Game No. 69 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Cincinnati Reds

Houston Astros (32-36) vs. Cincinnati Reds (27-41), June 18, 2016 3:10 PM CDT

TV: Root Sports Southwest
Online: MLB.TV
Radio: KBME SportsTalk 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM (En Español) 
Reds SB Nation Blog: Red Reporter

Pitching Matchup

LHP Dallas Keuchel (3-9, 5.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) vs. RHP Cody A. Reed (6-3, 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in Triple-A)

Preview

Well, Friday's game was less than ideal for the Houston Astros. The Astros couldn't find a way to get across for the win against the worst team in baseball and the worst bullpen in baseball.

The Astros offense left 14 runners on base in Friday's game. Not good. Not good indeed. The Astros will need to improve upon their success with runners on base because Dallas Keuchel is on the mound. It's 2016's Dallas Keuchel and not 2014-2015 Dallas Keuchel.

Dallas Keuchel has won just one of his last 11 starts. He is 1-8 with a 6.58 ERA during that stretch. Keuchel has shown promise in his last four starts but he has posted two quality starts then allowing nine runs over 12 1/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs on five hits over five innings against the Rays in his last start.

Keuchel is making his first start against the Reds in his career even with his time in the National League. Keuchel faces Cody Reed, who is making his major debut on Saturday.

Reed is the Reds' No. 3 top prospect on MLBpipeline.com and No. 60 overall on MLB.com's Top 100 prospect. MLB.com said of Reed:

Reed is now thought of as one of the best lefty prospects in the game, one who could pitch at or near the top of a rotation one day. He has two plus pitches in his fastball and slider. Reed will throw the heater, with sink and cut, in the 91-94 range typically, and he can reach back for 96-97 mph at times. His hard wipeout slider is a true out pitch. Reed's changeup might be behind the other two, but it has improved tremendously and will be at least a solid average offering when all is said and done.

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