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

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 30: Tyler Mahle #30 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Brewers

Tyler Mahle (10-4 3.78 ERA) is on the bump tonight as he faces Corbin Burnes (8-4 2.13 ERA) of the Brewers. It was a dreadful performance for Mahle in his outing versus the Chicago Cubs as the North Siders torched him for eight hits and five runs in five innings of work at GABP. However, get Mahle out of the Queen City, and good things tend to happen.

This season, the Cincinnati right-hander is a sparkling 7-1 with a microscopic 1.86 ERA in 13 road starts. The Milwaukee Brewers can attest to Mahle’s greatness on the road this season.

Making two appearances at American Family Field in 2021, Mahle has limited the Brew Crew to four runs on seven hits while fanning 18 in a dozen innings. In addition, the California native has worn out former MVP Christian Yelich by punching him out six times in 12 career at-bats.

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How good has All-Star Corbin Burnes been recently? In his last three starts, he’s allowed one run in 21 frames while recording 23 strikeouts. The right-hander dominated Cincinnati last month, hurling 8.1 shutout innings and whiffing a dozen Redlegs. So it goes without saying, Tyler Mahle will need to be at his best tonight.

On Wednesday night, David Bell hands the ball to Luis Castillo (7-12 4.35 ERA) as he opposes Brandon Woodruff (7-7 2.48 ERA). La Piedra was magnificent his last time out, coming off consecutive losses to the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

Tossing seven innings of one-run ball, he mowed down seven Marlins in the series opener Thursday night. However, even though Castillo has been wildly erratic this season, the Beer Makers seem to bring out the best in him in their recent meetings.

In his last three starts versus Milwaukee, La Piedra has yielded one run in 18.1 innings with 21 K’s. Remarkably, this will be his sixth start against the Brewers this season. Therefore, introductions will not be necessary.

All-Star Brandon Woodruff was hammered in his last trip to the mound. Working five frames versus the St. Louis Cardinals, the right-hander was tagged for eight hits, including two round-trippers and six runs.

Over his last five starts against the Reds, Woodruff has fanned 34 in just 27.1 innings. However, his powers are useless when facing Joey Votto. The 37-year-old MVP candidate is slashing .318/.348/.591 with two homers versus the Mississippi State alum.

Thursday’s matinee series finale features Sonny Gray (5-6 4.15 ERA) battling Brett Anderson (4-7 4.15 ERA) of the Brewers. In his last outing, it was a vintage Sonny Gray performance as he tossed seven frames of one-hit shutout baseball.

This will be the Cincinnati right-hander’s fourth time facing the Brew Crew in 2021, and much like his season overall, the results have been a mixed bag. Working 13.2 innings, he’s allowed eight runs but has struck out 19 Beer Makers. Here’s hoping Gray’s last start was a harbinger for the remainder of the season.

Brett Anderson embarrassed the Reds in their last meeting. The southpaw punched out nine Redlegs in seven frames. This coming from a pitcher who only has 51 K’s in 82.1 innings this season. Cincinnati must prove that start was a mirage and jump all over this soft tosser Thursday afternoon.

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