If you're getting popups this morning from SBNation stating "MALWARE DETECTED," don't fret; it's just a typo of MARLIN DETECTED. This warning appears whenever the Miami Marlins win two consecutive games against teams with winning records. The Reds look to stop that streak this afternoon while trying to get something out of their lone trip to Miami this season.
If the Reds are going to avoid a sweep today, they need to do something with their offense. Their second consecutive lineup featuring the #DustyLineup hashtag produced a grand total of 4 runs over the past two days (hey, Reds new media people, you think you want to give that joke a rest if the lineups aren't working?) In response to this futility, the Reds will trot out a two-hitting Chris Heisey as well as Didi Gregorious and Dioner Navarro. At the very least, Reds fans are spared Wilson Valdez tweets for the next 24 hours.
Given the Reds' recent offensive woes, Mat Latos will have to provide them another dominating performance if he hopes to gain his thirteenth win of the season. Latos has shown to be up for the challenge, having an ERA of 2.56 over his past 15 starts. For Latos, it will be a bit of a homecoming, having gone to high school in a nearby suburb of Miami. Hopefully it will inspire him much like how Houston always seems to bring out the best in Homer Bailey.
The Marlins will counter with the Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco has been the definition of average this season going 12-12 with an era of 4.40. In describing Nolasco, Marlins skipper (for now) Ozzie Guillen is quick to point out that Nolasco has a "great arm" and is "going right at people." Of course, one does not know whether this was said before or after he challenged Buster Olney to a drunjfight. Regardless, here's to hoping that at least #DrunjOzzie lifts his intoxicated head this afternoon.
You can say what you want about Dusty, but he's no Ozzie Guillen. Sure, Ozzie has won a World Series, but he's also turned off even the most logical Marlins fan. Dusty, on the other hand, has only alienated the dumbest of Reds fans. This goes to show that you don't have to like a guy in order to admire him (wait, what?). Go ahead and win a game in Miami, Redlegs. Go ahead with a lineup after the jump that doesn't include a .187 two-hitter. Go Reds, they're my favorite team!
LINEUPS
REDS
Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
Chris Heisey (R) CF
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
Jay Bruce (L) RF
Todd Frazier (R) 3B
Dioner Navarro (S) C
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Mat Latos (R) P
MARLINS*
Bryan Petersen (L) LF
Justin Ruggiano (R) CF
Jose Reyes (S) SS
Giancarlo Stanton (R) RF
Carlos Lee (R) 1B
Greg Dobbs (L) 3B
Donovan Solano (R) 2B
Rob Brantly (L) C
Ricky Nolasco (R) P
*Projected Lineup, subject to Ozzie being Ozzie.