Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. San Diego Padres, May 3

Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. San Diego Padres, May 3

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

Another come-from-behind win for your Cincinnati Reds punctuated the team's first 30 games of the 2023 season. Alexis Diaz came on in the 10th and closed the door on the three best hitters the San Diego Padres had to offer.

Reds manager David Bell would love to see Luis Cessa give a Graham Ashcraft-esque performance this afternoon in San Diego. Cessa, whose ERA is dangerously close to 10.00, went five innings in his last outing and allowed three runs on eight hits.

Right-hander Seth Lugo gets the ball for Bob Melvin's group today. The 33-year-old is 2-2 on the season with a 3.58 ERA. Lugo has about average stuff and gave up four runs in his last start. But the Reds hitters better no wait around, looking for Lugo to issue any free passes, as he's only walked six batters all season.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Jonathan India will bat leadoff once again for the ole Redlegs, but he'll be the team's DH today. Behind him is the trio of TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, and Tyler Stephenson. Jake Fraley, who recorded the game-tying RBI in the eighth inning during last night's game, will bat fifth.

Batting sixth and playing third base will be Nick Senzel. Stuart Fairchild gets the start over Henry Ramos in right field, and Kevin Newman will be playing second base today. Jose Barrero rounds out the lineup and will play shortstop.

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

Nick Senzel went 0-for-4 last night. Now, after how well the former first-round pick has played of late, there's no way anyone can complain about last night's performance. It wasn't even like he struck out in three of his four at-bats, though he did strikeout once.

The Reds don't need Senzel to be Superman. But a pair of singles combined with solid defense at the hot corner this afternoon would surely help put Cincinnati in position to win their third straight series.

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

The Cincinnati Reds bullpen has been a punching bag all season. All any Reds fans seem to want to discuss is how bad the relief corps is. Well, last night, all they did was throw up zeroes. Lucas Sims, Ian Gibaut, Derek Law, and Alexis Diaz combined to throw four innings, didn't allow a single hit, and only walked two batters.

The Reds bullpen didn't have that same success on Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits. If Luis Cessa can keep the game close and give the Redlegs five innings, Cincinnati's relievers could be the difference between going 3-3 and a winning road trip.