Votto went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Votto let down teammate Trevor Bauer on a play at first base earlier this season, but he made up for it with his first-inning homer Wednesday, giving Bauer an early cushion. While the veteran has been good at home, Votto has been a completely different player on the road this season, slashing just .111/.209/.185 with one homer in 22 games away from Great American Ball Park.

Votto went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and one run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The six-time All-Star hit the third of four Reds homers off opposing starter Jonathan Stiever. He now has four long balls in his last eight games, giving him 10 for the season. Votto, who has been batting third of late for Cincinnati, now has an even .800 OPS after finishing with a career-low .768 mark in 2019.

Votto will start at first base and bat third in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

After serving as the Reds' leadoff man in 21 straight starts, Votto will now bat out of the three hole for the fourth straight contest. Shogo Akiyama will again get another look atop the order, but the drop to third in the order shouldn't hurt Votto too much from a run-scoring standpoint. As the leadoff man, Votto only crossed the plate 11 times in those 21 games.

Votto went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Votto put the Reds on the board with a big blast to right field off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright in the first inning. It was Votto's first homer in nine games, and his seventh of the year. The first baseman has slashed .219/.335/.409 with 14 RBI and 22 runs scored in 39 contests this season.

Votto reached base in all three of his plate appearances in Tuesday's 16-2 loss to the Cardinals, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Votto has been about the only bright spot for the Reds over the past five games, during which the team has gone 1-4 to drop six games below .500. Over that stretch, he's gone 8-for-15 with three solo home runs, a double and two walks. He'll man first base and bat leadoff in Wednesday's series finale.

Votto was ejected during Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The benches cleared during the fourth inning after the two sides traded apparent purpose pitches, with Votto, Jesse Winker and manager David Bell all getting tossed for the Reds. Votto entered the day hitless in his past 18 at-bats, but he broke out and went 3-for-6 with a solo homer and a double during the twin bill before getting ejected.

Votto is starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Votto missed the Reds' last three games in the midst of an 0-for-18 slump, but he'll lead off for the team in Saturday's matinee. Whether he'll be in the lineup for Game 2 remains to be seen.

Manager David Bell said the plan is for Votto to start at least one game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs, and most likely the first game, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell would not rule out Votto starting both games of the twin bill. Votto was benched again Friday, making it three straight games out of the starting lineup amidst an 0-for-18 slump. "I've never experienced -- I've been benched before for a single game," Votto told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I don't think I've ever been benched for multiple games. It's important for ... my tone may sound frustrated, but I'm responsible for that. We're in the performance business. We're in it to win. I've been a part of too many losses, and I need to be better for sure. It's a new experience for me." Votto has put together a strong case for the Hall of Fame, but he is almost 37 and his days as a true everyday player may be over.

Votto is not in Friday's lineup against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

He has not played since Tuesday and is hitless in his last 18 at-bats. Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday that manager David Bell says Votto is fine physically, but it seems that something is off with the veteran first baseman. Mike Moustakas is starting at first base and batting fifth.

Votto is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Votto was expected to be back in the lineup after sitting the front end of the twin bill, but instead he will get the entire game off. Manager David Bell confirmed after the game that Votto is physically fine and that he just wanted to give him a couple of days off, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The veteran first baseman seems likely to be back in the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Cubs.