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The Reds (56-60) and the Nationals (62-55) start a three game series in our nation’s capital tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05 EDT. It’s another crucial series for the Reds, as they sit 5.0 games out of a wild card spot. The next two series are against the teams that currently hold those wild card spots.

The Nationals would be hosting the NL wild card game if the season ended today, but as tight as that race is, things can change daily. At 6.5 games back in the NL East, the Nats haven’t completely given up on the division crown, but with the way the Braves are playing, the better playoff chance for the Nats is the wild card.

Starting Pitchers

Name IP ERA FIP xFIP K% BB%
Anthony DeSclafani 113.2 4.20 4.57 4.34 24.70% 7.00%
Erick Fedde 60.0 4.20 5.23 5.22 12.60% 9.80%

REDS

In his last start against the Angels at GABP, Anthony DeSclafani gave up four runs on five hits while striking out five and walking three in 5.1 innings. Two of those five hits were home runs, which continues to be a struggle for DeSclafani. He’s given up 22 home runs this season, two shy of the 24 he gave up last year, in almost the same number of innings. He pitched 115.0 innings in 2018, while he’s up to 113.2 innings going into tonight’s game.

Juan Soto is 2-for-3 with a double off DeSclafani, while Gerardo Parra is 2-for-6 and Brian Dozier is 2-for-4.

NATIONALS

Erick Fedde started the season in the Nats bullpen, but moved to the starting rotation in the middle of May. It’s been an up and down season for him, and nothing shows that more than his last two starts. Against the Braves on July 30, he gave up nine runs in 3.2 innings. However, he followed that up with a six inning shut out performance against the Giants last Monday.

While Fedde’s ERA is at a fairly respectable 4.20, his FIP is at 5.23, a whole point above his ERA. It shows he really hasn’t been as good as his ERA would lead you to believe. Even in the start against the Giants when he didn’t allow a run, he still gave up six hits. His K% is only 12.60%, while his Contact% is 82.9%. Fedde’s never been a strikeout pitcher and his high contact rates throughout his career reflect that.

No Red has more than three at-bats against Fedde. Of the Reds players who have faced him, Nick Senzel is the only one with an extra base hit. He is 1-for-3 with a double off Fedde.

Lineups

REDS NATIONALS
1. Jesse Winker (LF)
2. Joey Votto (1B)
3. Eugenio Suarez (3B)
4. Josh VanMeter (2B)
5. Aristides Aquino (RF)
6. Nick Senzel (CF)
7. Tucker Barnhart (C)
8. Jose Iglesias (SS)
9. Anthony DeSclafani (P)		 1. Trea Turner (SS)
2. Adam Eaton (RF)
3. Anthony Rendon (3B)
4. Matt Adams (1B)
5. Asdrubal Cabrera (2B)
6. Gerardo Parra (LF)
7. Kurt Suzuki (C)
8. Victor Robles (CF)
9. Erick Fedde (P)

-Jesse Winker and Josh Van Meter both get the start tonight against the right-hander Fedde. After being relegated to the bench for most of the Cubs series, José Iglesias is back in the lineup.

-Rookie phenom Juan Soto is not in the Nationals lineup after rolling his ankle in Sunday’s game against the Mets. He’s listed day-to-day, so he could be out for the entire series.

News and Notes

-Aristides Aquino deservedly wins NL Player of the Week.

-The Reds claimed Freddy Galvis off waivers today. This is to create more depth at the middle infield positions, but Galvis also has a team option for 2020. He’ll take Scooter Gennett’s number.

-Amir Garrett will begin his 8-game suspension tonight. As C Trent Rosecrans notes, this means he will be with the team in Pittsburgh next weekend.

-And finally, here’s some pre-game reading for you.

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