Matt McLain Shines Despite Reds’ Loss in Postseason Debut

LOS ANGELES – In his postseason debut, Matt McLain showcased the talent the Cincinnati Reds anticipated throughout 2025. On September 30, McLain stood out as the only Reds player to record multiple hits during their 10-5 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

“I was kind of proud of him last night. He jumped on a first-pitch fastball, pulled it for the double,” Reds manager Terry Francona said after the game. “He’s had a lot thrown at him this year, like our whole team has, but he never quit. He didn’t pout. Played defense. Probably our best base runner.”

Francona emphasized the importance of patience with players like McLain. “There’s a reason you stay with guys. He wasn’t throwing (expletives) in the dugout. Just handled it, and there’s a better player than what his end-of-the-year numbers are gonna be,” he added.

At 26 years old, McLain played 147 games in 2025 after missing all of 2024 due to a shoulder injury. He ended the regular season with a .220 batting average and a .643 OPS, a significant drop from his impressive .290 average and .864 OPS in 89 games in 2023. The Reds are looking for more from McLain moving forward.

“It’ll always be that way,” McLain said, recognizing the pressure on him after a challenging year. He is aware that expectations are high as he continues his journey in the big leagues. However, Francona remains optimistic about McLain’s potential.”Sometimes with shoulders, and a year of development, it’s just not as easy as you want it to be,” Francona said.