Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. White Sox

Jeff Hoffman (2-1 3.33 ERA) gets the call for the Reds in the opener opposing Dylan Cease (1-0 2.96 ERA) of Chicago. While Hoffman’s ERA is certainly solid, let’s be honest; he’s been far more lucky than good up to this point in the season.

Throwing strikes has been an issue for Hoffman, as evidenced by his 12 free passes in only 24.1 innings of work. Never were his struggles more evident than during his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Despite allowing just one hit in four frames, he walked five, and that one hit (a home run off the bat of LA catcher Will Smith) may still be traveling. With the Sox propensity to be patient at the plate, this is simply not a favorable matchup for the Cincinnati right-hander, but that’s why they play the game.

Right-hander Dylan Cease is not exactly a master of the strike zone himself. The 25-year-old right-hander has walked a dozen in only 24.1 frames while fanning 29 opposing hitters. However, if his last start is any indication, it could be a long night for the Redlegs.

Tossing seven shutout innings versus the Detroit Tigers, Cease recorded nine punchouts and allowed just three hits. Having said that, it’s been the only start this season where Cease has managed to escape the fifth inning in five attempts.

Wednesday afternoon’s series finale will feature Sonny Gray (0-2 5.93 ERA) toeing the rubber against Dallas Keuchel (1-1 4.65 ERA) of the White Sox. Despite taking the loss in his last start, Reds Country breathed a huge sigh of relief following two less than stellar starts by Gray.

The right-hander fanned 11 Dodgers in only 5.2 innings while allowing four hits and two runs. It was Gray’s first double-digit strikeout performance since mowing down 10 Pittsburgh Pirates on August 14, 2020.

One White Sox player looking forward to seeing Gray on the bump is outfielder Adam Eaton. The left-handed swinging Eaton is slashing .429/.500/.500 in 16 career plate appearances versus the Cincinnati starter.

Dallas Keuchel will never wow you with his stuff, but he’s built an impressive resume by simply getting people out; and that’s the name of the game. However, there’s a couple of Redlegs the Chicago southpaw has struggled to retire.

Right-handed sluggers Nick Castellanos and Eugenio Suarez are a combined 10-for-25 with a homer against the former Cy Young Award winner. Don’t be surprised to see Reds manager David Bell give third baseman Mike Moustakas a day off Wednesday. Moose has two hits in 16 career at-bats when facing Keuchel.