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This weekend the Cardinals (8-5) and Reds (4-8) start a two game series in Monterrey, México as part of MLB’s México Series. The Reds look to continue their three game winning streak, while the Cardinals have won five straight, including a four game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium.

The Reds are the home team this weekend in México. First pitch tonight is set for 7:10 ET.

Starting Pitchers

REDS

Through the first two weeks of the season, Tanner Roark has struggled the most of those in the starting rotation. He’s given up six runs on 13 hits in 9.1 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What is a little troubling is that he’s given up five walks in two starts. Roark has never been one to walk a lot of batters. His BB% has never been higher than 8.5%, and he is usually in the 5-6% range. This season, while still a very small sample size, his BB% is at 11.1%. Most of the balls he’s thrown this season have been on his curve, even though he only throws his curve about 13.1% of the time. He’s missing with his curve off the plate. It could be something to watch as the season goes on.

Marcell Ozuna is the player to watch against Roark, as he’s faced him 43 times and hits .317/.349/.488 with a .837 OPS. Ozuna and Harrison Bader both have home runs off Roark.

CARDINALS

At 37 years old, Wainwright is still making starts for the Cardinals every year. He has dealt with injuries over the last couple of seasons, however.  In 2017, he pitched 123.1 innings, with a stint on the disabled list (now the injured list) for a right elbow impingement at the end of August. Then in 2018, he had more right elbow inflammation, which resulted in him only pitching 40.1 innings, mostly in September. He finished last season with a 4.46 ERA and a 4.28 FIP.

In his first start of 2019, he struggled against the Pirates, giving up four runs in four innings with four walks, but rebounded nicely against the San Diego Padres last Sunday when he pitched six innings of one run baseball while striking out nine.

Wainwright has six pitches, but relies mostly on his curve, sinker, and cutter. His pitches have ranged from 75.1 mph on his curve to 89.2 on his sinker. The curve is what he gets most batters to strike out with, as his K% on that pitch is consistently in the mid-30 percent range.

Joey Votto has three home runs and four doubles in 46 at-bats against Wainwright. Yasiel Puig and Tucker Barnhart both have an OPS over 1.000 against him as well.

IP ERA FIP WHIP HR/9 BB% K%
Tanner Roark (2018) 180.1 4.34 4.27 1.28 1.2 6.60% 19.20%
Adam Wainwright (2018) 40.1 4.46 4.28 1.46 1.12 9.90% 22.10%

Lineups

CARDINALS REDS
1. Matt Carpenter (3B)
2. Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
3. Paul DeJong (SS)
4. Marcell Ozuna (LF)
5. Yadier Molina (C)
6. Dexter Fowler (RF)
7. Kolten Wong (2B)
8. Harrison Bader (CF)
9. Adam Wainwright (P)		 1. Jesse Winker (LF)
2. Joey Votto (1B)
3. Yasiel Puig (RF)
4. Eugenio Suarez (3B)
5. Scott Schebler (CF)
6. Derek Dietrich (2B)
7. Tucker Barnhart (C)
8. Jose Peraza (SS)
9. Tanner Roark (P)

News and Notes

-Both the Reds and Cardinals have worked with children in México this weekend. Players participated in a MLB Play Ball event, while Jared Hughes and Zach Duke went to Back2Back Ministries yesterday.

-The Reds are giving away this Yasiel Puig bobblehead in July. I am determined to get one.

Pre-game Reading

12 Responses

  1. CFD3000

    This Mexico series is good for baseball and, hopefully, good for the Reds. At elevation and against Wainwright I expect a productive offense. If Roark is even decent the Reds should win. And once they have the momentum why not just win tomorrow and sweep Mexico? I’m looking forward to these two games. Go Reds!

  3. Indy Red Man

    Roark is battling, but this offense sucks? 28 runs in 11 games? Its not like they’re ran into these great pitchers either? Wainwright is washed up? Its good that sweeping Miami made people feel better, but 1-8 in division tells the story so far

  4. Broseph

    Probably the weakest balk call of all time. I’ve seen pitchers move more just breathing. Ridiculous.

  5. Indy Red Man

    Only down 1, but its time to for our guys to battle at the plate like their guys? 3 outs on 7 pitches? They see 7 pitches every at-bat. Cmon lets go? 1-9 in division? Thats unacceptable for any team!

  6. Indy Red Man

    Amir Garrett and Winker are keepers. Mahle is going to be atleast a good #3 imo. Suarez is still only 27. Castillo is 26. Puig is only 28 if they can keep him. The jury is out on everyone else? Dietrich is very good for his role. Move him around and maybe give him 300 atbats. He’s 29. Senzel? I’d be happy if he’s as good offensively as Winker. More speed for a lesser ability to get on base

  8. Indy Red Man

    Kemp is just a shell of himself at this point. He was like the NL version of Manny Ramirez at one point. Just amazing. Winker should play over him 6 days a week easily

  9. Indy Red Man

    It turned into a fun game tonite! DD didn’t hit that last ball that well…looked like the guy slipped on the field turf? Billy or Cain or someone elite in CF has Ervin’s ball easily and 2/3 of the guys in RF get that last one? I thought our outfield D was bad?

  11. Indy Red Man

    I have Over 10.5….but I can lose a little $ for a nice Reds win

  12. CFD3000

    That was fun. Roark was impressive, especially after a tough start to the first through no fault of his own. Puig contributed on defense and his bat will get going. Winker and Votto heating up, clutch at bats from Ervin, Schebler and Dietrich. A few weird plays but on a strange trip on a strange surface that’s not too surprising. How about a sweep tomorrow? Go Reds!

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