Spring Training Game 26: Reds vs. Cubs

If a pitcher was scheduled to start an Opening Day game on a Thursday, well, normal rest would dictate that his previous start should come on a Saturday.

Here we are, on a Saturday evening, and Luis Castillo is on the bump for the Cincinnati Reds, putting him precisely on pace to be the team’s go-to starter to begin the regular season. He’ll be up against the Chicago Cubs and a lineup full of what projects to be a bunch of everyday regulars, making for what should be a pretty fine final tuneup for La Piedra.

Meanwhile, the Reds will counter with a lineup that features a pile of should-be regulars, too, with the lone absence of note being Nick Senzel, who is apparently day to day with a very slight groin injury. While he’s expected to be ready for Opening Day, that’s yet another nagging injury the Reds are dealing with at the moment in addition to those plaguing Sonny Gray, Shogo Akiyama, Michael Lorenzen, and Tejay Antone at the moment, making for quite the roster decision conundrum as we enter the final week of spring camp.

Anyway, tonight’s game does not appear to be streamable anywhere, so you’ll just have to trust your ears to follow along if you so choose. First pitch is set for 9:05 PM ET, with the Reds lineup and travel roster below courtesy of The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans.

Go Spring Reds.