The Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a must-win situation as they face the Washington Nationals in Game 44 of the season at 12:40 PM ET. After a disastrous start to this series, the Reds are desperately hoping to salvage a game before heading home. Young pitcher Chase Burns takes the mound, tasked with stopping the bleeding after two consecutive losses that have left the team reeling.

Wednesday’s collapse was particularly brutal—the Reds blew a commanding 5-run lead in a late-inning debacle that has fans shaking their heads. Now sitting at 22-21, just one game over .500, Cincinnati is feeling the pressure. A loss today would not only deepen their slump but also raise serious questions about a season that started with so much promise and energy.

Standing in their way is Nationals lefty Foster Griffin, who has been impressive this season. This is bad news for a Reds offense that has struggled mightily against southpaws. Cincinnati’s lineup has posted an 84 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, ranking just 23rd in the league. Even more concerning is their .196 batting average in those matchups—the worst in all of baseball. The team will need to adjust their approach quickly if they hope to crack Griffin’s game plan.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 PM ET, and both clubs have announced their starting lineups. For the Reds, this is more than just another regular-season game—it’s a chance to prove they can bounce back from adversity and keep their early-season momentum alive. Whether they can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: every pitch will matter in this afternoon showdown.