Will Lucas Sims get the start for the Cincinnati Reds next Tuesday?

The Cincinnati Reds have yet to name a starting pitcher for Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Who’s going to get the call?

With the off-day on Thursday, the Cincinnati Reds adjusted their rotation and have yet to name a starting pitcher for Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. So, who is going to be on the hill? The Reds have several options.

Matt Harvey will take the mound against the Chicago Cubs today. He’ll be followed by Cody Reed on Saturday, and Luis Castillo on Sunday. Anthony DeSclafani will start on Monday night when Cincinnati heads to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers, but no starter is named for Tuesday’s game.

The obvious candidate is Tyler Mahle. Mahle replaced Homer Bailey in the rotation just last week and got his first September start against the San Diego Padres. It wasn’t Mahle’s best performance. In fact, the rookie was pulled after just three innings.

Mahle had a phenomenal month of June but has been on a downward spiral since then. Over the last 7 games, Mahle is carrying an 8.31 ERA through 26 innings pitched. He’s given up 40 hits, 24 earned runs, and has a WHIP of 2.19.

Keep an eye on young right-hander Lucas Sims. The Cincinnati Reds traded away outfielder Adam Duvall to Atlanta in July in exchange for Sims, pitcher Matt Wisler, and outfielder Preston Tucker. Tucker has since been traded back to the Braves.

Sims has made appearances in three games for the Reds since being called up in September, all in relief. Sims has thrown 5 1/3 innings of solid pitching. Though he has a 6.75 ERA, he’s only allowed 3 hits. Walks, however, have not helped Sims stats, as he’s allowed 5 free passes in his 3 games with the Reds.

Lucas Sims was brought to Cincinnati with the idea of becoming a starter, not a reliever. It’ll be interesting to see if the Reds use him in relief over the three-game series with the Cubs this weekend. If you don’t see Sims out of the bullpen, look for him to get the start on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Michael Lorenzen would be an interesting choice to take the mound on Tuesday, but it’s very unlikely. Lorenzen has been stellar as a reliever this season, and the idea of coming out of the bullpen may sit better with him. Lorenzen looks ready to take the ball nearly every day, and coming out of the bullpen allows him to do that.

There’s another possibility that Cincinnati Reds fans don’t want to entertain, but it is a possibility. Homer Bailey could get the start. Bailey was removed from the rotation earlier this month, but that doesn’t prevent the Reds from reinserting their veteran right-hander into the lineup.

We’ll get the answer soon enough, but until then it’s fun to speculate. For my money, I think it’s time to throw Lucas Sims into the fire and see what he gives you. Mahle just looks gassed this late in the season, you know what Bailey gives you, and Lorenzen is a real weapon out of the bullpen. It’s time to give Sims a shot.