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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Brewers.

To call Vladimir Gutierrez (2-1 2.65 ERA) a welcomed surprise would be an understatement. Since making his major league debut on May 28th, the right-hander has faced the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and now for the second time, the Milwaukee Brewers in tonight’s series opener.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Brewers make as they get their second look at the 25-year-old right-hander. Gutierrez holds the distinction of being the only pitcher to defeat the Brewers in their last 10 contests as he tossed seven innings of two-run ball with seven punchouts in his last start.

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Left-hander Eric Lauer (1-2 4.82 ERA) will be making his first start since June 1st for Milwaukee tonight. In his last start, the southpaw was awful, allowing seven runs and three homers in just two frames versus the Detroit Tigers. The Reds torched Lauer in his last start against Cincinnati, chasing him after only three innings as they dented the plate six times on five hits.

Luis Castillo (2-9 6.47 ERA) gets the call in game two, opposing veteran Brett Anderson (2-4 4.99 ERA). Even though La Pieda’s overall numbers continue to look ugly, he has been much better in his last three starts.

Hurling 16.2 innings, he’s allowed just eight hits and six earned runs while recording 15 strikeouts. These are the type of numbers Reds Country has been accustomed to seeing from the right-hander since arriving in the Queen City in 2017.

Chances are we’ll know right away what kind of night Castillo is going to have. Milwaukee leadoff man Kolten Wong is slashing .429/.478/.762 with four extra-base hits in 21 career at-bats versus La Piedra.

Brett Anderson has not fooled the Reds lineup in their earlier two meetings this season. Tossing eight frames, he’s allowed seven runs on nine hits. Additionally, Nick Castellanos’ eyes light up when Aderson takes the mound.  Three of the  Cincinnati right fielder’s eight hits against the Milwaukee starter have gone for extra bases.

Wednesday afternoon’s series finale will feature a pair of quality right-handers as Tyler Mahle (6-2 3.56 ERA) battles Freddy Peralta (6-1 2.25 ERA). How good has Tyler Mahle been over the last month? The round-tripper he surrendered in his last start was the first time he’s been taken deep since May 15th versus Colorado at Coors Field.

This will be Mahle’s first start against the Beer Makers since September of 2019, as he’s still looking for his first career victory versus Milwaukee. In four career starts, he’s yielded 13 earned runs in 19 frames; however, he’s also fanned 27 Brewers.

Freddy Peralta has yet to allow more than three hits in his two starts against the Reds this season; however, he’s also failed to complete five innings in each appearance. Wednesday would be a perfect day for David Bell to give Eugenio Suarez a day off. Geno is just 2-for-16 lifetime with six punch outs against the Milwaukee starter.