Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Chicago White Sox, May 7

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft / Dylan Buell/GettyImages

Probable starting pitchers

The Redlegs will turn to their best starter in today's rubber match against the Chicago White Sox. Graham Ashcraft will be on the bump for David Bell's crew today.

Ashcraft is 2-0 through six starts this season with a 2.00 ERA and 27 punch outs. The right-hander has gone six innings in his last two starts, something the Reds desperately need after Nick Lodolo's brief outing on Saturday.

The Cincinnati Reds will face a difficult task with right-hander Michael Kopech on the hill for the White Sox. The former first-round pick is 0-3 with an ERA near 6.00, but Kopech has 34 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Jonathan India is atop David Bell's lineup card today. He'll be followed by centerfielder TJ Friedl, first baseman Spencer Steer, and catcher Tyler Stephenson. Henry Ramos is batting fifth and playing left field.

Nick Senzel is back at the hot corner for today's finale and will be followed by right fielder Wil Myers, designated Kevin Newman, and shortstop Jose Barrero.

Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in tonight's game?

Wil Myers is back in the Cincinnati Reds lineup, but the issues are still there. Myers went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his first game back since returning from the Injured List.

Myers has hit just .212/.280/.306 and has only two round trippers on the season. The Reds inked Myers to a one-year deal with hopes that he'd be a fixture in the middle of the lineup. So far, Myers has been a disappointment.

Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in tonight's game?

After back-to-back subpar outings from the starting duo of Hutner Greene and Nick Lodolo, the Cincinnati Reds need a stellar outing from Graham Ashcraft. The right-hander has been nails in his last two outings.

Ahscraft has logged 12 innings over his last two starts and allowed just three runs on nine hits while racking up six strikeouts. Walks had been a problem until his last start when the 25-year-old allowed just one free pass at San Diego.

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