- The 2024 World Series was a major moment in baseball, and while the Cincinnati Reds were certainly a team with high hopes, they ultimately did not emerge as the champions. Their failure to claim the title was a story. of promise, heartbreak, and missed opportunities—a tale that both fans and analysts alike will dissect for years to come.
The Reds’ 2024 Season: A Promising Rise
The Reds entered the 2024 season with an undercurrent of optimism, a refreshing change after years of mediocrity and rebuilding. Their roster, a blend of emerging young stars and a few seasoned veterans, had caught the attention of the league. The centerpiece of the Reds’ revival was their young core, most notably players like Elly De La Cruz, Jonathan India, and the towering slugger, Matt McLain. These players not only brought excitement but were also poised to elevate the Reds from a rebuilding franchise to a legitimate contender.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff had been a weak spot in recent seasons, but in 2024, they made considerable strides. The addition of veteran arms bolstered their rotation, while younger pitchers like Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo took on larger roles. By midseason, the Reds were contenders in the National League Central, and they held their ground throughout the summer, staying competitive with the top teams in the divisiRoad to the World Series: A Solid Postseason Performance
The Reds’ playoff run began in earnest with a tightly contested division race, where they fought off both the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central. Their offense, powered by youthful exuberance and some timely veteran leadership, was among the best in the league, and their pitching rotation, while not flawless, had grown increasingly dependable.
Their efforts were rewarded with a wild card berth, and they quickly set their sights on the postseason. In the NLDS, the Reds faced the Atlanta Braves, a team that had been dominant in the regular season. In a series that was expected to be a David vs. Goliath matchup, the Reds shocked the Braves with a gritty, come-from-behind win. Their bats came alive at the right moment, and their pitchers, despite some shaky outings, found ways to make key outs. It was a statement win, showing the league that the Reds were no longer just an upstart—they were a force to be reckoned with.
In the NLCS, the Reds faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, another juggernaut that had dominated the National League for years. This series, unlike the one with the Braves, proved to be a much stiffer test. The Dodgers had a lineup loaded with power hitters and an elite pitching staff, and it was evident early that the Reds would have to play nearly perfect baseball to compete. The Reds fought valiantly, with De La Cruz emerging as a postseason hero, showcasing his remarkable speed and power. But, despite their best efforts, the Reds fell short in a hard-fought seven-game seThe 2024 World Series: A Hard-Learned Lesson
Although they had come up just short in the NLCS, the Reds were not done yet. Their resilience earned them a second chance at the World Series, a feat few had expected after their rocky start to the 2020s. The American League representatives were the Houston Astros, a team that had been no stranger to postseason glory over the last several years. With an experienced roster and a postseason pedigree, the Astros were a formidable opponent.
Game 1 set the tone for the series: the Astros’ pitching staff dominated, shutting down the Reds’ high-powered offense. The Reds’ young bats seemed overwhelmed at times, particularly by Houston’s ace, Framber Valdez, who silenced the Reds’ lineup in a masterful performance. Game 2 showed some life from Cincinnati, with De La Cruz and India delivering timely hits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a late Astros rally.
By the time the series shifted to Cincinnati for Games 3 and 4, the Reds were already facing a daunting 2-0 deficit. Their offense continued to struggle against the Astros’ pitching, and the Reds’ pitching, which had been solid throughout the regular season and earlier rounds, began to falter under the immense pressure. Hunter Greene, who had been exceptional throughout the postseason, struggled in Game 3, giving up several key hits to Houston’s powerful lineup.
The Reds’ pitching staff, which had been a strength in their playoff push, seemed worn down by the grueling schedule and the elite hitting of the Astros. Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft both showed flashes of brilliance, but they lacked the consistency needed to shut down the Astros’ offense. Despite a few bright moments—most notably a clutch home run by McLain and a couple of standout defensive plays from India—the Reds’ pitching staff simply couldn’t hold up against Houston’s relentless attack.
Key Missed Opportunities
One of the defining aspects of the 2024 World Series was Cincinnati’s inability to capitalize on key opportunities. Their offense, while potent throughout the regular season and even in earlier postseason rounds, was silenced by Houston’s elite pitching. In pivotal moments, the Reds’ young hitters failed to deliver, stranding runners in scoring position and falling victim to strikeouts.
The Reds’ defensive mistakes, though fewer than some might expect, also played a significant role in their downfall. In a pivotal Game 4, a costly throwing error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz in the sixth inning allowed the Astros to score an unearned run that would prove to be the difference. While De La Cruz’s defensive prowess had been an asset throughout the regular season, the error in the World Series was a reminder of the pressure and the stakes of October baseball.
Meanwhile, Reds manager David Bell was criticized for some of his late-game decisions, particularly his handling of the bullpen. While he had navigated the playoffs with a steady hand, his decision to go to certain pitchers in high-leverage situations backfired. The bullpen, which had been a strength during the season, couldn’t stem the tide when the Astros seized momentum in the later innings of several games.
Reflection and Hope for the Future
While the 2024 World Series ended in disappointment for the Reds, it was far from a failure. The experience, though painful, provided valuable lessons for the young players on the roster. The Reds had proven that they were on the right track and that they were capable of contending with the league’s elite teams. Their future looked bright, with a core of young stars who had already shown they could perform on baseball’s biggest stage.
For Reds fans, the 2024 World Series will remain a bittersweet memory. The taste of being so close, yet falling short, will linger for a while. But for many, the pain of losing will be tempered by the knowledge that their team is not far from greatness. The Reds’ 2024 season was a reminder that baseball, in all its glory and heartbreak, can be a game of inches, and that success often comes down to executing in key moments. As the team looks toward the future, the hope is that the lessons learned in 2024 will fuel their drive to finally reach the pinnacle of the sport in the seasons to come.
