Marlins vs. Reds: RHP Brad Penny vs. RHP Alfredo Simon

Miami Marlins (56-59) vs. Cincinnati Reds (59-57)

 
RHP Brad Penny (2-2, 2.28 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 8.5 K/9) at Triple-A New Orleans vs. RHP Alfredo Simon (12-7, 3.07 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .233 OAV)

 
Saturday, August 9, 2014: 7:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park

Making his first start with the Miami (then, Florida) Marlins since 2004, 36-year-old Brad Penny has made it back to the Show. Although he appeared with the San Francisco Giants in 2012, his last start came all the way back in 2011 with the Detroit Tigers.

 
A two-time All-Star, Penny was a fire-baller during his prime with the Marlins and Dodgers. Having adapted his arsenal, Penny now will be doing his best to keep batters off balance and use his veteran savvy to retire batters.

 
Having made 15 career starts against the Redlegs, Penny for his career is 7-4 with a 3.68 ERA. Albeit, he has not made a start against the Reds since 2010 when he was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

 
Here is the lineup he will face via the team’s Twitter account:

 
CF – Billy Hamilton (yet to face Penny)
RF – Jay Bruce (5-for-9, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
1B – Todd Frazier (0-for-1)
C – Devin Mesoraco (yet to face Penny)
LF – Ryan Ludwick (0-for-1, 1 K)
2B – Skip Schumaker (0-for-2, 1 BB)
3B – Kristopher Negron (yet to face Penny)
SS – Zack Cozart (0-for-1)
P – Alfredo Simon (yet to face Penny)

The lone Reds starter to not face the Marlins last weekend in Miami, Simon will be locking up with South Beach’s finest for the first time as a starter. Last year out of the Reds bullpen, he would deliver three scoreless innings.

 
For his career, Simon has been a much different pitcher when getting an extra-day of rest. He will be going on Saturday night on just four days’ rest, which has produced a career ERA of 4.65. When he gets the extra day, his ERA plummets down to 3.21.

 
When things get rough, Simon has been at his best in 2014. Allowing opposing batters to hit only .208 in situations considered “high leverage,” the Big Pasta looks to translate his first half success into his first win post-All-Star break.

 
Here is the lineup he will face via the team’s Twitter account:

 
LF – Christian Yelich (yet to face Simon)
2B – Donovan Solano (0-for-1)
RF – Giancarlo Stanton (0-for-2, 1 K)
3B – Casey McGehee (yet to face Simon)
1B – Garrett Jones (0-for-7, 3 K’s)
CF – Marcell Ozuna (yet to face Simon)
C – Jarrod Saltalamacchia (0-for-2)
SS – Adeiny Hechavarria (yet to face Simon)
P – Brad Penny (yet to face Simon)

Known as meticulous creatures of habit, both starting pitchers will have their routine slightly shifted due to the on-field ceremonies prior to the game honoring the Reds 2014 Hall of Fame class. Granted, for Brad Penny, he is most likely just thrilled to be back on a Major League mound, and for Simon, the way things have gone in the second half, he could use a bit of a change of pace.

 
Getting underway at 7:10 p.m. the Reds will look to force a rubber match for Sunday afternoon.