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The Cincinnati Reds remain confident Brady Singer eventually will perform like the first-round pick they acquired two years ago.

Singer is scheduled to start for the Reds on Saturday in the second contest of the three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins.

He will try to pick up where fellow right-hander Chase Burns left off in the series opener on Friday. Burns threw seven shutout innings in the 1-0 win.

'These are the kind of arms that you have to beat to get in (the playoffs) and, ultimately, win in the postseason,' Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. 'We'll bounce back (Saturday).'

Singer (5-11, 4.66 ERA) got off to a slow start this season, going 2-6 with a 5.89 ERA through his first 12 starts. He has righted the ship over the last two months, however.

He has allowed three runs in six innings in each of his past two starts but doesn't have a win to show for those efforts.

'Some guys, you just know they're going to figure it out. That's just who he is,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. 'He was a little beat-up for a while, but he takes an immense amount of pride in posting and being accountable. Those are good adjectives.'

Singer was drafted 18th overall by the Kansas City Royals in 2018, a few spots ahead of MLB regulars Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers, Trevor Larnach of the Minnesota Twins and Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs.

After five seasons with the Royals in which he hit double digits in wins just once, he was traded to the Reds on Nov. 22, 2024 in exchange for infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer.

In his most recent start, Singer allowed three runs on eight hits against the Washington Nationals last Sunday. The Nationals went on to record a 7-1 victory to complete the three-game sweep.

'His velocity looked down a couple of ticks early,' Francona said after the game. 'But kind of like Brady, you look up after six and he battled and fought and scratched and gave up three and gave us a chance. I'm saying that as a compliment, because I didn't think he had his best stuff (against Washington).'

Singer has made four starts against the Marlins in his career and is 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA.

Miami plans to start right-hander Ryan Gusto on Saturday.

Gusto (0-3, 4.78) still is looking for his first win of the season and his first victory with Miami in 18 appearances, including 13 starts, since he was acquired from the Houston Astros on July 31, 2025.

Gusto, who mainly was used as an opener in his early starts, had his best chance at his first win on Aug. 4, when he limited the Atlanta Braves to one run and five hits in six innings. Atlanta starter Grant Holmes bettered him with six shutout innings and the Braves posted a 4-2 victory.

Gusto returned to the mound last Sunday and held the Los Angeles Angels to two runs and three hits in four innings.

He has pitched one scoreless inning of relief against the Reds in his career.

--Field Level Media