Reds vs Royals: Preview, pitching matchups and prediction

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs Royals

Reds manager David Bell will hand the ball to Luis Castillo (0-2 3.91 ERA) who opposes Brad Keller (2-0 0.OO ERA) in the opener. In his last outing, La Piedra turned in a performance more reminiscent of what Reds Country has been accustomed to.

Tossing six innings against the Royals last week, Castillo allowed just one earned run while fanning five. He was particularly cruel to KC shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Twice, La Piedra set the Royals middle infielder back to the dugout following swinging strikeouts.

Right-hander Brad Keller had an effective outing against the Redlegs last week. Pitching six shutout frames, Keller limited the Reds to just two base hits while striking out three. In 11 innings of work this year, the 24-year-old has allowed only five hits without letting a runner cross the plate.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Trevor Bauer (2-0 0.93 ERA) toed the rubber for the Reds. However, Bauer will finally take the mound again Wednesday night. Between off days and postponements, the Cincinnati right-hander should be well rested if nothing else. Kansas City has not yet named a starter for the series finale.

Bauer has been nothing short of sensational this year. In three starts, Trevor Bauer has mowed down 32 hitters in just 19.1 frames against only four walks. Allowing just two earned runs and seven hits, the California native has remarkably whiffed 12 or more in two of his three starts. Bauer power has been on full display, to say the least.