Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks May 13, 2024 – We’re all feeling the same way – could it get any worse? I’m really not sure it can. As Nati has been writing, that’s kind of a good thing (?) or at least a reason to hope. The Reds get a rematch of a week ago, hoping to finally turn this around in Arizona.
RHP Graham Ashcraft
Ashcraft gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks last time out against these same Diamondbacks. His advanced metrics are all over the place. They tell the story of a guy that is dominating with his breaking stuff and inducing lots of groundballs (over 50% of batted balls in play!) but getting hammered on his fastball (cutter). The batting average against Ashcraft’s slider is just .116, but his cutter is .293 and his sinker is .333. Yikes. Ashcraft will need to add to his 4 quality starts this season for the Reds to get something going tonight.
Reds Lineup Card
| Batters | Average | |
| 1 | 2B Jonathan India | .225 |
| 2 | SS Elly De La Cruz | .262 |
| 3 | LF Spencer Steer | .248 |
| 4 | C Tyler Stephenson | .213 |
| 5 | 1B Jeimer Candelario | .211 |
| 6 | DH Mike Ford | .133 |
| 7 | CF Stuart Fairchild | .192 |
| 8 | 3B Santiago Espinal | .186 |
| 9 | RF Will Benson | .195 |
We’ll start with the bad news everyone knows – Friedl is out until late July to early August with a right thumb fracture. The Reds called up Jacob Hurtubise for his first stint with the big league club. Keep an eye out for him if the Diamondbacks bring in a right-handed reliever. India is back in leadoff – where I think he is best. It is refreshing to see De La Cruz stay batting second even with a LHP on the mound. This is what we have folks, so get used to it for now. However, as Nati noted on Twitter, Benson over Fraley here is malpractice.
LHP Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery didn’t exactly dominate last time out against the Reds. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Montgomery is pitching for weak contact straight out. He is not a strikeout guy. Again, look for the Reds to put the ball in play.
Diamondbacks Lineup Card
| Batters | Average | |
| 1 | CF Corbin Carroll | .201 |
| 2 | 2B Ketel Marte | .293 |
| 3 | DH Joc Pederson | .292 |
| 4 | 1B Caleb Walker | .265 |
| 5 | LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | .239 |
| 6 | 3B Eugenio Suarez | .223 |
| 7 | C Gabriel Moreno | .242 |
| 8 | RF Pavin Smith | .207 |
| 9 | SS Kevin Newman | .216 |
This lineup isn’t exactly hot. Newman is .318 in his last seven games, but only Moreno and Gurriel Jr are also over .250 in that span. Carroll is a cold .190 in his last fifteen games. This is a similar lineup to what they ran out when they swept the Reds last week. Expect a couple of runs or more.
