Marlins at Reds
The Cincinnati Reds still own the worst record in the major leagues, but they can clinch a second series victory in the last three tries when the Miami Marlins pay a visit on Saturday night. Eugenio Suarez belted a three-run homer in the first inning Friday and the Reds (8-24) held on for a 4-1 triumph in the series opener, giving them five victories in their last 11 contests after a 3-18 start to the season.
Suarez boasts 13 RBIs over eight games since returning from the disabled list while teammate Jose Peraza had two hits Friday and is 20-for-51 over the last 11 contests for Cincinnati, which was swept by Milwaukee in three games earlier in the week. Right-hander Tyler Mahle will try to keep it going for the Reds when he takes the mound Saturday against lefty Caleb Smith, who is coming off the best start of his young career. The Marlins have managed just one run combined while losing two straight after stringing together a season-high four-game winning streak. Miami’s J.T. Realmuto did record a single in Friday’s loss to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and has hit safely in 13 of the 14 games he has played this season since coming off the disabled list.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (1-3, 4.40 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2-3, 4.32)
Smith earned his first major league victory in his 15th appearance last Sunday when he allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Colorado. The 26-year-old Texas native has struck out 41 in 28 2/3 innings overall - 19 in his last two trips to the mound, including a loss to Milwaukee on April 22 when he yielded two runs on two hits. Smith faces Cincinnati for the first time and is 0-4 with a 9.00 in his career on the road.
Mahle is coming off his second victory of the season last Sunday when he limited Minnesota to one run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old California native was 0-2 over the previous two starts after giving up five runs over 11 innings combined with 17 strikeouts. Mahle, who meets Miami for the first time, boasts 38 strikeouts and 11 walks across 33 1/3 frames in 2018 while allowing seven homers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 2B Scooter Gennett (shoulder), relegated to a pinch-hitting role since April 29, could return to the lineup Saturday.
2. Miami RHP Tyler Cloyd was reinstated from the paternity list and LHP Dillon Peters optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.
3. The Reds recalled RHP Tanner Rainey on Friday and placed LHP Amir Garrett on the bereavement list.