ST. LOUIS -- Chase Burns posted five scoreless innings in his first start since signing a seven-year, $105 million extension with the Reds on July 18. That may be a difficult standard to maintain, but Cincinnati will need him to come as close to it as possible as they fight to stay in the Wild Card race in a matchup with Cleveland that begins on Monday (7:10 PM EDT, ESPN) at Great American Ball Park.
Burns (12-1, 2.42 ERA) has not yet made a start in the Battle of Ohio in his young career, and the Reds are hoping his first makes a strong impression. The Guardians took two of three at Progressive Field in May, and this week’s three-game set represents an opportunity to even the score -- or better.
With 124 strikeouts in just 107 2/3 innings pitched, Burns has buzzsawed his way through the league in his first full season to become one of baseball’s most dominant starters. His 12 wins are tied for the lead among Major League pitchers and earned him a place in his first career All-Star Game earlier this month.