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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Padres

Following his first big league victory Tony Santillan (1-1 3.29 ERA) gets the call in the opener, opposing Blake Snell (3-3 5.29 ERA) of the Padres. Santillan was excellent versus the Atlanta Braves. Tossing six innings, he allowed just one run on three hits while recording eight strikeouts.

This will not be the big Texan’s first dance with San Diego. The Friars roughed up Santillan for three runs on four hits in only three frames of work on June 18th at Petco Park. However, GABP has been kind to the Cincinnati right-hander. Santillan has allowed just two runs in 10.2 innings in front of the home fans.

Blake Snell will be making his first career start against the Redlegs. His debut season in San Diego has been a struggle for the left-hander. The southpaw has issued 40 free passes in just 66.1 frames while righties have tattooed him, producing a .267/.378/.482 slash line.

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Another Cincinnati rookie, Vladimir Gutierrez (3-2 3.97 ERA), battles the Friars’ Joe Musgrove (4-6 2.22 ERA) on Wednesday night in the Queen City. It’s been a solid first month in a major league uniform for Gutierrez.

Throwing 34 innings, he’s allowed just 29 hits while recording 27 strikeouts. Nevertheless, the Padres were not fooled by the 25-year-old Cuban the last time they met. A dozen Friars reached base via a hit or walk in only five frames in a 7-5 San Diego victory on June 19th.

Somehow Joe Musgrove has a losing record despite a 2.22 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. Unfortunately, the San Diego offense has done the 28-year-old no favors. The Padres are averaging just 3.6 runs in the right-hander’s starts, and he’s winless since May 19th, even though he’s failed to surrender more than three runs in six consecutive outings.

Thursday night’s series finale will feature Luis Castillo (3-10 5.14 ERA) for the Redlegs while San Diego manager Jayce Tingler has yet to announce his starter. So how good has La Piedra been over the last month? In short, very good.

Tossing 31.2 innings in his last five starts, Castillo has allowed just 19 hits and compiled an impressive 1.71 ERA. Needless to say, this is more like the version of La PIedra that Reds Country has been accustomed to seeing.

Don’t look for catcher Victor Caritini in the Padres’ starting lineup Thursday night. The former Cub is 2-for-19 with eight strikeouts lifetime against Castillo. It’s been a welcomed relief to see the return of La Piedra.