Cincinnati Reds: Sonny Gray has outpitched Luis Castillo of late

The Cincinnati Reds have been searching for an ace since Johnny Cueto was traded. They may have two, as Sonny Gray has outpitched Luis Castillo of late.

After four straight losses, the Cincinnati Reds got back on track last night behind a five inning performance from Sonny Gray. The right-hander struck out 10 batters on 97 pitches last night and didn’t allow a hit until Dexter Fowler singled with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Gray has outpitched Luis Castillo of late and is rivaling La Piedra as Cincinnati’s ace.

Now I’m not throwing shade at Luis Castillo. The 26-year-old has been Cincinnati’s best pitcher since the beginning of the season and Castillo was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star Game. Castillo leads the team in strikeouts (172) and innings pitched (143.2).

Opposing batters are only hitting .192 off Castillo this season. Only reliever Lucas Sims (.181), who’s started just one game this season and has only 24 innings pitched, has had more success in that department in 2019.

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However, taking a look at the numbers of late would suggest that Sonny Gray has outpitched La Piedra since the All-Star break. In fact, even before the Midsummer Classic, Gray has been zeroed in and is making a case to be in consideration for the NL Cy Young Award.

Over the past 10 games, Gray has steadily lowered his ERA from 4.03 to 2.98. During that same span, Castillo’s ERA has risen just a bit from 2.26 to 2.69. Castillo has also allowed eight home runs during that span while Gray has allowed seven.

Gray got off to a horrendous start with the Reds this season, going 0-4 in his first six starts. Though he didn’t grab his first win until May 21st, Gray was on the unfortunate end of a lot of tough luck losses. During those four losses to begin the season, the Reds offense scored just four runs total.

After securing his first win of the season, Gray has been on a tear. During the last 15 games, Gray’s gone 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA while pitching 88.2 innings. He’s struck out 108 batters during that time. Taking a lot at the advanced metrics during that same span of 15 games shows 10.76 K/9, .262 BABIP, and a 3.41 FIP.

What does all that mean? It means that Sonny Gray’s been really, really good of late. In fact, every one of those numbers are better than Castillo’s during that same span. Though Castillo’s are also very good with a 10.54 K/9, .264 BABIP, and a 4.25 FIP.

Again, none of this is meant to be anti-Luis Castillo. He’s been the most consistent starter for the Cincinnati Reds this season and will likely finish in the Top 5 for the NL Cy Young. However, Gray is slowly creeping up that list.

Most fans thought the addition of Trevor Bauer at the trade deadline would give the Reds starting rotation a nice one-two punch. Well, Gray is proving that he may be that No. 2 starter, not Bauer. A frontline rotation of Gray, Castillo and Bauer should put fear into every lineup in the National League.

Though the chances for Cincinnati to make a run at the postseason now sit at less than 5%, no team wants to face that rotation in October. If the Reds catch fire late, Sonny Gray and company could make things very interesting down the stretch.