The Cincinnati Reds close out their Sunday homestand at Great American Ball Park on August 16, 2026, hosting the Miami Marlins at 1:40 PM ET. Nick Lodolo gets the ball for Cincinnati against Miami right-hander Eury Pérez in what shapes up as a compelling arm-vs-arm matchup. With summer winding down and playoff positioning very much on the table, this is a game the Reds need to win at home against a Marlins club that has its own young talent capable of making things uncomfortable.
Starting Pitching: Nick Lodolo vs. Eury Pérez
Nick Lodolo has established himself as one of the more dependable arms in Cincinnati's rotation. The left-hander's combination of premium stuff and strike-throwing ability makes him a genuine weapon on days when his command is sharp. When Lodolo is right, he gives the Reds a chance to control the game from the first pitch, and Great American Ball Park's afternoon sun can be a real factor — but Lodolo has shown he handles the moment.
On the other side, Eury Pérez is a name worth taking seriously. The young Miami right-hander has enormous upside, and when his fastball-changeup combination is clicking, he can make lineups look foolish regardless of the ballpark. The Reds will need to be disciplined early and not chase his off-speed stuff out of the zone. Getting into Miami's bullpen is often the goal against a pitcher like Pérez.
Keys to Watch for the Cincinnati Reds
- Lodolo's command early: If Lodolo can establish his fastball and work both sides of the plate, he limits Miami's ability to work counts. Walks are the enemy in a day game with afternoon shadows creeping in.
- Disciplined at-bats against Pérez: Pérez can run up strikeout totals in a hurry when hitters expand the zone. The Reds need patient, professional plate appearances — especially in the lineup's middle third — to grind pitch counts and get to the Miami bullpen.
- Home-field energy: Sunday afternoon crowds at Great American Ball Park can be electric, and the Reds have shown they feed off that energy. First-pitch strikes, quick innings, and an early lead would put the crowd in it and the Marlins on their heels.
- Capitalizing on mistakes: Miami's defense has been a weak spot. The Reds need to run the bases aggressively and put balls in play to force errors and create extra opportunities.
Prediction: Reds Win a Pitcher's Duel
This one has the feel of a low-scoring afternoon game decided by one or two big swings. Lodolo is at home, where he has the comfort of a familiar mound and a crowd that wants to give him a lift. Pérez will make it interesting — he always does — but expect the Reds' lineup to scratch out enough against the Miami bullpen to pull this one out. Reds 3, Marlins 2.
Catch the game on Reds.TV or on the radio at WLW 700 AM.
