Reds Eye Momentum Shift as Struggling Nationals Await With Trade Deadline Approaching
Time to close the gap and make a statement!
By Wick Terrell @wickterrell | July 21, 2025, 11:52 AM EDT
As the trade deadline draws near, the Cincinnati Reds head into Washington, D.C. with a golden opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race by taking on a Nationals team that has completely lost its footing.
Here’s why, on paper, the Reds are in prime position to dominate this three-game set:
Washington sits dead last in the NL East with a bleak 39-60 record
The Nats have dropped 10 of their last 12 games
They were routed 8-1 by the Padres on Sunday, burning 6.2 innings of bullpen work in the loss
Ace MacKenzie Gore was lit up for five runs in just 2.1 innings Sunday, meaning the Reds will avoid facing him this series
And yes, the Reds might just be the best team ever (or at least they’re playing like it right now)
Fresh off a series win over the Mets in New York, the Reds are riding high, reclaiming 3rd place in the NL Central while vaulting ahead of the Cardinals in both the division and Wild Card standings. They now sit tied with the Giants, just 2.5 games behind San Diego for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
With the deadline looming, this series feels critical. The Reds are rolling when it matters most and are making a strong case to be trade deadline buyers.
Cincinnati will send Brady Singer to the mound for Monday’s opener, followed by hard-throwing rookie Chase Burns on Tuesday, and lefty Nick Lodolo on Wednesday for the series finale. Afterward, the Reds return to Great American Ball Park for a crucial 9-game homestand against the Rays, Dodgers, and Braves—a stretch that could define their season and reshape the perception of this front office for years to come.
Beating a struggling Nationals squad this week would help remove any lingering doubt: the Reds are here to contend.
