So, you're sitting there, maybe with a coffee or just scrolling through your phone, wondering what's the score of the Cincinnati Reds game right now. Honestly, I get it. The itch for baseball never really goes away, even when the thermometer says it's definitely not "take me out to the ballgame" weather.
But here’s the thing: if you’re looking for a live score today, January 13, 2026, you aren’t going to find one. There is no game.
We are currently in the deep, quiet heart of the MLB offseason. The boys aren't in the dugout; they're probably at home or starting to pack their bags for Arizona. While it's a bummer not to have a box score to refresh, there is actually a ton of high-stakes "scoring" happening behind the scenes that basically determines whether the Reds are going to be worth watching once April rolls around.
When does the real Cincinnati Reds score matter again?
Basically, we have a few weeks of waiting left. If you're looking for the next time a Cincinnati Reds score actually shows up on a Jumbotron, mark your calendar for February 21, 2026. That’s the Cactus League opener. The Reds will be taking on the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona.
Sure, spring training scores are mostly meaningless for the standings, but for guys like Elly De La Cruz or Matt McLain, those innings are everything.
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Key Dates for your 2026 Calendar
- January 16–17, 2026: Redsfest. This is the big one for fans in Cincinnati. If you want to meet the players and get the vibe of the team before the season starts, this is where it happens.
- Mid-February 2026: Pitchers and catchers report. This is the "spiritual" start of the season.
- February 21, 2026: First Spring Training game (vs. Guardians).
- March 26, 2026: Opening Day. The Reds open the regular season at Great American Ball Park against the Boston Red Sox. That’s the first game that truly counts toward the quest for October.
The "Score" that happened this week: The Arbitration Battle
Even though nobody is hitting home runs today, the front office just finished a massive "game" of their own. Last week, specifically on January 8 and 9, the Reds had to settle up with their players to avoid messy salary arbitration hearings. Think of it as a financial scoreboard.
The Reds actually "won" a lot of these negotiations by reaching agreements early. They locked in one-year deals with eight key players. If you care about the roster, these numbers matter because they tell you who the team views as their core:
- Brady Singer: $12.75 million (The big ticket for the rotation).
- Gavin Lux: $5.525 million (The versatile infielder acquired from the Dodgers).
- Nick Lodolo: $4.725 million.
- Spencer Steer: $4 million.
- TJ Friedl: $3.8 million.
The only two who didn't settle? Reliever Graham Ashcraft and catcher Tyler Stephenson. They’re still haggling over a few hundred thousand dollars. It’s a bit of a stalemate, but usually, these things get smoothed over before a judge has to get involved.
Why the "score" of the Reds TV deal is still 0-0
There is one other "game" going on that is arguably more important than the actual baseball: how the heck are we going to watch the games this year?
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If you've been following the news, you've probably heard that the Reds (along with the Cardinals, Brewers, and a bunch of other teams) officially canceled their contract with FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) for the 2026 season. This just happened a couple of days ago, around January 11 or 12.
Basically, the network missed payments, and the teams said, "We're out." Commissioner Rob Manfred has promised that fans will be able to see the games, likely through a direct-to-consumer streaming service provided by MLB itself. So, while the "score" of the TV rights drama is currently a mess, the goal is a 2026 season with no local blackouts. Imagine that.
What experts are saying about the 2026 Reds
If we’re looking at the "projected score" for the upcoming season, the analytical community is a bit split. Over at Redleg Nation, they recently dug into the 2026 projections from "The BAT" (a popular projection system).
The news? The pitching looks solid. The rotation, anchored by guys like Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene, is expected to be a top-half unit. However, the offense is a giant question mark. Outside of Elly De La Cruz—who is projected to be a 3.8 WAR All-Star caliber player—the bats are looking a little thin.
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They’ve been busy in the minor league market too. Just a few days ago, on January 11, the Reds signed a handful of guys to minor league deals, including relievers Justin Staumont and Hobie Danner. These aren't "headline" moves, but they’re the kind of depth pieces that save your season when your closer’s arm starts barking in July.
How to stay updated on the Reds score
Since you won't find a live game today, your best bet is to follow the roster moves. The "score" right now is measured in transactions and health reports.
- Check the Transaction Wire: Use sites like MLB.com or CBS Sports to see if they've added that much-needed veteran bat.
- Follow Redsfest: Keep an eye on social media this coming weekend (Jan 16-17). You’ll get a lot of quotes from players about their off-season training and who looks "in the best shape of their life."
- Watch the TV Rights News: This is the boring stuff that actually matters. If MLB launches its own streaming app for the Reds, you'll want to be the first to know so you don't miss Opening Day.
While there’s no score of the Cincinnati Reds game to report this Tuesday, the foundation for the 2026 season is being poured right now. The moves made this January will be the difference between a 90-win season and another year of "wait until next year."
Start by checking your local ticket availability for the March 26 home opener against Boston. Prices for the opener are already starting to climb on secondary markets, so if you want to be there for the first real score of the year, now is the time to look.