Reds need Rhett Lowder to finish the 2026 season strong for one vital reason

Rhett Lowder’s 2026 hasn’t been pretty, but over his past four starts, the Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher has seemed more like the player who turned heads as a 22-year-old rookie phenom in 2024. If Cincinnati has any hope of competing in the NL Central in 2027, they’ll need this version of Lowder.

Something about the pummeling Lowder endured at the hands of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field seems to have forced the right-hander back on track. After that outing and a prior shift to the bullpen, in which he gave up eight runs on 11 hits in 2 ⅓ innings, Lowder has given up eight runs total over 22 ⅓ innings (four starts).

More encouragingly, Lowder is going deeper into games, completing six innings in back-to-back starts for just the second time this season. The Reds will certainly need a consistent starter who can give the bullpen a break from time to time.

Rhett Lowder’s recent stretch of success is the perfect audition for 2027

This offseason, Brady Singer will become a free agent. If the Reds fail to re-sign him, they’ll be losing a starter who can go out and give you 150-plus innings with a 4.00 ERA. Lowder has every capability to fill that role and more. His fastball beats Singer’s any day of the week, and his deeper arsenal could be the key to Lowder working through challenges in the future.

Beyond the likely loss of Singer, the Reds’ rotation is fairly set. Chase Burns is already locked in as Cincy’s ace into the far future. Andrew Abbott, who is turning in a pretty solid year, will have a spot, as will Nick Lodolo. Lowder, in his 2024 form, and perhaps one of Chase Petty or Brandon Williamson as the Reds' No. 5 starter would give the Reds a formidable fivesome from top to bottom.

A strong 2027 would pay off for Lowder as well. He will enter his first year of arbitration following the season (unless he signs an extension). That first series of negotiations could set the bar for his future contracts. A bigger payday and the thrill of being on a contender could be ample motivation for Lowder to finally get over the hump and dominate once again.

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