Cincinnati Reds use a handful of rookies and Homer Bailey to start games in September

The Cincinnati Reds are relying on rookies and a defeated Homer Bailey to start all of their games in September.

Coming down the stretch in September, the Reds plan on replacing one set of rookies with another in the starting rotation.  Luis Castillo of the Dan Straily trade was the first to get shutdown.  Amir Garrett replaced him.

In two starts this September Castillo went twelve innings allowing three runs on seven hits.  He only gave up a single home run and a single walk.  He also struck out 15.

Since taking over for Castillo, Garrett gave up four runs over five innings in his only start.  He walked two and allowed three home runs.  That resulted in an ERA of 7.20.

Much like Castillo, Sal Romano has impressed during his first two starts of September.  He has pitched 10 2/3 innings allowing three earned runs.  He walked four, but only allowed one home run.

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Almost as impressive was the latest prospect to make his MLB debut, Tyler Mahle.  Mahle has made two starts, covering ten innings without allowing a home run.  His WHIP in those ten innings is 1.50 due to the high number of hits he gave up in those two starts this September.

Aside from these four pitchers are the two Cincinnati Reds starting pitchers that have let the organization down to date.

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Robert Stephenson hasn’t caught on yet.  He made some starts last year before losing out in spring training.  He also spent some time in the bullpen.

This September, Stephenson has one exceptional start allowing only one run in six innings of work.  Walks continued to haunt him as he allowed five, but he did not surrender a home run.  He also only gave up four hits.

Homer Bailey has been bad since he returned from the DL.  He has been unable to get his ERA below 5.00.  Right now it sits at 7.26.

In two September starts covering twelve innings, Bailey has allowed eight earned runs.  He has surrendered a pair of home runs and averaged a hit allowed per inning.  He has only walked three, allowing his WHIP to remain a respectable 1.25.

Beyond these six pitchers, Rookie Davis is waiting in the wings.  He came up when rosters expanded, but hasn’t made an appearance.  Tim Adleman is always around of course.

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The Reds are really showing their desperation by relying on so many rookies down the stretch.  They really don’t have a choice at this point.  Hopefully, that will result in a better 2018 starting rotation.