Cincinnati Reds’ Mat Latos to start in decisive Game 5 of NLDS against San Francisco Giants
Cincinnati Reds have inked Mat Latos’ name for the start in the crucial and decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. The Reds, who had won the first two games, lost the second consecutive on Wednesday, as the Giants overwhelmed with an 8-3 win.
Mat Latos last pitched in the Game 1 of the NLDS wherein he had come as an emergency relief pitcher after the back spasms rendered starter Johnny Cueto unable to pitch, forcing him to exit in the very first inning.
Latos tossed four effective innings, helping the team to eventually overcome the Giants in Game 1. But herein lies a challenge which he has to encounter given the significance of the game, determining the fate of Reds for the year.
"You got to give big props to Latos," Baker said. "Here is a guy sitting back, relaxed, thinking he was going to pitch next week at home, and now all of a sudden -- boom -- this is his first playoff game. It was a great feat by him."
Facing him in Thursday’s game is none other than Matt Cain – who had pitched in Game 1. Both rivals know the importance of the game and the responsibilities they shoulder. Latos comes with an advantage over the Giants.
In regular games, he holds an impressive 2.19 in the 11 games that he has played. Latos, it goes without saying, enjoys a lot of support in the team as he is considered to be one of the successful starters out there.
Previously, the Reds had intended to use Latos as the starter for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. But with the comeback that the Giants have staged, Latos has a lot to do in Game 5.
With Johnny Cueto out, Mike Leake was brought in Game 4 wherein he allowed five costly runs in the equally costly 4.1 innings, surrendering six hits with 10.38 ERA. Thus, it is Latos who the Reds hope will prevail over the Giants in Game 5 of the NLDS in order to keep hopes alive for postseason games.
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