Reds look to end streak of losses in 1-run games on Saturday vs. Brewers

The streak, it has been arduous.

The Cincinnati Reds got another solid-enough pitching performance on Friday night in Milwaukee, in doing so lowering their overall team ERA down to a sparkling 2.57 so far in the early going. That’s good for 5th among all teams, with their collective ERA from their starters (2.42) even shinier.

Of course, it’s been the offense that has held them back in this incredibly frustrating toil of theirs. After losing 1-0 in a trio of consecutive games, they pushed their scoreless inning streak to 35 last night before finally plating a pair of runs late, though their 3-2 loss to the Brewers extended their string of losses in 1-run games.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Reds, right now, lead all MLB teams in 1-run games played (5) and in losses in 1-run games (they’re just 1-4 in them). This is the song that never ends…

Saturday’s matchup between the Reds and Brewers will be broadcast by FS1 on the national stage, so hopefully they can find a way to make their product the slightest bit more entertaining with the bats. Brady Singer will get the start fresh off his incredible team debut, while Milwaukee will send righty Elvin Rodriguez to the bump to start.

Matt McLain, who was out of the lineup altogether last night with a hamstring issue prior to pinch-hitting late, will DH from the start in this one. It remains to be seen whether manager Terry Francona and 1B coach Collin Cowgill will be back in their respective postions tonight after sitting out last night’s game with an illness that’s roiling the roster.

First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET. It would very much behoove the 2-6 Reds to go.

Go Reds, go.

Reds Lineup