Cincinnati Reds @ Miami Marlins Game Preview: Thursday, May 16th 7:10 PM EST (Game 41)

May 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Fernandez will be given the ball and seek to end another Miami Marlins losing streak. Fernandez pitched well last Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was able to end a Marlins three game skid. Since his last start, the Marlins have dropped four straight games and will look to Jose to end the streak again.

Fernandez will be making his second start of the season and his career against the Reds. His first start did not fare too well, as he allowed five runs in just four innings of work. Marlins starting pitching has surrendered 10 earned runs in the first two games of this series.

Pitching Matchup:

IPERAFIPRedsDateMarlinsIPERAFIP
50.13.043.31LatosMay 15Fernandez37.03.653.16

Projected Lineup

LineupPlayer AVG.OBP.SLG %
1Juan Pierre.241.289.278
2Adeiny Hechavarria.187.245.363
3Derek Dietrich.400.400.650
4Marcell Ozuna.296.333.444
5Chris Coghlan.217.266.283
6Jeff Mathis
7Greg Dobbs.211.285.260
8Nick Green.250.293.389

The Marlins best hitter, Justin Ruggiano gets an off-day and that just makes the Marlins lineup a lot worse. Coghlan has proven that his rookie season was a fluke and that he is not a real major league player on a consistent basis. You have to figure when Giancarlo Stanton returns from his injury, Coghlan will be the outfielder ousted from the team.

Bold Prediction: Jose Fernandez exacts his revenge against the Cincinnati Reds and delivers a strong start for the Fish. Jose pitches seven shutout innings and racks up a career high 10 strikeouts. The Marlins offense struggles against Mat Latos, but are able to put enough on the board to get Fernandez his third career win. Marlins win 3-1.