The Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies kick off a four-game series in Philadelphia on Monday night. The Reds traded away a number of key veteran pieces at the trade deadline and recently lost long-time star Joey Votto to season-ending shoulder surgery so they are in full rebuild-mode. The Phillies, however, are right in the thick of the NL Wildcard race and need to continue to piece together series wins. On the mound on Monday night will be veteran righty Luis Cessa (3-1, 5.50) of the Reds taking on fellow veteran righty Noah Syndergaard (7-8, 3.95) of the Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm EST.
The Reds are already looking to the future with nearly 60 games left in the 2022 season. The final piece came this week when the team announced that Joey Votto, the veteran heart and soul of the team, would be shut down for the season to undergo shoulder surgery. The Reds will now truly get a chance to get a look at several younger players as the team's veterans have nearly all moved on. Over the weekend, the Reds battled the Pirates as each team tried to stay out of the cellar in the NL Central Division. After splitting the first two games, the Reds pounded out 13 hits and pounded Pittsburgh 9-5 in the finale on Sunday. Jake Fraley went 2-for-2 with a home run, three walks, a stolen base and four runs scored from the leadoff spot.
Have a great night, everybody?
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 21, 2022
The Reds have gone 5-10 since the August 3rd trade deadline with the team selling off several key pieces in an attempt to add prospects. The starting pitching staff took the biggest blow as the team parted with two of their top-3 starters in Tyler Mahle, who pitched on Opening Day, and Luis Castillo, who earned the team's only all-star selection. The Reds have been piecing together parts for their rotation ever since. On Monday, the Reds will turn to reliever Luis Cessa to make just his second start in 38 appearances this season. This will likely turn into a bullpen game for the Reds as Cessa has not pitched two innings all season.