look for the Reds to take just one game from the Cardinals with Saturday being perhaps their best opportunity.

Until David Bell has his full compliment of players, it's hard to forecast any series wins for the Reds. Instead of Jonathan India, Tyler Stephenson, Tyler Naquin, and Luis Castillo, Cincinnati is trotting out Aristides Aquino, Colin Moran, Reiver Sanmartin, and Mark Kolozsvary.