Johnny Cueto has traditionally dominated for the Cincinnati Reds. He has been their ace pitcher guaranteeing wins on the mound. He certainly started 2015 that way, but has since fallen off track causing him to miss his last two starts with the team. As the Reds come to Philadelphia fresh off a sweep of the Washington Nations, the team is hoping Cueto can re-find his form.
Cueto is 3-4 with a 3.03 ERA on the season. In his last four starts he went 1-2 with a 4.45 ERA, struggling with control. After being diagnosed with elbow inflammation, Cueto was put on the disabled list, missing his next two trips to the mound. His last start against Kansas City featured three runs and nine hits over seven innings. Now, the Reds bring back the star after making it clear he did not suffer any setbacks and MRIs showed no structural damage had been done.
Cueto might not be able to find his form against Philadelphia, a team he has traditionally struggled against. The Reds pitcher is 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in eight starts. It certainly does not help that he has been getting just 3.17 runs of support in the process. Cincinnati has come on recently at the plate which will help Cueto out. The team put up 21 runs in the sweep of the Nationals while winning their last four of five games. Todd Frazier is 11 for 22 over his past six games while ranking second in the National League with 16 home runs.
Philadelphia has been nothing short of a disaster as of late. The taem has dropped seven straight. The bullpen has given up 12 runs over the past 19 innings and the batting rotation is just 7 for 48 with runners in scoring position. Things are not looking good and are showing no signs of improving any time soon. Sean O'Sullivan takes the mound while being 1-4 with a 4.81 ERA on the season. He is coming off a bad outing against the New York Mets, giving up seven runs and 11 hits in just over five innings. The Phillies need him to find some sort of rhythm if they are going to get past the suddenly surging Reds.
