Tom Shearn, RHP (2-0, 4.19) VS Ben Sheets, RHP (12-4, 3.54)
Scouting Report:
Reds: In a smooth 7-0 win over the Mets on Sept. 5, Shearn didn't face the New York "A" lineup but was still impressive. The 30-year-old rookie worked six scoreless innings in his third big league start and allowed three hits -- all singles -- and three walks with three strikeouts. Staked to a big early lead, he could afford to fall behind early in counts and make pitches he had to make to get outs. He often successfully mixed in his 68 mph curveball.
Brewers: Sheets faced the Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati and limited them to two runs on four hits through the first five innings, consistently getting ahead with a 93-mph fastball and putting hitters away with a curve in the dirt. But he got a fastball up in the zone in the sixth inning to Edwin Encarnacion, who deposited a three-run homer to straightaway center. Still, Sheets took the team lead in victories, winning for the eighth time in nine decisions.
Prediction: Sewers Win
Saturday @ 6:05
Kirk Saarloos, RHP (1-4, 7.39) VS Jeff Suppan, RHP (9-11, 4.74)
Scouting Report:
Reds: Saarloos is making his first start since May 27, when he allowed five first-inning runs and left without retiring a batter in a loss to the Pirates. The right-hander is in his third stint in the Majors this season, returning on Sept. 4, and he's auditioning to be a starter next season. He last pitched on Sunday vs. Milwaukee, working three innings and allowing one earned run on two hits.
Brewers: Suppan surrendered only three hits and one walk in six innings against the Reds last week, but the Reds made the most of their baserunners. Suppan issued a walk and a single in the second inning before rookie first baseman Joey Votto hit a low-and-inside pitch the opposite way for a three-run homer, sending the Brewers into comeback mode. Still, Suppan has pitched well of late, allowing three or fewer runs in seven of his last nine starts. He has thrown fewer than 90 pitches in each of his last four starts.
Prediction: Sewers Win
Sunday @ 1:05 PM
Matt Belisle, RHP (8-8, 5.31) VS Carlos Villanueva, RHP (7-4, 4.42)
Scouting Report:
Reds: In a 7-2 Reds win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, Belisle began his night by giving up a second-pitch, leadoff homer to David Eckstein but enjoyed a solid outing. He allowed two earned runs and six hits over seven innings with two walks and five strikeouts. The only other run Belisle allowed was Ryan Ludwick's homer with two outs in the fourth inning.
Brewers: Villanueva escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning but was not as lucky in the fifth in his last start against Pittsburgh. Villanueva surrendered a ground-rule double that hit the chalk down the left-field line, then a Nate McLouth home run that bounced into the Allegheny River outside PNC Park. But in his previous start, he returned to the rotation and beat the Astros with six strong innings. Villanueva has a 3.38 ERA in seven career appearances against Cincinnati, two of them starts.
Prediction: Reds Win
