The Cleveland Baseball Club is looking for a rebound performance against the Cincinnati Reds.
Not only is the Cleveland Baseball Club as a whole looking for a better performance Saturday, their starting pitcher is as well. Triston McKenzie did not have the best performance in his last start, allowing 3 runs on 2 hits in 4 innings in a 4-3 loss to Chicago. Cleveland will be looking to avenge Friday night’s lopsided loss and even the series with Cincinnati.
Triston McKenzie has allowed 4 runs on 4 hits with 6 walks in 7.2 innings this season. This is clearly not up to the level expected of McKenzie and this will have to change. After Cleveland’s pitching difficulties Friday, they will need McKenzie to go a bit deeper than he has this season. This will be the first start for Triston McKenzie against the Reds in his career.
Cincinnati will be sending Sonny Gray to the mound for his first start of the season. Gray has a career 3.54 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, and 8.5 strikeouts per 9. Cleveland has been held in check in the past by Gray in his previous matchups with their batters. Of the three batters with more than 10 at-bats, Ben Gamel is 2-13 with 4 strikeouts, Eddie Rosario is 2-13 with 2 strikeouts, and Jose Ramirez is 4-21 with 2 doubles and 1 strikeout. The only player to homer off of Gray is Josh Naylor is 2-3 off the Reds starter.
