Despite last night’s home run barrage by the Dodgers, the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff still ranks second in the majors in the least round-trippers allowed this season. Only the Tampa Bay Rays (37) have allowed fewer four-baggers than the 41 surrendered by Reds pitching this season in 45 games.
It’s just another indicator of just how much improved the Reds pitching is in 2019. Last season, Cincinnati pitchers allowed 228 gopher balls, or 1.4 per game. This season’s home-runs-allowed-per-game rate so far is 0.9.
AND …
The Reds pitching staff has the highest combined WAR (Wins Above Replacement, 3.8) of any pitching staff in the majors. Second place in team pitching WAR is the Rays at 3.4. On the other hand, in team WAR among non-pitchers, the Reds are 22nd at -2.6. More than any other statistic, this demonstrates how important the pitching staff has been in the Reds’ 20 wins this season.
It will be again today, as the Reds face a tough young righthander who is rounding into form in game two of a three-game series against LA at Great American Ball Park. Game time is 4:10 p.m. Eastern time.
Starting Pitchers
| Name | IP | ERA | xFIP | K% | BB% |
| Walker Buehler | 43.1 | 4.15 | 3.95 | 22.8% | 5.9% |
| Tyler Mahle | 45.1 | 3.97 | 3.01 | 26.8% | 4.9% |
Righthander Buehler, born in Crestview Hills, Ky., got off to a very slow start this season, but in his past few starts he has shown signs of the fantastic form he displayed in 2018. In five starts since April 11, he has not allowed more than three runs in any of them. Mahle has arguably been the number two starter, in terms of effectiveness, on the Reds staff this season. The trend to date is that he gets no run support from his teammates. He’ll need to keep the Dodger bats quiet for the Reds to have a shot today.
Bullpen
Zach Duke pitched two innings Friday night, making his availability for any more than perhaps a LOOGY situation questionable. The other seven bullpen occupants should be available at Manager David Bell’s beck and call.
Starting Lineups
| Dodgers | Reds |
| LF Joc Pederson | CF Nick Senzel |
| 3B Max Muncy | 1B Joey Votto |
| RF Cody Bellinger | 3B Eugenio Suarez |
| SS Corey Seager | LF Jesse Winker |
| CF Alex Verdugo | RF Yasiel Puig |
| 1B Matt Beaty | 2B Derek Dietrich |
| 2B Chris Taylor | SS Jose Iglesias |
| C Austin Barnes | P Tyler Mahle |
| P Walker Buehler | C Tucker Barnhart |
Additional insights into the statistical history of the players in today’s game are available all season long at BaseballSavant.com.
News and Notes
Another one-appearance-and-gone stay with the Reds for Cody Reed …
#Reds option LHP Cody Reed, recall OF Phillip Ervin.
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) May 18, 2019
Ervin is hitting .228/.333/.315/.649 at Louisville.
This eye-catching video gives some indication of the length of time that Luis Castillo’s changeup and fastball look the same coming out of his hand … and also how little time batters have to react …
Closeup slow motion view of the spin and tilt on @Reds Luis Castillo’s changeup and two-seam fastball #Reds
Changeup-
87.3 MPH 1875 RPM
Two-seam-
96.8 MPH, 1949 RPM pic.twitter.com/7RNmy2XCcC— Michael Augustine (@AugustineMLB) May 17, 2019
More on Castillo …
Luis Castillo has an ERA of 1.90. That would be the best pre-ASB ERA by a #Reds P since Gary Nolan’s 1.81 in 1972 https://t.co/udY3EnW02t pic.twitter.com/2KWdo0xCes
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) May 17, 2019
Scooter Gennett update …
Scooter Gennett on the field doing some light tossing. Told us he’s feeling good. Only a couple of weeks away. #Reds pic.twitter.com/E9FgRHVrR8
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 17, 2019
That’s tomorrow.
The Reds have had this pattern for many years now. They can gear up for the elite heaters and can’t hit the guys throwing 91?
Gerrit Cole (throws 97-99 like Buehler)
2015 0-3 5.95 era
2016 0-2 6.10 era
2017 1-2 4.13 era
Encouraging outing for Mahle! His curve had some actually bite to it today.
Joey 3-0 popout? Those days are over and they aren’t coming back? Try to work the walk.
Mahle was great .Good curve with some depth as Indy said.Kept them off the fastball and at times hit 94/95.Great job against a really good and deep lineup.
96 mph on his 97th pitch….that shows some effort on his conditioning! Its a warm day too. I think if he’s your 4th best starter then you could have an elite staff. 3rd best starter and you could have a good rotation!
Buehler is really good.He has that power arm that keeps on bringing it.He just overpowered Peraza on his last pitch of the day.Puig two out two run single was huge.
1 earned run for our Reds. Haven’t done much, but that was a huge hit for Puig. Took advantage of what they were given! Buehler is electric, but man the offense has to wake up at some point? Maybe Puig and Winker will be driving the ball when Scooter gets back and they can put a streak together?