Brandon Williamson will start a game in his seventh major league park tonight (Friday) when he takes the mound for the Cincinnati Reds vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Game time is 9:10 p.m. Minnesota time.
The Martin County West graduate may have had the best start of his career to date in last outing Saturday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati vs. Arizona, He earned his second career win as he went six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five in the Reds’ 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
Williamson is facing the Dodgers for the second time. On June 7 in Cincinnati, he allowed six runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings. He took a no-decision in Cincy’s 8-6 win in 10 innings.
Williamson is 2-2 with a 4.60 earned run average.
In his last three starts, Williamson has a 1.80 ERA. In 15 innings he has allowed three runs on eight hits, walking five and striking out 12. Opponents are hitting .160 against him in that time.
The left-hander has picked two runners off, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. and San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Reds have an 8-4 record in games Williamson starts.
Los Angeles will start right-hander Bobby Miller (6-1, 4.28)
Cincinnati has a 56-48 record, 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the National League Central Division.
If the season ended today, the Reds would be in the postseason as the third wild card team.
The leaders are separated by percentage points. San Francisco is 56-47 (.544), Philadelphia is 55-47 (.539) and Cincinnati is 56-48 (.538). Arizona and Miami are right behind s both the Diamondbacks and Marlins are 55-48 (.534).
“No one’s even thinking about the wild card,” Williamson to The Enquirer. “We’re just thinking we want to win the division.”
The Reds are trying to become the first team to win a division after losing at least 100 games the prior season.
Here is a look at Williamson's starts this season:
May 16 (at Colorado Rockies)
In his first major league start in Denver vs. the Colorado Rockies, Williamson allowed one run on two hits, walking two and striking out six in 5 2/3 innings. He threw 72 pitches, 47 for strikes. Williamson received a no-decision in Cincinnati’s 3-1 win.
May 22 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
Making his first start at Great American Ballpark, Williamson game up four runs on four hits, walking four and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings pitched. He threw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. The Reds won 6-5 in 10 innings with Williamson receiving a no-decision.
May 27 (at Chicago Cubs)
Williamson started for the Reds at Wrigley Field in the nationally televised Fox Game of the Week. He allowed four runs on six hits, walking three and fanning three in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 81 pitches, 52 for strikes. Williamson had another no-decision as Cincinnati won 8-5.
June 2 (vs. Milwaukee Brewers)
Pitching against the team that originally drafted him in the 36th round in 2018, Williamson had career highs of six strikeouts and 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits. He threw 90 pitches, 59 for strikes. It was another no-decision for Williamson as the Reds lost 5-4 in 11 innings.
June 7 (vs. Los Angeles Dodgers)
Williamson gave up six runs on eight hits (including three home runs), walking two and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings. He threw a career-high 96 pitches, 58 for strikes. The Reds won 8-6 in 10 innings with Williamson receiving a no-decision.
June 13 (at Kansas City)
The Martin County West graduate recorded his first MLB win as he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, not walking a batter and striking out one in five innings. He threw 78 pitches, 51 for strikes. The Reds won 5-4.
June 19 (vs. Colorado)
Another no decision for Williamson, although the first place Reds win 5-4 to improve to 6-1 in games he starts. The left hander went five-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits, not walking a batter and striking out five. He threw 86 pitches, 59 for strikes.
June 26 (at Baltimore)
A lengthy rain delay resulted in the shortest outing of Williamson’s career as he was replaced in the third inning. He went two innings, allowing three runs on two hits, walking four and striking out two as he took his first big league loss. Williamson threw 67 pitches, 39 for strikes. The Orioles won 10-3.
July 1 (vs. San Diego)
Williamson pitched well but did take his second big league loss. The score was tied 1-1 when he left the game, and he was responsible for a runner on first who did score and the Padres went to win 12-5. Williamson went five-plus innings, allowing tywo runs (one earned) on three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 51 for strikes.
July 6 (at Washington)
Rain again played a role in a short outing. There was a delay of 1 hour and 43 minutes after the first inning. Williamson took a bit of the load off the bullpen by making it through three innings. He didn’t allow a run on one hit, walked one and struck out four and the Reds eventually won 5-4 in 10 innings.
July 19 (vs. San Francisco)
A quality start (the third pitcher in five games to do so for the Reds) and a no-decision. Williamson pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking three and striking out three. He threw a career-high 98 pitches, 61 for strikes.
July 22 (vs. Arizona)
In arguably the best start of his career to date, Williamson picks up his second career win as he goes six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five as the Reds beat the Diamondbacks 4-2. He threw 80 pitches, 55 for strikes.