Florida @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2010 ) Florida 4, Cincinnati 5
Johnny Cueto’s suspension could have been a problem for the Cincinnati Reds, who are in a heated pennant race. The Reds, however, have a pretty good plan B.
Homer Bailey returns from the disabled list on Sunday just in time to start in place of Cueto as the Reds try to complete a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins.
Cincinnati won its second straight on Saturday as Mike Leake tossed six strong innings and Drew Stubbs homered in a 5-4 victory. The win, combined with St. Louis’ loss, moved the Reds into a tie with the Cardinals atop the National League Central standings.
The Reds should be looking to sweep the Marlins with one of their best pitchers on the hill. Instead, Cueto will miss his scheduled start as part of a seven-game suspension for his role in Wednesday’s bench-clearing brawl with the Cardinals.
Cueto (11-3, 3.38 ERA) was one of several players pinned against the netting behind home plate and began kicking his legs wildly, hitting Jason LaRue and giving the backup catcher a mild concussion.
Cueto and Brandon Phillips were suspended, but only Phillips is appealing.
In this situation, most teams would be forced to turn to an unproven young pitcher or a journeyman for a spot start. But the Reds have the good fortune of turning to Bailey (1-2, 5.51), a former first-round pick with 46 career starts.
The 24-year-old right-hander hasn't started since May 23 due to shoulder inflammation. He was impressive in his rehab stint, going 2-1 with a 1.44 ERA in four games – three starts – with Class A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville.
Bailey is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two career starts against Florida, which has lost two straight since its season-high four-game winning streak.
Florida failed to get a clutch hit Saturday, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The Marlins loaded the bases in the ninth inning against Francisco Cordero, but only managed one run on a double-play ground ball from Gabby Sanchez.
Florida will try to rebound behind Anibal Sanchez (9-7, 3.33), who is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts. The right-hander allowed two unearned runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-2 win over Washington on Tuesday.
Sanchez is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati, which will embark on a nine-game West Coast road trip following this contest.