Ke'Bryan

Hayes

Crow-Armstong (center field), Ian Happ (left field) and Nico Hoerner (second base) made it three Gold Glove winners for the Cubs. Also chosen were Logan Webb (pitcher), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Matt Olson (first base), Ke’Bryan Hayes (third base), Masyn Winn (shortstop), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field) and Javier Sanoja (utilityman). Those seem like all of the right choices for the most part, though we’re once again seeing there’s just no reason for there to be a utilityman Gold Glove handed out every year.

Stewart will get an opportunity in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup to face Dodgers co-ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto after coming off the bench during the late stages of Tuesday’s series opener. The 21-year-old top prospect adds some serious thunder to the middle of the order in a win-or-go-home spot for the Reds after homering five times in 18 regular-season contests after being called up in early September. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Spencer Steer (LF), Gavin Lux (DH), Austin Hays (RF), Stewart (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Hays missed seven consecutive games to close out the regular season due to back spasms. The 30-year-old corner outfielder is back in left field and batting cleanup against lefty Blake Snell on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Noelvi Marte (RF), Miguel Andujar (DH), Hays (LF), Spencer Steer (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Stewart takes a seat for the second consecutive contest after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts during Thursday’s series opener against the Cubs. It’ll be Spencer Steer at the cold corner with defensive standout Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base. The 21-year-old top prospect has homered four times in 14 games since arriving in the big leagues earlier this month.

Hayes, 28, missed two games with a back ailment. The 28-year-old is ready to roll against Shota Imanaga and the Chicago bullpen.

Hayes was also going to sit Monday, but he was inserted into the lineup then after Spencer Steer with scratched. Now, Steer is back at first base for a second straight day, putting Sal Stewart at third and Hayes on the bench. Hayes batted a solid .281/.353/.421 in 38 games to begin his Reds career, but he’s gone hitless in four straight contests, which is probably factoring into the loss of playing time.

Steer has been out since last Friday and recently went to a chiropractor to get an adjustment for his troublesome neck. Apparently, medical school works wonders because Steer is back in the lineup on Wednesday. Sal Stewart will shift from first base to third base, and Ke’Bryan Hayes will have the day off.

Sal Stewart takes over at first base with Ke’Bryan Hayes entering the lineup to handle the hot corner. Steer is presumably day-to-day for now. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

In something of a surprise, Stewart’s debut came as a first baseman at the expense of Spencer Steer. He had played that position just twice in the minors, compared to 90 games at third and 17 at second. Stewart singled in his first at-bat and then struck out and grounded out before Steer replaced him for defense. A couple of other candidates to lose playing time to Stewart, Ke’Bryan Hayes (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Matt McLain (1-for-3, BB) both had nice games today, so we’ll be curious to see who Stewart starts for tomorrow, assuming that he starts at all.

It wasn’t enough to finally halt the Brewers’ winning streak, but it was a strong showing for Hayes, who pulled his homer 388 feet to left and then went the other way off Trevor Megill for his double, which was kicked over the wall in right by Sal Frelick. Hayes has two homers in 15 games for the Reds, matching his total in 100 games for the Pirates. Still, he’s not really tearing it up at .234/.280/.404 for his new team.