Cincinnati Reds to bring in ace pitcher for Game 4 of the NLDS – NLDS Update
As the San Francisco Giants staged a comeback in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds 2-1, the Reds' manager attributed the team’s success in the upcoming game to their ace’s solid performance.
If anything, Game 3 on Tuesday had all the sensation of a scintillating competition wherein the Reds’ pitchers had dominance until the 10th inning when third baseman Scott Rolen bobbled the short-hop that gave Joaquin Arias enough time to beat the throw and score.
Reds are currently in kind of a dilemma as far as announcing the name of starter for Game 4 is concerned. The names available are that of Mat Latos and Mike Leake.
Leake can only be brought as replacement for Johnny Cueto who was diagnosed with a strain in his right oblique.
If such a replacement is announced, the Reds will lose Cueto for the National League Championship Series provided the team qualifies. However, Game 4 now requires an effective ace and Mat Latos seems the likely prospect.
"It's very difficult, but it all depends on if your ace can't go or whatever it is," Baker said. "That's part of the conversation -- us going without him. We realize what's at stake."
If Latos comes, he will have to repeat the performance Homer Bailey showed here, pitching seven innings and allow only a run and a hit with 10 strike-outs to his credit. That is indeed a tough challenge.
Leake is the other pitcher whose name is being cited for the possible replacement. Nonetheless, whosoever comes, like said before, it will be incumbent upon him to keep the Reds up and allowing it to win the NLDS.
Reds were close to inflicting a series sweep on the Giants, but San Francisco have now made a comeback with a 2-1 win in Game 3.
With 2-1 lead, the Reds, be that as it may, will try to come up with a strong line-up in Game 4 to score a victory and make it to the National League Division Series. Whether the rotation succeeds or not remains something difficult to predict at this stage.
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