Reds needed to bank wins early and fans know the schedule’s about to punish them

The Cincinnati Reds are off to a rocky start in 2025 with their record hovering over .500 — a record that feels just about right for a team still learning who they are under new manager Terry Francona. Some inconsistency was expected, especially early on.

However as the Reds approach the 40 game mark, the honeymoon period is over. The standings are starting to solidify, and the Reds are running out of time to sort themselves out before the schedule truly gets brutal.

Make no mistake — brutal is the correct word. Cincinnati currently holds the 7th-hardest remaining schedule in Major League Baseball. That gauntlet includes six games each against powerhouses like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets, all off to blistering hot starts.

Reds facing steep climb with one of MLB’s toughest remaining schedules

Add 13 more games against the surging NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs, and it gets even more daunting. And just in case that wasn’t enough, interleague matchups with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians — two of the AL’s best early-season surprises are also on the docket.

This was never going to be a walk in the park, and the Reds knew it. That’s what made a fast start so crucial. Because winning even half of those series is going to be a tall order.

Fortunately, the Reds have a small opportunity in May to build some momentum before the gauntlet begins in full. Their upcoming slate includes the Atlanta Braves, still digging out from an 0-7 start — though they looked dominant on Monday night. They’ll also face the Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, and division rival Pittsburgh Pirates — all beatable, though not to be taken lightly.

These aren’t automatic wins, but they are softer landings compared to what awaits this summer. If Cincinnati wants to avoid hovering around .500 by midseason, this is the time to get right.

The Reds roster still has questions marks

But May won’t fix everything if the Reds don’t start getting answers to some looming roster questions.

• What’s going on with Jeimer Candelario? Now currently on the IL, was signed to be a middle-of-the-order force but has looked more like a liability.
• Is Noelvi Marte for real this time? After showing flashes in previous years before being sent down, Marte has looked much improved since returning — but the league will adjust quickly.
• Are the Reds going to trade for another bat? Even with Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Tyler Stephenson returning, the lineup has lacked consistency and firepower, especially in close games.

The list doesn’t end there. The bullpen has had its ups and downs. The starting rotation, outside of a couple of bright spots, has yet to settle. And with every passing series, the margin for error shrinks.

The Braves’ early-season struggles offer a sobering reminder. No matter how long the season may feel, slow starts and missed opportunities pile up fast. No team in MLB history has recovered from an 0-7 start to make the postseason. It’s a testament to how difficult it is to dig out from behind — not because of talent, but because this league doesn’t hand out easy wins.

Series sweeps are rare. Playoff teams are relentless. And success often hinges not on explosive streaks, but on stringing together consistent series wins when they’re there for the taking.

The Reds are approaching that fork in the road. The road ahead is rocky, but not impassable. If Cincinnati wants to play meaningful baseball in October, the path starts now — not in July, not at the trade deadline, and certainly not after another .500 month.

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