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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Nationals

This start can only go better for Tyler Mahle (2-2 4.20 ERA) than his last trip to the mound. As a matter of fact, it will need to be infinitely better as the Nationals counter with three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (4-2 2.24 ERA) in the opener.

Mahle lasted just two innings in his last start against the San Francisco Giants, allowing seven runs on as many hits. One Nationals hitter who gives the Reds’ right-hander fits is left-hander slugger Kyle Schwarber.

During their battles in the NL Central, Schwarber took Mahle deep twice in 16 at-bats while compiling a .429 OBP. First baseman Josh Bell is at the opposite end of the Mahle spectrum with only two singles in 12 career at-bats.

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What more can be said about Max Scherzer? The future Hall of Famer’s accolades speak for themselves. Unfortunately, his domination of the Reds is almost otherworldly. Mad Max is 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in his last five starts against the Redlegs. Tossing 34 innings over that stretch, he’s allowed just 17 hits while fanning 55 hapless Cincinnati hitters. Good luck, Reds.

Tuesday night’s contest has Jeff Hoffman (3-3 4.31 ERA) opposing Joe Ross (2-4 5.72), who will take the mound for Washington manager Dave Martinez. Say what you want about Hoffman, but he’s been better than the Reds’ staff’s supposed ace.

Hoffman, the proud owner of the team’s only victory over the last week, looks to build some momentum coming off an impressive start versus the Milwaukee Brewers in which he allowed just one run while recording seven strikeouts over five frames.

However, history tells us it could be a tough night for the Cincinnati right-hander. In three career starts against the Nats, Hoffman has taken the loss in two of those appearances without earning a victory. Tossing 16 innings, he’s allowed as many hits and surrendered 10 runs.

It’s been a struggle of late for Washington right-hander Joe Ross. Completing just 7.2 innings combined in his last two starts, he’s been rocked for 13 hits and 10 earned runs. However, this is not the Joe Ross Cincinnati is accustomed to facing.

Ross has held the Redlegs to a pair of runs over 13.2 innings of work in his last two starts against the Reds. Eugenio Suarez is hitless in nine career at-bats versus Ross; as if things weren’t bad enough for the Cincinnati infielder.

Thursday night’s series finale will feature a marquee matchup of right-handers as Sonny Gray (0-3 3.96 ERA) battles Stephen Strasburg (1-1 4.11 ERA). Sooner or later, Reds Country hopes to see the Sonny Gray of old. For sanity’s sake, let’s hope it’s sooner, as in Thursday night soon.

Gray’s current rate of 4.5 walks and 1.5 gopher balls per nine innings is a career-worst. If Gray is to notch his first victory of the 2021 campaign, his continued domination of Josh Bell and Yan Gomes is a must. The two Nats are a combined 4-for-24 against the Vanderbilt alum with two extra-base hits and six punch outs. Gray has defeated the Nationals just once in five career starts.

Stephen Strasburg will be making his second start since returning from the injured list with right should inflammation. If his last outing is any indication, Strasburg is feeling just fine. Tossing 5.1 shutout innings versus the Baltimore Orioles, he allowed only one hit. The 32-year-old is unbeaten in his last five starts against the Reds, completing 30.2 frames and fanning 32 Redlegs.