Reds schedule: Will the hits keep on coming in Motown vs Tigers?

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs Tigers

The series kicks off tonight with La Piedra, Luis Castillo (0-0 1.50 ERA), opposing fellow right-hander Spencer Turnball (0-0 1.80 ERA) at Comerica Park. If first starts are any indication, Castillo doesn’t appear ready to hand over the title of “ace” among the Reds staff to Sonny Gray without a fight.

Castillo was spectacular in his season debut against the Tigers. Tossing six innings of one-run ball, La Piedra whiffed 11 Detroit batters while only allowing one walk. After finishing sixth last year in the National League in walks allowed with 79, if Castillo can limit the number of free passes, he can easily become one of the most dominant hurlers in the game.

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As good as Castillo was his first time out, Detroit’s Spencer Turnball was nearly as good. Turnball completely stymied the Redlegs last weekend. Surrendering just one run on three hits over five innings, the Tigers right-hander punched out eight Reds including Nick Castellanos three times.

Trevor Bauer (0-0 1.42 ERA) takes the hill in the middle of the three-game set against Detroit’s Michael Fulmer (0-0 13.50 ERA) who’s looking to bounce back after a dreadful start  I can’t imagine there’s anyone in the Tigers dugout looking forward to seeing Bauer after the beatdown he gave them at GABP.

The Cincinnati right-hander fanned 13 Tigers in just 6.1 innings of work. Allowing just two hits, the only blemish on the day for Bauer was a home run off the bat of Nico Goodrum. Given Detroit’s propensity for striking out, don’t be surprised to see Bauer reach double figures again Saturday night.

One would believe things can only go better for Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer in his second start. Lasting just 2.2 innings against the Royals, Fulmer allowed four runs on five hits including three homers. Ouch. Fulmer lost the only start in his career facing the Reds. During that June 2018 contest, he allowed back-to-back homers to former Red Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suárez in a 5-3 defeat.

Disco Fever hits Motown Sunday as Anthony DeSclafani makes his 2020 season debut. Detroit has yet to name a starter for the series finale. DeScalfani is coming off an excellent second half of the 2019 campaign.

Tossing 80 innings, Disco allowed just 60 hits while recording 77 strikeouts. DeSclafani set career-best marks in both strikeouts and WHIP last season. As Reds Country knows, when Disco’s healthy, he’s an above-average major league starter. Let’s hope the Reds right-hander leaves the team dancing out of Detroit with a series victory.