Martinez went on to say the trade deadline was motivation for the 2025 Reds, who stood at 54-50 after Friday's victory and one game back of the San Diego Padres for the third National League Wild Card.

The Reds' hat was blue with a red wishbone "C" intended to call upon Reds uniforms from 1947-54, according to multiple reports. The Rays wore a black hat that contrasted against the navy uniform tops they wore on Saturday. The front of the cap featured Tampa's original "TB" logo from their 1998 expansion season.

There's belief around MLB that the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds should be among the teams looking to make major additions ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.

"One rival executive proclaimed the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants should be aggressive buyers," Rosenthal wrote, "saying it's 'open season' on the third NL wild card because of the San Diego Padres' uncertain hold on the position."

Trade Deadline winds are blowing stronger with moves starting to happen around Major League Baseball the past couple of days. For the Reds, the time is ripe for catching a breeze to both stay in the postseason hunt and position themselves for dealing before Thursday.

The Reds activated relief pitcher Scott Barlow from the paternity list on Saturday and sent rookie right-hander Luis Mey back down to Triple-A Louisville. Barlow, who went on the paternity list on Friday, missed just one game.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona has coaxed significantly better performance in his first year with every team he's managed.

Tyler Stephenson homered and drove in three runs and Nick Martinez struck out five in five innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2.

Six games were played on Friday for the Cincinnati Reds Minor League affiliates. Here is how their top prospects performed: Louisville Bats (44-56) Won 6-5 Hector Rodriguez went 3-4 with a double, a walk,

The Cincinnati Reds were right to be concerned about Carson Spiers, who is likely heading for surgery and will miss the rest of this season, and more.

Workers have some finishing touches to put on the field inside the racetrack at Bristol Motor Speedway, where officials are expecting a record crowd to watch the Cincinnati Reds play the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Speedway Classic next Saturday.