The weekend is here and the Cincinnati Reds will host the Colorado Rockies this afternoon in game two of their 3-game series. Hopefully the Reds saved some runs for this one after a beat down on Friday night. First pitch is set for 4:10pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Colorado Rockies

Cincinnati Reds

Garrett Hampson – CF Jonathan India – 2B
Brendan Rodgers – 2B Jesse Winker – LF
Trevor Story – SS Nick Castellanos – RF
C.J. Cron – 1B Tyler Naquin – CF
Yonathan Daza – RF Joey Votto – 1B
Joshua Fuentes – 3B Eugenio Suárez – 3B
Connor Joe – LF Tucker Barnhart – C
Elias Díaz – C Kyle Farmer – SS
Germán Márquez – SP Wade Miley – SP

Starting Pitchers

Wade Miley

Wade Miley has been the Reds best start this season, leading the team with a 2.96 ERA in 10 starts and 54.2 innings. He’s coming off of three consecutive strong starts where he’s allowed two earned runs in 15.2 innings.

Teams haven’t run many left-handed hitters out against Wade Miley, but when they have the results haven’t gone in their favor. Over 38 plate appearances this season against Miley, lefties have hit just .194/.237/.194. Right-handed hitters have had a lot more success, but they’ve still struggled as they’ve hit just .224/.282/.351 in 189 plate appearances.

Pitch usage from 2021

4-Seam 2-Seam Cutter
Change Curve
Velo 89.8 88.4 85.4 81.6 75.2
Usage 17.2% 1.3% 48.3% 28.0% 5.1%

Germán Márquez

Arguably the Rockies best start this season, Márquez has a 3.91 ERA in 71.1 innings with 34 walks and 75 strikeouts. He’s been on a roll lately, though, posting a 1.04 ERA in his last four starts that have covered 26.0 innings with just 7 walks and 27 strikeouts – including just 1 home run allowed.

The splits against Márquez are interesting. Right-handed hitters have hit .220/.287/.373 against him with 11 walks and 40 strikeouts in 134 plate appearances. Left-handed hitters have hit .247/.349/.349 against him with 23 walks and 35 strikeouts. Lefties get on base more, strikeout significantly less, but they haven’t hit for quite as much power. Despite pitching for the Rockies he’s actually pitched worse on the road when it comes to OPS where hitters have a 155 point higher OPS on the road than at home in Colorado. His ERA, though, is lower on the road by 0.25.

Pitch usage from 2021

4-Seam 2-Seam Curve
Change Slider
Velo 94.8 94.4 84.8 86.2 86.2
Usage 46.9% 4.5% 20.3% 2.2% 26.2%

When and Where

  • Game time: 4:10pm ET
  • Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
  • Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
  • Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
  • Forecast: ­88°, partly cloud, 15% chance of rain

News and Notes

Watch Hunter Greene strike out 9 batters in 6 shutout innings

Over at RedsMinorLeagues.com you can watch Hunter Greene’s start from last night where he struck out 9 batters over the course of 6.0 shutout innings for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. Greene’s ERA dropped to 1.98 on the season and he raised his league-leading strikeout total to 60 in 41.0 innings pitched.

Tony Santillan is officially called up

While it was announced that Tony Santillan would start on Sunday by David Bell on Friday afternoon, the Reds officially recalled him from Triple-A Louisville today. We wrote all about the 24-year-old earlier today – covering his current season, looking at his past, providing some video, a scouting report, and what we might be able to expect. So if you want all of the details, just click here and have your wants and need fulfilled.

Mike Moustakas is getting close to returning

Prior to the game today manager David Bell noted that Mike Moustakas could join the team during the upcoming road trip. A rehab assignment isn’t quite decided on yet, with Bell saying “Not necessarily. He might just meet us on the road. It could be San Diego. It could be Minnesota. I haven’t put in a date yet, or how many rehab games – or even sure it that would happen, but it could. It likely will and then he’ll likely join us on the road” when asked about whether Moustakas would skip a rehab assignment and join the team directly.

Max Schrock is also improving

Also on the injured list, Max Schrock is improving but seems like he’s still a little behind where Moustakas is. David Bell said he is probably closer to re-joining the team when they return from their road trip.

NL Central Standings

Playoff odds via Fangraphs

Team W L GB Playoff %
Cubs 36 27 0 41.9%
Brewers 36 27 0 68.9%
Cardinals 32 31 4.0 12.0%
Reds 30 31 5.0 11.9%
Pirates 23 39 12.5 0.0%

177 Responses

  1. JB

    Boy Fangraphs really like the Brewers and that pathetic offense. They must really put alot of stock in their pitching.

    • ohiojimwalker

      Or maybe they drink a lot of Milwaukee’s Famous! -)

    • LDS

      Maybe they simply have more faith in Counsel and his 3 playoff appearances and his cumulative winning record vs. Bell. Certainly, the Brewers FO has shown more strategic aggression than has the Reds, e.g,, scarfing up Adames.

      • ohiojimwalker

        Like maybe they really are interested in winning the division more than side shows and making a buck.

      • JB

        I wasnt comparing them to just the Reds. The cubs are in first and they give them a 41% chance. All 4 teams are lacking in something and the Pirates are the Pirates.

    • JayTheRed

      I picked the Brewers to win the division this season. For some reason they are always good at finding players that do just enough to keep them in the playoff conversation each season. Plus unlike us they have a very good bullpen and I’m not just talking about Hader only.

      • Indy Red Man

        They also were smart enough to build a stadium with a retractable roof. They averaged 36K a game in 2019 while the Reds were at 22K. Fans can go in April/May and know they can watch the game and remain dry.

        More fans = more revenue = more funds available to improve the team
        They’ll go out atleast 1 good hitter before the trade deadline and probably 2.

      • JB

        Yeah I dont know why northern teams dont have roofs. But yet Bob has Redzilla or whatever it’s called. Fireworks and bobbleheads that are not even a big deal anymore because they over saturated the market with them.

    • Tom Mitsoff

      With the Cardinals’ injuries, Milwaukee’s pitching is the best in the division. I would agree with Fangraphs.

      • Mark Moore

        More than a little funny they rank the Dirty Birds with the same chances as our Redlegs.

        And I still say only one from the NLC makes it. No Wild Card teams here.

  2. Don

    Hoping for good luck for the Reds today
    Getting that one win to be 500 seems to be one of the hardest for the Reds.
    Cheering for their success today.

  3. Mark Moore

    Would really love to see the win today and get back to .500 – seems like we’ve been so close to that but it remained out of reach.

    As the opening post said, I hope the guys saved a few runs for today. Let’s go Wade!!

  4. Klugo

    Slot Moose in at 7 when he returns? 8 when Stephenson plays?

    • Mark Moore

      Bigger question is where to play him?

      • JayTheRed

        Right, I don’t want India sitting he brings too much excitement to the game and always seems to give a quality at-bat. Is Suarez going back to SS or is that done with… Hoping it’s done, he is so much more comfortable at 3b. It’s going to be a tough decision to where to play him. Sad but really wishing DH was already here.

  5. Mark Moore

    Does Sadak keep saying players have “quicks”??? It sounds like a medical condition, if I’m being honest.

  6. Mark Moore

    So the quicks got a bloop hit but it didn’t hurt us at all. And now no pressure for that 2nd no-no either …

    Crooked numbers, please!!

  7. Votto4life

    The Reds lost their best starting pitcher and best relief pitcher to injuries this week. They really need to win this series.

    • Mark Moore

      Wrong thread reply below …

      But was TJ the best … I mean, have we seen enough of him lately to say that with confidence? Asking for a friend, because I happen to agree.

  8. Mark Moore

    Da Wink not happy with himself on that one … let’s see if Superman can pick him up.

    • Mark Moore

      But was TJ the best … I mean, have we seen enough of him lately to say that with confidence? Asking for a friend, because I happen to agree.

    • Mark Moore

      “Put away his plate … it just makes me too dxxxed sad …”

    • Indy Red Man

      Depressing((( If they could give Moose away then they could scrape together alot of $$ in theory, but he might get $150-$160/5 yr or something? Thats never going to happen with the Reds. I doubt they could even pull off something like $110/4 yrs

      • VaRedsFan

        Yup, and if they had to deal Nick at the deadline, I would demand that the other team would have to take Moose also. Package deal.

  9. VegasRed

    Given all indications from reds management, really hard to see the reds closing the difference between them and any of the three teams ahead of them. All 4 teams have flaws but reds’ defensive shortcoming in bullpen and fielding seems to be insurmountable, again, under current management. I wish it was different because no team in the division is stellar.

    The only hope I see is if the team brings up some of the less experienced pitching talent to the bullpen AND that talent performs.

    • Mark Moore

      Completely agree. Brewers probably are the odds on favorite as listed. Cards and Cubs are falling apart more than a little bit. Plus I think the ego battle on the North Side of Chicago for a few of them isn’t helping.

  10. VaRedsFan

    Geno picks up Votto.
    Crooked number ordered/delivered.

  11. Indy Red Man

    I told you RLN! Suarez is warming up! That at-bat last Saturday after the HR convinced me! He’ll never be great, but .225ish with 35-40 Hrs….something like Adam Duvall did with the Reds for a few years except he walks more. He won’t hit .275, but he’s not a .160 hitter either.

  12. Mark Moore

    2 is a nice crooked number to start. It worked yesterday.

  13. Dennis Westrick

    Good start! Crooked number! Hopefully, we can duplicate last nights offense!

    • Mark Moore

      Uh … yeah … that’s what I was thinking … WAS

  14. Tom Mitsoff

    I really like this Daza guy for Colorado. He was dynamite against the Reds in Coors Field. Keep an eye on him.

    • Mark Moore

      And he has the quick as we just saw …

  15. VaRedsFan

    Geno whiffs the double play grounder….now 2 runs are in just like that.

    • Mark Moore

      Then pile on THAT and we’re behind by a run.

    • Dennis Westrick

      if it’s not an untimely walk it’s an error by a stone-handed infielder! Focus please!

      • oklared

        Stone handed infielder no over reaction there lol

  16. Indy Red Man

    Here comes the pen…..doo doo doo doo. Here comes the pen and I don’t feel alright
    Doo doo doo. doo doo doo. doo doo doo doo doo

    • Mark Moore

      +100 for that variation on a theme

    • Tom Mitsoff

      Reds can’t afford for any game to become a bullpen game, no matter who they are playing.

      • Melvin

        ….even if the starters are struggling a little they’re still better than the pen. Let them go as long as possible without injury.

      • Dennis Westrick

        Exactly Tom! We are doomed if this turns into a bullpen game! And, we are sending a rookie to the hill tomorrow for his first MLB start! Need to find a way to come back and win this game!

  17. Mark Moore

    Nice field and throw by Miley. May help stop the tide.

    And it almost looked like Geno’s tag was high and late … but no challenge.

  18. Roger Garrett

    Going to get ugly real quick.Just have to field the ball.

    • Mark Moore

      At least we got one on that turn. It was a “funky hop” like they said.

  19. Indy Red Man

    For those that can swing over to Lawrenceburg or wherever. The Reds are 19-8 Over at gabp. I took Over 9 today so didn’t hate the Suarez error like some))

  20. Mark Moore

    SWEEEEET!!!

    Nice flip by Farmer, good turn by India.

  21. Roger Garrett

    Defense and now lets take the lead this inning and not look back.

  22. Mark Moore

    My wife just said, “At least it wasn’t India” … made me laugh.

  23. Old-school

    Reds must sweep Rockies and pass Cards and get over .500 this weekend. That sets up another series against the Brewers.
    A 3-3 home or 2-4 home stand is going backwards.

    May need to win 10-7 today.Hopefully Miley gets you 6 innings.

    • Mark Moore

      6 would be wonderful. 5 may be more likely given how hot it is out there today.

  24. Melvin

    Votto with 6 RBI in last two games so far.

    • Mark Moore

      Booth said he’s 9 away from 1K. Less than 90 hits from 2K.

  25. Indy Red Man

    Thats another issue with Tucker. Felt like he hit into a ton of DPs last year. Stephenson doesn’t roll over on the ball so its pretty rare with him.

    • Indy Red Man

      I’m wrong. Stephenson has hit into 7 dps already. Still rather him in the lineup then Tucker

    • MBS

      Assuming DH in 22, I’d be open to extending Tucker. Stephenson’s ability to block behind the plate is probably never going to be great. Votto can transition to DH, with Stephenson at 1B and C for Barnhart’s off days. India 2B, Barrero SS, Suarez 3B, and Moose floats between 1B, 2B, 3B. Plus injuries, so having depth will be key.

  26. Mark Moore

    60 through 4 … I’ll take that after what we’ve seen.

    More crooked numbers, please …

  27. VaRedsFan

    1-2-3. Just what the Dr ordered.
    Time to tack on some here. If Winker faces Marquez again, he might get him. Looks like he is seeing him well.

  28. Mark Moore

    Wade helping out Wade … both at 100+ mph off the bat. Larkin is loving it.

  29. JB

    Rockies are going to have to put a shift on when Miley comes to bat next.

  30. Roger Garrett

    Time to stretch the lead.Patience,patience.Let him have to make the pitches.

  31. Indy Red Man

    Miley hitting .222))) Higher then Suarez and Farmer. Also higher then Lindor on the Mets)))

  32. Mark Moore

    Nuts!

    But Da Wink has to be due, right?

  33. Roger Garrett

    Double plays in back to back innings have really hurt.

  34. Mark Moore

    No Tinker Bell? Let’s see how Freddie B. finishes the game. I’ve always liked him.

  35. Mark Moore

    That helps! Wade helping Wade again!

    • Tom Mitsoff

      BIG play. Might short-circuit a rally.

      • Mark Moore

        Winker says he’ll help snuff that out.

    • Mark Moore

      He never stopped. I was very surprised and impressed.

  36. VaRedsFan

    Wow Winker…what a grab.
    Never looked like he had it ’til it hit leather.

  37. Melvin

    I think he was just a surprised as we are.

  38. Mark Moore

    Wow … what great Miley support out there.

    More crooked numbers, please now.

    • Tom Mitsoff

      Miley is at 79 pitches. Probably only one more inning.

      • Mark Moore

        Right – unless he flies through the inning and ends up at 90 or less.

      • JB

        Never thought he would make 5. The last couple of innings of defense have helped.

  39. Roger Garrett

    Time to get some more right here then milk this an out at a time by Wade.No doubl plays this inning please.Doubles are good and 2 or 3 of them would be better.

  40. Mark Moore

    OK, Geno. You’ve picked up the pace of late. And you are PO’d at being hit last inning. Time to make them pay.

    • Mark Moore

      But I like that he went with it … that pays off bigger if he keeps it up.

      Let’s go Tucker!

  41. Melvin

    Wait…..did Suarez just hit the opposite way for a SINGLE? That hurt finger may be helping.

    • Mark Moore

      And he hustled and the run counted. I like Farmer stretching it in any case.

  42. JB

    Look at the Reds scoring runs without the homer.

  43. LDS

    Just tuned in. Votto & Suarez with 2 hits each? The Rockies are really bad apparently.

  44. VaRedsFan

    Huge kudos for Tucker running hard through home plate. The run wouldn’t have counted if he wasn’t hustling all the way.

  45. Dennis Westrick

    Here we go again! 4-run lead with 12 outs to go!

  46. DataDumpster

    Haven’t checked in with the game yet. Comments seem a little subdued so I would guess they are winning by 2-3 runs. Just wanted to mention that if this game doesn’t satisfy the urge, then the Saturday night game at 7 p.m. features Cards @ Cubs. (Is Harry Carey still alive?)

  47. Roger Garrett

    Big Big Big hit by Tucker right there and a following knock by Farmer.Two out rally by the good guys nets 3 big runs and yes still no dingers and Suarez goes to right for a hit.

  48. centerfield

    Hypothetically, what would the call be if a batter was granted time while Miley was in his windup and was subsequently hit by the pitch?

  49. Mark Moore

    The Oreo discussion makes me think of the way I always ate Teddy Grahams (chocolate). I poured a cup of them, filled it with milk, waited until they stopped screaming, and then ate them with a spoon.

    • VaRedsFan

      Love it
      Don’t unscrew the oreo BTW

      • Mark Moore

        I don’t. Soak them and use the spoon there as well.

  50. Mark Moore

    Wade definitely looking fatigued here. I’m thinking he’s done after this inning.

    • Mark Moore

      A strong 6 innings. Meets the specs for that “quality start” as well.

  51. VaRedsFan

    Miley at 94 pitches. I assume he’s done.
    Personally, I’d let him pitch until allowed 1 baserunner.

  52. Melvin

    Let Miley go another if possible…..please.

    • Tom Mitsoff

      He’s batting, and I like it. The starters are going to have to regularly go past six innings to minimize the damage inflicted by the bullpen.

      • Melvin

        Yepper 🙂 Good call by Freddie to let him hit.

  53. Mark Moore

    Miley hitting … I’m good with that move by Freddie even if he doesn’t pitch the 7th.

    Larkin wants 105+ mph

  54. Roger Garrett

    Marquez and Miley one on one in the 7th.Both are gassed for sure.Reminds me of the good old days when men were men until they couldn’t go.

    • Roger Garrett

      Miley walks and thats probably the last thing he wanted to do and now is on third base.I am so impressed with this dude and what he has done today and so far this year.Dude is a man’s man.

    • Old-school

      You gotta love Miley- the guy is a gamer. Tom browning 2021.
      He gives you everything he has

  55. Old-school

    Assuming health, The Reds have options on both Miley at $10 million- a lefty craftsman in the conversation for the All Star team – and Tucker is a 2 time GG who fits perfectly with TS in an era where every team needs to quality catchers.

    If I’m the Reds GM and Tucker and Miley are healthy, I’m cashing in those options. It’s still a long way from the off-season, but I enjoy watching Miley pitch and Tucker catch.

    • JB

      Totally agree and I think Tuckers is cheap at 6.5 mil?

    • Mark Moore

      Unless you get a HUGE haul in the next month, I agree. We’re getting a DH next year (assuming we play). TySteve has shown versatility. But LHSP’s don’t just magically appear. And we’d have TWO of them (possibly).

  56. JB

    It’s fun for once to see other teams tootblans.

  57. Mark Moore

    Oh.My.Word!!!!!

    You couldn’t have predicted that if you’d wanted to.

  58. Tom Mitsoff

    If the Reds score at least the two runs on base, it will be interesting to see if Bell takes Miley down and asks the bullpen to hold a six-run lead.

    • Tom Mitsoff

      Didn’t work out well last Sunday in St. Louis. 😉

      • Indy Red Man

        These guys aren’t the Cardinals. It seems like they barely care. Pitcher gets picked off. Throwing the ball all over the place too. Sweep feels mandatory with the way Milw and the Cubs are rolling along.

    • Mark Moore

      Bell? Tinker’s in jail, you know …

  59. Mark Moore

    Jesse is completely PO’d right now.

    Casty time … got to support your buddies.

  60. Indy Red Man

    Cubs down 5-1 yesterday and won. Milw down 4-0 today and now up 7-4. Its a tough road for the Reds right now. Can’t let up at all if they want to hang around.

  61. Mark Moore

    Terrible call … glad Nick didn’t get the hook for that.

    Robo Ump please???

    • Melvin

      Umpires calling balls and strikes needs to be a thing of the past.

  62. Mark Moore

    Castellanos rung up on a bad call? No problem … Naquin shuts them up anyway.

    Joey time again.

  63. VaRedsFan

    Naquin picks up Nick C , who got hosed on that strike call

  64. Mark Moore

    Miley pitching the 7th … I’m guessing Tinker really is in the showers.

  65. JB

    Only 2 earned runs today for Miley. Another good outing.

  66. Melvin

    Easy inning. If Miley says he wants to go another…..let him.

  67. Mark Moore

    7 pretty efficient innings. Just over 100 pitches. 2 for 2 plus a walk and a run scored. Game MVP right there for me.

  68. Dennis Westrick

    Again, Miley is a master at his craft! Got 3 outs in the top of the 7th with 9 pitches I believe!

    • Mark Moore

      Something like that … a great outing to be sure.

    • TR

      Miley is getting it done and he seems like a nice guy to top it off.

  69. LuciusRuber

    Almost an India park home run!

  70. Melvin

    10 runs without an HR. I like it. Good sign.

    • Mark Moore

      Feels really good, doesn’t it?

  71. Mark Moore

    My wife and I both thought that was caught … glad it wasn’t.

    Time for Jesse’s revenge!

    • Dennis Westrick

      Now time for Nick’s revenge!

  72. Mark Moore

    Bud Black thinking about his retirement plans …

  73. Mark Moore

    OK, Sadak and Larkin are just getting silly now … hard to listen to for me.

  74. Old-school

    Miley ERA is 2.92

    The guy is averaging almost 6 innings per start. Miley and Mahle have been outstanding.

  75. Indy Red Man

    CF Cedric Mullens for the O’s is another FA next year. He’s hitting .322 (.918 ops) They’re going to miss Castellanos, but there are alot of good options out there.

    • Old-school

      Saw him last week after he blew up

      He would cost a lot as he is what orioles want- controlled All star lefty CF

      Reds arent paying that price as it high

  76. Tom Mitsoff

    Up by seven with Brach coming in … what could go wrong? 😉 Check with the Cardinals last Sunday.

    • JB

      Nothing . Bullpen is going to pickup Antone.

    • Melvin

      If Brach does well….LEAVE HIM IN THERE. I think Freddie will.

      • Tom Mitsoff

        I’ve always wondered in situations like this when the manager is ejected if he’s not just managing from the clubhouse.

      • Melvin

        DB must be. New pitcher and here we go.

  77. Dennis Westrick

    Brach escaped the 8th! With the mandatory walk of course!

    • BatsLeftThrowsRight

      Brach reminds me of a right handed Billy Bray, herky jerky, same motion.

  78. Mark Moore

    Nope, Tinker is still managing. Otherwise, why would we see Doolittle who gives up a deep double?

  79. LDS

    Doolittle auditioning for the next DFA

  80. LuciusRuber

    Back to 0.500-can’t wait until Antone and Lorenzen are back-these guys are really trying to stay above water

  81. Dennis Westrick

    Thrilled with today’s win! Just hope we can score some runs for our rookie pitcher tomorrow!

  82. Jim t

    At 500 and the pen pitched 2 innings without giving up a run. It’s a good day.

    • Dennis Westrick

      At 500 and 100 games to go!