Reds vs Royals: Preview, pitching matchups and prediction

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs Royals

Luis Castillo (0-2 4.76 ERA) looks to bounce back following a couple subpar outings as he faces rookie left-hander Kris Bubic (0-2 3.60 ERA) of the Royals. Even though he continues to strikeout hitters at an elite-rate, as evidenced by his 26 K’s in 17 innings, it’s been the only part of La Piedra’s game that seems to be clicking.

In his last 11 frames, Castillo has surrendered eight runs on 12 hits. At best, he’s been the Reds fourth-best starter this season, and that’s being generous. Throughout his young career, the changeup has been Castillo’s most devastating weapon.

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Per FanGraphs, the Kansas City Royals are the worst hitting American League team when it comes to the changeup. If La Piedra doesn’t have success tonight, I’m not sure where we go from here.

Kansas City southpaw Kris Bubic has been steady in his first two major league starts. Over 10 innings, he’s recorded nine strikeouts and has yielded just one long ball. According to FanGraphs, Bubic throws a fastball, curve and changeup with the heater, which averages 92.1-MPH, being his most effective pitch.

Reds lefty Wade Miley (0-1 27.00) wraps up the two-game set opposing right-hander Brad Keller (1-0 0.00 ERA). Things can only go better for Miley as he prepares for his second start as a Redleg. His Reds debut lasted less than two innings, and following the contest he was placed on the IL with a groin injury.

The Royals and Miley are no strangers to one another. Lifetime Miley is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City. However, longtime Royals catcher Salvador Perez has blistered Miley, slashing .455/.500/.727 with a homer and three RBIs in 11 career at-bats.

Brad Keller is just 24-years old and already in his third year with the Royals. He is coming off an excellent start in his 2020 debut. Tossing five shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox, he recorded seven punchouts. Keller has had the better of Nick Castellanos in his young career. The Reds slugger is just 2-for-11 with three strikeouts versus the Georgia native.