The Arizona Diamondbacks (2-3) take on the Cincinnati Reds (1-3) Friday night in Catus League play. Friday’s game will be game one of two between the two opponents set to play in spring training, with the latter happening later in the month.
The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 pm ET inside Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, AZ. Cincinnati is the favorite (-130) over the Diamondbacks, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Arizona Diamondbacks
After beginning the spring training slate with three-straight losses, Arizona has found its way, winning the last two games. The Diamondbacks will host the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs over the weekend.
Seth Frankoff is set to make his first spring training start for the Diamondbacks. The right-hander tossed two innings in the opener for Arizona in relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs in his debut. Frankoff was signed to a minor league deal after playing the last two seasons in South Korea.
Outfielder Trayce Thompson is off to a hot start for the D’backs. The 30-year old right-handed hitter is 4-for-12 (.333 avg) this spring with a pair of home runs, three runs scored, and two RBI. Third baseman Wyatt Mathisen leads Arizona with three runs batted in through the first week of Catus League play.
Arizona could only muster up five runs total over their first three games but have plated nine runs in each of their last two contests. Thompson (3-for-4) and Ketel Marte (2-for-3) paced the Diamondbacks in Thursday’s 9-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
What to Know – Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have just one win through the first week of spring training games, a 7-5 victory over the Angels on Wednesday. Cincinnati dropped Thursday’s contest to the Kansas City Royals, 5-3. The Reds will enjoy an off day Saturday before picking play back up on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.
Right-hander Jose De Leon is scheduled to make his second spring training start after tossing two innings in the opener. De Leon allowed one hit, issued two walks, and stuck out two while allowing one earned run on Sunday. The 28-year old is expected to be apart of the Reds bullpen this season.
Cincinnati has used the first week of preseason ball to get a lot of hitters at-bats. Already 30 players have taken at least one at-bat for the Reds through the first five games. Outfielder Scott Heineman has taken advantage of his plate appearances, hitting .571 (4-for-7) with one home run, four runs scored, and three RBI in four games.
Expected starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez collected a pair of singles and catcher Tucker Barnhart added an RBI double in Thursday’s loss to the Royals.
The Pick is In
With Saturday being an off day for the Reds, expect some of their mainstays to log innings Friday night and get a handful of at-bats. The first weekend of spring training is when you typically start to see some of the projected starters log more innings.
Frankoff was shaky out of the pen for the Diamondbacks in the opener, while De Leon looked decent in his debut. Spring training can always be tricky to predict, with so many unknowns in-play with roster management, but you can feel comfortable with the Reds getting back on track.
The Pick: Cincinnati -130
