Terry Francona rolls the dice with Reds lineup change in must-win game vs. Dodgers

The Cincinnati Reds are staring down a must-win game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, and Terry Francona knows it. After dropping Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series to the defending World Series champions, Cincinnati must win the next two games in order to advance in the MLB playoffs.

With their season on the line, Francona has made some changes to the Reds starting lineup heading into Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. Sal Stewart will start at first base, meaning Spencer Steer will shift to left field.

Francona chose to keep Austin Hays' bat in the lineup, but for the first time all season, the veteran outfielder will be out in right field. Tyler Stephenson will remain behind the plate, and Gavin Lux will take over DH duty from Miguel Andujar.

Terry Francona rolls the dice with Reds lineup change in must-win game vs. Dodgers

TJ Friedl, as he's done all season long, will lead things off for the Reds. Friedl went 0-for-4 with a walk on Tuesday night, and needs to be the table setter on Wednesday night for the Reds. He'll be followed by Steer, who'll replace Noelvi Marte in the lineup. Lux will bat third against his former team and occupy the DH spot.

Hays was subbed out late during Game 1, but Francona was adamant about keeping him in the starting lineup on Wednesday. He'll be followed by Stewart and Elly De La Cruz. Stephenson will bat seventh, with Ke'Bryan Hayes and Matt McLain nabbing the last two spots in the Reds starting lineup.

Zack Littell will surprisingly start Game 2, but Reds fans are expecting to see a number of relievers enter the game with pitchers like Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Tony Santillan waiting in the wings.

It's win or go home for the Reds. After watching the Dodgers launch numerous home runs into the southern California sky on Tuesday, Francona knows his team needs to put a lot of runs on the board, and this bold shakeup proves as much.

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