Who Won The Reds Game Today?
If you're scouring the internet looking for a final score from Great American Ball Park right now, I have some news that might be a bit of a letdown. The Cincinnati Reds did not play a game today, January 15, 2026. Honestly, nobody in Major League Baseball played today. We are currently in the thick of the offseason. The Reds won't actually take the field for a competitive game until February 21, 2026, when they kick off Spring Training against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark.
But look, just because there isn't a box score doesn't mean the Reds aren't "winning" or "losing" in other ways. The Hot Stove is practically screaming right now. Between roster projections and some minor league signings that just went down, there’s actually a lot to chew on if you’re a fan of the Redlegs.
The January Scoreboard: Roster Moves and Rumors
So, if no one won on the field, what happened?
Well, the front office has been... let's call it "quietly busy." A few days ago, the Reds signed infielder/outfielder Garrett Hampson to a minor league deal. You might remember him—he bounced around a bit last year and had a pretty rough 2025 at the plate (a 26 wRC+ is, frankly, hard to look at). But he brings that defensive versatility that manager David Bell usually loves.
They also brought in Josh Staumont on a minor league contract. Staumont, formerly of the Royals, is another arm for the pile as the team tries to solidify a bullpen that, while it added Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson earlier this winter, still feels a bit thin.
What the Experts Are Saying
Mark Sheldon over at MLB.com recently put out his projected lineup for 2026, and it's causing a bit of a stir in Cincinnati. It looks pretty familiar, which is exactly why some fans are nervous.
- CF: TJ Friedl
- RF: Noelvi Marte
- SS: Elly De La Cruz
- 1B: Spencer Steer
- DH: Sal Stewart
- LF: JJ Bleday
- C: Tyler Stephenson
- 2B: Matt McLain
- 3B: Ke'Bryan Hayes
Notice anything? It’s basically the 2025 squad but with JJ Bleday (who they got earlier this winter) and the young Sal Stewart potentially taking over the DH spot. The big "win" fans were hoping for—a massive middle-of-the-order bat—hasn't materialized yet. We saw the Reds flirt with Kyle Schwarber before he headed back to Philly, but since then? Crickets.
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Why the NL Central Odds Are Shifting
Even without a game today, the Reds' standing in the division is moving. The NL Central is kind of a mess right now, in the best way possible for a Reds fan.
The St. Louis Cardinals are effectively in a fire sale. They just sent Nolan Arenado to the Diamondbacks and earlier traded Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Red Sox. With the Cardinals retreating, the door is wide open.
Right now, FanDuel has the Reds at +390 to win the division. They’re trailing the Cubs (+125) and the Brewers (+195), but they're well ahead of the Pirates. The reason? The pitching. Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Chase Burns give Cincinnati a rotation that most teams would kill for. If the "game" today is won in the front office, the Reds are holding steady, but the Cubs are currently the ones sprinting ahead after signing Alex Bregman.
Misconceptions About the Offseason
I see people asking "who won the Reds game today" every year in mid-January. It’s usually because of two things:
- Winter Leagues: Some Reds prospects are playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League or the Dominican League. Edwin Arroyo, for instance, has been having a hot start in Puerto Rico. Technically, a "Red" won a game today, just not the Cincinnati Reds.
- College/High School Sports: Sometimes local headlines get mixed up. For example, the Parkersburg "Big Reds" (a high school team) played a big game recently against Cabell Midland. If you saw a headline saying "Big Reds Win," that was likely a girls' basketball score, not Elly De La Cruz hitting a walk-off.
What's Next for the Reds?
If you're looking for real baseball, mark your calendars.
Redsfest is happening tomorrow, January 16, and Saturday, January 17, 2026. This is usually when the team announces a surprise signing or at least gives fans a chance to see the players up close before they head to Arizona.
After that, the focus shifts to Goodyear. Pitchers and catchers report in about a month. The team is still reportedly looking for one more bullpen arm and potentially a right-handed bat. Whether they "win" the offseason depends entirely on if Nick Krall can pull off one more trade using that starting pitching depth everyone keeps talking about.
Actionable Steps for Reds Fans
Stop checking the scores and start checking the transactions.
- Follow the Trade Block: Keep an eye on names like Framber Valdez or even a potential reunion with Eugenio Suárez. The Reds have the pitching prospects to make a move if they decide to get aggressive before February.
- Check the Spring Schedule: If you're planning to see them in person, the first home game in Goodyear is February 22 against the Mariners.
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The Reds have been active with "smaller" moves like claiming INF Brujan or signing Yunior Marte. These aren't flashy, but they're the moves that provide depth when the inevitable injuries hit in May.
The Reds didn't win a game on the field today, but in the chess match of the MLB offseason, they’re still very much in the hunt for the NL Central crown. Stay tuned for Redsfest updates this weekend for the next "real" news.