Will tonight be the final time that Luis Castillo takes the mound wearing a Cincinnati Reds jersey? This particular writer hopes not, but he’s one of the hottest names on the trade market and he wouldn’t be due to make another start until the trade deadline has come and gone. Miami will send lefty Braxton Garrett to the mound as the Marlins look to spoil things for the Reds tonight at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight’s contest:
Miami Marlins
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Joey Wendle – SS | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Jesus Aguilar – DH | Brandon Drury – 3B |
| JJ Bleday – CF | Tommy Pham – LF |
| Avisail Garcia – RF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Lewin Diaz – 1B | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Willians Astudillo – 2B | Donovan Solano – DH |
| Jesus Sanchez – LF | Matt Reynolds – RF |
| Nick Fortes – C | Stuart Fairchild – CF |
| Luke Williams – 3B | Michael Papierski – C |
| Braxton Garrett – SP | Luis Castillo – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Luis Castillo | 78.0 | 2.77 | 1.08 | 27 | 82 |
| Braxton Garrett | 47.1 | 3.42 | 1.14 | 11 | 47 |
| Links: Luis Castillo’s Stats | Braxton Garrett’s Stats |
|||||
Luis Castillo
It’s been a heck of a month for Luis Castillo. Over the last 30 days he’s made four starts and allowed three earned runs in 27.0 innings (1.00 ERA) while giving up just one home run and striking out 33 batters. His ERA has dropped nearly a full run in that stretch and now sits at 2.77.
Castillo has dominated both lefties and righties this year, though lefties have had a little more success. They’ve got a 26 point advantage in on-base percentage and a 47 point advantage in slugging percentage, while also making more contact. Still, their .618 OPS against him isn’t good – it’s just better than the .545 OPS that right-handed hitters have against him this season.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 167 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 46 | .203 | .264 | .281 |
| LHH | 154 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 36 | .194 | .290 | .328 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 97.0 | 96.6 | 86.7 | 88.3 |
| Usage | 31.5% | 21.5% | 20.9% | 26.1% |
Braxton Garrett
Left-handed hitters haven’t had much success against the lefty this season, hitting just .177 with two extra-base hits and just two walks in 54 plate appearances. Right-handed hitters are having a lot more success. They’ve hit for a solid average and a decent amount of power, too. While they have walked more frequently than lefties have, they don’t walk too often. But they are making contact at a much better rate.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 142 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 31 | .262 | .324 | .454 |
| LHH | 54 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 16 | .177 | .222 | .255 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 91.5 | 91.0 | 84.4 | 85.7 | 78.7 |
| Usage | 28.9% | 19.6% | 33.9% | 7.8% | 9.8% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 83°, cloudy, 15% chance of rain
News and Notes
Albert Almora Jr. to Triple-A on rehab
The Cincinnati Reds have sent Albert Almora Jr. to Triple-A Louisville where he will begin a rehab assignment. Almora has been on the COVID injury list for the last 15 days. He’ll join fellow rehabbing players Jake Fraley and Aristides Aquino in Louisville.
Let’s hope for one last great start by Castillo and that he stays healthy. I would guess I am not the only one around here somewhat anxious/nervous/excited about the upcoming trades this week. Lets go Reds!
The problem with trading Castillo is the inability of Krall to properly evaluate players. But a blind squirrel will find a nut every now and then.
Doug,
Appreciate your great work on both sites!! Curious though, as a life long reds fan im actually hoping we do maximize LC value and trade for several great prospects……we clearly aren’t winning this year and have shown no signs(and im not sure I disagree) with being willing to pay a pitcher into their mid 30s what LC will command…..do you not want to trade him at all or just not now?
If the Reds trade Castillo, then turn out to be competitive in the next couple years but don’t have an ace to put them over the hump, people will be blasting management for failure to sign a FA ace. They’ll quickly forget they had an ace right here, right now who appears to coming into his peak years yet a bunch of folks wanted to get rid of him for a bunch of minor leaguers. If you think 2024-26 are window years, sign Castillo for four years.
Do you expect the Reds to be competitive by 2024? Seems out of reach to me at this point
But he becomes a free agent after 2023 right. So that theory doesn’t work…Unless you think they are a playoff team next year.
+500
And he’s not taking any kind of “hometown discount” either
He’s our #1, but he’s not an Ace, so that’s also a hole in that theory.
We wish you well Castillo. Stay healthy. We’ll miss you. I’m kind of torn. Part of me wants him healthy for his trade value and part of me wants maybe a somewhat minor injury so we can keep him. We’ll see how it plays out. If Big Bob and Son/Krall/Bell intend to indeed trade him I’m not sure it’s wise to send him out there and risk injury for just one more start.
One more time, LC. Show us how it’s done and take your victory lap.
On an unrelated note, Wally Cleaver died today. Actor Tony Dow was 77 and had been battling cancer.
Again? He died the other day, but I guess he got better. It’s like a Monty Python sketch.
Must be showcasing Papierski. Imagine the talent they could get back for him.
It’s the only explanation I can think of.
Stephenson is out. That’s another explanation.
Add Moustakis and I can hear the song lyrics:
“Seems it was just my imagination
Runnin’ away with me”
+500
Might not be the last start for LC, but if it is, they better break someones prospect bank for him
So is Senzel injured or does Bell somehow think Fairchild’s .095 batting average is a game changer? And it’s Papierski yet again? I guess Kolo should not have hit that home run. The Reds next window to compete will be someday after Bell.
I’m guessing it was a planned day off written in the deterministic line-up book 2 months ago. That he may have jammed his shoulder a bit yesterday is just fuel for the rumor and comment fire. Frankly, it’s probably good he’s getting a little time after that bit yesterday. But I still think DTBell plans these out way in advance.
Curious that Bell never pencils the old guys in for days off. And of course, it’s against a LH’er so Votto is in there. Sure glad old guys don’t need as much time off as the kids.
Reynolds can’t sit 😉
Senzel’s shoulder is bothering him. Could hardly throw last night.
Really wondering if Kolo has some sort of chronic medical/ injury problem. He was catching only one or two games a week at Louisville.
Then they should bring up Okey.
Fairchild has .200 average but more importantly an .885 OPS/ 147 wRC+ in this short stint with the Reds. Yes the sample is ridiculously small but a person would think if he is hot, he’d be played more, especially since he had a .940 OPS combined AAA OPS at all stops this season
AA did well again last night.
Fairchild has 2 hits – 1B and HR – in 13 AB (8 K) plus 2 BB with Reds.
Small sample size but not great numbers.
From what I can see it looks like a full house tonight. 🙂
You playing poker?
haha 🙂
Got to win this one for La Piedra. He started us of in fine fashion. RoY doing his part.
He was holding his left arm kind of “funny” after that slide.
I’m not going to say anything.
Farmer Farming
Farmer against lefties. Unbelievable
Farmer says, “Hold my beer. I’ve got this one.”
Solano Solanoing
Donnie Barrels!!!
So we gave up what should have been a run with RoY (I still like the steal attempt). But we’re definitely picking up the slack elsewhere.
I didn’t like the attempt. Stealing 3rd with no outs…you have to be 99% sure of making it.
No problem trying it with 1 out though.
Vott-0for4 at .170 in July coming in. Can’t wait to see more of him next year at 23 mil
I think the Reds will be competitive by 2024 or 2025. The starting pitching will lead the way. Castillo and Mahle will be gone. These young pitchers will grow up to be monsters. I think Greene and Lodolo will grow into beasts on the mound. Greene will figure it out and except for some occasional home runs. he will be terrific. Expect his first no hitter during these years. Laugh at me if it does not happen.
Why on earth would Votto ever bat ahead of Farmer vs. lefties?
Ego? I don’t think JV would bark at that.
Probably because for years people here have been grousing that the Reds don’t have a set batting order.
Reynolds Reckoning
It’s almost like last night never happened. This looks like an extension of Monday.
Need to save some runs for when Minor pitches.
You can’t bank enough runs for that
Under 9.5, Luis 5 Ks, and Solano hit. Figured it was gold since we always suck vs soft tossing lefties. Might have to scramble and bet Over 9.5 to hedge it out
I like the Twins….man they could really use Farmer or Donnie Barrels. Probably Strickland too for that matter. He’s better then some of their guys.
Cleveland is super young and cheap and the White Sox/Twins have trash bullpens, but somebody has to win that division
Twinkies are rumored to be sniffing after Mahle
Side note, Diaz raised his average from .071 to .133 with that base hit.
He is on fire.
I saw Castillo’s major league debut in Washington. Luck of the draw as me and my son were going anyway. Splurged a little with home plate box seats in the Diamond Club. Electric arm…easy gas. Scooter went deep. Bryce Harper walked it off in the 9th.
Luis gets swing-n-miss on 97-98 all the time, but I watched Hunter last night for the first 5 and saw 2 swing-n-misses on 101-102 in 5 innings. Something is off there? Needs a split or curve just to make the extreme heater feel extreme. Kevin Gausman turned his career around w a split and HG is way more talented overall
Greene will get there. I firmly believe that’s the case.
35 pitches with 80% strikes through 3 innings. If this is his swan song, it’s shaping up to be a doozy. Glad he’s getting run support.
Don’t know what Reds marketers are thinking. They already have an angry fan base over this year trades. Now the broadcasters are trying to build up the Castillo memory lane highlights to help create another backlash when he is traded. Don’t think they know what they do too to bottom.
Perhaps they are bowing to the inevitable. Marketing works directly for the FO, so does this mean tonight is IT for LC in a Reds uniform?
That works. Nice job, Reynolds.
Reynolds has a little bit of a Stephenson type swing. Not a bad bench player at all
Solano is a professional hitter. In Farmers(Buck and Kyle) we trust.
Watch Fairchild R back foot when he swings . It moves 8 inches
Someone in the Reds have to realize this 9 yo mistake
Never seen an mlb hitter move his back foot 8-12 inches when he swings
I seen that the last game he played. I thought maybe I seen it wrong. Thanks for letting me know I’m not nuts. I agree as well on you think somebody would say something to him.
Fairchild’s not doing a lot with his opportunity here.
Reds have three outfielders in the process of working through rehabilation runs.
The odds of him sticking around aren’t looking so good.
I think thats his 12th at-bat as a Red. Robin Ventura once went 0-40
Yeah, but that was after he’d been Robin Ventura for a number of years.
If all you’ve got to hang your hat on is “Stuart Fairchild” and your manager is named “Bell” then your window of opportunity is like a side vent in an old Ford Falcon.
I would never had started LC five days before the trading deadline. He has pitched very well. Why take a chance on him getting bombed or worse yet, injured. Can’t figure out Reds management at all sometimes.
Teams don’t want him out of rhythm any more then necessary after a trade. Thats normal. He is under contract for next year so not just a rental. Teams may not want to ante up that much so there would be atleast a 35% chance he’d remain a Red if I was the GM, but they may force a trade for whatever they get?
Thats a tough needle to thread. But if you asking for a top 20 prospect… that GM has to see dominance to sell his owner and fan base.
Id pull Castillo after 5
Great Farmer play
Not a bad play or two by Votto on the other end.
If I’m an American League team , Castillo start against the Yankees is all I needed to see. Castillo shut them down and would look good against them in the playoffs.
It is a bit schizophrenic.
While the FO doesn’t appear too dedicated to winning pitching Louie C puts the Reds in a good position.
He’s on a roll and has been pretty durable.
I don’t know how you hold him out for a week on the chance of a good deal coming through.
Volpe? Please no.
I think things are going to work out.
They don’t have to trade him this week in order to benefit from moving him.
The off-season and next August 2 will likely yield bonafide results.
I’m a little jaded at all the hysteria and fait d’accompli take about a trade.
That’s what leads to bad decisions.
The Reds could use a Latos trade in reverse.
I fear a Chapman / Cueto redux.
I thought about this on my walk. I don’t think we’ll see a Chapman redux. His parting was always clouded in legal troubles. I saw him as truly a head case. Cueto … you might have a point there.
Pull Castillo now after 5
Joey getting a workout over there. I thought he slipped off the bag on the first one, but I don’t make the calls.
Time for a quick walk before it rains (again).
Brings to mind the old Graham Nash joint: King Midas in Reverse.
Its malfeasance to pitch Castillo further
He pulls a hamstring or gets hit on the ankle… stupidity
If this is it, I’d enjoy seeing him leave with a solid W.
But given his tenure with the Reds, it might be more fitting, and nostalgic for Louie C, for him to turn it over to the bullpen and for them to blow the game.
“That’s the way I remember you best….”
but I need 1 more K from Luis ))). His stuff is def down tonight
Six innings on 69 pitches.
I hope the rest of the rotation has been watching and taking notes.
Get the money together Produce Bob.
Put a “Louie Castle” surcharge on your canteloupes.
Cincinnatians will rally behind you.
That’s my way of thinking anyway.
Theres only one reason Castillo pitching still and thats Krall telling teams Ill keep him till the offseason unless you give me this return and you cant have this horse
Stuart Fairchild has no business taking MLB at bats.
Huascar Leandro Brazoban or Gustavo Leandro Brazoban.
Serious MLB names.
Quien es mas macho?
I see I didn’t really miss anything except that LC is still dealing and his pitch count is pretty low. Needs to bear down to get through the 7th.
And by “bear down” I don’t mean this action
Uh-oh. Why didn’t they cut his night short at 6? He has to be on edge with the trade rumors and he hasn’t had his big velocity either
Zero reason for Castillo to pitch this inning.
Reduces trade value so Krall’s margin of error goes up. Maybe Castillo will save himself
He did just that
I saw that. Krall needs to really up his game if he trades him. No more lousy returns like he got with Winker/Suarez
Management blew it here leaving LC in but that’s what we can expect these days.
That’s better. Get one more, LC. Just one.
Three Ks in a row. Good way to leave.
As Cowboy pointed out last night, he didn’t “strike out the side” but he did get 3 K’s in a row when he needed them most.
Night over for LC. Most likely, time as a Red over as well. Talk about going out on top.
The Reds dodged a bullet, now get him out of there !
Thanks for the memories LC! It was an absolute pleasure watching you pitch all these years.
I don’t have good feeling for this kind of game where with a lead the offense goes to sleep and the other team keeps chips away
Agreed. I’d prefer we add on 1 or 2 in the 8th. More than that is fine as well.
With this bullpen, we take as many runs as we can get. This bullpen is know you give up runs in half dozen count
FLoro, speaking of people we should not have traded away
For “Prospect” James Marinan.
Five years on and he’s still struggling in A+ ball.
I didn’t get that trade then, nor do I now.
At least Luis gets to go out with a W
That’s going out on a high note, especially with another GIDP.
Who did they pick up during the AS break and put in our BP uniforms? Names are the same but where have these results been all season.