Cincinnati Reds vs Boston Red Sox: Game Three Preview

The Reds are looking to take two of three games from the Red Sox for the second consecutive season.

Greg Kuffner | Jun 23, 2024

Jun 2, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Saturday.

Nick Lodolo will take the mound in the series finale for the Reds. Lodolo comes into the contest with a 2.76 ERA, a best among all Reds starters. Last time out, he threw seven innings, giving up just four hits and one run. He didn't walk a batter and struck out eight.

It was his fourth-straight quality start and his fifth consecutive win. With that win, he became the first Reds pitcher with at least 8 wins in his first 11 starts of a season since right-hander Jack Armstrong in 1990 (8 wins).

The Reds are 9-2 in games started by Lodolo. He has faced the Red Sox one time in his career, giving up three hits and three runs. He struck out seven. Opponents are only hitting .210 against Lodolo this season.

The Red Sox will utilize an opener on Sunday and give Zack Kelly the start. It will be Kelly's second start of the season. His longest outing of the season is when he threw three innings against the Brewers back on May 25.

Kelly has not allowed a hit to the last 31 batters he's faced. In June, batters are 0-27 against him with 13 strikeouts and only three walks.

Game three of the series is Sunday at 1:40 ET at Great American Ball Park.

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