Terry Francona may have already solved one issue that was driving Reds fans crazy

Coming into the 2026 season, Matt McLain was arguably the most important player on the Cincinnati Reds roster. He was coming off a horrendous performance in 2025, but now two years removed from shoulder surgery, most fans expected to see the version of McLain who took the league by storm during his rookie season.

His outstanding performance during the team's time in Goodyear upped the ante heading into Opening Day. McLain was the best player in all of baseball during spring training, boasting a .509/.559/.981 slash line with seven home runs and a 287 wRC+ in 18 Cactus League games.

McLain's production during spring training led Reds manager Terry Francona to anoint him as the team's No. 2 hitter once the season began. Unfortunately, his red-hot showing in Arizona didn't translate to the regular season, and through his first 33 games, the Reds' second baseman was hitting just .200/.314/.300 with a 77 wRC+.

McLain's struggles forced Francona's hand, and the Reds' skipper demoted the former first-round pick to the bottom of the batting order. While never a desirable tactic, Tito's reshuffled lineup has yielded positive results and has McLain back in a groove.

Reds manager Terry Francona may have sparked Matt McLain's resurgence

McLain was pushed down in the lineup on May 3, and since that time, he's hitting .265/.342/.500 with four extra-base hits, including two home runs, and a 132 wRC+. He's also walking more than he's striking out, and still playing above-average defense (2 OAA) at the keystone. Whether his hot-streak will help him regain his spot in the lineup is debatable, but one thing that's not up for debate is McLain's importance to this year's team.

This latest version of McLain is the player Francona (and fans) were expecting from the outset, and frankly, it's the type of production the Reds need from him for the remainder of the season. Cincinnati has already seen the likes of TJ Friedl, Tyler Stephenson, and Ke'Bryan Hayes fail to get going, and they can't afford McLain to falter for a second year in a row.

McLain was able to give Francona value with his glove last season, and though the Reds' manager had other options at second base — Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal — he stuck to his guns. This season, however, Francona has other options.

Edwin Arroyo is turning heads with his play at Triple-A, and Sal Stewart has seen time at second base as well. Louisville Bats manager Pat Kelly previously called the keystone Stewart's best position. In other words, if McLain can't keep up this season, he could quickly be replaced.

It's not hyperbole to state that Cincinnati's success in 2026 hinges on McLain's ability to be the player the Reds' front office and coaching staff assumed he would be. He was far from that type of player once the season began, but this latest stretch has fans ready to believe again.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow