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Miami Marlins vs. the Cincinnati Reds. A four game series at the end of 2018. The two teams are a combined 50 games back of their respective divisions, and even more games under .500.
Can’t you feel the excitement for this one?
Regardless, the teams have to play out the string, and play it out they will as we head into the penultimate weekend of the MLB regular season.
The Reds will face Marlins pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, who has some pretty damn extreme home and road splits this season. At the friendly confines of Marlins Park, playing in front of like, I dunno, 900 people each night, Chen has a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts (71 IP), allowing only five home runs. Playing literally anywhere else, Chen has made another 12 starts (51.1 IP) with a 9(!).29 ERA and 14 HRs allowed. Yikes! Fortunately for him tonight, he’s playing at home. That may prove very unfortunate for the Reds if the trend continues.
Luis Castillo will try to continue to build on his solid second half and show the Reds he’s ready for a top-of-the-rotation role for 2019, because they desperately need someone, anyone, to fill that type of spot.
Castillo, you might remember, was once a part of the Miami organization before the Reds pilfered him for Dan Straily. Pretty decent trade if you ask me. Castillo made one start against the Marlins last season and dominated, allowing only one earned run through eight innings pitched.
Cincinnati Lineup
Today's #Reds lineup, presented by @PNCBank. pic.twitter.com/vHM6fk2hny
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 21, 2018
Miami Lineup
#marlins 09/21 Lineup
— Daily MLB Lineups (@DailyMLBLineup) September 21, 2018
J Riddle SS
S Castro 2B
J Realmuto C
P O'Brien 1B
D Dietrich LF
B Anderson 3B
R Ortega RF
M Sierra CF
W Chen P