The Cincinnati Reds (64-75) will host the Philadelphia Phillies (72-65) for the third game of a four game series tonight. The Reds are still looking for their first win in the series and they’ll turn to Trevor Bauer for some help.
Starting Pitchers
Trevor Bauer (10-12, 4.53 ERA, 186.2 IP, 28 HR, 76 BB, 222 K)
For some weird reason Trevor Bauer is starting on short rest. While his last two outings have gone terribly, and haven’t gone deep into games, he has thrown a lot of pitches in the two games. It’s September and there are expanded rosters – using a starting pitcher on short rest is highly questionable right now.
Over his 6 starts with the Reds he’s allowed 30 runs – 28 of which are earned in 30.0 innings pitched. He’s been hit a lot (38 hits), and he’s been hit hard (6 home runs). The Reds will be looking for him to get things back to what he was doing in Cleveland before the trade.
Aaron Nola (12-4, 3.45 ERA, 174.2 IP, 22 HR, 64 BB, 194 K)
One of the best starters in the National League over the last three years, Aaron Nola has a 3.06 ERA since the start of 2017. The right-handed pitcher has faced more hitters this season than any other pitcher in the league. He’s got a solid walk rate, but his strikeout rate stands out among starting pitchers.
Nola has some splits. Left-handed hitters are posting a .237/.323/.406 line against him with 32 walks and 87 strikeouts in 313 plate appearances against him this year. Right-handed hitters are struggling quite a bit more. They are posting a .217/.291/.354 line with 32 walks and 107 strikeouts this season in 414 plate appearances against him. He also has some home/road splits. On the road hitters have an OPS of .717, while when he’s at home they have a .656 OPS against him. His ERA reflects that, too. His ERA at home is 2.85, while on the road it’s 4.35. The strikeout rate is significantly higher at home, too.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
- Josh VanMeter – 2B
- Joey Votto – 1B
- Aristides Aquino – RF
- Tucker Barnhart – C
- Freddy Galvis – SS
- Nick Senzel – CF
- Brian O’Grady – LF
- Trevor Bauer – SP
- Alex Blandino – 3B
Philadelphia Phillies
- Corey Dickerson – LF
- J.T. Realmuto – C
- Bryce Harper – RF
- Rhys Hoskins – 1B
- Jean Segura – SS
- Scott Kingery – 3B
- Cesar Hernandez – 2B
- Adam Hasely – CF
- Aaron Nola – SP
Pre-game Notes
Since returning from the injured list on July 26th, over 33 games played, Tucker Barnhart has hit .310/.405/.500 with 14 walks and 22 strikeouts with 7 doubles and 4 home runs in 116 plate appearances.
Brian O’Grady is getting his second start in the Major Leagues. He started the game for the Reds on August 20th against San Diego. Last night he made a pitch hit appearance, drawing his first career walk.
Eugenio Suarez still isn’t in the lineup. This will be the third consecutive game he’s not started since being hit in the hand by a pitch against the Cardinals on Sunday. But, there’s a chance that he could be available today according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.
David Bell said Eugenio Suárez was taking swings today and may be available off the bench tonight
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 4, 2019
Earlier today on RedlegNation.com
This morning Matt Wilkes looked into what’s happened in 2019 with Raisel Iglesias.
We’ve also got a non-Friday version of Mary Beth Ellis’ Baseball Is Life column from earlier today that you should be sure to check out if you haven’t already seen it.