Hunter Greene is making his highly anticipated return to the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching rotation on Wednesday as they wrap up a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Reds are relying on Greene’s performance to help secure a vital win in their bid to remain in wild-card contention.

Greene, who holds a 4-3 record with a 2.72 ERA this season, last pitched on June 3 before being sidelined due to a right groin injury. The injury flared up during his start against the Brewers, the same issue that previously placed him on the injured list in mid-May and caused him to miss two starts. This latest setback extended Greene’s absence to over two months, leaving the Reds without one of their top arms during a critical part of the season.

Reds Face Pressure in Wild-Card Race With Playoff Spot at Stake

Coming off a strong showing by Brady Singer, who delivered six scoreless innings in Tuesday’s 6-1 victory over Philadelphia, Cincinnati heads into the series finale eager to build momentum. The Reds currently trail the New York Mets by two games in the fight for the last National League wild-card slot, making Wednesday’s contest especially important.

Greene Reflects on Personal Pressure and Perseverance in Recovery

Acknowledging the weight of the moment, Greene shared his perspective on the challenges he has faced returning from injury.

“I mean, I’m not oblivious to the situation that we’re in,”

Greene said.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself. Nobody’s ever going to put more pressure on me than I will myself. I mean, I’m the one that’s going through this process and going through this journey of the sport and who I am as a person and a player.”

He added,

“So, I think understanding that and being able to not lose sight of that is super important and keeping that perspective. But yeah, I mean, obviously I’m putting my best foot forward.”

Performance on Minor League Rehab Stints Shows Mixed Results

During four rehab outings in the minor leagues, including three starts for Triple-A Louisville, Greene’s form was a blend of encouraging and challenging. Over 13 innings, he allowed 10 hits and 11 runs (nine earned), struck out 24, but also surrendered four home runs, two of which came in his last appearance. His minor league stats highlight the hurdles he still faces on the road back to his peak performance.

Historically versus the Phillies, Greene has an 0-1 record with a 4.63 ERA in two major league starts, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup at Great American Ball Park.

Philadelphian Opponent Cristopher Sanchez Poised for Strong Start

The Phillies will counter with left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, carrying an 11-3 record and a 2.36 ERA this season in his 24th start. Sanchez has shown recent stellar form, winning four of his last five outings including his most recent on Friday, when he yielded just one run over six innings against the Rangers while striking out six.

In three career starts against Cincinnati, Sanchez is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA, adding intrigue to this critical final game of the series.

Key Offensive Players’ Impact on Both Teams

Cincinnati’s Miguel Andujar has been a potent bat against left-handed pitching, a major factor in his recent acquisition. Andujar homered again on Tuesday, marking his second home run in three games and boosting his season success to .412 with three homers against lefties.

For the Phillies, early offense has been elusive in recent games with their first hits often arriving late. Their manager, Rob Thomson, expressed the desire for a faster offensive start on Wednesday.

“I’d like to get something going earlier, but those are just the ebbs and flows of the season,”

Thomson said.

“You just got to grind through it, and hopefully (Wednesday) we come out and we score five in the first three.”

Implications of Wednesday’s Final Game for Reds’ Playoff Aspirations

This matchup carries significant weight for Cincinnati’s hopes of reaching the postseason. With the team needing every win possible, Greene’s return not only brings back an ace pitcher but also injects hope into the roster. Success against a strong Philadelphia squad led by Sanchez could narrow the gap in the wild-card race and provide critical momentum going forward.

As the Reds face this decisive contest at home against a competitive Phillies lineup, both sides are aware that the outcome could influence the final shape of the National League playoff picture.