Cincinnati Reds’ Homer Bailey to start on Sunday instead of Johnny Cueto – MLB News
A blister on the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto’s index finger has rendered the pitcher unable to start on Sunday, July 15. The young starter contracted the blister on Saturday during a bullpen session, forcing the team to look for an alternate.
Reds have now decided to go for Homer Bailey to start the game on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. It is important to point out that the Reds had previously slated Bailey for Tuesday to make the start.
The Reds had the option of bringing in Bronson Arroyo, but the final decision went in favour of Bailey.
Once the Reds’ team manager was asked about the reason behind preferring Bailey over Arroyo, Dusty Baker spoke of the stretch Arroyo has recently had.
"We wanted to separate Arroyo and [Mike] Leake because they're similar," Baker said. "Especially when you're in a stretch of 13 games in a row, you don't have a chance to flip flop anybody or skip because we don't have any off-days. We have one off-day, then we get 17 in a row. It's a very important stretch here."
In his 17 game starts this season, Bailey has maintained 4.14 ERA with seven wins, and losing six games with a 1.30 WHIP, having pitched 104.1 innings, giving up 108 hits and allowing 56 runs.
Cueto, on the other hand, since the start of the season, has remained majestically impressive. His being there has been a source of strength for the rotation, allowing the Reds to make manoeuvres ultimately beneficial for the team.
In his 18 starts, Cueto has lost only five games, winning 10 with a wonderful 2.39 ERA, having allowed only 112 hits in his 120.1 innings. He had previously had a four-game winning streak.
Reds have got a 2-0 lead in the three-game series. Bailey will have a distinct chance to help the team sweep the series. The very fact that Reds have been able to compete with such effectiveness with the Cardinals, the defending champions, shows that the Reds are all set to make it to the postseason this time.
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