Mahle allowed three earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out 11 across six innings Tuesday against the Braves. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Mahle kept the Braves hitless through six innings and looked dominant in the process, not allowing a ball to get out of the infield until the seventh inning. His start unraveled a bit from there, as he allowed two home runs and a double to the three batters he faced in the seventh inning. Still, signs are positive for Mahle as he has generated 12 and 20 swinging strikes respectively over his past two starts, flashing swing and miss stuff that had previously been untapped.

Mahle (1-3) took the loss against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings while striking out six.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander served up a two-run homer to Eric Thames in the third inning, and those proved to be the only runs in the game. Mahle's command wasn't quite there Wednesday, as his four walks were more than in his first three starts of the season combined, but he still has a strong 8.6 K/9 through 21 innings. The rookie will take a 5.14 ERA into his next outing Tuesday at home against the Braves.

Mahle gave up five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings during the losing effort to the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Mahle gave up only a solo home run to Yadier Molina prior to starting the sixth, but things unraveled in the inning and he coughed up a four-spot before being lifted. He did manage to strike out five while walking none, but couldn't quite contain the Cardinals' bats. Mahle has been roughed-up in the last two starts since he one-hit the Cubs in six innings for his first start of the season. The Reds' rotation is banged up, so the young right-hander figures to see continued starts.

Mahle allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out two across 4.2 innings and took the loss Sunday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Mahle had a disappointing start Sunday against the Pirates, headlined by allowing two home runs to left-handed batters in the fifth inning. His success against left-handed batters will be worth monitoring as the season wears on, as Mahle acknowledged that he relied heavily on his fastball in his opening start of the season. That may open him up to significant platoon splits and make him an unreliable option depending on the heaviness of left-handed batters in opposing lineups.

Mahle was fantastic against the Cubs on Monday, shutting them out over six innings while striking out seven, allowing two walks and one hit. "I located my fastball really well," Mahle said to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "The slider and changeup came later -- maybe the last couple innings. For the most part, I was able to take over the game, kind of, with my fastball."

EDGE Analysis

The hit was a triple off the bat of Javier Baez that was tough but arguably catchable. Mahle worked the corners well and got the benefit of a few calls, but showed the poise he had demonstrated throughout the minors. The Reds need more outings like this from their young starters if they hope to emerge from the seemingly perpetual rebuilding cycle.

Mahle will be pushed back a day in the Reds' pitching schedule after the team's Opening Day game Thursday against the Nationals was rained out, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports. The right-hander is now slated to make his first start Monday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The rotation adjustment doesn't really move the needle for Mahle, who will miss out on a tough home matchup Sunday against a stacked Nationals lineup and instead face an equally strong Cubs lineup in Cincinnati. Mahle earned his way into the Opening Day rotation with a strong showing in the Cactus League, though he ended the spring with a clunker Monday, serving up six runs on 10 hits during a four-inning outing against the Rangers in Texas.

Mahle was knocked around for six runs on 10 hits over four innings in his final spring training start against the Rangers in Arlington, the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mahle didn't strike out any Rangers and even his outs were frequently hit hard. Mahle will start the Reds' third game against the Nats. Hopefully this is just a glitch and not a portent of things to come.

Reds manager Bryan Price said Sunday that he expects Mahle to start the team's third game of the season April 1 against the Nationals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mahle is slated to make his final start of the spring Monday against the Rangers in Arlington, but even if he performs poorly in that outing, it won't overshadow his performance throughout the Reds' Cactus League schedule. He accrued a 2.75 ERA and 0.66 WHIP while striking out 15 batters in 19.2 innings in Arizona, giving the Cincinnati brass confidence that he's ready for full-time duty in the big leagues in 2018.

Mahle went five innings Tuesday night against the Padres, holding them to two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out six, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports. "I try not to think about it too much," Mahle said of waiting to see if he won a roster spot. "They're going to decide whatever they want. For myself, I like to go out and have good outings. It makes my life a lot easier and me a lot happier. I'm not too worried about what they're going to decide."

EDGE Analysis

Injuries to Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan have opened the door for Mahle to try to win a starting job, and Mahle has marched right through. He has a 2.75 ERA with a 15:3 KBB over 19.2 innings so far this spring.

Mahle threw five shutout innings Thursday against the Indians, allowing two hits without striking out or walking anyone, drawing praise from manager Bryan Price afterward, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports. "He was sensational," Price said. "I don't think he could have done any better."

EDGE Analysis

Mahle is getting a really good chance of winning a rotation spot, at least on merit from his performance last year and this spring. Working against him is his lack of extensive experience and that he has options remaining. But he and Sal Romano have done the most to win a rotation spot, with at least two openings present thanks to Anthony DeSclafani's oblique injury.