Cincinnati @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 4, 2010 ) Cincinnati 2, Washington 4
Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward might be getting more of the hype, but Mike Leake is putting together quite an impressive rookie campaign of his own.
Leake will be looking to stay undefeated when the Cincinnati Reds take on the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
The consensus top prospect in the game entering the season, Heyward started the season on a tear for the Braves, forcing some of the other impressive National League rookies - like Leake and St. Louis Cardinals hurler Jamie Garcia - to the back of the pack.
But Leake, 22, isn’t flying under the radar anymore.
The right-hander, who made the Reds rotation in spring training despite having never thrown a pitch in a minor league game, has emerged as a potential ace and the most consistent pitcher on the team.
The Arizona State product, who was drafted seventh overall by Cincinnati in the 2009 draft, paces the club with a 2.45 ERA to go along with four wins and a .243 batting average against.
Part of his success so far has been his ability to keep the ball in the ballpark, surrendering just four homers in 66 total innings.
He has also harnessed his control, issuing a total of 13 walks in his last eight starts after allowing 12 in his first two outings.
Leake has been a little unlucky lately in terms of run support, not factoring in the decision in any of his last three outings despite yielding a total of two earned runs in 19 1/3 innings.
Washington will send right-hander Luis Atilano to the hill. Atilano, 25, is having a very nice rookie season as well, coming in to Saturday’s game with a 5-1 record. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his eight starts.
Atliano’s underlying statistics show that he could be in line for some decline, however, as he has issued 21 walks while notching only 16 strikeouts in 44 total innings.