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Game Thread 154: Marlins vs. Reds

Handing the ball to José Ureña, and actually feeling really good about it.

Cincinnati Reds v Miami Marlins Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images

Please leave any Icthy picks in the comments below. Remember, we introduced a new grand prize for the contest this season.

9/22/18 Probable Starters

Name Team IP ERA FIP K% fWAR
Name Team IP ERA FIP K% fWAR
José Ureña Marlins 162.1 4.21 4.18 18.9% 1.6
Anthony DeSclafani Reds 104.1 4.92 5.00 20.9% 0.4
FanGraphs

Today's Lineups

REDS MARLINS
Scott Schebler - LF Miguel Rojas - SS
Jose Peraza - SS Starlin Castro - 2B
Joey Votto - 1B J.T. Realmuto - C
Scooter Gennett - 2B Peter O'Brien - 1B
Eugenio Suarez - 3B Brian Anderson - 3B
Tucker Barnhart - C Lewis Brinson - CF
Mason Williams - RF Austin Dean - LF
A. DeSclafani - RHP Magneuris Sierra - RF
Billy Hamilton - CF Jose Urena - RHP

Matchup Summary

Wei-Yin Chen pitched one of his best games as a member of the Marlins on Friday night. He had to settle for a no-decision despite eight scoreless innings, but the effort wasn’t wasted—pinch-hitter Isaac Galloway played the hero in the bottom of the 10th with a walk-off double.

The Marlins spend next week on the road, so that was the final time that Chen will pitch in Miami this season. He improved to a 1.62 earned run average at home and owns some of the most extreme splits ever seen from a major league starting pitcher.

It’s a tough act to follow for José Ureña on Saturday, though he’s been very sharp lately (regardless of venue). Ureña has a 2.16 ERA in five starts since the Ronald Acuña Jr. incident. The key has been limiting baserunners (.226 OBP) now that he’s found the right pitch mix to keep opponents uncomfortable, as our own Mitchell Custer explains.

For the second straight night, a former Marlins farmhand takes the mound against them.

But Anthony DeSclafani doesn’t present the same challenges as Luis Castillo did. He’s been performing poorly in September and struggles overall against left-handed batters (.293/.350/.591 this season).

So...Don Mattingly goes with a lineup that almost entirely right-handed? We’re at the point in the season where it’s not even worth critiquing. At least he’s getting the rookies in there.

Ian Smith is in the building. Follow him for live updates.

Thread Question: J.T. Realmuto has been the Marlins’ MVP this season. Who do you think is second-most valuable?