Reds at Marlins
The Cincinnati Reds have seen their once-promising season go south in a hurry with 10 losses in their last 14 contests. The reeling Reds look to pick themselves up after being swept in their last series when they open a four-game set against the host Miami Marlins on Monday night.
Cincinnati, which outscored Miami 21-1 en route to a three-game sweep on April 9-11, was gouged for 23 runs over the last two contests of a three-game sweep by Pittsburgh. Eugenio Suarez belted his team-leading 35th homer in Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Pirates and looks to continue his power display versus Miami, against which he went 6-for-11 with two homers in the previous series. Starlin Castro highlighted his fourth multi-hit performance in six contests with a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning of the Marlins' 3-2 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. The 29-year-old has nine RBIs in his last four games to boost his total to 24 in August, although he is just 1-for-7 with three strikeouts versus Monday's scheduled starter Sonny Gray.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Sonny Gray (9-6, 2.92 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (5-5, 4.23)
Although his career-best scoreless innings streak was halted at 23 on Tuesday, Gray saw his winning ways continue as he improved to 4-0 in his last five starts and 7-1 with a 2.25 ERA over his last 12 with another sterling effort. The two-time All-Star allowed just one run on four hits in six innings and struck out 10 for the second time in as many games in Tuesday's 3-2 victory versus San Diego. Gray owns a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in three career starts versus Miami, although he received a no-decision on April 11 after scattering two hits over four innings.
Lopez will be activated from the 10-day injured list for the series opener after being sidelined since June 15 with a right shoulder strain. "It's been forever since I've been on this mound. I'm real excited. ... It's a process that felt longer than it actually has been," the 23-year-old said. Lopez finished his fifth rehab start - three with Double-A Jacksonville and two with Triple-A New Orleans - by tossing 51 of his 70 pitches for strikes in six innings on Wednesday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami SS Jon Berti is 26-for-85 with 11 RBIs and 20 runs scored since July 31.
2. Cincinnati rookie OF Nick Senzel has been held out of the starting lineup for the last two games with a sore right thumb.
3. With Lopez getting the nod for the series opener, LHP Caleb Smith and RHP Sandy Alcantara will be pushed back to start on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.