As Cincinnati awakens from its post All Star Game hangover, Johnny Cueto, in what may be his last start as a Red™, will start for Cincinnati on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians to salvage some mild dignity in the Ohio Cup.
Carlos Carrasco will get the start for Cleveland on Sunday. Carrasco currently sits on a 4.07 ERA and will be making his 19th start of the season on Sunday. While his ERA may look pedestrian, he strikeout rate per 9 is 10.1 and his walk rate is a relatively low 1.9 per 9. These facts notwithstanding, Carrasco still has a WHIP of 1.191 due to the fact he averages a hit just about every inning.
Jay Bruce, in what may be his last start as a Red™, will try to improve and/or match his career performance against Carrasco. In a limited 7 plate appearances, Bruce has belted 2 home runs and a double. While no Reds have more than 10 plate appearances in their career against Carrasco, the average OPS for the team in 52 appearances is 1.083. Marlon Byrd, in what may be his last start as a Red™, will try to get his first XBH against Carrasco on Sunday.
Michael Bourn will try to recreate past successes against Johnny Cueto, in what may be his last start as a Red™. Bourn is 9 for 24 against Cueto in his career with 2 doubles. However, he is easily the only active Indian that has a track record of success against Cueto. Brandon Moss is 1 for 10 with 3 strikeouts, Carlos Santana is 2 for 7 with 2 Ks, and even Jason Kipnis is 1 for 8 in his career.
The figurative head of the Cincinnati Reds rests on the chopping block as they await the executioner to swing his blade. All that is left at this point is to enjoy the performances of the players on the field. Go ahead and eat some Arbys™.
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Bullpen Log
| Reliever | 7/14 | 7/15 | 7/16 | 7/17 | 7/18 | 5 day totals |
| Aroldis Chapman | 1.0, 14p | 1.0, 14 pitches | ||||
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Ryan Mattheus |
1.0, 18p | 1.0, 18 pitches |
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|
Burke Badenhop |
1.0, 12p | 0.1, 3p | 1.1, 15 pitches |
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Nate Adcock |
1.2, 31p | 1.2, 31 pitches |
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|
Manny Parra |
0.0, 0 pitches |
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|
Pedro Villarreal |
1.0, 18p | 1.0, 18 pitches |
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| J.J. Hoover | 1.0, 23p | 1.0, 23 pitches | ||||
 |
1.0, 14p | 1.0, 14 pitches |