Jonathan India and the Reds look to filet the Marlins in the Queen City
By Scott Boyken
Can Cincinnati Reds rookie Nick Lodolo bounce back on Monday?
Cincinnati Reds starter Nick Lodolo vs. Miami Marlins starter Trevor Rogers
Nick Lodolo (2-3 5.81 ERA) gets the call in tonight's series opener for the Cincinnati Reds as the Miami Marlins will counter with fellow lefty Trevor Rogers (4-9 5.46 ERA). The Cincinnati southpaw is looking to rebound following what was arguably the roughest start in his rookie campaign.
Working just two innings, Lodolo was torched for five runs on as many hits, including a homer, against the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the All-Star break. Consistently finding the strike zone has been the left-hander's biggest obstacle. The 24-year-old has issued a dozen free passes in just 26.1 frames.
Trevor Rogers, the runner-up to Jonathan India in last year's NL Rookie of the Year balloting, has suffered a sophomore slump. Much of Rogers' struggles surround his inability to keep hitters off the base paths. Tossing 84 innings this season, he's allowed an incredible 130 men to reach base via a hit or walk resulting in an unsightly 1.55 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene vs. Miami Marlins starter Pablo Lopez
Tuesday night finds Hunter Greene (3-11 5.78 ERA) toeing the rubber while Pablo Lopez (6-5 3.14 ERA) receives the assignment for Don Mattingly's squad. Cincinnati's fireballing right-hander is seeking his first victory since June 6th against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Keeping the ball in the yard will be of paramount importance for Greene's success. The rookie has been taken deep a whopping 23 times in 90.1 frames. However, this Miami lineup should provide some relief. Jesus Aguilar and Jesus Sanchez are the only Marlins on the active roster who have reached double digits in round-trippers this season.
Pablo Lopez may be one of the most underrated starters in the National League. Over the past three seasons, the 26-year-old right-hander has posted an exceptional ERA of 3.21 in 50 starts with 281 K's in 269 innings. Needless to say, he'll present a challenge for the Reds lineup.