The Cincinnati Reds will be looking to rebound after last night’s blowout loss in the series opener again the Seattle Mariners. The two teams will get back at it tonight with the Reds young All-Star pitcher on the mound taking on the former Reds All-Star pitcher. First pitch is scheduled tonight for 9:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Seattle Mariners |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Cole Young – 2B |
| Sal Stewart – 1B | Randy Arozarena – LF |
| JJ Bleday – LF | Dominic Canzone – DH |
| Eugenio Suarez – 3B | Cal Raleigh – C |
| Nathaniel Lowe – DH | Josh Naylor – 1B |
| Noelvi Marte – RF | Luke Raley – RF |
| Jose Trevino – C | Victor Robles – CF |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Colt Emerson – SS |
| Edwin Arroyo – 2B | Weston Wilson – 3B |
| Chase Burns – RHP | Luis Castillo – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Chase Burns | 102.2 | 2.54 | 1.11 | 37 | 118 |
| Luis Castillo | 87.2 | 4.93 | 1.37 | 28 | 81 |
| Links: Chase Burns’ Stats | Luis Castillo’s Stats | |||||
Chase Burns
After making the All-Star team, Burns did not pitch in the game. He tweaked his groin a little in his final start before the break and decided that taking the time off was the better idea. Between his last start and the start tonight he signed a record-breaking extension. In his last start he struggled with control, walking six batters in his 5.0 innings while giving up three runs to Philadelphia in an 11-5 Reds win.
The splits against Burns are big. He’s dominant against right-handed hitters. They don’t walk, they don’t hit, and they don’t show any power against him. Left-handed hitters face him quite a bit more than righties as teams try to stack the lineup. Lefties strike out a lot against him, and they don’t hit for an average. But they do walk often and when they do get the rare hit against him they hit for a good amount of power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 161 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 42 | .195 | .230 | .286 |
| LHH | 252 | 47 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 30 | 76 | .214 | .307 | .409 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 97.9 | 90.6 | 81.7 |
| Usage | 57% | 37% | 6% |
Luis Castillo
2026 has been the worst season of the career for Castillo. So much so that he’s actually pitched out of the bullpen three times in the last nine games he’s been in. His ERA is the worst of his career by a wide margin. In his two starts in July he’s allowed six runs over 11.0 innings while facing Toronto and Tampa Bay.
The splits are quite big against Castillo this season. Righties are hitting for a solid average against him this season but they aren’t walking or hitting for much power at all. Left-handed hitters hit for a good average, make a lot of contact, and they are hitting for plenty of power against him.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 161 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 41 | .253 | .308 | .342 |
| LHH | 229 | 55 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 40 | .271 | .336 | .502 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.3 | 95.5 | 85.4 | 87.4 |
| Usage | 44% | 16% | 28% | 12% |
When and Where
- Game time: 9:40pm ET
- Where: T-Mobile Park
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: They have a retractable roof
News and Notes
More draft pick signings
Cincinnati signed two more draft picks today, giving them 18 of their 21 picks signed at this point. You can see all of the picks they’ve signed here.
Dunn and McLain to rehab this week
Outfielder Blake Dunn is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, though he will only serve as the designated hitter for the time being. Matt McLain will start a rehab assignment on Friday.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Milwaukee | 63 | 37 | 0.0 | 99.6% |
| Chicago | 56 | 44 | 7.0 | 79.5% |
| St. Louis | 51 | 48 | 11.5 | 25.1% |
| Pittsburgh | 52 | 49 | 11.5 | 46.1% |
| Cincinnati | 45 | 54 | 17.5 | 0.9% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||