Reds vs. Indians, Game 1 - Preview and Lineups

As much as we lamented the off day after the first homestand, yesterday’s couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s funny, even after a 5-1 homestand, it still feels kind of like a win going 2-4 on the road trip.

The Reds get their cross-state rivals in the Indians for a weekend series, in what should be a good time at GABP. It should be a bit chilly by the time the games end, but we should have some good weather otherwise so head down to the ballpark if you’re able.

The Reds have Jeff Hoffman on the hill tonight, who impressed greatly in his first home start. He struggled with pitch efficiency in his second start, but if he has his curve going, he’s going to be fun to watch on a Friday night.

He’ll face Logan Allen for the Indians, who hasn’t actually faced the Reds in a big league game. Allen was a Red Sox draftee who was traded to San Diego in the Craig Kimbrel deal, and then moved to Cleveland in the same deal that took Yasiel Puig the same way from Cincinnati. Like Hoffman, he hasn’t pitched more than 5 innings in a game in either of his starts so far, so it could spell a game that comes down to the bullpens.

Tyler Stephenson gets another start behind the plate tonight, his second straight. Other than that, the lineup is the same as it has been. Go Reds!