Chris Paddack's 7.63 ERA Doesn't Scare the Reds, But His New Start Is Cincinnati's Biggest Risk

Alright, sports fans, get ready for a wild one. The Cincinnati Reds are throwing a complete curveball this Saturday, signing eight-year veteran pitcher Chris Paddack and immediately slating him for his first start against the Cleveland Guardians. Seriously, just days after the Miami Marlins designated him for assignment and then outright released him, the dude is back on the mound. And get this: his stats this season are a jaw-dropping 0-5 with a brutal 7.63 ERA. You read that right. A 7.63 ERA! Are the Reds crazy, or is this the ultimate low-risk, high-reward gamble?

From Marlins Mess to Reds' Rotation Hope?

Paddack's short stint with the Marlins was, well, a disaster. His most recent start on May 3 saw him as the losing pitcher against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he coughed up seven runs on six hits and three walks in just 2 2/3 innings. Two days later, he was shown the door. Ouch. But the Reds, battling injuries to pitchers Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson, and Rhett Lowder, were desperate. Manager Terry Francona basically admitted it, saying, "He had a tough time in Florida, and we needed a pitcher. And the hope is that he catches fire and gives us some help, because we've all seen that happen. It's also good that he's a veteran who knows what he's doing, throwing strikes." Paddack sounds ready for the fresh start, too, telling reporters, "I was home for about a week, got to spend time with the family and just kind of reset mentally, and got a call [Tuesday] that the Reds are interested, and here we are. I'm excited for this opportunity. You look at my stats to start the season, it's not ideal, right? It's never how we want to start. But that doesn't define who you are. And it's pretty cool to see a group of guys like this, front office, coaching staff, players saying, 'Hey, let's give this guy a chance. We know what he's capable of.' I want to contribute any way I can, and I'm excited to get back on the saddle." Talk about a clean slate!

Guardians Aren't Making It Easy

This isn't just about Paddack, though. The Reds won a nail-biter against the Guardians on Friday, 7-6, in their Ohio Cup series. Andrew Abbott had a solid outing, allowing just one run on four hits over five-plus innings, leaving with a 3-0 lead that ballooned to 6-1. But then, the bullpen nearly imploded! Reliever Graham Ashcraft gave up four runs in the eighth inning without recording an out, letting the Guardians crawl back to 6-5. The Reds barely held on in the ninth! Keep an eye on Guardians' rookie Travis Bazzana, too. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft was 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI, both coming in that scary eighth inning comeback attempt. Manager Stephen Vogt is super happy with Bazzana's first 15 career games, saying, "He hit the ball hard there at the end. I thought we had a number of guys that had really good at-bats tonight. But Travis' at-bats have been very, very good versus left, versus right." Paddack's actually got a decent career record against the Guardians, at 0-1 with a 2.41 ERA in four games (three starts), allowing five runs in 18 2/3 innings. That's a tiny glimmer of hope! So, can Paddack truly reset his season and help a struggling Reds rotation? Saturday's game is gonna be a massive test. He's going up against Guardians' 26-year-old left-hander Joey Cantillo, who's been hot with a 3-1 record and 2.98 ERA, winning his last two starts and only allowing one run over 11 innings in those games. This isn't just a new start for Paddack, it's a huge moment for the Reds. Can they get a stable arm, and can the bullpen finally hold it down? We'll be watching!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.