Reds vs. Indians: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Indians.

Every team in baseball is looking for a fifth starter who’s competitive and will keep his team in the game. Friday night’s starter for the Redlegs, Jeff Hoffman (1-1 3.86 ERA), has lived up to that standard so far this season.

The right-hander has given the Reds two decent starts while fanning eight and allowing just one home run through his first 9.1 frames on the season. He’s never faced the Indians as a starter, so there’s a good chance their unfamiliarity with him will work to Cincinnati’s advantage.

Indians’ Southpaw Logan Allen (1-1 2.70 ERA) will take the mound for Cleveland in the opener. It would be in the Reds’ best interest to take a prudent approach at the plate against the 24-year-old.

Over his last 29.1 innings, Allen has issued 14 free passes, including five in just 10 frames this season. Interestingly enough, this will be the first time Cincinnati has seen a left-handed starter in the young 2021 campaign.

It will be a sight for sore eyes Saturday afternoon when Cincinnati ace Sonny Gray makes his 2021 debut. The two-time All-Star missed the first two weeks of the season battling a mid-back muscle strain which caused him to open the season on the injured list.

A healthy Sonny Gray is exactly what the Cincinnati Reds need. Since arriving in the Queen City, Gray is 16-11 with a 3.07 ERA in addition to 277 punchouts in just 231.1 innings. If Gray is anything close to what he’s been the last two seasons, it will give the Redlegs the best rotation in the division.

Opposing Gray will be right-hander Triston McKenzie (0-0 4.70 ERA), making his second start of the season. Similar to Logan Allen, McKenzie has struggled at times to consistently find the strike zone. Tossing 7.2 innings this season, he’s already allowed six walks. Patience will indeed be a virtue for the Reds.

Sunday’s matinee finale will see perhaps the Reds’ most effective starting pitcher to open the 2021 season Wade Miley (2-0 0.00 ERA), toeing the rubber. The southpaw has been nothing short of sensational in his first two starts.

Throwing 11 shutout frames, he’s only surrendered two walks and four hits while fanning nine opposing hitters. Lifetime the 34-year-old Cajun is 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA in seven starts versus Cleveland, with his lone victory occurring during the 2016 season.

Cleveland manager Tony Francona has yet to name a starter for Sunday, and I believe I speak for all of Reds Country when I say I hope it’s not reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. If you’re wondering how Bieber could follow up his wonderful season last year, how about 35 strikeouts in only 21.1 innings this season. Mercy.