Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds’ final road trip of 2021 begins with a visit to the South Side.

So you’re telling me there’s a chance? Much like Lloyd Christmas in Dumb & Dumber, the odds may be one in a million, but mathematically the Cincinnati Reds (82-75) playoff hopes are still alive, albeit on life support.

Cincinnati staved off elimination yesterday with a 13-1 pummeling of the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the season finale at Great American Ball Park. However, with a subsequent Reds loss or win by the St. Louis Cardinals, the Redbirds will clinch the second and final Wild Card berth in the National League.

But let’s focus on the positives from the last week. For the first time since 2013, the Reds have secured a winning record in a full season of play and notched back-to-back winning campaigns, which they haven’t accomplished since the 2012-2013 seasons.

While it’s a little too late, the Redlegs have won five of their last seven games and are playing their best baseball in well over a month. Additionally, kudos to left-hander Reiver Sanmartin who picked up a victory in his MLB debut yesterday by tossing 5.2 innings of one-run baseball in the dismantling of the Pirates.

Even though the Chicago White Sox (89-68) clinched the American League Central title last week, there’s still some incentive to finish strong. The Sox will be facing the AL West Champion Houston Astros next week in the postseason, but the question of home-field advantage in the series is yet to be determined. Currently, the Astros hold a 2.5 game lead over the South Siders for the second seed in the junior circuit.

The Reds and White Sox split a two-game set in the Queen City in May; however, Chicago has dominated the series between the two clubs. Lifetime the South Siders hold an overwhelming 19-9 advantage over the Redlegs, including a 6-2 mark at the ridiculously named Guaranteed Rate Field.

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. White Sox

Riley O’Brien will make his MLB debut tonight for the Redlegs as the Sox counter with Reynaldo Lopez (3-3 3.16 ERA). The 26-year-old O’Brien was 7-7 with 4.55 ERA in 22 starts at Triple-A Louisville this season.

An eighth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2017 draft, the right-hander was acquired by the Reds in the Cody Reed trade last August. Needless to say, the Washington native is being tossed directly into the deep end against a potent White Sox lineup.

Splitting time between the bullpen and the rotation, Reynaldo Lopez has been a reliable weapon for the South Siders. Compiling an excellent 0.96 WHP, the 27-year-old right-hander has allowed just 37 hits in 51.1 frames. This will be his first start against Cincinnati.

Wednesday night’s series finale will feature Sonny Gray (7-8 3.99 ERA) battling Carlos Rodon (12-5 2.47 ERA) of the White Sox. Cincinnati’s right-hander is looking to return to form following a four-inning four-run stint versus the Washington Nationals.

Reds Country can only hope Gray repeats his success against Chicago earlier this season when he tossed seven shutout innings at GABP. The Vanderbilt alum is unbeaten in his last five starts versus the Sox, picking up three victories along the way.

It’s tough to be much better than Carlos Rodon’s been this season. In addition to a no-hitter on his 2021 resume, the southpaw has fanned an amazing 181 batters in just 127.2 frames. If David Bell loads up on right-handed bats, he’ll be playing directly into Rodon’s hands. Right-handed hitters are slashing a feeble .178/.251/.307 against the North Carolina native.

The Reds’ third baseman is ending a difficult 2021 season on a positive note.

Better late than never, right? There’s no sense in rehashing the first five months of Eugenio Suárez’s 2021 campaign, so let’s celebrate his play over the last final few weeks of the season.

Over his last 30 games, Geno is slashing an impressive .288/.379/.625 with seven bombs and 13 RBIs. Despite the horrific overall numbers, Suárez still ranks third on the club with 29 homers and 76 ribbies. While he’s been an easy target this year for Reds Country frustrations, let’s not forget what kind of player he’s been in the past.

Since 2018, his 127 round-trippers are the most in baseball. In addition, he’s a former All-Star who has twice finished in the top 20 in the MVP voting. At age 30, can he regain the form that made him such a force in the middle of the Reds lineup before this year?

Let’s pray the answer is yes. Geno has three years remaining on his deal after this season, and with the anticipated departure of Nick Castellanos, the Suarez of old will be desperately needed. However, there’s little doubt his play in 2022 will be a determining factor in the Redlegs producing a third consecutive winning campaign.

Prediction

As the Reds await the last nail in their 2021 coffin, there’s still some incentive to finish strong. Their 82 victories are the fifth-most this century, and with a strong final week, they can eclipse the 85 wins of the 2000 club for fourth-place.

Look for the Redlegs to get one win closer to that mark as they split the two-game set with the White Sox before heading to the Steel City for the final series of the 2021 season versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.