The Cincinnati Reds will be going for a sweep tonight. They picked up wins in the first two games of the series against the Los Angeles Angels and look to keep the road trip an undefeated one. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38pm ET. Tonight’s game is the MLB.tv Free Game of the Day (out of market rules apply).
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Los Angeles Angels |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Zach Neto – SS |
| Noelvi Marte – RF | Luis Rengifo – 2B |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Mike Trout – DH |
| Miguel Andujar – DH | Taylor Ward – LF |
| Austin Hays – LF | Yoan Moncada – 3B |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Jo Adell – RF |
| Jose Trevino – C | Travis d’Arnaud – C |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Niko Kavadas – 1B |
| Santiago Espinal – 2B | Bryce Teodosio – CF |
| Nick Martinez – RHP | Yusei Kikuchi – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Martinez | 139.0 | 4.73 | 1.23 | 33 | 98 |
| Yusei Kikuchi | 143.0 | 3.52 | 1.44 | 61 | 149 |
| Links: Nick Martinez’s Stats | Yusei Kikuchi’s Stats | |||||
Nick Martinez
In his last outing, Nick Martinez couldn’t make it out of the 3rd inning as he gave up six runs and recorded just eight outs in a loss to Milwaukee. That outing before that he gave up one run in seven innings in Pittsburgh.
The splits against Martinez aren’t that big, but right-handed hitters are finding a little more success. They hit for a higher average and that carries over into a higher slugging percentage. Left-handed hitters aren’t hitting for as much average and thus not as much power. They are also making less contact but walking more.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 303 | 77 | 22 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 41 | .274 | .309 | .459 |
| LHH | 270 | 61 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 19 | 57 | .248 | .305 | .431 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.6 | 92.4 | 88.9 | 79.6 | 84.7 | 78.5 |
| Usage | 21% | 17% | 21% | 10% | 11% | 19% |
Yusei Kikuchi
An All-Star in 2025 for the first time, Yusei Kikuchi hasn’t been as good thus far in the second half of the season. In six starts since the break he’s posted a 5.10 ERA while giving up 39 hits and walking 12 batters in 30.0 innings.
The splits against Kikuchi this season are noticeable. Righties are hitting better across the board. Left-handed hitters don’t get to face him much but when they do they hit for a solid average, but they don’t walk or hit for any sort of power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 490 | 114 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 53 | 111 | .265 | .343 | .432 |
| LHH | 131 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 38 | .254 | .305 | .328 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.9 | 80.3 | 87.5 | 85.9 |
| Usage | 35% | 16% | 36% | 12% |
When and Where
- Game time: 9:38pm ET
- Where: Angel Stadium
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 85°, cloudy, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Tyler Stephenson to the IL, Will Banfield called up
The Reds officially placed Tyler Stephenson on the 10-day IL with a fractured left thumb this afternoon. Will Banfield joins the team from Triple-A Louisville. We wrote about both moves earlier today when they were announced and if you want more details we’ve got you covered right here.
A new record on the farm
A Reds player in the Dominican Republic shattered the stolen base record for players in the organization that spent their year in a foreign rookie league.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 79 | 47 | 0.0 | 100.0% |
| Chicago | 72 | 54 | 7.0 | 97.9% |
| Cincinnati | 67 | 60 | 12.5 | 18.8% |
| St. Louis | 63 | 64 | 16.5 | 3.0% |
| Pittsburgh | 54 | 74 | 26.0 | 0.0% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
I decided to delete the previous game thread and create a new one in the hopes that the issue that seemed to only be happening there would be resolved by doing this.
It’s been working for the last half inning. Funny when you hit the refresh it would download Redleg Nation. Same thing when you would hit send on comment.
Whew, that it was me. LOL… was like what did I do lol
Thanks Doug. All seems to be working on my end now.
Appreciate all you do.
is the issue in question the Reds inability to score?
Lol maybe.
Too many Punch and Judy hitters in Reds lineup ….. not enough thump ….
Why Stewart remains in AAA when he could be helping this lineup is beyond crazy
We’re in the bottom of the 6th … Nick gets Trout for the first out with a ground ball.
that’s it for the Angel 6th … Nick has only given up 2 hits on the day, Reds have 7, but score tied 1-1.
Curveball is working big time tonight for Nick. Dropping right in the strike zone.
Nick getting it done. Run support, please.
Well pitched ballgame Martinez ! Get this man some runs please !
Hopefully that’s it for kikuchi
Hayes will some nice at bats. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his offense. We all knew his defense was outstanding.
Made me look up Clete Boyer on the Web … that’s one 3rd basemen I remember from a young age.
Knew just as soon as stat boy Sadak said that this guy hasn’t gotten an out in 7th all year that he would mow thru Reds hitters this inning ….ANNOYING
REds have been unable to figure Kikuchi out… Game is turning hard to win
Rockies won dodgers
NJ, Barlow.
Scott Barlow and his stuff are working out good in relief these days !
He’s been much better and less walks as the season has progressed.
Detmers on for the Angels … it’s the Reds 8th.
Espinal hits it hard and rattles Detmer, who walks Friedl… something brewing
But Detmers comes back with a vengeance striking out two Reds on 6 pitches… Wow !
Neither Marte nor Elly made contact
I can’t remember the Reds having starting pitchers like this…very consistent all year long….if we had a better offense, this would be a 90-100 win team
Yep
2012 team. Their starting five didnt miss a start.
I keep looking at our 2 runs or less scored and we’re 5 wins, 36 losses.
Agree that with a better offense we’d probably get 100 wins.
Espinal doesn’t make difference from McLain
Possible difference maker is marinating away in AAA …..
Relieved to see McClain sit some. He seems run down, physically and probably psychologically and moral-wise at this point. I say bring up Hot Sal for a few 2B starts. That all said, now watch McClain come in and pinch hit and do something nice.
Morale-wise, that is
It’s even affecting McLain’s defense. Good for him to get a day off to clear his head.
Pitiful
That’s what a fired up reliever can do !
Lefties , lefties and more lefties the formula to stop Reds
This game could fall under the category of another “wasted good pitching “ loss
We’re so used to this kind of game. Let’s squeak out a W, go Reds
Ashcraft on for the bottom of the 8th. Tension mounts…
Must have been a missed feed on my Player, it says Barlow now.
and back to Ashcraft … and a runner on 3rd.
That’s not good.
This is trouble….bad Ashcraft tonight so far
He’s definitely Jekyll and Hyde.
You got overturned a infield hit only to see receiving a double…and now the game is in jeopardy…
What did Valaika do to DelaCruz’s bat? That was one weak set of swings.
A hitting coach who gathered all of 59 major league hits in his pro career,smh.
Elly has been a lingering left quad injury for most of the summer.
Ashcraft got himself in trouble.
and one run scores …
Ashcroft. Can’t start. Can’t really relieve consistently. Even if he escapes this. Still true.
Nice job Ashcrap
3/4 of the time he’s bad
Ashcan….. I did like him when he a younger bulldog starter.
Ashcan tonight, although the go-ahead was on a blooper….. I did like him a lot when he was a younger and effective bulldog starter a few years ago.
Ashcraft is not reliable.
Good if Angels score one run only here
Get Ashcrack out now. He’s done.
Ashcraft is unlucky usually
Ashcraft. You think he is turning the corner and then he crashes in the ditch.
Need to hold em and score a couple for the lead/win hopefully.
Ashcan….. I did like him when he a younger bulldog starter.
Ashcraft is constantly in trouble…drives me insane …with his stuff he should be better
Million dollar arm 10 cent head …
Nuke Laloosh 2.0
That’s it, no more. The bases are loaded with one out.
He gets Moncada to ground out and they get the runner at home.
Now Adell, please …
Guy cannot handle adversity period
Bases loaded… that just can’t happen.
Couldn’t sleep! Ash-Crash is a disaster waiting to happen! Somebody call FEMA!
Need one more and then go hit.
Ashcraft struck again. His pitches just got too much plates and around belt high
Is pagan hurt? Why aren’t we using our best guys?!
GA? I have no more excuses for him. He’s only given up 2 HRs so his stuff is good, but he just can’t get it done. Absolutely no use in high leverage
I can’t understand This move bringing Suter against Adell after let Ashcraft to face Moncada… Tito should know something additional or he is gambling or lost his mind
Or he wanted the one guy who can throw strikes.
Suter gets Adell swinging, it’s onto the Reds 9th, and we need at least 1 !
Whew, thank you Suter.
Come on bats, get some runs. These are games we gotta win.
Ty, Suter.
They bring in KBH and Andujar and they have 3 doubles combined and we still can’t score on lefties. Try someone different hint hint
Poop. Hays almost got that one out.
Yeah, that’s how it goes …
Was that flyball by Hays deep ?
Wall
It was. One of those nights. Kinda lost this game in the 2nd inning though.
This is why the Reds cannot go on a long winning streak….their offense just goes MIA too often
Pathetic effort by offense …. Again and again and again leave runners in prime scoring
position with less than 2 outs …. And keep running Espinal and MCclain out second base and nothing offensively
That one stings. Series win yes, but a sweep would have been better.
5 wins, 37 losses when scoring 2 or less runs.
2-1 is a tough loss any time … Gotta shake it off and get ready for the next one.
Gave one away. 2 on and no outs and the Angels were handing the Reds the game. Needed to make that hurt and couldnt take advantage. This one stings.
Angels win this game with 5 hits….that is stupid….thanks reds offense
Reds lose and miss the chance to tie the 3rd wild card spot again. They are allergic to go in to the playoff zone apparently. Reds offense was stuck tonight wasted many chances to score, the pitching was good.
It’s down right criminal that this team won’t bring Stewart up. What is this 4 games this year where this team scores 1 run or less?
It’s insane ! getting ZERO production from second base and Krall continues to fiddle while Rome burns to the ground …
Not scoring enough runs.
“New York finished with five home runs on the night and 14 in the series sweep, tying a major league record for most homers in a two-game series. The 1999 Reds previously held the record, doing so Sept. 4-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies — with current Yankees manager Aaron Boone hitting one of the home runs for Cincinnati.”
from the ESPN News Service …
That’s where our runs are going … There’s only so many available in the baseball universe.