The 2025 Cincinnati Reds had a lot of fire and a lot of production from their stars. They surged into the postseason, but were cut down by the Los Angeles Dodgers before they could win a game. A year later, the Reds look even better. They're off to an incredible 18-9 start, sitting in first place in the National League Central and third place in the entire league. What's changed? “We’re more mature,” Matt McLain said, via Reds reporter Charlie Goldsmith . “More polished. Playing the game the right way. You can go 0-for-4, come up in the ninth inning and get that big hit. Up and down the lineup, you can point that out.” The Reds are 11-0 in games decided by two runs or less, including Friday night's thrilling 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers by way of a Nathaniel Lowe walk-off home run. Winning these close games comes down to the bullpen's ability to keep the score where it is and the offense's ability to pick up timely hits.…