The Cincinnati Reds will attempt to win the rubber match of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, looking to build on Andrew Abbott's road performance and potentially exploit the distraction surrounding star infielder Ketel Marte's sudden absence from the team.
The Reds, who have struggled to maintain consistency and are unlikely to make the postseason unless they can string together a significant winning streak, enter the game with a 20-11 record to start the season before a subsequent eight-game losing streak derailed their momentum. They have not been above .500 since early June.
Cincinnati's starting pitcher, Andrew Abbott, has shown a tendency to perform better away from home. His road ERA stands at 3.36, compared to 4.78 at home, despite pitching an equal number of innings in both scenarios. Abbott faced the Diamondbacks once this season, delivering a solid outing with five innings pitched, allowing only one earned run.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are in a playoff push and currently hold a position above .500, are dealing with the unexplained absence of Ketel Marte. Reports have surfaced of Marte being seen at a casino while his team was nearby, though the specifics and reasons for his absence remain unclear. This situation adds an element of uncertainty for the team as they vie for a wild card spot.
The Diamondbacks will counter with Mitch Bratt, who has made limited starts this season. Bratt's performance at home has been significantly stronger, with a 2.04 ERA in three home starts, compared to a 6.16 ERA on the road. He has not faced the Reds previously in his career and has historically performed well against teams for the first time through the lineup.
Despite the Diamondbacks being considered the stronger offensive club, the series finale presents a unique matchup. Abbott's road effectiveness and Bratt's limited innings, coupled with the potential distraction of Marte's absence, could favor the Reds in their bid to steal the series win.