Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Colorado Rockies, May 15

Probable starting pitchers

Fresh off back-to-back series wins over the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, the Cincinnati Reds head out west to battle the Colorado Rockies. To the joy of many throughout Reds Country, the team will have a welcome surprise joining them upon their arrival in Denver. Infield prospect Matt McLain will make his major league debut tonight for the Reds.

But first, let's look at the starting pitchers. Hunter Greene will get the ball tonight for the Reds. Greene is still looking for his first win of the season. The right-hander wasn't very sharp in his last outing, going only 5.1 innings and issuing four free passes.

Greene will be opposed by Connor Seabold. The Colorado starter is 1-0 with a 4.65 ERA and allowed just one run on three hits during his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This will be just the third start of the year for Seabold.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Matt McLain may be in the Cincinnati Reds starting lineup, but he's not taking the leadoff spot away from Jonathan India. Instead, McLain will bat second and play shortstop. Batting third will left fielder Jake Fraley who'll be followed by Spencer Steer.

Tyler Stephenson will be catching tonight and Nick Senzel will man third base. Henry Ramos will act as the Reds designated hitter while Wil Myers is bumped all the way down to No. 8 in the batting order. Stuart Fairchild will start in place of TJ Friedl who was placed on the 10-day IL today.

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

The Reds could not hit the broad side of a barn on Sunday in Miami. Cincinnati mustered just four hits and struck out 11 times. Three of those Ks came courtesy of catcher Tyler Stephenson.

The Reds backstop has had one of the most bizarre season's to date. The thought coming into the season was that Stephenson and Jonathan India would lead the charge in 2023. Stephenson has been very inconsistent, and the team needs the 26-year-old to get going to the right direction.

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

Okay, let's not lump too much on the shoulders of Matt McLain right away, but there's every reason to believe that the 23-year-old could be the X-factor in tonight's game against the Colorado Rockies.

McLain was superb at Triple-A this season. Is it asking too much for the rookie to hit for the cycle in his first game with the big league club? In all seriousness, it's great to see the Reds begin to committ to some of their younger talent. Brandon Williamson looks to be in line to start on Tuesday as well.