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Series preview: Cincinnati Reds vs Kansas City Royals

By Drew Koch |
CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 8: Jose Peraza #9 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base after forcing out Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals at second base in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park on June 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 8: Jose Peraza #9 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base after forcing out Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals at second base in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park on June 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Reds head west to Kansas City for a short series with the Royals after dropping 2 of 3 to the Cardinals.

After a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, the Cincinnati Reds open up a five-game road trip with a short stop in Kansas City. Both the Reds and Royals are in the cellar of their divisions.

The Reds will play two games against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium before heading to Pittsburgh for a three-game series. The Royals are struggling this season, much like the Reds. After winning the World Series in 2015, the Royals have been no better than a .500 team since.

Over their last 10 games the Reds are 4-6. The Royals have struggled as well with a record of 3-7 over their last 10.

Probable starting pitchers

Tuesday, June 12th

Sal Romano (3-7, 6.23 ERA) vs Ian Kennedy (1-6, 5.76 ERA)

Romano has been off his game lately. He’s gone 1-4 in his last 5 starts, including a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies last Wednesday. Over those 5 games, he’s allow 35 hits, 27 runs and has a 10.27 ERA. That’s not going to cut it.

The 12-year veteran Kennedy will likely get the ball for Kansas City. In 2016, his first year with the Royals, Kennedy was 11-11 with a respectable 3.68 ERA. Kennedy saw his ERA skyrocket to 5.38 last season and Royals’ fans have seen a lot of the same this season.

Wednesday, June 13th

Tyler Mahle (4-6, 4.33 ERA) vs Jason Hammel (2-6, 5.12 ERA)

Mahle’s last three starts have resulted in wins for Cincinnati. The youngster has been a bit erratic in that three-game stretch, walking eight batters. However, he also has 15 strikeouts in that same stretch and a 3.60 ERA.

Jason Hammel, another veteran arm in the Royals’ rotation is struggling about as much as his teammate. Hammel has gone at least six innings in four of his last five starts. He struck out 27 batters during that stretch and allowed 3 home runs.

How to watch

When: Tuesday, June 12th 8:15 ET and Wednesday, June 13th 8:15 ET

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Radio: 700 WLW, Reds Radio Network

Live streaming: Fox Sports Go

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