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

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cardinals.

Luis Castillo (7-13 4.29 ERA) kicks off the series tonight as the Cardinals counter with Jon Lester (4-6 5.27 ERA). In his last two trips to the mound, La Piedra has been impressive.

Tossing 13.1 innings, he’s allowed three runs while recording 13 strikeouts without surrendering a long ball. Additionally, Castillo has been excellent in his last two starts against the Redbirds. Working 13 frames, he’s limited St. Louis to a couple of runs on eight hits while collecting 14 punchouts.

It will be strange seeing Jon Lester wearing the Birds on the Bat; however, there’s no reason for the Reds to take the 37-year-old lightly. The southpaw has held the Redlegs to one run in 10 innings in their last two meetings, including five no-hit frames in July of last year.

Tuesday finds Sonny Gray (6-6 3.91 ERA) battling Miles Mikolas (0-1 2.70 ERA) of the Redbirds.  When the Reds have needed him most, Gray has answered the call. The Vanderbilt alum has tossed 13 scoreless innings in his last two starts and allowed just four hits.

However, Gray will need to tread carefully against the Cardinals. In his last five starts versus St. Louis, the Cincinnati right-hander is winless with an eye-popping 9.30 ERA. In addition, he’s failed to complete four frames in his last three outings versus the Redbirds.

Mikolas will be making just his fourth start of the season following a lengthy stint on the IL with a forearm injury. Manager Mike Schildt has kept the right-hander on a very short leash as he’s pitched into the fifth inning just once. In his last five starts against the Reds, Mikolas is winless while compiling an unsightly 6.00 ERA in 27 frames.

Wednesday night’s series finale will feature Wade Miley (11-4 2.74 ERA) opposing the newly acquired J.A. Happ (8-6 5.76 ERA) of the Cardinals. What more can the Reds ask of Miley? The left-hander has been sensational all year.

Cincinnati’s most consistent starter has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 18.2 frames. In addition, Miley has been especially tough on the Redbirds. Over his last five starts versus St. Louis, he’s compiled an excellent 2.08 ERA.

J.A. Happ, acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins, has faced the Reds once this season, and it wasn’t an enjoyable experience for the veteran. Lasting just 4.2 innings, the Redlegs dented the plate three times while drawing five walks and blasting a pair of round-trippers. The 38-year-old southpaw has not defeated Cincinnati since the 2015 campaign as a member of the Pirates.