Reds Hit the Panic Button Before Brewers Finale
The mood in Cincinnati was tense on August 17, 2025, as the Reds stared down the possibility of another demoralizing sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. It wasn't just a standard late-summer ballgame—it was a must-win situation. That pressure cooker led to a string of fast, attention-grabbing roster changes: Will Benson and Connor Phillips got called up from Triple-A Louisville, while Joe La Sorsa headed down and Jake Fraley learned he was designated for assignment.
The timing says it all. With a 64-60 record, the Reds weren’t sinking, but they were fighting to keep their playoff hopes above water—just 1.5 games back from the final National League Wild Card spot, chasing the New York Mets. This latest Brewers series, though, had been brutal. Milwaukee had already claimed the first two games and stretched Cincinnati’s miserable streak to 14 straight series losses against them. The Brewers, not exactly helping Cincinnati’s cause, came into the finale red-hot, riding a jaw-dropping 14-game winning run.
Manager’s Candid Words and the Impact of New Faces
After yet another frustrating night, manager Terry Francona didn’t mince words. He called out the team’s sloppy play and how it cost them against Milwaukee’s fast, aggressive style. "We haven't played clean and that was one of the points we talked about before the series because how fast they are and how aggressive they are," Francona pointed out postgame. Both nights, sloppy execution had tipped the scales unmistakably in favor of the Brewers.
Bringing up Benson and Phillips felt more than just routine roster management—it was an SOS. Benson brings solid speed and on-base ability to the outfield, offering a potential jolt of energy, especially with Jake Fraley now on the outs. On the pitching side, Connor Phillips gives the bullpen (or starting rotation, if needed) a little more flexibility as the grind of August wears on. Meanwhile, Joe La Sorsa’s optioning probably says as much about his recent struggles as it does about the need for fresh arms.
- Will Benson’s time in Triple-A was marked by consistent contact and improved defense, making him a logical call-up as the team struggles to manufacture runs late in games.
- Connor Phillips, a right-hander with a live fastball, had shown flashes of brilliance at Louisville this year. The hope: he stabilizes a pitching staff that, at times, has looked worn out by the endless battle against high-powered offenses like Milwaukee’s.
- Jake Fraley’s DFA could point to his recurring injuries and decreased production since midseason—a tough break for a player who was once seen as a reliable contributor.
It comes down to this: the Reds pulled out every stop to halt a nasty slide and keep the playoff dream alive. When your season’s teetering and the same division foe keeps putting you on the mat, sometimes you don’t have a choice but to roll the dice with fresh faces and hope someone sparks a turnaround. With the Cincinnati Reds staring at another Milwaukee sweep and the clock ticking on the postseason chase, every move suddenly feels bigger—and way more desperate—than usual.
