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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cardinals.

Tyler Mahle (7-3 3.93 ERA) gets the call in the opener for the Cincinnati Reds, squaring off against veteran Wade LeBlanc (0-2 4.31 ERA) of the Cardinals. The last six weeks have been a struggle for the Reds right-hander.

Over his last seven starts, Mahle has compiled a 4.93 ERA and failed to pitch more than six innings in any outing. However, it’s not all bad news. The 26-year-old right-hander has fanned 54 batters in his last 38.1 frames.

Looking for a good omen? The California native has dominated the Redbirds in two starts this season. Tossing a dozen innings, Mahle has punched out a staggering 17 Cardinals while earning victories in each appearance.

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Wade LeBlanc will be making his first start against Cincinnati since the 2013 campaign. How desperate are the Cardinals for healthy arms? The 13-year veteran has been released by three teams already this season. Advantage, Redlegs.

The hottest pitcher in the Cincinnati rotation, Luis Castillo (3-10 4.39 ERA), takes the mound Saturday night facing the Redbirds Jake Woodford (2-1 4.06 ERA). There’s no other way to say it; La Piedra has simply been dominant over the last six weeks.

Castillo’s ERA is just 1.41 in seven starts since June 15th. Covering 44.2 frames, La Piedrs has allowed just 31 hits and one long ball. One Cardinal not thrilled to hear the change in Castillo’s fortunes is catcher Yadier Molina.

The St. Louis backstop is 4-for-23 lifetime versus the Reds right-hander. As a matter of fact, Molina has not collected a hit off Castillo since the 2018 season and is hitless in his last 11 at-bats when facing the 28-year-old Dominican.

Jake Woodford is making just his second start of the season. He’ll be best remembered by Reds Country for having Nick Castellanos hovering over him after scoring on a wild pitch during the second game of the season, which cleared the benches leading to a suspension for the Reds slugger.

Sunday’s matinee series finale will feature Sonny Gray (2-5 3.65 ERA) battling Johan Oviedo (0-5 4,81 ERA) of the Cardinals. Gray is looking to bounce back after things unraveled quickly in the fifth inning of this last start in a shutout loss to Milwaukee.

The Vanderbilt alum failed to escape the fifth as he allowed five runs on six hits while also issuing four free passes. So let’s be kind and call it a forgettable outing. When it comes to the Cardinals, Gray is intimately familiar with poor performances.

In his last two starts against the Redbirds, the right-hander has lasted a total of 4.2 innings, allowing 11 runs on as many hits. Gray is seeking his first victory versus St. Louis since August of 2019.

Speaking of first victories, Johan Oviedo is still searching for his elusive first MLB victory. One thing Oviedo has had plenty of is opportunities. The 23-year-old Cuban is winless in 17 career starts.  Here’s hoping that streak is extended at least one more start.