Photo: Carol Highsmith
The Cincinnati Reds will look to rebound after a tough loss on Friday night in extra-innings that featured missed opportunities and sloppy defensive play that would cost them in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch this evening is scheduled for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Starting Pitchers
Andrew Abbott
In his last start, Andrew Abbott had his worst outing of the season as he allowed six earned in 4.0 innings in a 10-1 loss out in Arizona. Today will be his third start against the Cardinals. In his previous two starts he allowed one run in 11.0 innings.
The splits are noticeable against Abbott this season. Right-handed hitters are hitting for a low average, not getting on base, and are showing mediocre power when they do happen to get a hit. Lefties are hitting for an even lower average, get on base less often, and hit for no power.
Splits
Split
PA
H
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
RHH
420
89
17
1
13
28
88
.229
.279
.378
LHH
124
24
6
0
2
7
30
.211
.262
.316
Pitch Usage
4-seam
Cutter
Curve
Slider
Change
Velo
92.6
88.4
80.4
82.4
84.5
Usage
47%
5%
12%
16%
20%
Michael McGreevy
The Cardinals have had Michael McGreevy up-and-down this year between Triple-A and the big leagues, but he’s spent the last five weeks with St. Louis. He’s battled some consistency in there, but has been solid or better in six of his seven starts. He’s thrown six innings in his last five outings and seven in the one preceding his lone poor outing against San Diego on July 27th.
The splits against McGreevy are big this season. He’s been very good against right-handed hitters who almost never walk and hit for no power. Righties do make plenty of contact, but it’s not helped them do much hitting. Left-handed hitters also make a bunch of contact and don’t walk much, but they are turning their contact into a high average and plenty of power.
Splits
Split
PA
H
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
RHH
138
31
5
2
1
3
22
.237
.265
.328
LHH
122
35
4
2
5
6
18
.304
.344
.504
Pitch Usage
4-sm
2-sm
Cutter
Curve
Slider
Change
Velo
92.9
91.6
88.5
79.1
83.5
87.7
Usage
26%
24%
10%
11%
23%
7%
When and Where
Game time: 6:40pm ET
Where: Great American Ball Park
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network, MLB.tv
Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
Forecast: 74°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Tyler Stephenson update
Manager Terry Francona told the media this afternoon prior to today’s game that Tyler Stephenson is going to catch today to test his thumb out against a pitching machine. He noted that the team may explore letting him come back and hit before getting him in games to catch. This was first reported by Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19.
Playoff odds
Every day that I do the game preview I include the division standings and the playoff odds as calculated by Fangraphs. Entering the game today the Reds only have 2.6% chance at making the playoffs. That is the lowest playoff odds they’ve had all season long. They’ve never been lower. Things like that will happen when you go 1-6 at the end of August and were already on the outside looking in, I guess.
Division Standings
Team
W
L
GB
Playoff Odds
Milwaukee
84
52
0.0
100.0%
Chicago
77
58
6.5
99.5%
Cincinnati
68
67
15.5
2.6%
St. Louis
67
69
17.0
0.6%
Pittsburgh
60
76
24.0
0.0%
Playoff Odds via Fangraphs
About The Author
