Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SPORTS
If there is one word to describe the 2015 season of Mike Leake, it has to be inconsistent. The right-hander for the Cincinnati Reds has had games this season when he has been untouchable. But he’s had other games when it looked like he was throwing batting practice to the other team.
Manager Bryan Price has sent Leake out every fifth day, not having any idea what kind of result he would see. Luckily for Leake, Price and the Reds, it was the good Mike Leake that showed up on Friday night. Leake went seven strong innings, giving up no runs and just two hits, striking out seven and walking three as the Reds shut out the Miami Marlins 5-0.
Now what Leake needs to work on is building on tonight’s strong outing. He’s been unable to put together a strong streak so far this season.
For example, in May, Leake pitched 14 innings in consecutive starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves, giving up just one earned run in the two games. But his next three starts, he gave up nine earned runs, then five, then six.
Leake is a pitcher that is somewhat in limbo with the Reds. He’s just 27 years old and still has many good years ahead of him. But with the Reds slowly falling out of contention in the National League Central, Leake could also be trade bait for Cincinnati as the trade deadline approaches. There are a number of contenders who could use a pitcher like Leake for the stretch drive this season.
Cincinnati hopes that Leake can put together more performances like he did on Friday night. They also hope he can become more consistent, which is a sign of maturity in a starting pitcher.
Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
