Reds are in danger of becoming NL-version of the Mariners (that's not a good thing)

Through the first six games of the 2025 MLB regular season, the Cincinnati Reds have delivered a concerning performance that’s impossible to ignore. Despite allowing just 19 runs over that stretch — a sign of solid pitching — they’ve managed to lose four games.

On the surface, outscoring opponents 24-19 might suggest a team holding its own. But remove the 14-run display in a series opener against the Texas Rangers, and the offense looks significantly more anemic: just 10 runs across the five games, averaging a mere two runs per game.

Sound familiar? That’s because the Seattle Mariners, another club sitting at 2-4, are navigating a similar conundrum. Outside of a six-run showing against the Detroit Tigers, the Mariners have posted just nine total runs over their other five games — matching the Reds’ offensive drought almost to the decimal. But the parallels don’t stop there.

Reds are in danger of becoming NL-version of the Mariners

Both teams are rich in pitching talent, particularly in their starting rotations. The Mariners’ arsenal — featuring former Red's ace Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo — is stacked with frontline arms and legitimate Cy Young upside.

The Reds, meanwhile, counter with a promising group of their own in Hunter Greene, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, and Carson Spiers (not to mention Andrew Abbott and top prospect Rhett Lowder on the IL).

In both cases, the recipe is clear: score just enough runs to support elite pitching, and suddenly you’re looking at a playoff contender — or better. Yet, we’ve seen this movie before, and the ending isn’t always happy. Just ask Seattle fans, who’ve watched this formula fall short in two of the past three seasons, with playoff hopes dashed due to a sputtering offense.

Cincinnati isn’t short on offensive weapons — on paper, they arguably have more threats throughout their lineup than Seattle. But relying on two stars in Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain to carry the load isn’t sustainable. Help is coming, though. The return of catcher Tyler Stephenson should provide a welcome jolt to the lineup.

More importantly, the Reds have something the Mariners currently don’t: a pipeline of MLB-ready prospects and a front office that appears ready to act. By bringing in the legendary Terry Francona as manager, Cincinnati sent a clear message — this team is here to win. Francona has already shifted the tone, pushing starters deeper into games with a “quality start or bust” mantra. It’s a no-nonsense, veteran approach that demands accountability.

The Reds may have to do something they rarely enjoy doing in order to avoid falling into the Mariners' trap

The Reds’ deep farm system shouldn’t just be a feather in their cap — it should be utilized as a tool they can use to address holes in their offense. If the scoring woes continue, they’re well-positioned to swing a deal and bring in a legitimate bat. Standing pat, however, would be a mistake. Leaning too heavily on pitching without run support is a trap Mariners fans know all too well. It breeds frustration, wasted talent, and in many cases, missed Octobers.

Ironically, these two franchises have been linked for years. Mariners fans even joke about being the "Seattle Reds," given the frequent trade connections between the two clubs. But in 2025, that comparison is more than just roster overlap — it’s becoming a reflection in the mirror.

If the Reds want to break free from the Mariners’ fate, the path forward is clear: act boldly, invest in the offense, and don’t waste the gift of great pitching. Otherwise, they might find themselves not just resembling the team in the Pacific Northwest, but repeating their mistakes.

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