Cleveland Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds series preview

Despite a good start to the season, the Cincinnati Reds probably aren’t winning a World Series this year as their window to win is still a year or two away. But they have Joey Votto and that has to count for something. Unfortunately, the most patient hitter in the league can’t help their young pitching staff, which sports the fourth-highest ERA in the National League.

Weather should be fine for the first couple games, but thunderstorms may interrupt action on Wednesday and Thursday.

Pitching matchups

Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET: Scott Feldman (RHP) vs. Josh Tomlin (RHP)

Scott Feldman is having a very Scott Feldman season at 34 years old. His 4.29 ERA and 4.13 are right along his career averages and and his increased strikeout rate this season follows a trend in the later years of his career. His last start was a 2.2-inning disaster in which he allowed five runs against the Chicago Cubs.

Josh Tomlin looked like he was rounding into Good Tomlin for a couple starts, but his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays curbed those thoughts. He allowed six runs in just 2.1 innings, including two home runs.

Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. ET: Amir Garrett (LHP) vs. Carlos Carrasco (RHP)

A 22-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, Amir Garrett was rated as the Reds’ No. 2 prospect coming into 2017 by Minor League Ball. According to Minor League Ball’s John Sikels, Garrett has a fastball in the mid-90s with an effective, but inconsistent, change-up. His fourseamer has not yet consistently reached the 96 mark it did in the minors — he’s sitting closer to the 92-93 — and he has had some walk issues in his first seven starts.

Carlos Carrasco is coming back from a pectoral strain and is expected to be fully recovered by the time he starts on Tuesday.

Wednesday, 6:10 p.m. ET: Lisalverto Bonilla (RHP) vs. Trevor Bauer (RHP)

Lisalverto Bonilla is a very difficult pitcher to spell, but apparently not a very difficult pitcher to hit. The 26-year-old rookie has 6.38 ERA over his first three games (two starts). He allowed 17 hits and four home runs. His last start was a 5.1-inning loss in which he allowed six earned runs off eight hits.

At this point we just have to accept Trevor Bauer’s nerve-wracking inconsistencies, but if he can give us more outings like his last two — a combined 11.2 innings, six earned runs, and 16 strikeouts — it’ll be easier to deal with.

Thursday, 6:10 p.m. ET: TBA vs. Mike Clevinger (RHP)

TBA is a Cy Young contender, mark my words. If Mike Clevinger keeps pitching the way he did in his last outing, when he carried a no-hitter through six innings, maybe he will be too. Probably not, but maybe.

Cincinnati Reds roster

• 40-man roster
• Depth chart