Cincinnati Reds turn to Chase Burns amid epic losing streak

TL;DR

Chase Burns of the Cincinnati Reds pitched 7 scoreless innings but couldn't prevent an 8-game losing streak, culminating in a 10-0 loss to the Houston Astros. The Reds have the worst pitching staff xERA in baseball and a troubling -40 run differential.

Key points

Chase Burns pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Pirates
Cincinnati Reds are on an 8-game losing streak
Reds have the worst pitching staff xERA in baseball
Cincinnati has a -40 run differential for the season
The team has a collective 89 wRC+ offensively

Cincinnati RedsPittsburgh PiratesHouston Astros

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 03: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Christopher Denver/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Chase Burns emerged from Wake Forest University with the reputation of being a legitimate ace, a guy who at dawn on the fifth day would ride in from the east at first light to rescue his team from the depths of hell. A guy who, amid a horrid losing streak, could take the mound and fire 7.0 innings of scoreless ball, striking out 7 against a lone walk. The problem for the Cincinnati Reds, though, is that Chase Burns *already did that*. That’s precisely what he gave them on May 3rd against the Pittsburgh Pirates, yet this collapsing ball club still couldn’t find a way to turn that into a victory. Now, Cincinnati sits slumped in an 8-game losing streak, fresh off being battered to the tune of 10-0 by the Houston Astros – at home – in the series opener on Friday night. Jose Trevino, a catcher, pitched once again, and both the offense and the bullpen looked as inept as could be. The Reds now have a -40 run differential for the season. , who are so bad already that they are reportedly shopping ace on the trade market, have a -26 differential. The , who just dealt catcher to for a draft pick and pitching prospect, sport one that’s only -39. No team, not a single one, in the American League has a run differential worse than -38. The Reds have a collective 89 wRC+ offensively. That’s the fourth worst in baseball. Cincinnati’s bullpen has a 5.40 xERA. That’s last in baseball by a wide margin, though their 5.07 FIP is only second worst. The Reds own a 5.12 xERA from their starters, which is third worst (even with Burns having been excellent so far this season). Overall, Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 5.24 xERA that’s the worst in all of baseball. No other team has a mark so much as beginning with a ‘5.’ In Burns manager Terry Francona will trust again on Saturday as he starts in the second game of the series against Houston. *Trust* with Francona seems an apt thing to point out, as the skipper still refuses to tinker significantly with his batting order and will once again roll out as the team’s leadoff man today. Here’s how the club will line up altogether for Saturday’s 4:10 PM ET start:

Q&A

What is Chase Burns' performance during the Reds' losing streak?

Chase Burns pitched 7 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts in his last outing, but the Reds still lost, contributing to their ongoing 8-game losing streak.

How does the Cincinnati Reds' run differential compare to other teams?

The Reds have a -40 run differential, which is the worst in baseball, while the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants have -26 and -39, respectively.

What are the current statistics for the Reds' pitching staff?

The Reds' pitching staff has a 5.24 xERA, the worst in baseball, with their bullpen holding a 5.40 xERA, also the lowest in the league.