With Lodolo on the Mound, Reds Look to Get Back on Track

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds (60-62) couldn't get it going against the Kansas City Royals (67-55) and imploded to the tune of a nine-run top of the ninth. On Saturday, the team has the opportunity to draw even on the series.

The Reds will throw Nick Lodolo (9-4, 3.99 ERA) for his 20th start of the year. He's struggled a bit since the blister incident in July and has not quite been his usual self. After an ugly 11-hit, eight-run outing on July 31, Lodolo has pitched 11 1/3 innings. While his hits are respectable (only five in two starts), they've come back to haunt him. He's allowed five runs in that time and walked six.

Lodolo is averaging 5.8 strikeouts per start (9.22 K/9), but he hasn't lasted a full seven innings in a start since June 23 (eight starts). In that stretch, five outings didn't go six innings. Lodolo is due to for a strong game but will have to work with a strong Royals lineup.

The Reds' lineup is similar to last night:

1.) 2B Jonathan India
2.) SS Elly De La Cruz
3.) C Tyler Stephenson
4.) CF TJ Friedl
5.) LF Spencer Steer
6.) 1B Jeimer Candelario
7.) DH Ty France
8.) RF Jake Fraley
9.) 3B Noelvi Marte
SP Nick Lodolo

Kansas City will counter with Michael Wacha (9-6, 3.50 ERA). The former St. Louis Cardinals first-rounder is making his 22nd start of the year and is coming off of three consecutive two-run outings (19 innings in total). Wacha has been an impressive pitcher for the Royals for most of the year.

After his seven-run start on May 4, Wacha has a 2.59 ERA over 83 1/3 innings in 14 starts. Only two of those starts ended with three runs allowed. He allowed just two runs in seven starts, allowed one run in four, and even tossed a scoreless seven-inning outing against the Chicago White Sox,

This will be Wacha's 23rd start against the Reds (27th overall appearance). He's been very successful. Wacha has a 2.54 ERA and has earned a 13-3 record. His most recent start was on July 1, 2023, as a member of the San Deigo Padres. He went five innings and allowed one run off five hits. Earlier that year, he tossed five innings of scoreless baseball.

The Royals out-hit the Reds 13-3 last night and will try to do it again with their lineup:

1.) 2B Maikel Garcia
2.) SS Bobby Witt Jr.
3.) DH Vinnie Pasquantino
4.) 1B Salvador Perez
5.) RF Hunter Renfroe
6.) C Freddy Fermin
7.) CF Garrett Hampson
8.) 3B Paul DeJong
9.) LF Dairon Blanco