The Cincinnati Reds dropped to 20–22 on the season after a 6–0 shutout loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday, sparking more frustration among fans over the team’s ongoing offensive struggles.
One of the most vocal critics? ESPN college football analyst and longtime Reds supporter Kirk Herbstreit.
Following Sunday’s defeat, the 55-year-old took to social media to vent his frustration with the club’s continued inconsistency at the plate.
“SO predictable. Another year and another year of inconsistent hitting. Same thing for last 12 years––season essentially over in early May. How can a team NOT HIT for TWELVE YEARS?!?!??? Feel bad for Tito. One of best managers in our lifetime––even HE can’t turn this franchise around. Just doomed,” Herbstreit posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Herbstreit’s post reflects a sentiment shared by many Reds fans, as the team has once again struggled to find consistency on offense despite a roster full of young talent. While it’s still early in the season, frustrations are clearly mounting in Cincinnati.
May has been unkind to the Cincinnati Reds. After dropping series to the Nationals, Braves, and Astros, the team is 4–7 through its first 11 games this month. Offensive inconsistency has plagued them during that stretch—they’ve been held to one run or fewer in five of those contests.
That slump has fueled frustration among fans, including ESPN analyst and devoted Reds supporter Kirk Herbstreit, who took to social media to criticize the team’s longstanding offensive issues. For many, his comments echoed years of similar disappointment.
However, while the recent stretch has been bleak, the Reds’ season-long offensive output paints a more complex picture. Through mid-May, Cincinnati ranks 13th in Major League Baseball with 42 home runs and sits eighth in total runs scored (198). They’re not among the elite offenses like the Yankees, Dodgers, or Cubs, but they’re also far from the league’s worst.
Herbstreit’s frustration is understandable given the team’s history, but the numbers suggest the Reds’ offense isn’t as hopeless as the current skid might imply.