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The Cincinnati Reds welcome their former ace Luis Castillo back home Tuesday night when they open a three-game series with the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Both clubs are coming off three-game weekend sweeps of division rivals that put both of them back at the .500 mark with matching 8-8 records.

The Reds blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Sunday to complete their first sweep of Pittsburgh since August 2021, while the Mariners turned back the Texas Rangers 3-1 to complete their homestand with a 5-1 mark.

In the midst of an organizational rebuild, the Reds traded away Castillo on July 30, 2022, days before the deadline for four prospects.

Noelvi Marte has started the last two games at third base for Cincinnati while shortstop Edwin Arroyo is considered one of the top prospects in the organization. Andrew Moore is a pitching prospect in the organization while Levi Stoudt has moved onto the Baltimore system.

Three seasons later, Castillo, who signed a five-year, $108 million extension with Seattle, is the ace of the Mariners’ staff. Castillo (1-1, 2.12 ERA) heads to the mound to make his fourth start of the season and his first ever against the team that dealt him away.

Last Tuesday, Castillo allowed just five hits over five scoreless innings but received a no-decision in Seattle’s 2-1 loss.

Since Castillo’s departure, the Reds have built a strong staff, starting with Hunter Greene, who helped blank the Pirates on Sunday and is 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA in four starts.

Tuesday’s starter for Cincinnati has been even better by the numbers. Nick Lodolo (2-1, 0.96) is making his fourth start of the season and his first ever against Seattle.

As a staff, Cincinnati has an impressive 2.87 team ERA, third-best in the majors behind only the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. Pitching his carried the Reds to wins in five of six, including three shutouts.

The Reds could be getting some significant reinforcements for the series with Seattle, as three players are eligible to come off the injured list and rejoin the team. Closer Alexis Diaz threw a pair of rehab outings back-to-back Friday and Saturday for Triple-A Louisville.

“Truly, everything was moving up in the right direction,” Diaz said through a team interpreter. “What I did the last few outings is what they actually wanted me to do — attack the hitter, be aggressive and do what I’ve always done.”

Reds manager Terry Francona said the team would make sure Diaz’s mechanics and health are where they need to be before activating him off the injured list.

“I think it’s everything. (Just) making sure he pitched enough where he can be who he is,” Francona said.

In addition to Diaz, second baseman Matt McLain and outfielder Austin Hays are eligible to return from the IL and would bolster a lineup that has struggled offensively.

Seattle’s bullpen has been a strong point through 16 games, as right-hander Jesse Hahn, left-hander Gabe Speier and right-hander Carlos Vargas had impressive stints during the 5-1 homestand. Closer Andres Munoz leads the pen with six saves in six chances and has not allowed an earned run in eight appearances so far.

“You see more and more confidence coming from all of them and getting comfortable where they’re throwing,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.

–Field Level Media