Reds Manager Francona Confirms McLain Will Bat Second

Reds manager Terry Francona sticks with Matt McLain in the two-hole to start the 2026 season.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:37pm

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After admitting he stuck with Matt McLain in the two-hole for too long last season, Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed McLain will start the 2026 season hitting there again. Francona said he made the decision about four weeks ago, citing McLain's strong spring training performance where he's slashing .553/.605/1.105 with eight extra-base hits and five walks while only striking out four times in 43 plate appearances.

Why it matters

The Reds' lineup should be much deeper this season with the additions of Eugenio Suarez and Sal Stewart. If McLain can be at least an average offensive contributor, the Reds' offense has a chance to be significantly better than last year.

The details

Francona completely trusts McLain, saying "Obviously, I think it's our best lineup because I stuck with it so much last year." McLain is confident in his approach this spring, focusing on driving the ball the other way and not striking out. He's hitting the fastball well and being selective on breaking balls.

  • Francona made the decision about four weeks ago.
  • The 2026 season will start with McLain batting second.

The players

Terry Francona

The manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Matt McLain

The Reds' second baseman who will bat second to start the 2026 season.

Eugenio Suarez

A new addition to the Reds' lineup for the 2026 season.

Sal Stewart

Another new addition to the Reds' lineup for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“I made the decision about four weeks ago.”

— Terry Francona, Reds Manager

“It's little goals like swinging at a certain percentage of strikes in the heart of the zone early in counts. I don't want to strike out. Hitting runners with scoring position is super important.”

— Matt McLain

“Obviously, I think it's our best lineup because I stuck with it so much last year. When you're on the field and there's nothing you can't do (like McLain), that's got to be a good feeling.”

— Terry Francona, Reds Manager

“I'm drawing confidence from this spring. Little things I worked on all offseason like driving the ball the other way. Some of the approach stuff I wanted to nail, I wouldn't really know how it went until I got into at-bats. First and foremost, I'm hitting the fastball. The breaking balls, I'm taking the good ones (from pitchers) and swinging at the bad ones (from pitchers). It's as simple as that. If you build from there, you'll like what happens.”

— Matt McLain

What’s next

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The takeaway

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