The Cincinnati Reds' offense exploded for six runs in the first two innings of Monday's game against the Texas Rangers. In the first inning, Matt McLain hit a two-run home run to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

Kumar Rocker’s first start of the season went awry in a game that “started bad and got gradually worse” for Texas.

Reds seventh. TJ Friedl flies out to center field to Leody Taveras. Matt McLain hit by pitch. Elly De La Cruz homers to center field. Matt McLain scores. Blake Dunn flies out to deep right field to Kevin Pillar. Jeimer Candelario strikes out swinging.

In a span of two months during the 2023 Season, May-July, the Reds called up Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Those three players, at the time, represented the future of the Reds franchise.

The Reds traded for the 2022 American League Gold and Platinum Glove winner in December and signed him to an extension before the end of camp. With Tyler Stephenson starting the season on the IL, Trevino will start more games and Austin Wynns will serve as his backup.

Close enough isn’t good enough. Progress without the playoffs is failure. Patience is for losers if you're the Cincinnati Reds in 2025.

There were some positives, but the Reds are 1-2 after their first series of the season and yes, there are plenty of concerns after their disappointing start.