The Cincinnati Reds will hit the road this evening as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates at PNC Park. The two teams faced off to open the season in Cincinnati where the Reds dropped the opener but took the series by winning the final two. This series will be four games, running through Sunday. Tonight’s first pitch is set for 6:35pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Pittsburgh Pirates
|
| Jonathan India – 2B | Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B |
| TJ Friedl – LF | Bryan Reynolds – LF |
| Spencer Steer – 3B | Andrew McCutchen – DH |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Carlos Santana – 1B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Connor Joe – RF |
| Wil Myers – DH | Jack Suwinski – CF |
| Jason Vosler – 1B | Rodolfo Castro – SS |
| Nick Senzel – CF | Ji Hwan Bae – 2B |
| Jose Barrero – SS | Austin Hedges – C |
| Luke Weaver – RHP | Roansy Contreras – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Roansy Contreras | 15.0 | 6.00 | 1.73 | 8 | 11 |
| Luke Weaver (2022) | 35.2 | 6.56 | 1.82 | 13 | 38 |
| Links: Luke Weaver’s Stats | Roansy Contreras’s Stats |
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Luke Weaver
Tonight will be the Reds debut of Luke Weaver. After forearm tightness delayed him in the middle of March, he headed to Triple-A Louisville to rehab when the season began and made two starts, allowing three runs in 9.0 innings over his two starts.
Last season was a tough one for Luke Weaver as he posted 6.56 ERA in 35.2 innings – almost all as a reliever – between his time with Arizona and Kansas City. Both lefties and righties hit him well, though right-handed hitters showed more power along the way. He only gave up one homer last year. For his career he’s been a bit better against right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters.
Splits 2022
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 93 | 27 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 22 | .318 | .366 | .471 |
| LHH | 81 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | .357 | .420 | .429 |
Pitch Usage (2023 in AAA)
| 4-Seam | Cutter | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 93.3 | 86.0 | 85.2 | 81.4 |
| Usage | 49% | 14% | 22% | 15% |
Roansy Contreras
Last year the Reds faced Contreras three times and did not have much success. He held the team to a .184/.196/.367 line and gave up just four runs in 14.0 innings (2.57 ERA) with just one walk allowed. This season he’s struggled with his control – already walking eight batters in 15.0 innings.
Last season he showed reverse splits. Lefties hit for a lower average, posted a lower on-base percentage, and they hit for less power. They did make more contact last season but it didn’t amount to any more production.
2022 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 244 | 52 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 23 | 56 | .239 | .312 | .431 |
| LHH | 164 | 30 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 30 | .204 | .287 | .388 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.3 | 76.8 | 83.6 | 89.8 |
| Usage | 37% | 16% | 43% | 4% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:35pm ET
- Where: PNC Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 82°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Levi Stoudt optioned to Triple-A
After making his big league debut yesterday against Tampa Bay, the Reds optioned Levi Stoudt back to Triple-A this morning so they could activate tonight’s starting pitcher Luke Weaver.
Elly De La Cruz activated for Louisville
In news you could have known about several days ago when I reported it on Patreon (or when I reported it yesterday for free at RedsMinorLeagues.com) – Reds top prospect Elly De La Cruz has been activated from the injured list and has joined the Louisville Bats.
Andrew Abbott struck out 11 more batters last night
Arguably the hottest prospect in minor league baseball this year, Andrew Abbott took the mound for Double-A Chattanooga last night and picked up 11 more strikeouts for the Lookouts. He now has 36 strikeouts and just three walks in 15.2 innings this season. He was charged with two earned runs, but only because we don’t allow “outfielder lost the ball in the lights” to be errors.
Road Woes
The Reds are 1-5 on the road this season.
See ya later, Bobby
Looks like Cincinnati’s losing a beat writer in a few weeks.
? I’m headed back to Minnesota and thrilled for the chance to write for the newspaper I grew up reading.
Loved my time at the Enquirer. I’m still around for a few more weeks, so not a goodbye yet, but excited for what’s ahead. https://t.co/m9ebOm5Htm
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) April 20, 2023
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Brewers | 14 | 5 | 0.0 | 73.2% |
| Cubs | 11 | 6 | 2.0 | 28.6% |
| Pirates | 12 | 7 | 2.0 | 12.0% |
| Cardinals | 8 | 11 | 6.0 | 53.5% |
| Reds | 7 | 11 | 6.5 | 0.8% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Madison Bumgarner DFA’d. Way past his prime, but I’d strongly consider it anyway.
It might be worth it just for the veteran teaching moments he could give to Greene, Lodolo and Ashcraft.
He’s been awful. It will probably look like an option once Weaver….then maybe Anderson try for SP 4/5 and produce similar results as Cessa, Stoudt and Over Ten
I think Greene has been cleared. At least in the fantasy realm, his status was changed from day to day to healthy.
I wonder if Bally will ask that Louisville be blocked on MiLB in the Reds primary markets since EDLC has been activated? 😉
Abbott keeps rolling along. Glad to see EDLC activated.
Abbott does look a little like Tom Browning … for those who remember… and yes, his OFs looked like little leaguers on that 2 run play.
Good evening, RLN friends. Beautiful (if not warm) day here in Raleigh.
WLW feed sounds a little tin can-ish for me tonight.
You can always listen to Sadak. 🙂
Thanks, but I’ll pass on that opportunity. 😀
Well, got that first batter out of the way … not how we wanted it to go, but at least he made Hayes earn the base instead of gifting it.
Whelp … that didn’t help either.
Gotta have that walk! At least is wasn’t the leadoff batter!
Got robbed a little by both Chumpires on the no-call checked swing and then lost him … REALLY lost him.
Here we go! That’s what happens when you constantly pitch from behind!
Abbott looking better all the time. 🙂
Can’t even come close to grooving it to guys who are swinging hot bats.
Still looking for that 4th and 5th starter. Next man up
Got to give him a couple of innings, JB. It’s these darned first innings for the last two newbies that have killed us. I just hope this doesn’t make our guys less patient at the plate.
It’s only 4 runs … 😮
Will be switching to the Lightning NHL game at the top of the hour! Earth to the Reds FO! We need another one or two experienced SPs! I’d be willing to gamble on Mad Bum at this point!
Madbum would give you exactly what they been getting. He has been awful for a while now.
If I’m not mistaken, the Reds have given up 23 runs since the last time they scored a run.
21 scoreless innings and counting! Can’t win if you can’t score runs regardless of who’s pitching!
You can’t keep your job if the team you are managing can’t score runs.
SP4/SP 5 have been dreadful
RLN knew that tho
Didnt think it would be this bad. 22-0 last 19 innings???
Reds are entering potentially really bad territory. Pirates are 3rd in run differential in mlb and moving up.
Bad is one thing. Brutal is on a completely different plane. I’m thinking a plane with both wings and engines on fire.
Challenge in the 2nd inning? Maybe it works …
Well maybe that’s kicks the pig a little bit.
Nice bike helmet DP to end that inning with no further damage. Need our guys to pick it up (Senzel at least put wood on the ball).
i mean this is worse then last year
Yep! Starting to look a lot like the losing streaks of last year! If it’s not the starting pitching, it’s the bullpen and, if not that, it’s a lack of offense! Hard to watch!
Wheels are falling off fast. A loss tonight will put us on pace for 59 wins.
Time to start checking the record books for most consecutive innings without scoring and most consecutive runs scored by opponents. They’ve gotta be approaching both records at this point.
If a run is not scored soon, it’s time to bring up Ramos.
At some point, I think Bell’s gotta try something absolutely crazy, like maybe a hit-and-run or flashing a “take” sign. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Have to think David Bell job is on the line. The Reds are cheap, but I have to think if they don’t start scoring runs soon, his job security will come into question.
Maybe. I’m thinking Freddie B. is a better option, but I’m not sure by how much. That would also be the end of Freddie’s long tenure with the Reds come the end of the season.
I’m still thinking Bell is as close to immune as one can possibly be due to “da family”.
I really hope they don’t hire another inexperienced manager with no record of winning. I like Freddie and would hope the Reds retain him in some capacity, but not as manager unless it’s on an interim basis.
I wonder what the Red’s ERA is in the first inning?
We keep getting these 2 out hits. Now let’s see if we can get one home.
Nope. Hockey time .
Already there! This Florida transplant is a HUGE Tampa Bay Lightning fan! Unfortunately, they are not doing much better than the Reds as they are down 3-0 in the 1st period.
Weaver has been cruising after the first. That change-up looks very nice. Redd need to put up a crooked number.
I know all teams go through slumps, but it seems like the Reds go through more than their fair share, and when they start, they seem to go on forever. The body language is bad. The willingness to swing at balls and take strike three down the middle is bad. Bell’s unwillingness to try a hit-and-run, or ask anyone to take a pitch in any situation, is bad. His lack of intensity, his “oh well, just do whatever you want” attitude, is not what this team needs.
You say slump … I say “bottomless pit” … it’s still hard to watch.
Don’t forget his “scheduled days off”
I’m sure those are going to start paying off soon. They just need more days off.
Exactly! 24 year old athletes need a lot of rest, especially after a whole 18 games.
Especially when they’re hitting well. That’s tiresome.
The way things are going, why are the Reds wasting at bats with the likes of Vosler? It also doesn’t help that Stephenson is hitting with zero power. Last place is becoming more and more inevitable. It is also time to start discussing Bell’s job security, it may not be all his fault but something has to be done.
Going out on a limb and will say the Reds come back to win tonight. It’s just a guess. A uneducated guess at that.
I’m in full support of that. Have to start putting up crooked numbers very soon to make that happen. Right now, we’re pretty much just hacking.
I predict either a win or a meaningless solo home run. Leaning toward the latter.
Bell could be a pretty good manager on a team that’s absolutely loaded with talent from top to bottom. His lack of intensity, his “oh well, no big deal” attitude, his misuse of talent, unwillingness to try anything the least bit creative, etc. would all work quite well on a team that’s loaded with talent. With the Reds, it doesn’t always seem so great.
A lead-off hit … maybe, just maybe.
Weaver did very well after that disastrous 1st inning.
This comment didn’t age well.
We are entering into the “move on to 2024” part of the season again in April
With that in mind… who is the Reds best hitter you want to build an offense around. For me… its Jon India and not even close.
Tell me I’m wrong and who is better
Sadly, I am afraid that hitter is not on the major league roster.
I guess when it rains it pours … terrible call on TJ for interference. Hedges just plain lost his footing.
The lack of any argument from Friedl or Bell might suggest the ump got it right, but I think it’s probably more an indication of Friedl being disappointed he struck out and Bell just being incompetent.
Yeah … I doubt it’s a reviewable call and no Chumpire will ever reverse himself. But that would have been a great opportunity for DTBell to show a little passion. Instead, the shot they showed of him looked like he was coaching a church softball league team to me.
Weaver is definitely looking better.
Cruz is playing SS and McLain 2B tonight.
The Reds as an organization tonight: they have all of two runs in 26 innings. I’m out for a while. Guys, I can’t take it any longer.
Honestly can’t blame you, Pete
Keep up this pace and maybe we break the 2-hour mark tonight. I’m good for about one more inning if we can’t get something happening.
At least Weaver is pitching well since the first inning.
Thrall just said he’s “rolling” … I tend to agree.
Sooooo, are they planning on scoring again sometime this season? This is brutal.
Maybe it’s not so bad they do have 11 hits in 27 innings now. Something to build on I guess.
The organization from top to bottom is in a total disarray, player development is nonexistent.
Fraley keeping out hopes alive for the moment.
2 on and nobody out … what is this new devilry we are seeing?
Ha ha! I’m trying to not to get my hopes up too much
Nope – same old same old. Hayes made quite the play to start that DP.
You would think DJ the Pitching Whisper would do something about all the first inning runs his starters are giving up. Apparently, they are not well prepared when they take the mound. By the time they get it together, the game is over.
And the shut-out is over as is the scoreless drought after 24 innings.
Our long national nightmare is over.
+500
Finally scored!!! It’s time to celebrate ?
Senzel flailing at a 1-1 pitch nowhere near the strike zone with his team trailing by 3, then taking a half-hearted check swing at strike three, is a perfect representation of this team’s incredibly low baseball IQ. Bell demands nothing, and he gets nothing.
Been saying it this season and last, the Reds hitters exhibit little or NO plate discipline! IQ is optional!
The Reds really need to move on from Nick Senzel.
It’s past time and will benefit all concerned.
It’s getting to the point that Fairchild is clearly better. Other than Friedl though I’m really not all that excited about any of your outfield. I’m looking forward to when they finally figure out some things like EDLC to CF and maybe CES to RF. Friedl can have LF with his arm. That still leaves what to do with McLain. He’s playing 2B tonight.
I think that shows that Senzel is not a good hitter. He was decent in 2019 but sophomore slump turned into something worse.
As soon as healthy bring up EDLC , CES and Mclain it doesn’t matter how bad they are. I can’t continue to watch most of the players on this team.
This three catcher strategy is paying off again, because there are two slow bad hitters sitting on the bench just in case Bell needs a bad hitter or a slow runner in the 8th or 9th.
Steer almost gave it up, but the toss was soft enough that Vosler could easily get it and make the tag.
Nice comeback by Weaver! Made two (2) mistakes (HRs) in the 1st inning that cost him any chance of a win, especially the way the Reds offense is being, well, offensive!
Cruz 1-3 with a double. McLain 1-1 with two BB.
Benson hitting like .059 in AAA and replaced in CF batting 3rd with siani
Anyone know if injured?
Edlc and mcLain making noise
Who is Hopkins??! Does he need to replace someone? Cruz was under the radar all year last year until finally someone said results are good
Jon india 3-4
That’s our RoY India doing what he does. Glimmer of hope remains.
TJ was due … Steer has to be due as well.
Wow … 😮
Talk about an opportunity for Steer.
What????
Reds double steal???
Im flummoxed
Steer good Ab with the rocket sac fly
Just missed extra bases on that one.
We’ll take that. Nice work by TJ to move up as well.
Time to Rake, Jake!
Nuts!
Double NUTS!!
First pitch to Stephenson right down the middle. You have got to hit that. It won’t get any better than that.
Typical Reds rally! Runner at third, less than 2 outs, just need a fly ball out and what do you get? A groundout followed by a strikeout! Incredible lack of hitting fundamentals!
Fraley at least put solid wood on it. Just not enough juice and right at Hayes.
We just passed the 2 hour mark. Hoping we can extend things in our half of the 9th.
Nice play by Steer. Cutch still has some wheels.
Stephenson approach at the pate is really hurting this team, he needs to be more aggressive.
Just flailed at that one
Then nothing from Vosler.
Still, glad I stayed tuned in to see us break the streak and watch Weaver settle down.
Night all …
Close, but no cigar! Let’s hope for better results tomorrow!
Might have been helpful to have another offensive option tonight. The Reds had Fairchild, Newman, and two catchers on the bench. This three catcher strategy reduces their odds of winning in every single game, but this organization thinks it somehow helps in the “big picture,” I guess because it’s crucial to make sure Casali gets plenty of rest. Wouldn’t want him to be fatigued in October.
7 and 12. They will be lucky to win 1 in this series. Pittsburgh is now 13 and 7 and doing a lot right. The Reds stink and it’s really that simple. Besides India, Steer and Friedl nobody is hitting the ball at all. Please give up on Vosler, Senzel, Fairchild, Newman, Maile, and give a short lease to Fraley and Barrero.
Why in the world should they give up on Fairchild? They should be playing him regularly. I like guys who get on base.
Well, at least they weren’t shutout. Inquiring minds want to know, Myers, Vosler, Senzel, and Fraley all gave lower BAs than Barrero, does that mean they can’t hit Ml pitching either?
Lmao… always something with you.
@KevinH, a serious question given the number of folks here that say Barrero can’t cut it. Logic has its consequences
He is batting 234. It’s April 20th. Let’s come back first of June. Putting stock in averages in April is nothing.
Volser had close to as many abs as Barrero career wise. I believe that’s accurate. Senzel, Fraley, and Myers can hit mlb pitching of course.
Now would be a good time to start. The Reds are sinking fast.
Nick Krall, said during the off-season, that losing 100 games is not acceptable. He will need to make a move or two soon or they will be right back there again in a few months.