Spring training matchups can sometimes feel like a toss-up, but this weekend’s Cactus League clash between the Reds and Athletics is quietly revealing more than meets the eye. In Game 8, Cincinnati’s Andrew Abbott kicked off his spring with a rocky start, surrendering a home run and two earned runs in just 2.0 innings. Now, he’s set to take the mound again on Sunday, this time against the Oakland Athletics—or as some jokingly call them, the Philadelphia Oakland Las Vegas Sacramento Athletics of Mesa—at their Arizona home field. It’s part of the Reds’ quirky road trip through central Arizona, a region affectionately dubbed the Land of the Endless Strip Mall. But here’s where it gets interesting: while this might look like a typical B-squad lineup, this year’s Reds reserves are anything but ordinary.
Sure, it’s not the starting roster, but consider this: Nate Lowe is batting cleanup, and the top of the order features rising talents like Will Benson, Noelvi Marte, and JJ Bleday. Even Tyler Stephenson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are rounding out the lineup, adding a layer of depth that’s hard to ignore. And this is the part most people miss—the bullpen isn’t taking a backseat either. Emilio Pagan, Connor Phillips, Brock Burke, Luis Mey, Tony Santillan, and Zach Maxwell are all on the travel roster, ensuring the relief corps is far from a B-team effort.
But here’s the controversial take: Is this lineup a sign of the Reds’ growing bench strength, or just a strategic shuffle to test younger players in low-stakes games? First pitch is at 3:05 PM ET, and while there’s no TV broadcast (again), fans can tune in via 700 WLW. As we watch this game unfold, it’s worth asking: Are we underestimating the potential of these so-called “B-squads,” or is this just another spring training experiment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this could spark some heated debates!
