BASEBALL: Coming off big wins, Reds, Marlins look to continue strong starts

The Cincinnati Reds are showing signs of momentum as they prepare to open a four-game series against the host Miami Marlins on Monday. Cincinnati is coming off a playoff berth last season — the franchise’s first non-shortened-season postseason appearance since 2013.

On Sunday, the Reds completed a three-game road sweep of the Texas Rangers, allowing just four runs over the weekend.

"We did a good job," Reds manager Terry Francona said.

Monday’s starter for the Reds will be left-hander Brandon Williamson, who has had a slow start to the season (0-1, 11.57 ERA). However, in his only career start against Miami, Williamson is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA. He relies on a five-pitch mix: fastball (93-96 mph), changeup, curveball, cutter, and sweeper.

Williamson is part of a Reds pitching staff that ranks fifth in Major League Baseball in ERA (3.25). That’s impressive production, especially with All-Star talents Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo currently on the injured list. Greene, 26, is known for some of the best raw pitching talent in the game.

On offense, shortstop Elly De La Cruz is already a two-time All-Star at just 24. So far this season, he is hitting .243 with three home runs, five RBIs, and a .786 OPS. Francona encourages De La Cruz to stay aggressive at the plate.

"We don’t want our good hitters taking," Francona said.

Over the past two seasons, De La Cruz has averaged 103.5 runs, 52 steals, and 23.5 home runs, combining speed with a strong arm. Another standout hitter is first baseman Sal Stewart, a former Miami prep star, who is off to a hot start with a .367 average and a 1.167 OPS. Since his MLB debut last year, Stewart has hit seven home runs in 26 games.

The Marlins enter the series following a thrilling 7-6 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday, a game that included a 3½-hour rain delay.

"We’re going to try to get some rest, go home, and play some good games," Marlins corner infielder Graham Pauley said.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough added, "Long rain delay after losing the first two games of this series, trailing by three runs early... This was a great team win."

Miami will face a left-handed starter for the third straight game, having split the previous two contests. The team will be without closer Pete Fairbanks, who has been placed on paternity leave.

Without Fairbanks, Miami could be short on quality relievers. On Sunday, they relied on four true relievers: Andrew Nardi, Calvin Faucher, John King, and Anthony Bender. King earned the win, and Bender picked up his first save of the season. All four pitched consecutive days and may not be available Monday.

Right-hander Janson Junk (0-0, 4.15 ERA) will start for the Marlins. He did not get a decision against the White Sox last Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. He previously earned a win in his only career start against the Reds last July.

Offensively, Miami has strong contributions from second baseman Xavier Edwards (.471 batting average, 1.147 OPS), third baseman Javier Sanoja (.429 batting average, 1.000 OPS), shortstop Otto Lopez (.333 batting average, .921 OPS), and outfielder Owen Caissie (.296 batting average, .926 OPS).

—Field Level Media/Reuters