:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67150625/usa_today_14672732.0.jpg)
Fresh off doubling their season win total in one day, the Reds travel back to the Queen City to start a four game, home and home series against their normal cross-state AL rival the Cleveland Indians.
This series could be played pretty quickly, and that’s before considering any potential delays and seven inning doubleheaders.
The Cleveland and Cincinnati starting pitchers have been some of the best in the league thus far in 2020, while each of the offenses have had some issues. You know all about the Reds offense going into prolong slumps, with Eugenio Suarez having yet to find his groove, and all of Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Nick Senzel, and Tucker Barnhart have missed time due to various reasons. After 10 games, the Indians are 5-5, but they are last in the league in runs per game through the first week and change.
In fact, the Indians have scored four total runs in their last 5 games, going 1-4 against the White Sox (0-1) and Twins (1-3).
Cleveland today will send their fifth starter, Zach Plesac, to the mound to face the Redlegs. Plesac was brilliant in his first start of the year, on July 29th vs. the White Sox. He pitched eight innings (98 pitches), allowing no runs and only three hits against no walks and 11 strikeouts.
Plesac pitched 115.2 innings in 2019 across 21 starts beginning in late May through the end of the season. He wrapped the year with a 3.81 ERA, with a 1.228 WHIP and 4.94 FIP, only 6.8 K/9 to 3.1 BB/9. He faced the Reds on June 12, 2019, in his fourth Major League start. The Reds touched him up a bit in that matchup, hitting three home runs and allowing four earned, with six Ks and three walks in 5.1 innings pitched. The Reds won that game 7-2 behind dingers from Nick Senzel and Curt Casali and Joey Votto.
Speaking of Joey Votto, he’s back, activated, and in the starting lineup, after self reporting COVID symptoms yesterday but subsequently testing negative and, presumably, feeling better. Also of note, Mike Moustakas is back after being hit on the arm in Game 1 yesterday. He wasn’t able to go for game two, but must be feeling better today.
The Reds send to the mound Sonny Gray, who’s been nothing short of spectacular this young season. Hopefully he can continue that today.
Reds lineup
VOTTO BACK
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 3, 2020
Here is today's updated Reds lineup. #TakeTheCentral pic.twitter.com/6snLKkBj2u
Cleveland lineup
Won't even tell you how many different ways we tried to spell Cincinnati when we were saving this lineup.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 3, 2020
New series.#OurTribe pic.twitter.com/ff8YMbD2uD