Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Philadelphia Phillies, April 16

Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Philadelphia Phillies, April 16

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

Probable starting pitchers

After dismantling the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday by a final score of 13-0, the Cincinnati Reds will be looking for a series victory over on Sunday. Luis Cessa will take the ball for David Bell's squad. He'll be opposed by Phillies starter Aaron Nola.

Cessa's seat is getting warm after giving his manager just 3.2 innings in his previous outing. Cessa gave up five runs on seven hits while striking out just one batter. Connor Overton has already lost his spot in the starting rotation, and Cessa could be next if he doesn't deliver today.

Nola is 0-2 this season after allowing 20 hits and 12 earned runs through his first three starts of the 2023 season. Nola finished fourth in the Cy Young voting last season and is typically very stingy when it comes to putting runners on base. The Reds hitters will have to be aggressive against the right-hander.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

David Bell's lineup looks a bit different for Sunday's series finale. The Reds will send out their typical trio of Jonathan India, TJ Friedl, and Jake Fraley to set the table. But then things don't look the same at all.

Tyler Stephenson appears to be getting the day off, and Jason Vosler will be hitting cleanup today. The red-hot Wil Myers will bat fifth, followed by Spencer Steer, Nick Senzel, and Kevin Newman. Luke Maile will be hanging the signs for starter Luis Cessa today.

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

When every player reached base safely, it's hard to point the finger at one player who needs to step up during today's matchup. But let's target Spencer Steer for a bounce-back performance on Sunday.

The rookie has been playing excellent defense, and while he did have a stolen base on Saturday, Steer was the only player not to get a hit versus Philadelphia. Again, we're being incredibly critical, but let's hope Steer records at least one base knock in today's contest.

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

When looking for an X-factor today, let's zoom in on Jason Vosler. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman had been in a slump until coming on for Jonathan India in Saturday's game. India left as a precautionary measure after fouling a ball off hi foot.

Vosler responded by going to 2-for-2 off the bench. With news of Joey Votto's return from his rehab assignment, Vosler may be in Cincinnati longer than most fans realized.