Matt

McLain

McLain started four games at shortstop last year, and he did play four innings there earlier this season. McLain is also batting second against a lefty today after hitting eighth and ninth against righties in his previous three starts.

The Reds have finally dropped McLain, who hit ninth on Sunday against the Pirates, to the bottom of the order after slashing an underwhelming .195/.308/.293 with two homers and five steals in his first 35 games. It’ll be red-hot JJ Bleday, who has homered three times in seven games since coming up from Triple-A Louisville, getting an opportunity to bat second behind leadoff man TJ Friedl.

Stewart gets the nod at the keystone over Matt McLain for the second time in the last three games. The 22-year-old rookie is up to four appearances there already this season. Stewart gaining some additional positional versatility would be an added bonus for fantasy managers given how well he’s performed already this season.

It’s a routine off day for McLain with Reds manager Terry Francona moving Sal Stewart to second base to get Nathaniel Lowe into the lineup at DH to face Pirates righty Carmen Mlodzinski. JJ Bleday has been bumped up to the second spot in the order with McLain on the bench.

McLain victimized Tigers’ left-hander Framber Valdez for a 421-foot (106.8 mph EV) two-run shot in the fifth inning to get the Reds on the board. Then after a lengthy rain delay, he walloped a 419-foot (106.3 mph EV) two-run shot off of Will Vest that tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh inning. The dynamic 26-year-old also drew a walk in the ballgame, finishing the night 2-for-4. He’s now hitting .213/.339/.330 with two homers, eight RBI and four stolen bases through his first 112 plate appearances on the season.

Matt McLain, who is off to a brutal start hitting .183 (13-for-71) with three extra-base hits and three steals in 20 games, takes a seat with Stewart getting a look at second base for the second time this season. Nathaniel Lowe gets into the lineup at the cold corner. It’s far too early for Cincinnati to consider any significant changes, but McLain’s slow start opens the door for Stewart to see additional time at the keystone. That would be a significant development for his fantasy appeal if he gains eligibility at one of the thinnest positions in the game.

McLain takes a seat after an ice-cold 14-game stretch to open the season where he’s batted .218 (12-for-55) with zero homers, three RBI and two steals. The 26-year-old was the talk of spring training when he blasted seven homers in 18 games and looked like he was on the verge of putting everything together. Emerging star rookie Sal Stewart is at second base and batting cleanup in his place with Spencer Steer bumped up to the second spot in the order.

McLain’s sizzling-hot spring training feels like a lifetime ago. The 26-year-old second baseman stepped to the plate representing the tying run in the ninth inning and went down looking at a called third strike from Michael Petersen to end it. He’s off to a frosty start at the dish, hitting .217 (10-for-46) with zero homers and two steals through 12 games.

McLain turned a 3-2 lead for the Reds into a 5-2 cushion when he doubled for the second time in the contest to score Tyler Stephenson and Dane Meyers. The 26-year-old has driven in four runs, stolen two bases and forged a .670 OPS over the first 11 games.

McLain had three hits four times last year. He had two walks seven times. It should surprise no one that he never did both in the same game while batting .220/.300/.343 in 577 plate appearances. He did, however, reach five times on March 31, at which point no one could have guessed what kind of season he’d end up having. Hopes are high again now after McLain hit a ludicrous .509 with seven homers in 18 games this spring. He had the hardest-hit ball of today’s game, checking in at 110.5 mph on a 387-foot double, and also got up to 107.0 mph on one of his singles.