Sal

Stewart

Stewart smacked a two-RBI double in the first inning off Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy to put the Reds up 2-0. He would later come around to score on an RBI single by Eugenio Suárez. Stewart is slashing .327/.422/.527 in his last 15 games, but the homers haven’t been there for the 22-year-old slugger. He’s hit just three bombs since May and is still looking for his first long ball in June.

No surprise with crafty southpaw Martín Pérez toeing the rubber for Atlanta. Lowe will open this contest on the bench with Sal Stewart getting a turn at DH and Spencer Steer at first base. The 30-year-old veteran has been on a tear with three homers in his five games. He’s gone deep nine times over his last 30 games while hitting .293 (29-for-99) during that span. There are times where Cincinnati will keep him on the bench, mostly against left-handed starters, but Lowe has shown enough over-the-fence pop that he needs to be rostered in deeper fantasy leagues as a viable corner infield option.

Suárez makes his return to Cincinnati’s lineup after being activated from the injured list prior to Friday’s rainout. The 34-year-old veteran slugger wound up missing nearly one month recovering from a low-grade left oblique strain. His presence will provide a lift for the rest of the Reds lineup as he’ll serve as much-needed protection behind middle-of-the-order threats like Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart.

Stewart also had the defensive play of the game, crashing into the rail of the third base camera well while catching a foul popup from Bryson Stott in the second. Stewart went 7-for-12 with two homers and no strikeouts during the three-game series against the Phillies, and his OPS is back up to .856 for the year.

As a result of his recent struggles, Stewart was dropped from third to fifth in the Reds lineup on Sunday, but it figures to be a temporary measure. His xwOBA was already trending back up some coming into tonight, and he’s back up to tied for 10th in the majors with 32 RBI. He’s eighth with his 24 barrels, which have led to 11 homers. He remains a strong bet going forward.

Stewart had a big game on Tuesday night as he looks to break out of his cold stretch. However, what’s more important here is that this could be a pathway to future playing time for him and the Reds. With Eugenio Suarez (oblique) nearing a return and Nathaniel Lowe hitting well, Stewart could see more time at third base when everybody is healthy at the expense of Ke’Bryan Hayes’ playing time.

Stewart scored on an error in the fourth inning and on a single in the ninth inning with the game well in hand already. He now has a five-game hitting streak after a rough stretch. Stewart is hitting .256 with 10 home runs, 25 runs, 30 RBI and eight stolen bases.

Stewart now has some extra eligibility and value in a bunch of leagues. The Reds have Matt McLain at shortstop and Elly De La Cruz at DH today. Spencer Steer is playing first base,

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.