The Cincinnati Reds head to Seattle for a late-night interleague matchup against the Mariners on Tuesday, July 21, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park. Chase Burns takes the mound for Cincinnati opposite right-hander Luis Castillo in what shapes up as a genuine pitcher's duel between two arms capable of controlling a game on their own. The Reds will be without the comforts of Great American Ball Park, and Seattle's cavernous T-Mobile Park is a tough environment to generate offense. This one has low-scoring affair written all over it.

Pitching Matchup: Chase Burns vs. Luis Castillo

Burns gets the ball for the Reds in what is unquestionably the most scrutinized spot on the roster. The young right-hander has the stuff to compete against any lineup in baseball, and tonight he'll need every bit of it. Castillo, meanwhile, is as familiar a name as any in the American League. The former Red — yes, that's right, he wore Cincinnati's uniform before heading to Seattle — brings elite command and a power arsenal to the hill. There is inherent storyline value in a Castillo start against his former club, but what matters most is whether Burns can match him pitch for pitch deep into the game.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup for Tuesday

• 1. Elly De La Cruz, SS
• 2. Sal Stewart, 1B
• 3. JJ Bleday, LF
• 4. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
• 5. Nathaniel Lowe, DH
• 6. Noelvi Marte, RF
• 7. Jose Trevino, C
• 8. TJ Friedl, CF
• 9. Edwin Arroyo, 2B

Seattle Mariners Lineup for Tuesday

• 1. Cole Young, 2B
• 2. Randy Arozarena, LF
• 3. Dominic Canzone, DH
• 4. Cal Raleigh, C
• 5. Josh Naylor, 1B
• 6. Luke Raley, RF
• 7. Victor Robles, CF
• 8. Colt Emerson, SS
• 9. Weston Wilson, 3B

Keys to Watch for the Reds

Elly De La Cruz Setting the Table

Leading off for Cincinnati, De La Cruz is the engine that makes this offense go. If he gets on base and starts creating havoc, the Reds have a chance to scratch across runs against a tough Castillo. A quiet night from De La Cruz typically means a quiet night for the whole lineup.

Eugenio Suárez Facing His Former Team

Suárez, hitting cleanup for the Reds, spent several seasons in Seattle before this stint in Cincinnati. Former-team motivation is hard to quantify, but Suárez has the pop to change a game in a single at-bat against Castillo's stuff.

Burns Controlling the Strike Zone

Against a Seattle lineup that features Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Naylor, Burns cannot afford to fall behind in counts and start trading in elevated fastballs. His ability to establish his breaking ball early will determine how long he stays in this game.

Nathaniel Lowe's Production in the Middle

Lowe slots in at DH and bats fifth, giving the Reds some left-handed presence in the heart of the order. His ability to work counts and drive runners in from scoring position is a critical variable against an elite starter like Castillo.

Prediction

This figures to be a tight, low-scoring game decided by a handful of key at-bats. Castillo is as difficult a draw as any pitcher on any roster, but Burns has the ceiling to keep the Reds in it. Give me the Reds stealing one on the road, 3-2, on the strength of a strong Burns outing and a big swing from Suárez against his former club. Catch the game on Reds.TV or WLW 700.