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Reeling Reds Begin Difficult Road Trip vs. Cardinals
After a tough stretch losing eight of their last 11 games, the Cincinnati Reds are set to embark on a daunting road trip. This journey begins with a four-game series against the resurgent St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, followed by three games against the American League East-leading New York Yankees.
Reds’ Recent Performance
The Reds have struggled recently, with their form dipping significantly. Despite this, manager David Bell remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“Nothing changes with this team, we’ll continue to fight through it, continue to look to make adjustments like we always do. But nothing will change from our players as far as how we approach every single day, trying to get better and doing everything we possibly can to get through this (slump) quick.”
David Bell
Bell’s Confidence
Bell emphasizes the team’s long-term goals and the opportunities ahead. His confidence is grounded in the belief that the Reds still have ample time to turn their season around.
“We feel we’re still right in this. We have a long way to go. We have a lot of opportunity ahead,” Bell added.
Starting Pitchers
Andrew Abbott for the Reds
The Reds will use left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott on Thursday. Abbott, who holds a 6-3 record with a 3.40 Period, was noteworthy in his last excursion against the Boston Red Sox, striking out 10 and strolling one more than 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 win.
“I was able to get pitches in the strike zone in all counts,” Abbott said. “I was able to win the race to two strikes. I was able to win the 1-1 counts. I was able to do things that in some games this year I haven’t been able to do.”
However, Abbott has struggled against the Cardinals in his career, with a 1-2 record and a 6.89 ERA in three starts. His previous start against St. Louis resulted in a 7-1 loss, where he allowed six runs on seven hits over six-plus innings.
Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals
Miles Mikolas, who has a 6-6 record and a 4.68 ERA, will be the starting pitcher for the Cardinals. In his last game, Mikolas gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in six innings, contributing to the Cardinals’ 9-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. Prior to this, Mikolas had delivered five consecutive quality starts but has consistently encountered difficulties when competing against the Reds, accumulating a 5-7 record and a 5.26 ERA in 20 games.
Cardinals’ Recent Form
The Cardinals have shown signs of resurgence, winning eight of their last 12 games. They split a doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, further demonstrating their competitive spirit.
Offensive Leaders: Alec Burleson
Alec Burleson has been a key contributor to the Cardinals’ offense, driving in 11 RBIs in his past five games, including three during the doubleheader against the Braves.
“I just want to continue to put good swings on balls and hit the ball hard because that gives you the best chance to get hits and hit home runs, whether I’m lining out or whatever, I’m just going to continue doing that.”
Alec Burleson
Key Players to Watch
Giovanny Gallegos
Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos was recently activated from the 15-day injured list and pitched a scoreless inning in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. His return is expected to bolster the Cardinals’ bullpen significantly.
“We’ve seen him do it before, and our hope is that he builds off a clean inning like today and starts to feel better about it,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.
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Injuries and Questionable Players
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley and third baseman Jeimer Candelario are questionable for the series opener. Fraley was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game due to a lower leg contusion, and Candelario is dealing with hamstring tendinitis. Their potential absences could impact the Reds’ lineup significantly.
Conclusion
When the Reds begin their seven-game road trip against a Cardinals team that has come back, they will face a difficult road ahead. The two groups will endeavor to gain by their assets with vital participants like Steven Kwan and Alec Burleson in excellent condition and Andrew Abbott on the hill. The series promises to be a test of strategy and perseverance for the struggling Reds, while the Cardinals will have the chance to continue their upward trajectory.
