MLB Game Preview - Cincinnati at Atlanta

Sat Aug 3, 2019 7:20 PM EDT

The Cincinnati Reds will get a look at their newest pitching acquisition on Saturday when they send right-hander Trevor Bauer to the mound to oppose the Atlanta Braves.

Bauer (9-8, 3.79 ERA) came over from the Cleveland Indians at the trade deadline as part of a three-team swap. He will be opposed by left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-4, 3.86) in the third game of the four-game series in Atlanta.

The teams have split the first two games of the series. Cincinnati has won three of the five games between the two clubs.

Bauer is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts since the All-Star Game. He has 36 strikeouts and 12 walks in 24 2/3 seasons during that span. In his last start on July 28, Bauer allowed a career-high eight runs, seven earned, in 4 1/3 innings against Kansas City.

Bauer is leading the majors in innings pitched (156 2/3) and ranks fifth in strikeouts (185). The Reds are hopeful that Bauer can bolster a starting rotation that already ranks third in the National League in ERA.

"I'm excited to be here," Bauer said. "I'm excited to get going. It's definitely a fresh start. I like to learn from my past and become a better person, a better teammate."

Bauer will be making his fourth career start against the Braves. He is 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA.

He received a no-decision against Atlanta on April 20 when he allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings with three hits, two walks and 10 strikeouts. The Indians lost that game 8-7 and Bauer complained afterward about the Braves' patient approach at the plate; Bauer threw 120 pitches in the contest.

"I don't know ... didn't seem like they wanted to hit tonight," Bauer said after the game. "Seemed like they were looking to take pitches, foul pitches off. So, I guess it worked out for them."

Atlanta's Freddie Freeman scoffed at the notion, pointing to the 40-degree weather in Cleveland that day.

"If it was 80 degrees, I think a lot of us would have hit some pitches," Freeman said. "It's 40 degrees out. He's a good pitcher and we're going to try to work you. I think we're usually one of the most free-swinging teams there is. I think that comment is just ... he hasn't done his research."

Keuchel will be making his ninth start since signing with the Braves as a free agent in June. He went 2-3 with a 3.52 ERA in six starts in July. In his last appearance on July 29 at Washington, Keuchel suffered a loss when he allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings.

"Dallas gave us a chance," manager Brian Snitker said. "One inning it seemed like when he missed it was over the middle of the plate. But I have every confidence in the world in him when he goes out there."

Keuchel has made only one career start against Cincinnati. He faced the Reds in 2016 and received no decision when he gave up two runs over seven innings.

--Field Level Media