4 years agoCincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is out of the lineup Friday for the first time all season against the Pirates and right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl. Kyle Farmer will hold down the hot corner with Suarez on the bench. After a 49-homer campaign last season, Suarez has been caught in a malaise at the dish last year, slashing a rough .123/.278/.246 with a 31.6 K%. Breaking pitches have particularly crippled Suarez’s numbers as he has produced an .090 xBA and .125 xSLG on them thus far. His next chance to return to the starting lineup comes Saturday when Pittsburgh sends left-handed pitcher Steven Brault to the hill, which should bode in his favor as he has compiled an .833 OPS vs. southpaws this year, as opposed to .408 vs. righties.--Jesse Borek
Source: Cincinnati Reds