Main Event: Tony Cingrani v. Jose Fernandez

When was the last time two phenom young unexperienced pitchers squared off? I have no idea, check elias if you really care. The point I’m trying to make is Reds pitching phenom Tony Cingrani takes the mound for his first start in the bigs tonight. He’s facing a god awful Marlins team who coincidentally trot out their young phenom Jose Fernandez tonight as well.

Feb 22, 2013; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Cingrani (52) reacts after giving up a run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Cingrani is coming off three great starts in Triple A Louisville, three starts that saw him strike out 26 and bring his 0.00 ERA to the major leagues with him. Cingrani has been called by many the future of the Reds pitching staff. Reds fans saw him last season in three relief apperances near the end of the season.

He isn’t the only story though, Marlins young pitcher Jose Fernandez has been touted as the next Dwight “Doc” Gooden. I have yet to see this kid pitch but one look as his stat line it’s easy to see what the hype is about. He has only given up 5 hits while recording 13 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.82. Sure the two starts were against the Mets and the Phillies but still massively impressive.

Both of these pitchers have massive hype surrounding them. Cingrani has yet to garner the attention of the national media like Fernandez has but Reds fans are giddy to see what this kid can do as a starter. Fernandez while only 20 has hype, with hype comes huge expectations, so far the kid has lived up to it.

If you’re free tonight, bored sitting at home come down to GABP. Stubhub has tickets as low as $7.00, you can’t beat this kind of bargin, then down the road if Cingrani turns out to be a huge success you can say “I was there”. Its a win win! First pitch at 7:10.

Twitter: @MattNiehaus