All-Star hopeful Brandon Drury battles his former team as the Reds face the Diamondbacks

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury | Dylan Buell/GettyImages
2 of 3

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Diamondbacks

Reds starting pitcher Mike Minor vs. D-backs starting pitcher Merrill Kelly

Mike Minor (0-2 8.64 ERA) seeks his first victory as a member of the Cincinnati Reds as he faces Merrill Kelly (5-3 3.32 ERA) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's been a struggle for the Cincinnati left-hander since being activated from the injured list on June 3rd.

Making two starts in a Reds uniform, Minor has been shelled for eight runs, including five homers, in just 8.1 innings. His last outing against these same Diamondbacks was hardly inspiring. Tossing 4.1 frames, the southpaw surrendered three runs on three hits while also issuing three free passes.

Merrill Kelly dominated the Reds last week at GABP. Working six shutout innings, the right-hander yielded just one base hit. In three career starts versus the Reds, he's 2-0 with a sparkling 1.50 ERA in 18 frames.

Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle vs. D-backs starting pitcher Zach Davies

Tyler Mahle (2-5 5.07 ERA) toes the rubber Tuesday night as veteran Zach Davies (2-3 4.21 ERA) gets the call for Torey Lovullo's squad. The Cincinnati right-hander was brilliant versus the D-backs last week in the Queen City.

Allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of work, Mahle fanned 10 Diamondbacks. Additionally, the California native has stifled Arizona in their last two meetings. Hurling 12.2 frames, the 27-year-old has surrendered just one run on six hits while punching out an incredible 19 D-back hitters.

Zach Davies wasn't great in Cincinnati last week, but he did provide the Diamondbacks with a solid outing. Tossing six innings, the 29-year-old right-hander limited the Reds to three runs on six hits. Brandon Drury and TJ Friedl each picked up a couple of base hits off Davies in the D-backs' eventual 5-3 victory.

Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo vs. D-backs starting pitcher Zac Gallen

Wednesday's matinee series finale features Luis Castillo (2-4 3.23 ERA) battling Arizona's Zac Gallen (4-2 2.95 ERA). La Piedra is looking to bounce back after taking the loss in his last two starting assignments.

If Castillo is to return to the winner's circle, I'm sure he's hoping Pavin Smith is given the day off for the Diamondbacks. The left-handed-hitting slugger is 3-for-3 lifetime versus Castillo. In his career, the right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.05 ERA in seven career starts versus the D-backs.

Fellow right-hander Zac Gallen is seeking his first career victory against the Reds. Cincinnati's had no problems reaching base versus the 26-year-old in their two meetings. In 11.2 innings, the Reds have reached base 17 times when facing the University of North Carolina alum.

Schedule