The momentum could be felt building and David Bell finally pulled the trigger with today’s line-up, putting second baseman Jonathan India at the top of the Cincinnati Reds batting order. Eugenio Suarez had previously taken the lead in nine of the last 10 games.
India has been playing exceptionally well lately. After injuries to Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas and Nick Senzel, the three infielders left their daily routine and India received significantly more playing time. More recently, Max Schrock was placed on the 10-day IL, which meant Bell had no choice but to take India onto the field as the Reds’ daily second baseman.
Jonathan India will take the lead for the Reds today.
Jonathan India got into major leagues this season and was the Cincinnati Reds who started the second baseman early in the 2021 season. The lack of production after a scorching start resulted in fewer and fewer records showing up in India. It almost felt like a return to the smaller leagues was imminent.
Then Joey Votto broke his thumb, Mike Moustakas suffered a heel injury, and Nick Senzel landed on the 10-day IL with a knee infection. Senzel is said to be absent for several weeks after an arthroscopic operation.
India has been the Reds’ biggest hitter lately. Affectionately known as the Red Sparrow by some fans across Reds Country, India has hit 0.444 / 0.565 / 0.667 in the last seven games. While Nick Castellanos has a hitting streak with the top 20 games in the league, India’s 1,232 OPS in the last seven competitions outperform the right fielder’s 1,093 OPS over the same period.
David Bell has been desperate for someone to beat Castellanos and Jesse Winker in the Cincinnati Reds lineup. We’ve seen Nick Senzel, Tyler Naquin, and most recently Eugenio Suarez try to get the first punch in the Cincinnati punch order.
This will be the first time Jonathan India has scored the first goal in the Reds line-up. The former first-round pick has usually found a home in 6th, 7th or 8th place in the Cincinnati batting order. Suarez, who will play third base today, has been moved to 6th place behind catcher Tucker Barnhart.
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