What happened: Reds manager Terry Francona praised right-hander Burns amid a dominant stretch but declined to anoint him the team's "ace," according to a report from MLB's Mark Feinsand. Francona credited the righty's recent form while keeping his framing measured. The comments follow the same sharp Burns outing that carried Cincinnati past the Mets in late May.

Why it matters: How the Reds publicly frame Burns matters for the rotation's pecking order and for how much pressure lands on the young righty during his climb. Withholding the "ace" tag signals the club wants to temper expectations even as the results pile up.

What to watch: Watch Burns' next start to see whether the dominant run holds and whether Francona's measured tone eventually shifts.