Reds at Dodgers
Riding their first three-game winning streak of the season, the Cincinnati Reds are turning to their newest addition for Friday’s contest against the host Los Angeles Dodgers. Matt Harvey is set to make his Reds debut and will get the start in place of struggling left-hander Brandon Finnegan, who was sent to Triple-A Louisville.
Harvey was pitching out of the New York Mets’ bullpen before being acquired in a trade on Tuesday, and Reds manager Jim Riggleman doesn’t expect the 29-year-old to work more than four or five innings on Friday. Cincinnati opened its seven-game road trip Thursday with a 4-1 victory as Scooter Gennett led the way with three hits, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning and a solo homer in the eighth. The Reds snapped their eight-game losing streak against the Dodgers, who have dropped 11 of their last 16. Rookie Walker Buehler tossed six strong innings on Thursday, but the bullpen continued to be a concern with Pedro Baez and Daniel Hudson each allowing a run during an inning of work.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (0-2, 7.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (2-2, 4.02)
Harvey recorded a 2.53 ERA from 2012-15 but has posted a 5.93 mark over the last three years and is hoping for a fresh start in Cincinnati. “It’s been kind of a roller coaster, battling from injuries and trying to get back to where I wanted to be and knew I can be,” he told reporters. “I want to work on fully getting back to where I really want to be.” Matt Kemp is 4-for-16 with three homers against Harvey, who is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.
Maeda did not factor into the decision Saturday against San Diego after allowing three runs and four hits in five innings. The 30-year-old has recorded at least seven strikeouts in four of his six turns this season but only has completed six frames twice. Maeda is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in two career games (one start) against Cincinnati and owns a 16-7 record and 2.98 ERA in 32 career contests (29 starts) at Dodger Stadium.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds RHP Rasiel Iglesias has not allowed a run in his last six appearances covering 6 2/3 innings.
2. Los Angeles INFs Justin Turner (wrist) and Logan Forsythe (shoulder) both are expected to begin minor-league rehab assignments this weekend.
3. The Reds are 8-12 since Riggleman was named interim manager on April 19.