Cincinnati Reds name first three starters for National League Division Series games – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, October 2, announced the name of three starters for the first three games of the National League Division Series. Jhonny Cueto will make the first start, following him will be Bronson Arroyo and Mat Latos who start in the Game 2 and Game 3.
With the opponent unknown so far as the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles running for the Wild Card race, the Reds seem all prepared to take whosoever makes it to the postseason games. The Reds' manager said the team was already in preparations for it.
"We've been planning this for a while. It didn't take a genius to see how we planned it," Baker said on Tuesday. "What you see is what it is right now."
As for the fourths starter, the Reds' manager was not forthcoming about who will be there to make a start. Homer Bailey is one of the names that have appeared, but the Reds prefer keeping a veil of surprise for it, which might well be part of their strategy.
"We're not sure about that," Baker said. "Generally speaking, you only use three starters in the first round. We won't try to guess who's not [in], but that's a pretty good ace in the hole if you've got a guy getting hammered. You usually don't let guys stick around to get hammered. It's not like a regular-season game."
Having made 33 starts this season, Cueto has held a fascinating 19-9 record with impressive 2.78 ERA in the 217 innings that he pitched with 170 strike-outs.
Arroyo, on the other hand, has appeared in 32 games and has struggled with 12-10 record, holding a 3.74 ERA in 202 innings that he tossed.
Latos, for his part, has two complete games in 33 that he has played this season with impressive 3.48 ERA and a 14-4 record. He remains one of the instrumental starters to strengthen the Reds’ rotation.
With the effective and experienced players to start, the Reds keep their fingers crossed for a powerful show in the National League Division Series.
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