Cincinnati Reds vs. Tampa Bay Rays Match Series Analysis: 2025 MLB Season

The Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays squared off in a three-game interleague series during the 2025 MLB regular season, featuring tight pitching duels, timely hitting, and a Rays’ road skid. This article offers a thorough examination of their matchups on July 25, July 26, and July 27, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, based on verified data from ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com, and CBSSports.com. We break down each contest with game summaries, authenticated player and pitching statistics, and pivotal plays, alongside series-wide insights.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs Tampa Bay Rays Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: July 25, 2025
  • Game 2: July 26, 2025
  • Game 3: July 27, 2025
• Series Result: Reds won the series 3–0

Series Overview: Cincinnati Reds vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 2025 MLB Season

The Cincinnati Reds swept the Tampa Bay Rays 3–0, posting victories of 7–2 on July 25, 6–2 on July 26, and 2–1 on July 27. The Reds’ opportunistic offense, powered by Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson, capitalized on Rays’ miscues, while their starters limited Tampa Bay to a .214 batting average. The Rays, mired in a six-game road losing streak, managed just five runs total. Below is a summary of the results:

• Game 1 (July 25, 2025): Cincinnati Reds 7, Tampa Bay Rays 2
• Game 2 (July 26, 2025): Cincinnati Reds 6, Tampa Bay Rays 2
• Game 3 (July 27, 2025): Cincinnati Reds 2, Tampa Bay Rays 1

Cincinnati’s dominance propelled them to a season-high six games over .500 (56–50), inching closer to the NL’s final wild-card berth, while Tampa Bay slipped to 53–53 amid a 10-of-13 skid.

Game 1: Cincinnati Reds 7, Tampa Bay Rays 2 (July 25, 2025)

Game Summary

The Cincinnati Reds jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 7–2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on July 25, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, kicking off the series with authority. Tyler Stephenson belted a three-run homer in the first and added a key single later, while Nick Martinez delivered five innings of one-run ball. The Reds stranded eight runners but went 5-for-17 with RISP, exploiting two Rays errors. Attendance: 30,110; game time: 2:47.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• Tyler Stephenson (C): 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. Stephenson’s first-inning three-run homer off Zack Littell gave the Reds a 3–0 lead; his seventh-inning bases-loaded single made it 7–1.
• Elly De La Cruz (SS): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. De La Cruz’s third-inning single plated a run, extending the edge to 4–0.
• Spencer Steer (1B): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO. Steer’s fourth-inning double scored the fifth run.
• Jonathan India (2B): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. India’s first-inning walk set up Stephenson’s blast.
• Nick Martinez (P, Win 5–6): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO, 78 pitches (3.92 ERA). Martinez escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth.
• Inactives: Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back, IL).

Team Stats: 10 H, 1 HR, 14 TB, 8 LOB, 0 E, 7 R (7 ER), 7 H allowed, 2 R allowed (2 ER), 0 HR allowed. Reds capitalized on 2 Rays errors for unearned runs, finishing 5-for-17 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Tampa Bay Rays

• Junior Caminero (3B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Caminero’s fifth-inning single scored the lone Rays run.
• Yandy Díaz (1B): 1-for-3, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. Díaz singled in the third but was stranded.
• Zack Littell (P, Loss 7–8): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO, 92 pitches (4.20 ERA). Littell surrendered Stephenson’s homer and a bases-loaded walk in the first.
• Inactives: Alex Faedo (shoulder, IL).

Team Stats: 7 H, 0 HR, 7 TB, 7 LOB, 2 E, 2 R (2 ER), 10 H allowed, 7 R allowed (7 ER), 1 HR allowed. Rays went 1-for-8 with RISP, plagued by errors.

Critical Moments

• Bottom 1st (CIN 3, TB 0): Stephenson’s three-run homer after two walks and a single off Littell set the tone.
• Bottom 3rd (CIN 4, TB 0): De La Cruz’s RBI single followed by a wild pitch scored another.
• Bottom 4th (CIN 5, TB 0): Steer’s double plated the fifth run off Littell.
• Top 5th (CIN 5, TB 1): Caminero’s single scored on a groundout, but Martinez escaped bases loaded.

Game 2: Cincinnati Reds 6, Tampa Bay Rays 2 (July 26, 2025)

Game Summary

The Cincinnati Reds broke a 2–2 tie with four runs in the seventh to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 6–2 on July 26, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, extending their home win streak to 16 of 22. Elly De La Cruz’s two-run single highlighted the rally, while Andrew Abbott tossed six innings of two-run ball. Rays shortstop Taylor Walls’ sixth-inning error opened the door for two unearned runs. Attendance: 39,848; game time: 2:40.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• Elly De La Cruz (SS): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 SB. De La Cruz’s seventh-inning two-run single off Garrett Cleavinger put the Reds ahead 4–2.
• Will Benson (LF): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Benson’s seventh-inning single added an insurance run.
• Austin Hays (RF): 1-for-4, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO. Hays’ sixth-inning grounder through Walls’ glove scored two unearned runs.
• Andrew Abbott (P, Win 8–1): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 HR, 1 BB, 6 SO, 85 pitches (2.78 ERA). Abbott allowed one earned run or fewer in his 14th of 17 starts.
• Inactives: Jeimer Candelario (back, IL).

Team Stats: 9 H, 0 HR, 10 TB, 6 LOB, 0 E, 6 R (4 ER), 5 H allowed, 2 R allowed (2 ER), 0 HR allowed. Reds went 3-for-10 with RISP, benefiting from Rays’ fielding woes.

Key Player Stats: Tampa Bay Rays

• Christopher Morel (DH): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Morel’s fourth-inning single scored the first run.
• Taylor Walls (SS): 0-for-3, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 E. Walls’ sixth-inning error allowed two unearned runs.
• Ryan Pepiot (P): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO, 88 pitches (4.00 ERA). Pepiot, a Reds fan from Indiana, allowed no earned runs in his first matchup against Cincinnati.
• Garrett Cleavinger (P, Loss 3–2): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO, 25 pitches. Cleavinger yielded the go-ahead rally.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 5 H, 1 HR, 8 TB, 5 LOB, 1 E, 2 R (2 ER), 9 H allowed, 6 R allowed (4 ER), 0 HR allowed. Rays stranded 5 in scoring position.

Critical Moments

• Top 4th (TB 1, CIN 0): Morel’s single scored the opener off Abbott.
• Bottom 6th (CIN 2, TB 1): Walls’ error on Hays’ grounder allowed two unearned runs for a 2–1 lead.
• Bottom 7th (CIN 6, TB 2): Bases loaded; De La Cruz’s two-run single and Benson’s RBI single broke it open off Cleavinger.
• Top 8th (CIN 6, TB 2): Rays added a run on a groundout, but the bullpen held firm.

Game 3: Cincinnati Reds 2, Tampa Bay Rays 1 (July 27, 2025)

Game Summary

Brady Singer carried a shutout into the eighth as the Cincinnati Reds edged the Tampa Bay Rays 2–1 on July 27, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, completing the sweep and marking their fourth consecutive win. Matt McLain and Austin Hays executed a double steal in the fifth, with McLain scoring the go-ahead run. Shane Baz labored through five innings, allowing two runs. Attendance: 28,456; game time: 2:25.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• Matt McLain (2B): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. McLain’s fifth-inning double steal and score on Gavin Lux’s groundout provided the 2–0 lead.
• Austin Hays (RF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO. Hays swiped second in the double steal with McLain.
• Brady Singer (P, Win 7–8): 7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 HR, 1 BB, 7 SO, 98 pitches (4.84 ERA). Singer permitted a leadoff single in the eighth but induced a steal out and groundout.
• Jose Trevino (C): 0-for-2, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO (defensive). Trevino gunned down Chandler Simpson trying to steal in the eighth.
• Inactives: Noelvi Marte (side, IL).

Team Stats: 5 H, 0 HR, 6 TB, 5 LOB, 0 E, 2 R (2 ER), 3 H allowed, 1 R allowed (1 ER), 0 HR allowed. Reds were efficient, going 1-for-4 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Tampa Bay Rays

• Chandler Simpson (CF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO. Simpson’s eighth-inning leadoff single scored the lone run on a groundout.
• Taylor Walls (SS): 1-for-3, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Walls singled in the third but was erased on a double play.
• Shane Baz (P, Loss 8–6): 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, 82 pitches (4.66 ERA). Baz yielded two runs in his fourth straight loss.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 3 H, 0 HR, 3 TB, 3 LOB, 0 E, 1 R (1 ER), 5 H allowed, 2 R allowed (2 ER), 0 HR allowed. Rays managed just three hits, 0-for-3 with RISP.

Critical Moments

• Bottom 5th (CIN 2, TB 0): McLain and Hays’ double steal, followed by Lux’s groundout, scored the go-ahead run off Baz.
• Top 8th (CIN 2, TB 1): Simpson’s leadoff single scored on a groundout, but Trevino threw out the potential tying run at second.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Reds and Rays have split 20 meetings since 2000 (10–10), with Cincinnati holding a 4–2 edge in recent years. In 2025, the Reds’ 3–0 sweep featured a .278 team batting average to Tampa Bay’s .214, and a 2.33 ERA from starters (Martinez, Abbott, Singer) versus the Rays’ 4.66. Cincinnati scored 15 runs on 24 hits, going 9-for-31 with RISP, while forcing three Rays errors. No prior postseason clashes.

In 2025, the Reds thrived on:

• Situational Hitting: 9-for-31 RISP, including De La Cruz’s clutch single (Game 2).
• Starting Pitching: 18.2 IP, 5 R (3 ER) across the trio.
• Home Defense: 0 errors, 80% double-play conversion.

The Rays struggled with:

• Road Offense: 5 runs total, .214 AVG during a 12-of-15 road skid.
• Fielding: 3 errors leading to 4 unearned Reds runs.
• Bullpen: 8.44 ERA, allowing 7 runs in 5.1 IP.

Series Standouts

Cincinnati Reds

• Elly De La Cruz: Offensive spark with 4 RBI, including the Game 2 go-ahead hit, batting .571 (4-for-7), 1 SB.
• Tyler Stephenson: Power and production with 3 RBI, 1 HR (Game 1), batting .500 (3-for-6), 1 BB.
• Andrew Abbott: Ace performance with 6.0 IP, 2 ER (Game 2), maintaining his elite form (one earned run or fewer in 14 starts).

Tampa Bay Rays

• Ryan Pepiot: Solid despite loss, 6.0 IP, 0 ER (Game 2), showcasing control with 5 SO.
• Chandler Simpson: Speed threat with a key eighth-inning run (Game 3), batting .333 (1-for-3).
• Shane Baz: Competitive in defeat, 5.0 IP, 2 ER (Game 3), but extended his skid.

Team Performance Context

Cincinnati Reds (56–50 by July 27)

The Reds surged to six games over .500 after the sweep, one game behind San Diego for the NL’s third wild-card spot with a 16-of-22 home record post a slow 15–16 start. Offense averaged 5.0 RPG in the series, driven by De La Cruz (.444 season AVG) and Stephenson; staff ERA dipped to 3.50 at home. Recent 9–4 stretch included this sweep.

Tampa Bay Rays (53–53 by July 27)

The Rays fell to .500, fourth in the AL East, losers of four straight and 10-of-13 overall, including six road defeats. Offense lagged at 1.7 RPG in the series (4.8 season), hampered by injuries; rotation ERA ballooned to 4.50 on the road. Interleague mark: 18–11 pre-series.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Cincinnati Reds: Jeimer Candelario (back) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) on IL; Noelvi Marte (side) sidelined. Hunter Greene (groin) rehabbing, unavailable. Austin Hays active despite recent back spasms.

• Tampa Bay Rays: Alex Faedo (shoulder, 60-day IL). Full rotation available, but bullpen taxed by recent losses.

Conclusion

The Cincinnati Reds swept the Tampa Bay Rays 3–0 in their 2025 MLB series, winning 7–2 on July 25, 6–2 on July 26, and 2–1 on July 27. Elly De La Cruz’s clutch hitting, Tyler Stephenson’s power, and dominant starting pitching from Nick Martinez, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer fueled the shutout effort into the eighth of Game 3, while Rays’ errors and road woes proved costly. The sweep boosted Cincinnati’s wild-card hopes and exposed Tampa Bay’s inconsistencies. For complete box scores and video highlights, refer to ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com, or CBSSports.com.

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