Reds at Braves
One of the biggest reasons the Cincinnati Reds are playing so well entering Wednesday’s series finale at the Atlanta Braves is their starting pitching, which has put together an impressive run of late. Matt Harvey authored the latest strong performance by a Reds starter in helping deliver Cincinnati's eighth victory in its past nine games by allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s 5-3 victory, and in that stretch Reds starters are 7-0 with a 3.38 ERA.
The second basemen for both teams, who figure to represent the National League in next month’s All-Star game, continue their strong first halves. Cincinnati’s Scooter Gennett, who entered Tuesday leading the National League in hitting, finished 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored and brings a .334 average into the series finale. Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies extended his hitting streak to eight games and is batting .459 during that span after going 2-for-4 on Tuesday. The Braves have struggled to drive home baserunners through the first five games of their six-game homestand, hitting just .230 with runners in scoring position and leaving 51 runners on base in losing three of five.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.70 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.59)
Castillo snapped a four-start losing streak Friday against the Cubs, giving up three runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings for his first victory since May 24. The 25-year-old came into Tuesday leading the National League in homers allowed (18) and second in earned runs (53), but posted a 2.78 ERA while going 3-0 in a four-start stretch before his losing streak. Castillo lost in his only career appearance against Atlanta, giving up two runs with eight strikeouts in four innings on Aug. 20 last season.
Newcomb looks to bolster his All-Star hopes and he has rebounded from his second loss of the season June 10 with two solid performances. He shut out San Diego for six innings with seven strikeouts and one walk on June 16 and followed up Friday against Baltimore by allowing one run on five hits in seven innings in a no-decision, the eighth time in 15 starts Newcomb has allowed one earned run or fewer. The 25-year-old, who ranked fourth in the NL in wins and sixth in ERA through Monday’s games, gave up four runs in six innings in a no-decision against the Reds on April 26.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta relievers issued just 29 walks in 97 2/3 innings in May, but they've walked 35 in 81 2/3 innings so far in June.
2. Cincinnati LHP Amir Garrett, who was unavailable Monday after pitching four times in the previous five games, left Tuesday’s game after taking a line drive off his left leg (X-rays were negative).
3. Atlanta is hoping to activate closer Arodys Vizcaino (right shoulder inflammation) from the disabled list Sunday at St. Louis, according to published reports.