The Cincinnati Reds got out to a rough start to begin the 2023 season. Before Elly De La Cruz, before Andrew Abbott, and largely before Matt McLain, the Reds were just trying to keep their head above water, and that's what set them up to miss the postseason.

There were some bright spots. TJ Friedl got out to a scorching hot start, Jonathan India did as well, and Spencer Steer get going in May. Then came Matt McLain and things changed. But did Nick Krall call up the kids because he knew it would help the team win, or because it was time to see what the Reds had and go from there?

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Cincinnati Reds 2023 Season in three parts: The Stalled Beginning