Francona prioritizes elite pitching and defense, acknowledging the offense won't carry the Reds.
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona is not shying away from the truth when it comes to his team's run-scoring ability heading into the 2026 season.
In a recent appearance on 700WLW Sports Talk with Lance McAlister, Francona laid out a clear vision for how his club plans to compete this year, and it starts on the mound rather than in the batter's box.
The Reds went 83-79 in 2025 and snuck into the playoffs as the third National League Wild Card before being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, as Cincinnati looks to take the next step, Francona knows exactly what kind of team he has.
Francona Gets Real About the Lineup#
"We're not going to lead the league in runs, is my guess. That's just being honest," Francona said on the show. "But I would rather try to play with a really good pitching staff, and a team that catches the ball. Then, when you score it's meaningful. Trying to win 10-9 is really hard. You've gotta do it sometimes, but it's a hard way to play."
The comments reflect what the numbers showed last season, as the Reds' offense posted a 90 OPS+ that ranked 26th in MLB while batting just .245 as a team.
Despite playing half their games at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati finished 21st in home runs with just 167 long balls on the season.
Why Pitching Will Carry Cincinnati#
The good news for Reds fans heading into 2026 is that Francona has one of the best young rotations in baseball at his disposal.
Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer all posted ERAs below 3.40 last season, and each pitcher is 27 or younger with multiple years of team control remaining.
According to FanGraphs, only the Philadelphia Phillies had more WAR from their starting pitchers than the Reds did in 2025.
When Cincinnati starters went at least seven innings last year, the team posted a 21-3 record in those games, which shows just how dominant the staff can be when given the chance to work deep.
The rotation also has reinforcements on the way. Chase Burns, the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, is being tabbed as a potential breakout candidate after posting a 2.54 FIP in his debut last season.
Defense Matters Just as Much#
Francona's blueprint for success goes hand in hand with what he said at Redsfest this month about wanting a team that catches the ball and plays solid defense.
The Reds added Gold Glove-caliber defender Ke'Bryan Hayes at third base last year, and Noelvi Marte will get a full season in right field after showing promise at the position late in 2025.
Spencer Steer, a Gold Glove Award finalist at first base, gives Cincinnati another strong defender to pair with star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who is looking to bounce back after playing through a quad injury in the second half of last season.
What It All Means for 2026#
Francona's honest approach sets realistic expectations while also showing confidence in the team's identity.
The Reds may not be able to slug their way through the tough NL Central, but if their pitching staff stays healthy and the defense holds up, Cincinnati could be a tough out come October.
Every run will count for this team, and Francona seems just fine with that reality.