Detroit Tigers: Previewing the Cincinnati Reds

The Detroit Tigers look to win No. 6 in a row against a struggling Cincinnati Reds team in the Queen City.

After sweeping the Chicago White Sox, the Detroit Tigers look to do the same to the Cincinnati Reds. The first historical MLB franchise is in the midst of a rebuild. No more Brandon Phillips or Jay Bruce. The Reds fired their manager, Bryan Price, and most of their coaching staff in the early part of this season. They’ve replaced Price with long-time MLB manager Jim Riggleman.

Cincinnati’s average age is 27.2 years-old. Their two best players offensively are Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez. Gennett is a 28-year-old second baseman; and slashed .336/.373/.537 in 69 games. Suarez, who played for Detroit before being traded for Alfredo Simon, slashed .297/.384/.569 in 54 games.

Joey Votto is also having a good year, with an OPS of .870. Right-fielder Scott Schebler also has been productive, with an OPS of above .800.

Aside from them, most of the rest of the roster is below the team-average .716 OPS.

The Reds are almost even with Detroit in run-scoring. Cincinnati is 18th, after scoring 301; while Detroit is 17th, with 305.

Cincinnati’s pitching, on the other hand, has been the main reason for their 26-45 record. The Reds have a team 4.88 ERA. They’re the 27th team in ERA and saves. Tyler Mahle is the only starter with an ERA sub-four. The rest of their principals have ERAs above five.

Starting Pitching Matchups

Tuesday’s starter, Sal Romano, enters with a 3-7 record and 5.67 ERA in 73 innings pitched. Romano is coming off one of his best starts; when he went eight innings and gave up just one earned run on four hits against Kansas City. Romano has a 4.15 ERA in the month of June, so far.

Next: Exploring a trade with the Angels

Mahle is the starter for Wednesday’s 12:35 start. He has been outstanding for the month of June, going 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 16.1 innings. He pitched 6.1 innings of three-hit baseball against Kansas City his last start.

Game one is Tuesday, at 7:10 pm. Matthew Boyd will take the hill for Detroit, and face off against Romano. The second game is Wednesday at 12:35, and features Michael Fulmer against Mahle.