Here's where Reds find themselves at halfway mark

CINCINNATI -- The Reds reached their 2022 season's midway point by playing their 81st game on Wednesday. To put it mildly, it's been one of the most challenging campaigns in the franchise's history.

An 8-3 loss in 10 innings to the Mets at Great American Ball Park meant Cincinnati dropping two of three in the series -- after being two outs away from winning it. The Reds have a National League-worst 28-53 record, their lowest win total through 81 games since having 26 wins in 1934.

A Spring Training roster purge of several veterans -- which was mandated by ownership to reduce payroll -- in addition to numerous injuries, led to a 3-22 start to the season, and the Reds have been trying to dig out of the hole since.

Looking to what may come in the second half provides a murky picture. Cincinnati is expected to be sellers ahead of the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, and more veteran players could be headed out. For those players expected to remain, there should be opportunities to provide some optimism.

Rookie starters
Graham Ashcraft pitched six innings on Wednesday and despite allowing 10 hits, the right-hander gave up only two runs with no walks and one strikeout. After nine big league starts, Ashcraft is 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA, and along with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo forms a trio that could become rotation staples for years to come.

Lodolo worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his return from the injured list during Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Mets, his fourth big league start. Greene, especially, has endured struggles this year while going 3-10 with a 6.01 ERA, but the club believes that all experience -- positive or negative -- will benefit the young pitchers.

"Getting to be here and having to throw to the best of the best, I have to sit there and you can’t take a day for granted," Ashcraft said. "I have to learn each day."

Jonathan India
It's been a rough sophomore season for the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, who is batting .204 with a .551 OPS and two homers over 30 games. India, who missed 48 games over two stints on the injured list because of a right hamstring injury, is hitless over his last 13 at-bats.

"It’s been tough mentally," India said. "But you know what? That’s a part of it. I’m going to get through it, and I know I’ll be fine at the end of the year. I’ll do what I have to do. I’ll get through it."

His tough year wasn't helped when he left Wednesday's game with a left ankle injury after being hit by a pitch in the first inning. There is time to salvage his season, however.

"He’s still a young player. There’s still a lot of growth ahead for Jonathan," Reds manager David Bell said recently.

Nick Senzel
The Reds' center fielder spent two stints on the COVID-related IL this season, but he's done something that he couldn't do in previous seasons -- avoid injuries. Staying in the lineup has certainly benefited his production. Senzel has played in 23 consecutive games, with all but one being starts.

With a two-hit game Wednesday that included a two-run homer to left in the second inning -- his second long ball in three games -- Senzel has a six-game hitting streak and is batting .442 in 13 games since June 23.

"The main thing is he’s on the field, he’s playing every day, playing a good center field, and he’s starting to get on base more consistently and become a big part of our team," Bell said of Senzel on Monday.

Tyler Stephenson
Had a fractured left thumb not put him on the IL June 9, the Reds catcher might have been their All-Star representative. Stephenson is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville but could be back this weekend to resume his first year as a regular catcher. At the time of his injury, he was leading NL catchers with a .305 average and .468 slugging percentage.

The bullpen
There is really nowhere to go but up for a group that ranks last in the Majors in ERA and opponents' batting average and second in walks allowed. Cincinnati's best reliever, rookie Alexis Díaz (2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), could be back by week's end after right biceps tendinitis put him on the IL since June 19.

Reds relievers put together a splendid 4 1/3 scoreless innings to set up Tuesday's walk-off win over the Mets.

"You see guys that believe in what they can do and keep working at it, and it’s frustrating for them," Bell said before Wednesday's game. "To have success and contribute to a win like that was really nice. They deserve it."

Later, it was back to being a downer. Hunter Strickland blew the save in the ninth inning on Starling Marte's game-tying, one-out RBI double before Dauri Moreta gave up five runs in the 10th -- including Brandon Nimmo's three-run homer.

"It wasn’t a situation where our pitchers were running away from them or walking guys or scared of the situation. They were attacking," Bell said. "You’re going to lose sometimes."