Reds at Tigers
The Cincinnati Reds are in the midst of their fifth consecutive losing season and sit in last place in the National League Central, making them one of the more interesting teams ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. The Reds will sort out who remains on the roster when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for the opener of a two-game interleague series.
Cincinnati put the trade rumors aside long enough to win three straight over NL East-leading Philadelphia over the weekend but is active on the market with right-hander Matt Harvey a leading candidate to be dealt. The Reds are winners of five of their last seven games while dodging the rumors and are beginning a nine-game road trip with the visit to Detroit. The Tigers are undergoing a rebuild as well and used a starter - left-hander Francisco Liriano - in relief Sunday in order to showcase him for opposing scouts. Right-hander Homer Bailey's contract, injury history and recent performance ensure that he will stay with Cincinnati through the deadline, and he will take the mound Tuesday opposite Detroit lefty Matthew Boyd.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-7, 6.29 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (5-9, 4.53)
Bailey turned in his fourth quality start of the season and first since April 15 when he came off the disabled list last Tuesday and limited the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. The 32-year-old, who struck out eight in that no decision, has not reached 100 innings since 2014 and is due $23 million next season with a mutual option for $25 million in 2020. Bailey is making his second career start against Detroit and is 6-8 with a 5.92 ERA in 19 career interleague starts.
Boyd is coming off back-to-back solid outings, during which he allowed a total of three runs in 11 innings against the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. The 27-year-old earned his first win since June 7 by holding the Royals to two runs Wednesday and struck out seven without walking a batter. Boyd did not have his best stuff at Cincinnati on June 19, when he was ripped for five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 1B Joey Votto did not record an extra-base hit in any of his last 10 games.
2. Tigers RHP Warwick Saupold was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo after clearing waivers Monday.
3. Detroit RF Nick Castellanos is 5-for-38 over the last 10 games, dropping his average from .308 to .292.