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

Justin Wilson has been cooking up outs since arriving in the Queen City.

It hasn’t been a lack of effort on manager David Bell’s part, but has he finally found the reliable left-handed arm out the bullpen this club so desperately needs? The early returns from Justin Wilson suggest Bell has found his man.

For much of the 2021 season, Reds Country has been subjected to repeated failures from southpaws out of the Reds bullpen. In addition, a myriad of left-handers, including Amir Garrett, Sean Doolittle, Josh Osich, and Cionel Perez have, more often than not, tossed gasoline onto the fires they inherited.

When the Reds acquired Wilson from the New York Yankees on July 28th, the Bronx Bombers were able to unload a less than appealing contract to help offset losing Luis Cessa to the Redlegs. The 34-year-old veteran who owns a player option for the 2022 season is making general manager Nick Krall look like a genius.

After compiling a horrific 7.50 ERA in 18 innings in the Big Apple, Wilson has been sensational out of the Reds bullpen. Appearing in 10 games, he’s allowed two runs on four hits in 8.2 frames while recording eight strikeouts. We didn’t know it at the time, but the acquisition of Justin Wilson may be one of the most significant moves of the 2021 campaign.

Prediction

It’s been a while since the Reds have visited South Beach. Their last trip in August of 2019 saw them take three of four from the Marlins in a series featuring starts from Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood. Oh, the memories.

Look for the Reds to return to GABP to face the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers next week with the NL Wild Card berth firmly in their sights as they take two of three from the Marlins to wrap up a 3-3 road trip.