Reds’ Matt McLain Earns Terry Francona’s Praise for ‘Winning Baseball’ Play: “The Mouth of the Moment”
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July 3, 2025
CLEVELAND — Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain may not have delivered the game-winning hit on Tuesday night, but he made the kind of play that seasoned managers don’t forget. And if anyone knows what championship-caliber baseball looks like, it’s Terry Francona.
In the bottom of the sixth inning at Progressive Field, with the Reds clinging to a narrow 3-2 lead over the Cleveland Guardians, McLain’s instincts and hustle turned a potentially game-altering situation into a textbook example of what Francona later called “winning baseball.”
“It doesn’t always show up in the box score,” Francona said after the game, tipping his cap to McLain despite his own team being on the losing end. “But what that kid did out there — that’s winning baseball. That’s what you want in the mouth of the moment.”
‘The Mouth of the Moment’
Francona’s unique phrase — “the mouth of the moment” — quickly became a talking point in postgame interviews, and not just for its poetic flair. The veteran manager used the expression to describe McLain’s presence in high-pressure situations: vocal, fearless, and smart.
“It’s like he was speaking for his whole team,” Francona continued. “Directing traffic, talking to his guys, making sure everyone knew what was happening. That’s what I call being in the mouth — not just being there, but controlling it.”
The play in question came with one out and a Guardians runner on second. A sharp grounder to McLain at shortstop could’ve easily resulted in a throw to first, keeping the runner at third. Instead, McLain made a heads-up pivot, faking the throw, checking the runner, and then whipping a strike to third base to catch the runner in a rundown.
The Reds completed the rundown, erased the threat, and kept the Guardians off the board in an inning that could have swung momentum.
A Veteran Mind in a Young Body
This isn’t the first time McLain has impressed with more than just his glove or bat. Since debuting with Cincinnati in 2023, he’s become known for his baseball IQ and vocal leadership. At just 25, McLain has emerged as a steady presence on a team loaded with young talent and hungry for a postseason return.
“It’s about feel,” McLain told reporters. “I saw the runner get too aggressive, and I knew I had a shot at him. I didn’t even think — just reacted and trusted my instincts.”
Manager David Bell was quick to echo Francona’s admiration.
“Matt’s got that rare combination — he’s vocal when he needs to be, but never flashy,” Bell said. “He’s always communicating. That’s what Terry was talking about. In the mouth of the game, when everything’s loud and fast, Matt is calm and sharp.”
A Growing Reputation
This isn’t the first time McLain has drawn praise from across the league. In a game earlier this season against the Dodgers, he was caught on camera audibly calling out pitch sequences from second base — tipping off his own dugout, perhaps, but more importantly, showing a command of the game far beyond his years.
Former Reds infielder and MLB analyst Barry Larkin said on the Bally Sports broadcast, “This kid sees the game in slow motion. You can tell he’s not just reacting — he’s planning two steps ahead.”
His leadership has also earned the respect of veteran teammates like Joey Votto, who remains involved with the Reds as a mentor and part-time coach.
“Matt reminds me of some of the best teammates I ever had,” Votto said during a pregame radio spot. “He’s always talking — and I mean that in the best way. He’s ‘the mouth,’ sure, but he’s the brain, too. Guys rally around him.”
Defining a Culture
The Reds are currently 44–38 and sitting in second place in the NL Central, thanks in large part to the contributions of a core that includes McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. But among that group, McLain is emerging as a sort of glue — the communicator, the calming presence.
“I try to be steady,” McLain said. “There are a lot of big personalities on this team. I just try to make sure we’re on the same page, especially in close games.”
That mindset is paying dividends. Cincinnati ranks among the league’s best in team defense and situational execution, categories often overlooked in a game dominated by launch angles and exit velocity.
“Terry [Francona] doesn’t throw around compliments lightly,” Bell noted. “So when he points out something like that, it’s meaningful. It shows that what we’re building here is being noticed.”
The Francona Factor
For Francona, the night also carried a certain emotional weight. Though he stepped away from full-time managing after the 2023 season, he has remained close to the Guardians as a senior advisor. Tuesday’s matchup was part of a special three-game reunion series, with Francona participating in pregame ceremonies and offering color commentary in the broadcast booth.
When asked if McLain reminded him of any past players he’s managed, Francona paused before answering.
“Maybe Dustin Pedroia,” he said, smiling. “Scrappy, smart, and absolutely fearless.”
Looking Ahead
As the Reds look to build momentum heading into the All-Star break, McLain’s consistency will be key. He may not always be the loudest or flashiest star on the field, but his play — and yes, his mouth — are making a lasting impression.
“I just want to help us win,” McLain said. “Whatever that takes.”
If Tuesday night was any indication, it takes vision, leadership, and the kind of clutch decision-making that earns praise from even the opposition.
And in the mouth of the moment, Matt McLain is proving he’s built.
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