Padres to test their mettle against Reds: Game 3 preview

The San Diego Padres fell to the Cincinnati Reds with a sluggish offensive outing. Can they bounce back and take the series in a winner-takes-all match up?

The San Diego Padres defeated the Cincinnati Reds on Monday evening 3-2. Cincinnati took revenge and beat the Friars 3-2 the following day.

The Padres couldn’t capitalize off of Cal Quantrill’s solid start, unable to provide their rookie pitcher with any reinforcements. The offense went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base.

San Diego still has a chance to nab the series with the rubber match taking place on Wednesday. The Friars have scheduled a bullpen day with former starter Matt Strahm (5-8) getting the nod. He’ll be facing Luis Castillo (11-5), the final boss of the Reds’ newfound three-headed pitching monster after acquiring Trevor Bauer.

As most Padres fans know, Strahm began the season in the starting rotation but was moved to the pen near the All-Star break. It made sense at the time; he was 3-7 with a 5.42 ERA and 1.305 WHIP in the first half.

He’s been better in the bullpen but not by much, having allowed only two runs in the month of August but through seven total innings pitched; his 4.24 second-half ERA definitely isn’t something to applaud. Nevertheless, he’ll likely pitch around two or three innings on Wednesday before handing the keys to another reliever.

In the home dugout, Castillo will look to spearhead a series win and stay afloat in the playoff race. The third-year starter is enjoying a career year, sporting a 3.10 ERA and 1.135 WHIP during his All-Star campaign. He’s posted 175 strikeouts through 148 IP and leads the National League with a stingy 6.5 hits allowed per nine innings.

While San Diego will face yet another tough test, they also have a golden opportunity to show Cincinnati, and the Friar Faithful, what they’re really made of. The rubber match between the Padres and Reds will begin on Wednesday, August 21 at 9:35 AM PT/12:35 PM ET.

Here’s how to watch the game live, online or via TV:

Date: Wednesday, August 21
First Pitch: 9:35 AM PT/12:35 PM ET
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Stadium: Great American Ball Park
Pitchers: Matt Strahm (5-8) vs. Luis Castillo (11-5)
Radio Station: KWFN 97.3 (Padres), WLW 700 (Reds)
TV Channel: Fox Sports San Diego (Padres), Fox Sports Ohio (Reds)
Live Stream: MLB.tv

For complete coverage of the San Diego Padres 2019 season, be sure to visit Friars on Base all season long.