Reds backup infielder Alex Blandino talked about his go-ahead double during the eighth inning of Monday's 5-3 comeback win over the White Sox and how he's adjusted to his role as primarily a pinch hitter. The Enquirer/Bobby Nightengale


The Cincinnati Reds' success since a nightmarish 3-18 start to the season has a Sports Illustrated writer considering positioning himself for "a mid-2019 bandwagon hop."

"You've got to give this team a lot of credit for performing as well as it is right now," writes's Kenny Ducey on the Reds in his NL Central Midseason Report Card.

More from Ducey on the Reds:

It's astounding that Scooter Gennett—a baseball player named Scooter, who had an OPS+ of 84 in 2015—is going to fetch Cincinnati nice prospect package. You can't deny the momentum this team has right now, closing out the first half with some momentous wins, but you also can’t deny that they’re ultimately stuck in a rebuild and will sell at the deadline.

It won’t be long until they're contending. Eugenio Suarez is a legitimate centerpiece, Scott Schebler and Jesse Winker can flat-out hit, and there are an abundance of of exciting young arms on the roster. It's been a lot of fun to watch this team when it's going good.

Grade: B-

Gennett gained ground - moving into second place at second base - in the most recent All-Star balloting update on Monday.
