Nick Martinez Takes the Hill as the Reds Look to Escape Toronto With a Series Win

The Cincinnati Reds (61-65) continue to see their playoff hopes dwindle as the days go by. Last night, a 10-3 beatdown at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays just made it that much worse. Now, the team must regroup and take the series before heading to the NL Central's worst team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nick Martinez (6-6, 3.25 ERA) makes his ninth start on the year. His strength has actually been from the bullpen as he has a 1.86 ERA in 53 1/3 innings versus a 4.95 ERA in 43 2/3 innings as the starter.

However, over his last three starts, Martinez has allowed just three runs and 13 hits over 18 innings. The Reds are just 1-2 in those starts but the caveat is one of those starts was a 1-0 loss where Martinez allowed one hit and no runs.

The Reds' lineup for game 127 without new addition, Amed Rosario :

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

The Blue Jays will counter with righty Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.93). His season has been very up and down. At the beginning of April, July, and August, he was great. As the month went on, he struggled.

He's not one to go deep into games as he only has two starts of six innings. In four starts, he couldn't last four full innings, including a rough 2/3-inning outing where he allowed four runs off just one hit and four walks.

He's coming off a five-inning start where he allowed four hits, two walks, and four runs.

This is his first season at the MLB level, so this will be his first time facing the Reds.

The Blue Jays' lineup notched 10 runs off 13 hits last night and will try to secure the series:

1.) DH George Springer
2.) OF Daulton Varsho
3.) 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
4.) 1B Spencer Horwitz
5.) SS Ernie Clement
6.) 2B Leo Jimenez
7.) RF Addison Barger
8.) LF Davis Schneider
9.) C Brian Serven
SP Yariel Rodriguez