Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins – May 12, 2023

After taking two of the three games in their home series against the New York Mets, the Cincinnati Reds are back on the road to take on the Miami Marlins. Cincinnati gets to face off against the top pitching prospect in baseball who is making his big league debut. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET. The game is today’s MLBtv free game of the day.

Starting Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Graham Ashcraft

After dominating in his first six starts of the season, Graham Ashcraft had the worst start of his career last week against the White Sox. Chicago scored eight runs against him in just 1.2 innings and homered off of Ashcraft – his first home run allowed since April 2nd.

Much like last season, left-handed hitters have done absolutely nothing against Graham Ashcraft, hitting just .130 with almost now power. Right-handed hitters find much more success against the right-handed starter. They walk nearly as often as they strike out, make contact at a high rate, and hit for a high average. They don’t have much power output, but do hit for a little more power than lefties do against Ashcraft.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Eury Perez

One of, if not the top pitching prospects in baseball, Eury Perez will be making his Major League debut tonight against the Reds. He spent almost all of 2022 in Double-A, making 17 starts. He returned there this season and has been dominant, posting a 2.32 ERA with 42 walks in 31.0 innings.

Double-A isn’t the same as the big leagues, but neither lefties nor righties have found much of any success this season against Perez. Right-handed hitters have just one walk and 20 strikeouts against him, but on the rare occasion that they’ve made contact, it’s been hit with authority as five of the eight hits have gone for extra-bases. Lefties make a little more contact and they have walked at a high rate, but when they’ve made contact it’s led to very little.

Splits (Double-A in 2023)

Pitch Usage

There is no firm, public pitch data available for Eury Perez. We can’t break down his stuff as exact as we can for guys who are in Triple-A this year or the big leagues, but it’s also 2023 and scouting reports are easy to access.  His fastball reportedly works in the mid-90’s and has touched 100. He also shows a plus change up, plus slider (mid 80’s), and a plus curveball (mid-to-upper 70’s).

When and Where

• Game time: 6:40pm ET
• Where: loanDepot Park
• Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (Free game of the day)
• Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 81°, sunny, 0% chance of rain (also has a retractable roof)

News and Notes

TJ Friedl is day to day

After exiting yesterday’s game early, TJ Friedl is listed as day to day in the Reds official game notes today. But…. he’s not playing today according to David Bell.

David Bell said TJ Friedl (oblique) likely won’t start games this weekend and won’t play today, but he’s hopeful that Friedl will avoid an IL stint.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 12, 2023

What else does Matt McLain need to do?

Last night Matt McLain homered for his third straight game, going 3-4 with a walk. His OPS is up to 1.188, which leads all of minor league baseball. Over at RedsMinorLeagues.com I wrote about his season and openly wondered what else he has to do in order to be called up. There’s no actual good answer.

Standings