​I’m unsure whether the Cincinnati Reds have a season that can be salvaged, but if any revival is possible, it will likely rely on a handful of standout stars, led by Chase Burns. The electrifying 23-year-old has already posted an impressive 4.3 bWAR through the team’s first 90 games of the 2026 campaign, showcasing a blazing 99 mph fastball paired with a slider that breaks with the same sharpness and deception that has left hitters guessing. Despite Cincinnati’s currently strugglesome 41-49 record, Burns has gone 10-1, a testament to his role as a stabilizing force and the stopper the Reds need, even as the rest of the lineup has not been able to provide consistent support.
Burns is slated to start for the Reds on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park, the second game of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The series has already seen one ace dominate, as Zack Wheeler overwhelmed Cincinnati’s hitters in Tuesday night’s 4-1 Phillies victory. The Reds are counting on Burns to flip the script and return the favor in Wednesday’s matchup. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM ET, with the game broadcast on ESPN, and Burns’ appearance will mark the final scheduled start before the All-Star break. This outing represents a critical moment for Burns and the Reds, offering a chance to recapture momentum and perhaps set the stage for a late-season surge.
As Burns takes the mound, the narrative remains focused on his extraordinary talent and the potential ripple effect his performance could have on the Reds’ overall postseason aspirations. If Burns can deliver another dominant outing, it could energize a club starved for late-season optimism and provide a blueprint for how Cincinnati might bridge the gap to a more competitive stretch run. The All-Star break looms as a natural pause to reassess the rotation, lineup, and strategy, but Burns’ continued success will be a central storyline to watch as the Reds attempt to salvage a campaign that has not gone as hoped. For fans and analysts alike, Burns’ next start is more than a single game; it’s a barometer of whether the Reds can still rally around their brightest young star and build a foundation for a meaningful finish to 2026.