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This was originally published in The Athletic.

The Reds season, despite interruptions provided by both Mother Nature and whomever was in charge of Major League Baseball’s scheduling, is well underway. And yet, a handful of games in, something’s missing.

Yes, wins. Cincinnati has posted a victory just once in five games.

And of course, good weather. The near-arctic conditions the Reds played their first homestand in carried over into their first road tilt last night in Pittsburgh, which was a rather forgettable 5-2 loss to the Pirates.

And sure, fans. Opening Day aside, Great American Ball Park hasn’t housed many fans throughout the first few home dates, but April games usually aren’t huge draws, even when the weather is good. Drop the temperatures by a few dozen degrees, add wind, throw in some rain and you’ve got ballgames that are played less in front of seemingly hundreds instead of thousands.

But there’s an absence that’s more striking than any of that. There’s no real connection between this team and its fans.

To read my entire piece, go to The Athletic.