Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Philadelphia Phillies, April 14

Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Philadelphia Phillies, April 14

1. Probable starting pitchers
2. Cincinnati Reds starting lineup
3. Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in tonight's game?
4. Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in tonight's game?

Probable starting pitchers

The Cincinnati Reds earned a terrific team-win on Thursday night and will be looking to get back-to-back victories over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. The Redlegs will send Connor Overton the hill.

Overton's first two starts have been underwhelming. The right-hander is 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA and nine strikeouts in eight games. Overton's last outing was against the very team he'll be facing on Friday night. Against the Philies on April 9, Overton lasted just four innings, allowed three free passes and struck out four.

Connor Overton will be opposed by Tijuan Walker. The Reds were very patient against Walker during his last outing, seeing five walks over 4.2 innings. Walker did have five strikeouts against Cincinnati, and Phillies manager Rob Thomson will undoubtedly be looking to get more innings out of his starter on Friday night.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Jonathan India has some familiar faces joining him atop the lineup card tonight. After receiving a day off with a left-handed starter on the mound for Philadelphia during Thursday game, TJ Friel and Jake Fraley are back in the lineup with Phillies right-hander Tijuan Walker on the hill.

Following Fraley and batting cleanup is catcher Tyler Stephenson. He'll be followed by designated hitter Wil Myers, first baseman Jason Vosler, third baseman Spencer Steer, centerfielder Nick Senzel, and shortstop Jose Barrero.

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

Every Cincinnati Reds starter got a hit in last night's games, except for the returning Nick Senzel. The former first-round pick appeared in his first game of the 2023 season after beginning the year at Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment.

It may take a few games for Senzel to get back in the swing of things. David Bell will likely be keeping Senzel in the bottom third of the batting order for the majority of games until the 27-year-old begins to start swinging well.

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

TJ Friedl is looking to create chaos and he's done that in almost start he's made this season. Friedl is 14-for-40 to begin the year and has reached base via the bunt and the long ball. The Pennsylvania native has carved out a nice role for himself on this year's Reds team.

Hitting behind Jonathan India gives Friedl a ton of options. If the Reds leadoff hitter gets on base successfully, David Bell could call for a bunt, a hit-and-run, or let Friedl promptly swing away. With Nick Senzel back in the lineup, expect to see Friedl shifted around the diamond a bit more. With Senzel in center field tonight, Friedl ahs drawn the start in left field. It's time to inject a little chaos.